training has a profound impact on the way we react and the way we fight, it also influences our carry and deployment methods. This is particularly true of well-conceived systems of knife tactics, since they usually take a more reality-based approach to close-quarters weapon deployment than most shooting disciplines. Shooters who have not experienced
close-quarters, force-
on-force training, often do not fully appreciate the challenges of drawing a gun while being stabbed or beaten. Commonly taught close-quarters shooting techniques, like the Speed Rock that don’t incorporate an empty- hand defense or at least a strong- guard position, often lead to a false sense of confidence. Realistic knife and empty-hand combatives training helps correct this problem and will quickly teach you that, at close range, you need to stay alive long enough to draw any weapon. The easiest way to achieve this is
to use a strong-guard position as the basis for your drawstroke. I prefer placing the palm of my non-weapon hand firmly on my head just above my eyebrow and projecting the elbow of that arm forward. As a right-hander, this creates a solid shield that pro- tects my head and neck and places my right, weapon-bearing side, away from the attacker. Done aggressively, the movement of assuming the guard “feeds” the natural movement of the draw and shields it from fouling. Once you realize the benefits of
this guarded draw (or your preferred version of the same), you’ll also realize what you are drawing is not important. The guard and the mechanics it provides will effectively support the deployment
of any
weapon on the strong side of your body. In fact, it actually works well when drawing out of a wide range of carry positions, including shoulder- holster carry, appendix carry, strong- side belt and IWB, and even small-of- the-back carry.
What’s Legal? The laws in the area where you live
and areas where you frequently travel will also have a significant bearing on what type of knife you choose to carry and where. Amazingly, even if you have a CCW that allows you to legally carry a firearm, it does not, in most cases, give you any special privi- leges to carry an illegal knife. If your state or municipality doesn’t allow the carry of a fixed blade or a knife with a blade over a certain length, you are still bound by those laws — even if you have a permit to legally carry a
WWW.AMERICANHANDGUNNER.COM
firearm. In fact, many CCW permits that used to read, “concealed weap- on” now read “concealed firearm” to highlight this fact. Do the research on your state, your
municipality and any areas where you travel and determine what type of knife is legal to carry and any re- strictions on methods of carry. Once you’ve determined that, incorporate those restrictions into your carry style as well.
Putting It All Together When you put all these consider-
ations into perspective, the most logi- cal choices for carrying a knife as a backup or alternate to a gun are those locations that allow you to use the same, or nearly the same, drawstroke tactics to deploy it. The trick to do- ing this well is ensuring one doesn’t get in the way of the other. If your belt holster overlaps the lip of your front pocket, carrying a folder in the pocket isn’t practical. Instead you might choose to place a folder in your rear pocket or, if legally permissible, a fixed blade in an IWB appendix carry or behind-the-hip carry. Strive for similar, but not conflicting placement.
Off-side Carry So what about the traditional wis-
dom of carrying a knife on your off side for handgun retention purpos- es? Yes, it has merit, but primarily if you’re in uniform and carrying a handgun in a belt holster. In this sce- nario, handgun retention is a signifi- cant concern and should be addressed with realistic training. That training, done properly, should quickly reveal whatever you do with your strong hand to keep your gun in your hol- ster will become a gross-motor-skill, strength-intensive event. The com- plex motor skills of drawing, opening and using a folding knife with your off hand also aren’t very compatible with that strong-side tug-of-war. Un- less you’re prepared to invest a lot of time and practice in training, you’re better off carrying a fixed blade near the hip crease on your off side. There it is, available to your off hand with a simple grab and draw for weapon re- tention, but it’s also available to your dominant hand with a slight cross- draw that is not too far removed from your standard drawstroke. Like all tactical choices, where you
carry a knife (or knives) in addition to a gun it should be the result of a logical thought process, validated and reinforced by realistic training and frequent practice. That’s the best way to ensure you’ll always “have the edge” when you need it. *
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