[JoshB]

DON'T RELY ON A KNIFE TO SAVE YOUR LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm a trained (but not practicing) martial arts instructor, but wouldn't pick up a knife unless that was my last option (and that's after escaping is no longer an option). I have a lot of friends at work who put a lot of time into learning martial arts, but I always tell them that it won't do a thing for them if the other guy has a gun (and if you're going knife on knife, BOTH of you are in deep sh%t. When I'm off duty, I carry a 1911 24/7 (yes it goes on the headboard when I'm sleeping & in the bathroom when I'm in the shower). When I go to Iraq in a few months, I'll have my issued firearms. In either situation (in Iraq/or at home), if I have to pick up a knife or fight w/ my hands something has seriously gone wrong!!! Focus on becoming a good shot under the worst conditions and you'll be alright. Save the knife fighting for the kung-fu samari guys in the movies.