Fighting stick vs. Knife

Ricky B · May 4, 2009, 12:09 AM

I'm not sure if T&T is the right place for this question, but here goes:

Assume two men in a fight, one with a fighting stick and the other with a knife, each equally skilled with his weapon.

The fighting stick is, say, as long as a cane, made entirely wood and quite sturdy.

The knife is a dagger (double-edged) with a blade that is 6" long, strong, and sharp.

No element of surprise (and neither has a gun).

Who wins the fight?

Kyo · May 4, 2009, 12:11 AM

stick guy has more reach, and a tactical advantage because he can dual wield or one hand it. knife guy has a knife though. bludgeon vs piercing. sounds like Dungeons and Dragon talk.

Ricky B · May 4, 2009, 12:14 AM

One aspect of this exercise is to figure out what makes a better weapon when a firearm is not available.

cloudcroft · May 4, 2009, 12:27 AM

The knife guy is in trouble mainly due to his having a shorter reach. Especially if the stick guy is trained in Escrima/Arnis (which usually includes knife fighting also so he'd be familiar with the knife guy's tactics).

The stick(s) can be used to block, hit and even capture/lock-up the knife hand/arm and disarm the knife guy...but if the knife guy ALSO knows Escrima/Arnis, he would know the stick guy's tactics, too, and take evasive action.

Still, due to reach I'd say the stick guy has the edge.

-- John D.

Jim March · May 4, 2009, 03:05 AM

A knifer has the advantage, if he's willing to flat-out charge in and take the fight to hug range. The stick guy has to STOP that charge with just a stick.

That ain't easy.

We talk about handguns sometimes lacking "stopping power" all the time. Ponder the real "stopping power" of even a good hickory cane (best case scenario).

If he's smart, the knifer will use his off-arm as a block up around his head, keep the knife close and at waist level and basically "dive in" (similar to the BJJ "shoot").

Try and stop that with a stick.

Keltyke · May 4, 2009, 06:43 AM

Depends on what the combatants are fighting for. It's like the rabbit and the fox. The fox usually loses the chase because he's only running for his supper while the rabbit is running for his life. The guy who WANTS to win will win. The only REALLY dangerous weapons are man and the mind.

Forget the 10 minute fights you see in the movies. Someone well-trained in martial arts can disable an opponent in 2-3 blows. Disarm, certainly - and even kill.

Dragon55 · May 4, 2009, 09:10 AM

We've actually had this scenario in the dojo and the stick guy dies every time. The knife guy gets some bruises.

pax · May 4, 2009, 09:26 AM

Sorry, guys -- TFL is about firearms, not about other weapons.

Closed as off topic.

pax

May 4, 2009, 12:09 AM	#1
Ricky B Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2002 Posts: 251	Fighting stick vs. Knife I'm not sure if T&T is the right place for this question, but here goes: Assume two men in a fight, one with a fighting stick and the other with a knife, each equally skilled with his weapon. The fighting stick is, say, as long as a cane, made entirely wood and quite sturdy. The knife is a dagger (double-edged) with a blade that is 6" long, strong, and sharp. No element of surprise (and neither has a gun). Who wins the fight?

May 4, 2009, 03:05 AM	#5
Jim March Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 1999 Location: Pittsburg, CA, USA Posts: 7,417	A knifer has the advantage, if he's willing to flat-out charge in and take the fight to hug range. The stick guy has to STOP that charge with just a stick. That ain't easy. We talk about handguns sometimes lacking "stopping power" all the time. Ponder the real "stopping power" of even a good hickory cane (best case scenario). If he's smart, the knifer will use his off-arm as a block up around his head, keep the knife close and at waist level and basically "dive in" (similar to the BJJ "shoot"). Try and stop that with a stick. __________________ Jim March

May 4, 2009, 09:10 AM	#7
Dragon55 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2009 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 811	We've actually had this scenario in the dojo and the stick guy dies every time. The knife guy gets some bruises. __________________ sailing ... A way to spend lots of money and go real S L O W

May 4, 2009, 09:26 AM	#8
pax Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2000 Location: In a state of flux Posts: 7,520	Sorry, guys -- TFL is about firearms, not about other weapons. Closed as off topic. pax __________________ Kathy Jackson My personal website: Cornered Cat

May 4, 2009, 12:11 AM	#2
Kyo Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2009 Posts: 897	stick guy has more reach, and a tactical advantage because he can dual wield or one hand it. knife guy has a knife though. bludgeon vs piercing. sounds like Dungeons and Dragon talk.

May 4, 2009, 12:14 AM	#3
Ricky B Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2002 Posts: 251	One aspect of this exercise is to figure out what makes a better weapon when a firearm is not available.

May 4, 2009, 12:27 AM	#4
cloudcroft Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2006 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 565	The knife guy is in trouble mainly due to his having a shorter reach. Especially if the stick guy is trained in Escrima/Arnis (which usually includes knife fighting also so he'd be familiar with the knife guy's tactics). The stick(s) can be used to block, hit and even capture/lock-up the knife hand/arm and disarm the knife guy...but if the knife guy ALSO knows Escrima/Arnis, he would know the stick guy's tactics, too, and take evasive action. Still, due to reach I'd say the stick guy has the edge. -- John D.

May 4, 2009, 06:43 AM	#6
Keltyke Junior member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 2,933	Depends on what the combatants are fighting for. It's like the rabbit and the fox. The fox usually loses the chase because he's only running for his supper while the rabbit is running for his life. The guy who WANTS to win will win. The only REALLY dangerous weapons are man and the mind. Forget the 10 minute fights you see in the movies. Someone well-trained in martial arts can disable an opponent in 2-3 blows. Disarm, certainly - and even kill.