Originally Posted by
GLW
First, you have to be able to get to the knife and not injure yourself doing it. Then, you need to be aware that knives are MESSY. You can do a lot of damage with one - but that also means BLOOD. How many untrained...and for that matter trained people...are comfortable with the level of blood that comes with a simple knife confrontation. Blood is also sticky and messy. Old time knife fighters would often train with things like pig bladders filled with blood to get used to the wetness, the stickiness, and the impact all of this would have on their timing and grip of the knife.
"I would not mention or take account of a man for his prowess in running or in wrestling, not even if he had the size and strength of the Cyclopes and could outstrip the wind in the race, nor if he were more handsome than Paris, nor richer than Midas, nor if he had reputation for everything save furious valour. For no man is good in war unless he can endure the sight of bloody slaughter and, standing close, can lunge at the enemy." --- Tyrtaeus, the poet of Sparta c.640 B.c
The oft ignored psychological factor really defines the utility of Martial Arts, and is relative to the person. I agree with all you said above.
問「武」。曰:「克。」未達。曰:「勝己之私之謂克。」