SD with Yojimbo and co: Real life data who could / has actually done it in a planned, controlled manner(Mr. Janich..?) ?

[Wartstein]

Wartstein, you may like this book - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Killing

I've been pretty lucky in that 95% of the times I've been attacked with a weapon, I've been able to run away.

Thanks for pointing towards that book! :) - Already ordered a copy!

Very interesting indeed.

I am not a "war" or "violence" guy. I don´t like both (obviously, I mean IF a world without violence and wars were possible most would hopefully not say "no" )
But I am interested in all more "intense" aspects of human life and human experience, in motivations, explanations, the moral aspects (when is even violence and killing "justified", which wars are, which are not, how does the view on that differ between cultures) and so on.

And where I live, or not too far away, one can still find a lot of ruins and artefacts of both the first and second world war. And of course both of my grandfathers had to fight in the latter. So I have some connex there.

[vivi]

Wartstein, you may like this book - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Killing

I've been pretty lucky in that 95% of the times I've been attacked with a weapon, I've been able to run away.

Thanks for pointing towards that book! :) - Already ordered a copy!

Very interesting indeed.

I am not a "war" or "violence" guy. I don´t like both (obviously, I mean IF a world without violence and wars were possible most would hopefully not say "no" )
But I am interested in all more "intense" aspects of human life and human experience, in motivations, explanations, the moral aspects (when is even violence and killing "justified", which wars are, which are not, how does the view on that differ between cultures) and so on.

And where I live, or not too far away, one can still find a lot of ruins and artefacts of both the first and second world war. And of course both of my grandfathers had to fight in the latter. So I have some connex there.

I've spent a lot of time thinking about the same things. I started martial arts when I was five and have spent a decade doing security. Any night I even had to put my hands on someone and escort them off our property I'd mentally review after my shift and ask myself if I handled that situation in the best way possible, etc.

There's so much that goes on inside a human brain before, during and after any sort of violent conflict.

[bearfacedkiller]

Wartstein, you may like this book - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Killing

I've been pretty lucky in that 95% of the times I've been attacked with a weapon, I've been able to run away.

That’s an excellent book, and highly recommended reading.

Jim

Agreed, I read it about six years ago and still think about it pretty often.

[Wartstein]

Wartstein, you may like this book - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Killing

I've been pretty lucky in that 95% of the times I've been attacked with a weapon, I've been able to run away.

That’s an excellent book, and highly recommended reading.

Jim

Agreed, I read it about six years ago and still think about it pretty often.

Well, I will read it soon... it's on its way to me already.

[JRinFL]

You may wish to read this book by Rory Miller: Meditations on Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training & Real World Violence
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DN0GVM4

[Wartstein]

You may wish to read this book by Rory Miller: Meditations on Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training & Real World Violence
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DN0GVM4

Thanks! :)
The next great tip! I´ll look into it!

[Bemo]

Actually, while those books are good, I would first start with https://www.amazon.com/Gift-Fear-Gavin- ... 262&sr=8-1

[Wartstein]

Actually, while those books are good, I would first start with https://www.amazon.com/Gift-Fear-Gavin- ... 262&sr=8-1

Very interesting too! :)

Though of a different kind, right? More a book for (quote from the site) "everyone who ever felt threatened", so a more practical what-to-do, what-to-do-not, what-to-do-better" kind of "awareness manual" perhaps?! (Just guessing!)
If so, this is great of course!

But where I live (VERY peaceful place generally) and with my mindset I actually never feel threatened I guess (and perhaps that´s silly or even arrogant and I should) :o
I personally am at the moment more interested in general, more "philosophical" aspects of the matter, and less how to actually and specifically avoid or deal with threats.
Again, maybe silly! But I think the whole "awareness and listen to your instincts - thing" (IF the book is partly about it!!) is a double edged sword:
For many, especially in more dangerous areas, sure a very good approach!!
But sometimes it can lead to people living in more "fear" and less relaxed than necessary.

[Wartstein]

Actually, while those books are good, I would first start with https://www.amazon.com/Gift-Fear-Gavin- ... 262&sr=8-1

/ Bemo, on a side note: I figure you haven´t received a knife from me yet?! (If not: I assume it got lost or it will take half a year to make it over the pond these days... :o )

[MFlovejp]

Again, maybe silly! But I think the whole "awareness and listen to your instincts - thing" (IF the book is partly about it!!) is a double edged sword:
For many, especially in more dangerous areas, sure a very good approach!!
But sometimes it can lead to people living in more "fear" and less relaxed than necessary.

I couldn’t agree more, though I’m a large, tough [looking, at least] white man so I can’t speak for everyone. People tend not to target me. I also tend not to go in to areas with high crime rates at night or alone. And I DO carry a firearm when the situation suggests it, usually something large-bore for four-legged assailants though.

[Wartstein]

Wartstein, you may like this book - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Killing
...

Vivi and others, this is a really interesting and imho worth watching discussion of the things the book probably is about too:

https://youtu.be/zViyZGmBhvs&t=29s (it IS in English by a Brit, even if the title might appear in German!)

Clever thoughts, and presented in a quite entertaining manner. Main topic: How many are really commited to use violence? and in what situations? How big of a thread one has to perceive to act decisively "violent"? Are our human instincts (like with animals) more like just to intimidate an scare away attackers and not really to get in a serious fight and hurt or kill them?

(Some other very interesting vids by the same guy that touch the topic a bit:

https://youtu.be/axY35kYud88
https://youtu.be/QwyrgQrRjvY
https://youtu.be/DytBlcScGNk&t=2709s)

[ZrowsN1s]

Add Ernie Emerson to the book of the month club too.

Surviving the deadly attack:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/15060265 ... 1506026516

[James Y]

But where I live (VERY peaceful place generally) and with my mindset I actually never feel threatened I guess (and perhaps that´s silly or even arrogant and I should) :o
I personally am at the moment more interested in general, more "philosophical" aspects of the matter, and less how to actually and specifically avoid or deal with threats.
Again, maybe silly! But I think the whole "awareness and listen to your instincts - thing" (IF the book is partly about it!!) is a double edged sword:
For many, especially in more dangerous areas, sure a very good approach!!
But sometimes it can lead to people living in more "fear" and less relaxed than necessary.

For me, awareness of my surroundings is less about living in fear and more like driving on the road. While driving, you must maintain awareness in different areas (school zones, freeways, residential areas, etc.), but it’s not necessarily fear-based. Similarly, when out and about, you maintain awareness of your surroundings. Like driving a car, you’re not constantly in fear, but simply aware. When you are accustomed to maintaining some degree of awareness, it’s like awareness while driving a car. It becomes second nature.

It also means to ‘listen’ to your gut instinct. If you’re going somewhere and suddenly something feels wrong, pay attention to that feeling. Too many people who have run into trouble have said after the fact, “I had a bad (or weird) feeling about continuing on (to wherever they were going or whatever they doing), but I ignored that feeling and rationalized it away. I should have listened to my intuition.”

Being aware doesn’t mean you’re constantly in “code red” or whatever they call it, or paranoid and constantly jumping at every shadow. During most times you can have a relaxed awareness that only needs to heighten at certain times.

MANY people go through life almost oblivious to their surroundings and of other people. Especially nowadays, in the age of the “smart” phone.

Jim

[bearfacedkiller]

There is a big difference between being prepared and being paranoid.

[James Y]

There is a big difference between being prepared and being paranoid.

You stated it far more succinctly than I did, Darby. :)

Jim

[Bemo]

[/quote]

Though of a different kind, right? More a book for (quote from the site) "everyone who ever felt threatened", so a more practical what-to-do, what-to-do-not, what-to-do-better" kind of "awareness manual" perhaps?! (Just guessing!)
If so, this is great of course!
[/quote]

Sorry Gernot, I'm pretty busy these days and haven't been monitoring things too closely. I think you're statement is fairly accurate description. The reason I recommend this one first is you'd be surprised how many people have stopped listening to their instincts about a lot of things. The instincts that kept our species alive for a couple million years are now considered untrustworthy and in fact a nuisance at time. In my clinical practice I've heard story after story of victims who ignored the little voice. I'm a big believer in folks having some exposure to self defense training. But being in an allied health field has impressed upon me that prevention is almost always preferred over intervention.

[Bemo]

[/quote]

/ Bemo, on a side note: I figure you haven´t received a knife from me yet?! (If not: I assume it got lost or it will take half a year to make it over the pond these days... :o )
[/quote]

Ah sorry my friend nothing has arrived for me from Austria! That's so kind of you to do that I feel bad now. It just may take away, even some domestic packages seem to be taking a long time right now. That was too much trouble you went to!

[jdw]

These threads always lead me to questions of options, #1 Always bravely run away. #2. Carry a gun. Or #3 If you lack training is it better to have a knife made for SD (Civilian), or a knife that you use often regardless of shape or size? I think about complete lack of finite motor control if you are truly scared out of your head and even what grip on a knife is most instinctive?

[vivi]

These threads always lead me to questions of options, #1 Always bravely run away. #2. Carry a gun. Or #3 If you lack training is it better to have a knife made for SD (Civilian), or a knife that you use often regardless of shape or size? I think about complete lack of finite motor control if you are truly scared out of your head and even what grip on a knife is most instinctive?

Every weapons instructor I've studied under has stressed muscle memory and repetitive drilling.

If I were going to carry a knife for self defense, I'd choose something I'm familiar with and always carry it in the same spot. Waved Enduras feel basically the same as a Pacific Salt on the draw, so I'd started there.

I would always choose running when possible, and have in the past. Or talking. Ran from a guy chasing me with a bat instead of drawing the Millie in my pocket. Talked down a guy with a knife instead of drawing my Street Bowie. Both situations ended with me 100% unscathed and the police handled the follow up. I consider that a win.

[bearfacedkiller]

You simply will never know how you will react in those situations until you find yourself in one.

I have unfortunately been in a couple scary situations where I feared for my life as well as being in my fair share of physical altercations. I always thought that I would be more flight than fight but in the moment that hasn’t been my experience. I am super easy going and I have a very calm demeanor and consider myself a pacifist. I truly hate violence. That said, I apparently have a savage side that has even surprised me. I no longer question if I will act with purpose if I need to.

In the altercations I have been in I find that I rely almost entirely on instinct. It is a weird state of mind that you find yourself in. I have been hit in fights and not remembered it and later tried to figure out why my eye was swollen shut. Acting on just adrenaline and instinct is somewhat euphoric. This is why they preach training. When your reptile brain kicks in it needs to already know what to do.

I don’t think it matters what knife you carry as long as it is a knife you regularly carry. You just want to know that muscle memory will do it’s job when you need to apply it.

As far as close quarters gunfighting goes, attackers will often get close before they act. That is one reason I regularly carry a j frame. You can shove it right into them and it will still go off and you know exactly where the bullet is going. They call them belly guns for a reason.