Also, in a demonstration, it took considerably more effort for me to brain Nathan in which he could see and block the upswing of me trying to reach his forehead, than it was for me to use the weight of my body to drive a sharp object into his gut. He can't block that without getting cut.
That this caused an impromptu experiment like this makes it all worth it.
ETA: And Allyson finds the most pragmatic solution --
Ergo, brass knuckles with blades sticking out of them are the answer.
That this caused an impromptu experiment like this makes it all worth it.
Do the results bear consideration?
Do the results bear consideration?
To the extent that I'll concede arguing threoreticals about hand to hand combat is irrelevant when it comes to practical application, as the experiment came down fifty/fifty on the success rate of the hammer attack, but only tested the knife under one of two matching criteria performed on the hammer.
Sean, I haven't been arguing theoreticals. I've been arguing knife fighting principles, and the principles of striking with something with a weighted end. And defense against same. While neither of us (I think) have gone up against either weapon in the wild, I trust my teachers, and I trust the experiments I've done on the matter.
Hang on, we're now discussing torque.
Damn, I wish I could stay for this.
But I have to go to krav.
I love that there are now physicists on the case.
But also, it occured to me that if I'm close enough to the bad guy to hold the hammer head in my hand, then I
really
wish I had a knife.
I really wish I had a knife.
Precisely! Range -- you want to keep them as far away from you as possible, and have to do the least work possible to injure them. So if you don't have an AK47, grab the knife before using the hammer as a clumsy roll of nickels.
::really going now::
Well, you won't lose accuracy with a knife swing, but you will not have the same force as if you were using a hammer, held at the end. And with the hammer, it's all about accuracy, no? Better hope your opponent doesn't move at all on the downswing (or upswing, because i wont have the same degree of momentum trying to brain someone taller).
I we specifically talking about bringing either weapon down on someone's skull?
I think we're just generally trying to hurt the bad guy in my kitchen.