There is a lot of misinformation out there about knife fighting. Most of this can be handled with a little common sense. Some of the truths and lies are going to take a bit of study in a martial arts system that teaches bona fide knife self defense techniques.
One concern is whether a person is going to be able to get his knife out in a fight. This one, like so many concerns, depends on the situation. Thus, there are several good answers.
Be aware, see the knife attack coming, and you'll have time to get out a folder, especially if it is spring assisted and you have practiced a bit. A better alternative would be to carry your knife on your belt in a sheath, this can be pulled out quickly. The key, however, is to avoid dark alleys, choose your environment carefully, and just generally be aware.
A big lie is that when you practice a knife defense your attacker will freeze up after the first strike so that you can do your moves. This is so silly it is incredible. In a real fight motion is a constant, so you'd better pick a martial arts system that, in addition to any posing self defense moves, has drills in which motion is guaranteed.
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One of the biggest concerns in this matter of fighting with blades is that you are going to get cut. Well, maybe, maybe not. Obviously, you can reduce the chance of getting cut if you practice, practice, practice--in any fight, in life itself, the keyword is to be prepared.
One of the things you have to be careful of is these systems that show people grabbing the knife (or gun or whatever) out of somebody's hand. This is only after years of experience, and even then, the martial arts sensei will probably do something more damaging or careful to protect himself. Simply, you don't have time to get cute when somebody slices at you with a blade.
Don't think somebody is going to come at you in a particular way. Yes, he will probably attack you with the cutter in his mitt, but not necessarily. If he's carrying a sharp edge in the first place, he's probably got a sneaky mindset that will begin with a distraction, and then do something you don't expect.
You know, one of the weirdest things I do, if people want to learn how to survive knife attacks, is train them to make using the knife as natural as picking up a fork or spoon. I have them tie a knife to the back of their hand, blade extending, and then I tell them to do things like brushing their teeth, tying their shoes, and so on. It's enlightening, they might actually nick themselves, but they will start to become aware.