Is a wooden knife good for self-defense?

Question

Camila · Answer

While it is a selection, it’s not really a good selection.
It is to be said that knife silhouettes can be disturbing if not scary against an unarmed person, but what happens when your assailant isn’t affected by fear when you pull out a knife? If you had a steel knife, you could cut her so she could interfere with her bleeding as a purpose of changing her mind after hurting her. But as far, you’ll club or stab your assailant and probably make her even more mad, but now she may think that you have a poor weapon or that you’re weak because you just stabbed or cut her her and she isn’t bleeding or killed. So now, you have a problem whereas your wooden knife didn’t find a solution, but is more likely getting you into more trouble than there actually was for you to start with, not to mention that it’s also wasting more of your energy and strength than it would do for a steel blade that penetrates easier and adds a larger wound on the body.
Your wooden knife has now become a clubbing/jabbing device which you at this point is probably going to use to defend yourself with as a club or poking instrument instead of a purpose intimidation device. And in a situation like this, you better hope the wood is either sharp or tough enough for stabbing instead of it being small with less space to take up for stabbing.

Is a wooden knife good for self-defense?

It’s definitely obvious; displaying even a knife silhouette may evolve or devolve situations some of the time. But eventually if some doesn’t back off or even a bigger problem, they use a real tool or weapon as their options, you’ll regret intimidating them with a wooden toy knife in a nonsensical trauma where you should have just knocked it off and gotten away.

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Everleigh · Answer

Is a wooden knife good for self-defense?   A knife is not a good weapon for self-defense other than as supposed to be a distraction to hopefully get someone to stay back (which shouldn’t be considered a disadvantage since most people are willing to avoid getting stabbed).  As an advantage, it’s better than nothing. If that’s what you have at the time, then use it. However; you should not try to use a sharp fixed-blade or non-locking replica knives of wood for self-defense. You’ll possibly just get yourself hurt. A wooden knife for self-defense also must be quick and simple to draw, not a replica of a multitool that takes 6 seconds to open up.        This right here is not going to be a good choice.

Maya · Answer

It would be as useful as any other stick about the same size.
You could use it as a kubotan-type weapon for strikes and joint locks.
A flashlight would be able to do this as well, plus work as a flashlight, and not look suspicious.

Eva · Answer

I took a look at your accompanying picture, in SE Oklahoma we call that a short stick. same as we do for something we throw for the dog to fetch. While it would be better than nothing for self defense I’d rather opt for a heavy stockmans cane or a trail staff, particularly one made of bois’d arc ( Osage orange or you may call that Iron wood, at any rate the tree you get Horse Apples from), that’s a tough enough wood to withstand a fight and a cane or staff is easier to explain to authorities than a short stick shaped like a knife. You don’t have to be old to justify an aid to walking. Trust me, a little bit of training works wonders with something like that, and a long stick encourages folks to stand farther back than arms length. What ever you choose, SERIOUSLY train with it. Any of them are too big (even the knife shape) to want to have the bad guy stick up your butt.

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Allison · Answer

Announcing that this topic is probably a question about being creative with homemade weapons, maybe a wooden knife could be considered a mixture between a knife and a club with about the same range as a steel-bladed knife. A short impact weapon is way less helpful for self-defense.

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Alisa1993 · Answer

If the real question is more like, “What can I carry that can be used as a defensive weapon but doesn’t look like one”, then maybe I’d go for a pair of sap gloves.
These are leather or leather/kevlar gloves with lead strips or lead shot over the knuckles.
Alternatively a small water pistol filled with 880 ammonia, or just drain cleaner, could come in handy. Sprayed in the face it’s probably more effective than a knife some of the time.

Jasmine127 · Answer

Yes. In Filipino Kali this would fall into the category or area of training we call  olisi palad, tabak maliit  or palm stick

Charlotte · Answer

It’s better than nothing although I’d rather have a real one. In a desperate situation any blunt object can become a weapon.

Anna · Answer

Is a wooden knife good for self defense?   Understood like how?  Basically, no. A cork launcher or rubber band carbine could be better. Doesn’t do; a handgun. Unable to get my hands on a gun, I would rather have a spear.  To use a wooden knife, you have to get close in order for your target to get in touch with you. That’s not a good distance to be in, especially if that person is better or faster than you.  Although; a wooden knife is acceptably better than nothing, as the other said in this question. Assuming you’re willing to damage your enemy in order save your life. And sometimes you have to, also if you don’t really want to anyways.  …  There are several questions to think about when you craft or purchase a weapon for self defense?    What objects do you actually know how to use as a weapon?     A wooden knife is not very effective if you don’t know how to use it.    What weapons do you really know how to use?     A weapon is not effective if you don’t know how to use it.    What weapons do you remember to use?     A wooden knife is quite ineffective if you forget to use it or take it with you when you have to.    What weapons applies the best range and distance when encountering an enemy opponent?     A broom is great, but you can’t really carry one in public or in your pocket. Cap guns, airsoft guns or newspapers might work, but they won’t work if you’re not going to take it with you.  Then we ask about ‘what kind of wooden knife? This knife as a weapon is pretty much bullshit:        This as a weapon is very great.        But it’s only good if your enemy is not wearing body protection. Else, it’s not.  Then, we have the question of what your assailant is attacking you with. If you have a short wooden knife…  …but your opponent has a branch…  …or a pistol…  …we’re at a range disadvantage. We have a personal safety and range problem.  There’s a difference between taking a wooden knife with you that fits in your pocket easily and concealed and from carrying a big foam sword used in roleplays. But as a youngster and adult, sidearms and compact weapons exists for a reason. You can’t really carry primary weapons (such as swords, rifles, shotguns and launchers) in public, just like you can’t really carry a crossbow on the street. It makes no sense, it looks weird and mostly it’s probably not legal either. Concealed weapons can be worn whereever you want to and fits in your pocket more easily.  Everybody can craft a concealed weapon and carry it around or even something stronger, but it might not be legal everywhere.  A wooden knife can also be used as a tool (if you want to make it more legal). You can add serrations on the back with a rounded, small file and use it as a letter opener for example. Then, we have a tool-like weapon that can be used as a tool too which makes it more legal.  If you want to make sure it looks legal, you can check your laws about knives and make it look legal by adding the same blade length for example. Other than that, it’s surely better than using your fist (if you know how to use it).

Eden97 · Answer

Is a wooden knife good for self-defense?   In what understandance?  Basically, no. A shotgun or a crossbow would be better. Miss that; a handgun. If firearms are not a possibility, then I would rather choose a wooden sword.  To use a wooden knife (and a knife at all), you have to get close enough in order to get in touch with your target. That’s not a great distance to be in, especially if the opponent is better to fighting than you are, or has a better weapon or is wearing armor.  However; a wooden knife is slightly effective against a fist. Assuming you’re willing to injure your target in order to protect yourself, which some people think we should be, while some people doesn’t.   There's some simple questions to ask yourself regarding of carrying a concealed weapon. Homemade, non-lethal or real:     I:   What weapons do you actually know how to use?   A wooden knife is most of all useless if you don’t know how to use one.     II:   What weapons are you willing to use?     A wooden knife is quite useless if you don’t have the will to injure your target.    III:   How can self-defense be used legally in your country?     IV:   What weapons applies the safest range for you that you can carry as a concealed Defense Weapon?   Batons are good, but you can’t carry one in your pocket unless it’s extendable. A wooden sword is great, but you can’t carry one in your pocket when approaching open public. Self-loading handguns or Compact Stick Clubs (Kubotan) should be great, but not useful if you won't carry it.    V:   What is the most powerful weapon you can conceal that will stand up to the content from this list?   Like I said; a pistol or a Palm Stick should be good, but not useful if you’re not going to carry one.  Also, we’ll be asking;  what kind of wooden knife?  This is a really poor knife as a weapon:        This is a wooden Tanto Knife made for Karate Training. It's way more stable, but it's only able to poke, jab and club. Cutting is not gonna work.  This could be pretty effective as a weapon:        This is a pretty effective knife:        But the issue is just; if you get caught with a wooden knife and are found carrying a weapon, there can be problems. A wooden knife can be a little more difficult to explain to authorities and the staff than a newspaper-weapon (as an example), unless you happen to have a diagnosis that you can explain stuff with somehow.  On my wooden knives, I usually add serrations on the back. In this example, a wooden knife can be useful as a tool for opening letters, by sawing them up using the serrations or the blade (if it’s sharp enough).  …   In water:   Now; wooden knives that hasn’t been made durable using oil does not have as much strength as a wooden knife that has been oiled. When using wooden knives in water, they will possibly make the wood wet, if it’s not oiled. Then, the wood becomes soft and it will lower it’s strength.  …  Also; what do your enemy carry next? Eventually; if you have a short, wooden knife:        But your enemy has a long branch…        …or a wooden sword or roleplay sword…        …or a pistol…        …or even rocks…        …or anything else…  …  …we’re at a safety problem. We have the ‘short-range’ disadvantage.   Another quick information:   A sidearm is anything small from an impact weapon to a handheld firearm that you can carry in your pocket or in a holster. Although; sidearms are available for a reason: It’s not really possible to carry a primary weapon like a crossbow, sword, full-size shotgun or rifle on you without getting caught pretty easily. First of all it’s uncomfortable, weird, not safe and mostly forbidden. Therefore; sidearms can be worn way more easily. It might not be legal, but it is physically possible. You can have a Holzmesser with you right now, even if a shotgun or a crossbow would be better.  And like most say; it’s surely better than nothing. A wooden knife is not really good for self-defense, but it’s not a bad weapon either. And as always; the choice is personal.  I do carry a wooden knife everyday, and since I have an autistic diagnosis; at least one wooden knife in my pocket is making me comfortable to carry. Most people will not carry a poor weapon if there’s better options, but you can always change your choice if you wish to.     How to use a knife for self-defense.   —  Read eventually Murphy Barrett’s answer about ‘Is a knife a good weapon for self defence?’ below:  Murphy Barrett's answer to Is a knife a good weapon for self defence?

Daisy129 · Answer

There are some types of ironwood and teak knives which have properties on par with aluminum. These could be used to stab and puncture: however, they won’t hold a solid enough edge to be used for cutting or slashing. While they would be acceptable self-defense weapons in many scenarios, they would prove to be inferior than true knives
Frankly, given their cost and limited functionality, unless their purpose was to avoid detection during weapon’s screen, the user would be better off simply purchasing steel blades.

Maya · Answer

Hi. The answer to your question is, “it depends…”
There are several types of wooden practice knives, as well as other wooden knives designed to be ornamental. None of them will cut, most will not stab, few can club.
A wooden knife is sort of like a yawara fistload, only more tapered for jabs and pokes. You can use it with some of the same techniques as a live blade, but it is far less likely to be lethal. An actual sharp metal blade can part flesh at the merest touch, but a wooden blade can only crush and grind into tissue. It will do less damage than a baton or Mag-Lite, probably even less damage than a flat sap. It is my impression that you want to carry a martial art style weapon for self defense, but are concerned about the risk of accidentally killing someone. If you limit yourself to altercations with unarmed individuals who are not significantly larger or stronger than yourself, that could work for you… but be advised that some municipalities will consider your non-lethal wooden knife a “weapon” and prosecute you accordingly.
In order to utilize a wooden training knife effectively, you first need to be aware of its limitations… which are many. Next, you need to possess a very high level of skill, which requires training under several competent and respectable instructors (most knife combatives instructors are either delusional or frauds), as well as lots of freestyle training with non-compliant opponents. A wooden knife will not be a very practical choice for most people.
Possible alternatives to consider are: spring baton, monkey fist, flat sap, or a C cell Mag Lite.
C. R. Jahn, author of FTW Self Defense

Ada125lyn · Answer

It’s not ideal but if that’s all you have, it’s better than nothing.
You can still use it to stab soft targets like the eyes, throat, ears, etc. If you have time, you can sharpen it and then it will turn into a deadly stabbing weapon.
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Cora · Answer

?
Well, it’s definitly better than nothing. You can use it as a club, you can strike with his pointy end to a pressure point (armpit would be devastating)
But, to be honest, a stone would probably do a better job.
In self defense, anything available can be usefull.
But a wooden knife…well, an heavy belt, some keys could probably do a better job.
Or a real weapon, if it’s legal where you live.

Is a wooden knife good for self-defense?

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