How to use the Mantis Knives Snaggletooth knife by Wmpyr
I feel like this knife isn't well understood by your average tactical gear enthusiast. So I hope to shed some light on the usage of this knife by sharing my 2 cents.
The average tactical knife enthusiast is familiar with the Emerson wave. And the moment they see the big ramp on the Snaggletooth knife they probably think, now that would be good for "waving". And then they take a closer look to see the pocket clip on the wrong end, and they are going to be disappointed that it's NOT a tip up carry, therefore it WON'T wave.
The ramp on the Snaggletooth knife is a Bram Frank trademark. The ramp is NOT for waving. The ramp is actually multi-purpose. First and foremost knives with the ramp are meant to be used closed.
The first reaction to that would probably be, why would I NOT use my blade in a self-defense situation? Not using the blade beats the purpose of carrying a knife in the first place!
With the Snaggletooth you are actually getting two tools in one. An impact palm stick and a knife. Well technically your getting four tools in one. Impact palm stick, knife, impact Karambit, and Karambit knife.
Legally you may have a better chance to state your case in the court of law if you used a non lethal tool to protect yourself, rather than using something considered lethal in the eyes of the jury. However I feel that there is more than just legal benefits.
Most people probably think that the knife is a superior weapon to a palm stick. So people don't understand why one would downgrade to a palm stick, when you can have a knife that deploys the blade lightning fast like an Emerson knife.
If your only thinking offense then without a doubt the knife is a superior weapon to a palm stick. However in a self-defense situation you should consider more than just offense. This maybe hard to imagine but for a self-defense situation, the palm stick can be BETTER than a knife.
In a self-defense situation you are being attacked. The attacker is in control, so you are at a disadvantage. No matter how fast your knife can deploy, this is not the right time to be trying to take out your knife.
Even if you do get your knife out quickly, think about it. Your still in a bad situation, your not in control, chances are, your off balance, can't see clearly what's going on, and don't have the proper distance. It’s like your on a small boat in a stormy ocean. Would you want a knife in your hand at this time? Falling and cutting yourself, or dropping the knife to have it taken away and used against you suddenly becomes a reality.
Instead you should be defending and heading towards a better position where you can have control. The Snaggletooth knife in the closed position will NOT be dangerous to you because the blade is NOT out, and it will actually HELP you get out of this tough situation, because it acts as a technique ENHANCER.
It doesn't matter what martial arts style you practice, Kenpo, Boxing, Wrestling, Hapkido, Systema, Wing Chun, or even just brawling, the Snaggletooth adds more leverage and pain to your techniques.
After the popularity of the Emerson wave, I think people rely too much on speed and falsely think that it's ALWAYS a good idea to deploy the blade as fast as you can. This kind of over reliance can result in going for your knife at the wrong time.
Don't get me wrong, I like the wave, I use it, but as a martial artist I want to use strategy and skill, not make it into a fast draw scenario. I'm not interested in seeing who is faster my opponent or me. I would rather play safe and defend the immediate threat barehanded, than to TRY and take out my knife as fast as possible from a BAD POSITION.
One of the core principals in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is “Position before submission”. Having a good position makes it easier for you to pull off your techniques. In a bad position, you have to defend against the immediate threat first, and then neutralize your opponent before you can escape and get to a better position.
So if you have a knife that waves, all I'm saying is, try not to be over reliant on speed, and think about the right and wrong time to deploy the blade. If you have a folding knife consider learning how to use it closed. Thank you for reading through this, and I hope it helps in some way shape or form!
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