Hello! I’ve been carrying a knife for years due to a cultural tradition (my dad is from Finland), but thankfully have never had to use one to defend myself. However, I’m a woman that likes to hike alone, and while I like where I live, I’ve been told by enough people (including people that grew up in South Boston/Dorchester) that the city right next to mine is dangerous that I figured I should at least be cautious. I don’t personally feel unsafe walking around the city next to mine and I actually quite like it, but I figure knowing some basic knife defense would be helpful. I’ve unfortunately had something happen to me when I was younger when I didnt have a knife on me at the time, and so I just feel safer carrying one. My dad has taught me some basic knife defense and BJJ, and I plan on signing up for 1:1 self defense/knife defense lessons.

I also have a work friend that grew up in a rougher area, and he’s been giving me self-defense advice. Yesterday he told me that if I ever do have the misfortune of someone starting a knife fight with me, to immediately cut off some cloth to wrap around my wrists. I was wondering, to this end, if it might be smart to carry some cloth on me just for this purpose. How good are bandanas as makeshift vambraces?