Page 541 - Complete Krav maga : the ultimate guide to over 250 self-defense and combative techniques

Knife Defenses

Of the three basic weapons (gun, edged weapon, blunt object), the edged weapon
or knife represents the most difficult to defend (assuming, of course, that all
three are within reach). Small changes in the attack require relatively large
changes in the necessary defense.

Unlike a gun, a knife cannot be grabbed. Unlike a stick, a knife still represents a

significant danger even when you move in close. If you have enough distance,
kicking is preferred, allowing you to keep distance from the knife. Techniques in
this level will deal with kicks against the knife. The general rule for kick
defenses against the knife is that when the knife is low, kick high; when the
knife is high, kick low.

One prerequisite for understanding knife defenses is a basic understanding of
common ways to hold the knife. The three basic holds are regular (overhead)
stab, underhand stab, and straight stab (pictured below).

Regular (overhead) stab