Drawing a knife isn’t rocket science, but it does take practice to perfect the art. If you want to master the skill of drawing a knife from your pocket or boot safely and quickly, there are a few easy steps you need to follow.
First, act like you mean it. Whether you are pulling a knife for real defensive purposes or for practice, take it seriously. Have a plan in mind and make sure your body language tells those around you that you are serious and in control.
Second, practice in a safe area, like an empty parking lot or backyard. Make sure there are no people around. Drawing a knife quickly and safely takes some practice, and you don’t want to injure yourself in the process.
Third, position your body correctly. Make sure your feet are planted firmly and solidly on the ground and that your body is slightly leaning forward. Put your hands in the drawing position, with your thumb on top of the pocket clip, your pinky on the butt end of the grip, and your index and middle fingers on one side and your ring and pinky fingers on the other.
Fourth, draw the knife with a snap. Don’t waste time. Draw the knife quickly and smoothly by simultaneously pushing off with your thumb and pulling up with your index and middle fingers. Keep your arms close to your body to minimize the size of your draw target.
Fifth, keep the knife nicely positioned when you are drawing it. The blade should be pointed down and the edge should be toward your body. It will be easier if you practice drawing with your nondominant hand first, so exaggerate the hand positioning as you transfer the knife in to your dominant hand.
Once you have mastered these basics, it’s time to put them all together. You can start by practicing opening the knife while it is in the pocket and closing it while it is out of the pocket. You can also practice drawing the knife while your eyes are closed and see how efficiently you can draw while keeping your arm close to your body.
Another drill you can do is draw the knife, cut a target, then replace the knife in the pocket. Initially, you will have to practice this slow, but as you get faster you can eventually do it as one fluid motion.
To learn more about how to draw a knife, get your hands on an instructional DVD or attend a local training course. The important thing is that you practice regularly and take the necessary safety precautions.
The more you practice, the more efficient you will become in drawing a knife. Pay attention to the little details. Always wear proper eye protection, keep your hands and fingers away from the blade, and use the correct hand positioning and body mechanics.
Take it slow and focus on the fundamentals. Don’t try to draw and cut too quickly or get too aggressive with your knife-drawing techniques. Focus on safety, accuracy and speed.
Once you are comfortable with the basic techniques, you can try variations of the draw. Try different hand and body positions to find one that works best for you. You can also practice drawing with different types of knives and even combine knife and holster drawing into one fluid motion.
There is no single right way to draw a knife. As long as you practice the basics and focus on being fast, accurate, and safe, you can find a draw technique that works for you and perfect it.
