What type of training knife should be preferred for practicing Krav Maga?

Created in the 1930s by Imi Lichtenfeld, Krav Maga aims to train practitioners in various self-defense techniques. Developed by the Israeli army, Krav Maga is now a discipline practiced by many people, regardless of their age. Combining several types of martial arts, to name just a few, jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai, Krav Maga literally means "close combat". These can be equipped with a rubber, plastic, or aluminum blade. So, which of these materials should be preferred? Let's focus.

The principle of Krav Maga

Before going into more detail about the training weapons, it is appropriate to give an overview of the concept of Krav Maga. Generally speaking, the objective of this sport is the pursuit of effectiveness. This means that it is anchored in self-defense learning techniques. Strictly speaking, it is by no means a martial art even though it combines methods from jiu-jitsu and wrestling. Here, the concept is to provide practitioners with tools that will allow them to defend themselves in case of aggression. In the same vein, all strikes are allowed, as there are no rules.

The principle of Krav Maga consists, first of all, in fleeing to avoid confrontation. Thus, minimal risk-taking is favored. But if the fight cannot be avoided, all possibilities must be used to neutralize the assailant. In this perspective, it is important to know how to target all sensitive and vulnerable parts of the human body.

Training weapons in Krav Maga

For Krav Maga training, all weapons can be used. It should be noted, however, that these are not lethal weapons, but simple replicas. You will find, for example, guns, batons, and sticks made of plastic. Most of the time, foam nunchucks are also used. Regarding Krav Maga training knives, they can be made from several materials:

Plastic

Light, resistant, and sturdy, a plastic knife also ensures an excellent grip and is perfect for Krav Maga training. Generally, this type of model features a 10 mm thick ABS blade with a length of 8.5 cm.

Aluminum

Training knives made of aluminum do not have a sharp blade. They simply feature a design similar to combat knives, but are rather intended to be used for mastering the art of handling a real knife. In a discipline such as Krav Maga, it is very often used to evoke the same sensation as using a tactical knife.

Rubber

The training knives made of rubber are the most common models in the initiation to Balisong and self-defense applications. With their dark design, these models perfectly imitate survival knives.

The verdict

In the practice of Krav Maga, between a knife made of aluminum, plastic, or rubber, the choice is yours. It's a matter of taste and comfort of use. In any case, if you want to learn how to handle a real knife as quickly as possible, prefer rubber models. Compared to aluminum, they are lighter and more flexible.