Sorry... Brian I guess I sounded a bit bitter... anyhow just for the record - I have been in a knifefight once, got out luckily.
And I think the avoidance thing I mean... everyone knows that...
I am more interested in your tantojutsu part
Because I just don't know much about that - our knife techniques have been just modifications of others.
And to get the feel of the knifefight from a little different perspective - grab waterproof markers, put on some old white T-Shirts and go on oneanother.
I have tried that - and guess what - there where very little attack/defence situations where one came out "uncarved". It was rather both or none. Just the fact that you wanted to point out...
Jorgen
P.S. Knife is not actually a good weapon for an aikidoka 'cause it's more offensive than defensive. I like spray gas better - better range and the effect is more sure.