Who would win a fight between two blokes armed respectively with a big knife and a 3ft metal bar?
BenE: I have got a really good question. A really really good question. Say there's these two guys, right? They both have the same strength and build, and they're gonna fight each other to the death. One of these guys, let's call him Richard, is armed with a metal pipe - about 3 feet long and an inch or so in diameter. The other guy, who we'll call Marko, is armed with a knife. A pretty big knife. Who would be the victor in this encounter? This argument needs to be put to rest, thanks.
Mike Trow: As it happens, I have quite a bit of experience of this sort of thing, and the simple answer is that whoever is most tactically astute will win the contest.
However, if you assume that Richard and Marko have the same build, height and strength, are equally cunning and violent and of similar experience, then the winner of the fight should be the man with the bar. The extra reach means that, so long as the pipe is not so heavy as to impede Richard's movement, a strong blow to the legs - preferably shattering a kneecap - should disable Marko sufficiently to leave him on the ground and vulnerable to an attack almost anywhere on his body. It would then be a simple matter to bludgeon him to death. In addition, the bar - held with a hand at each end - also provides better protection from attack and can be used much as a staff would be, thus facilitating a double-handed attack to the head and body.
That said, Marko does have the advantage of speed - rapid slashing, rather than stabbing, at his opponent's arms and face may well cause enough damage, disorientation and ultimately blood loss to deliver a decisive advantage. Marko's best strategy would be to use his free hand to catch hold of his opponent's bar at the end of a swing. He could then use it to draw Richard to him and stab him in the chest. Also, if Marko is experienced with knives, throwing his weapon would be an option, albeit a risky one as he would have only one chance to disable his rival.
In summary, then, so long as the bar is light enough to be wielded easily, its extra reach and defensive capabilities mean it should bring a speedy victory - so long as Richard goes for Marko's legs and body first and concentrates on disabling his opponent before killing him with a head shot.