Survival Guide: How to Defend Yourself Against a Sasquatch in Close Quarters with a Knife
Posted by Sam Jacobs on 26th Feb 2025
How To Survive A Close Quarters
Encounter with a Sasquatch With a
Knife
Alright, picture this: you're out hiking in the wilderness and enjoying all the peace and quiet,
when suddenly, you spot something massive moving through the trees.
It’s big, it’s hairy, and it’s staring right at you.
Yep, it’s Sasquatch.
Now, before you panic, think this through.
While running into Bigfoot might sound like a far-fetched fantasy by itself, the basic idea of
defending yourself in a close-quarters encounter with a large and unpredictable creature can
actually teach us a lot about real-world self-defense.
In this article, we’ll explore together how to handle yourself with a knife if you ever find yourself
face-to-face with something as huge and intimidating as Sasquatch.
So, You've Encountered a Sasquatch
Alright, so you’ve stumbled upon Sasquatch.
Regardless of whether you think it’s all folklore or you’re just living out your wildest cryptid-
hunting dreams, you’ve got a serious problem on your hands.
This creature isn’t some tiny threat. Imagine standing face-to-face with something over 7 feet
tall, weighing 800+ pounds, and packing strength that could crush anything in its path.
This isn’t a situation where you’re going to outmuscle it and you’d be lucky if you could
outmaneuver it.
So, if things go sideways and escape isn’t an option, it’s time to think fast.
The first thing to realize? You’re not dealing with some run-of-the-mill animal. This is a massive
and unpredictable force, and your number one priority is to manage the situation as best as you
can.
Sure, it’s a far-fetched idea, but the principles here are the same in any high-stakes, close-
combat situation: stay calm, think smart, and make use of everything around you.
What If You Only Have a Knife
Picture this: you're out hiking in the wilderness and enjoying all the peace and quiet,
when suddenly, you spot something massive moving through the trees.
It’s big, it’s hairy, and it’s staring right at you.
Yep, it’s Sasquatch.
Now, before you panic, think this through.
While running into Bigfoot might sound like a far-fetched fantasy by itself, the basic idea of
defending yourself in a close-quarters encounter with a large and unpredictable creature can
actually teach us a lot about real-world self-defense.
In this article, we’ll explore together how to handle yourself with a knife if you ever find yourself
face-to-face with something as huge and intimidating as Sasquatch.
Knife Grip Styles
The Hammer Grip
The hammer grip is probably the most intuitive and strongest grip for a knife. To execute this,
you need to hold the knife as if you’re holding a hammer, so your fingers will need to be
wrapped around the handle and your thumb pressed along the spine.
This grip is perfect when you need power and control. In a fight with a creature like Sasquatch,
you’ll want this grip for pushing the blade into vital areas or for thrusting strikes. Think of it like a
spear: you’re using the full strength of your arm to drive the knife forward.
With the hammer grip, your body’s weight works in tandem with the knife. When you push or
thrust, you’ll be able to target softer and vulnerable areas, like the throat or lower abdomen. If
the Sasquatch tries to bear down on you, the power from this grip can help you drive the knife
into its chest or neck.
The Reverse Grip
While the hammer grip gives you power, the reverse grip (where the blade faces backward in
your hand) gives you more speed and agility. To get into this grip, you hold the knife with the
blade facing inward, the handle in your palm, and your knuckles pointing downward. This allows
you to make quick slashing motions rather than stabbing, and it’s also ideal for tight conditions.
You see, in a close-quarters encounter with something as fast and unpredictable as Sasquatch,
you will need to rely on slashes to keep the creature at arm’s length. With the reverse grip, you
can move the knife in a fluid motion and slash across its arms or face.
Stabbing
vulnerable points. The best way to incapacitate or slow it down is to target areas that are vital
but still accessible in close quarters.
The throat is an obvious target. A deep stab to the windpipe can take away its ability to breathe
properly, and if you land it right, it could slow the creature down long enough for you to escape.
temporarily, causing it to back off or lose its focus. A quick strike to the underarm or armpit can
also be devastating.
Take note that when using the hammer grip like we discussed above, you’ll have more power
behind these thrusts. Aim for these areas with the full strength of your arm.
Slashing
Slashing can be your best friend when you need to make space between you and a larger
adversary. With the reverse grip, you can execute wide and sweeping slashes with little effort.
Slash at the Sasquatch’s face, eyes, or arms to force it to retreat. If you can at the very least
injure it enough to slow it down, you’ve got a better shot at making your escape, and being able
to escape should be your priority over ‘defeating’ the Sasquatch outright.
Slashing is also effective for protecting your own body. You can use it as a deflective technique
to block its incoming strikes. If the Sasquatch swipes at you with its massive hands, your knife
can act as a shield to redirect its attacks. Use your blade to push away its hands or any weapon
it may have, buying you a moment to either counterattack or find a safe opening to run.
Tactical Awareness
In a situation as intense as a close encounter with Sasquatch, staying calm is absolutely
essential. It’s easy to imagine freaking out when you’re staring down a creature that’s over 7
feet tall and strong enough to toss you across the forest, but the key to survival is keeping your
head cool.
Panic will only cloud your judgment and slow down your reactions. The moment you lose control
of your mind, you lose control of the situation.
So, how do you stay calm and act effectively?
It all comes down to tactical awareness.
Stay Aware of Your Surroundings
Where are you? What’s nearby that you could use to your advantage?
Tactical awareness is about understanding everything happening around you and reacting to it
in real-time.
Let’s break it down:
open space, you may have more freedom to move, but if you're stuck in a dense forest,
● What’s near you? What objects are within reach? Look for rocks, trees, or fallen
branches that could either help you create space or serve as distractions. A nearby log
could be used to block the Sasquatch’s movements, or you might be able to use a large
rock to throw at its face to create a diversion.
● Above all, know where you can run. Is there a path that leads to higher ground, or
perhaps a tree you can climb? The sasquatch might be fast and strong, but it’s unlikely
to follow you up a tree. Having a clear escape route in mind will make it easier to act
quickly if you get the chance.
The Goal: Survive, Don’t Engage
When you’re facing a creature like Sasquatch, the goal isn’t necessarily to defeat it. It’s to
survive the encounter! Sometimes, the best move is to find a way to make your escape.
That’s why you should look for opportunities to create distance between you and the creature. If
you’re able to make it seem like you’re not a threat you might be able to back away slowly
without triggering a chase.
But if it comes down to it, you need to have a quick way out, so keep an eye out for
opportunities to run.
Keep in mind that focusing on what opportunities you have to escape or create space rather
than fixating on the Sasquatch itself could be to your benefit. That’s because the more you
focus on your surroundings and the options at hand, the better you’ll be at making quick
decisions.
The key takeaway here is that awareness can be your best defense.
By keeping your cool, and constantly evaluating the environment, you’ll be able to make
decisions that give you the best shot at surviving an encounter, whether it’s with a Sasquatch or
any other dangerous opponent.
So, keep your eyes open, think clearly, and be ready to act.
Final Thoughts
an unlikely scenario, is still a fun and exciting way to explore important self-defense techniques
(and the mindset needed) to defend yourself against opponents much larger and more powerful
than yourself.
The key takeaway here is simple: survival isn’t about being the strongest or the fastest. It’s about being smart, controlled, and prepared, and knowing how to utilize the tools at your disposal in the process.