John Danaher On Why He Is Fascinated By Knives: “Jiu-Jitsu Is The Same”

It is somewhat of a well-known fact that John Danaher, when promoting (at least some of) his students, also gifts them a knife while doing so.But why does he do it?

Furthermore, did you know that he, himself, also enjoys collecting knives?Danaher revealed the simple reason behind the fascination by knives, in a past interview with the New Yorker:

A knife can be used to make a sandwich; a knife can be used to save somebody’s life – as you’re struggling to get out of a car, you can cut the seatbelt and escape – a knife can be used to serve justice, it can be used for murder.

It can be used for the greatest things, the most mundane things, and the most terrible things.It’s morally neutral.

It’s only as good as its owner.Jiu-Jitsu is exactly the same.

But how is BJJ the same as a knife?

Jiu-Jitsu doesn’t make you good, it doesn’t make you bad.It will just reinforce what you already are.

If you’re an a**hole, it will make you a worse a**hole.If you’re a good person, it will make you a better person.

Danaher also shared a part of his morning routine:

I like to have my room arranged in such a way that the first and last thing I see every day – when I wake in the morning, when I go to sleep at night – are my blades next to me.

They’re a daily reminder of what we do.