Ways that humans overcome or manage their ongoing cumulative fear (whether effective or not is another story):

1. Simulated-recreation. Scenario-training that replicates the experience(s) as close as is possible to the real or imagined fear to attempt to re-live the original or feared experience and manage it or react differently.

2. Exposure. Picking professions or activities that put one in direct and ongoing contact with the source of the original fear, eventually lessening or eliminating the fear over time.

3. Time. Gradually the fear naturally lowers or is mitigated over time as it is shown to have diminished or obliterated impact the further away from the stimulus it travels.

4. Professional therapy or assistance. Tools are given to lower the fear or put it into contextual accuracy by someone disassociated. Conditioning, inevitably.

5. Breathing or meditation. Controlling the negative mind-talk that compounds and exacerbates the problem and turns it into something far grander than its origin would’ve dictated. (passive/proactive)

6. Avoidance or evasion. Not addressing the issue in any way and avoiding any situations that could trigger that fear/anxiety. (passive/defensive)

7. Hypnosis/visualization/guided imagery. Designed to lower anxiety and alter thought patterns and state-management to mitigate the physiological effects of the source of the fear.

8. Education, information, and further study. A common sense and pragmatic self-reflection as to why you feel fear at this particular element, understanding fear itself, research on the focal-point/central-concern…all to become more educated by looking through a clear lens.

9. Empowerment. Martial arts classes, self-defense classes, combatives classes. Motivational speeches or seminars. Personal-empowerment classes. “Re-wiring” those cylinders that gave us the original fear and continue

Others? There are a lot of direct correlations to the counter-violence world here as many professionals delve dangerously into areas they’re not qualified for. (therapy, psychology, etc.) Can you tell by an instructor’s (MA/SD/PP/CM/whatever) digital imprint if they’re helping alleviate or adding to the fears of potential or current clients…

I have had to deploy a folder here numerous times throughout the years, though never had to use it to this point, fortunately, outside of flashing or glaring when intentionally utilized for purpose. I have had to quarter-, half- (another benefit of the folder: “rechambering” or re-closing if the situation doesn’t play out or call for that level of force upon further stimuli), or fully open said folder on several occasions. I have utilized both quick-draws, in-hand carry (few if any notice details, especially at night, when I carry it in this fashion), and subtle, covert, innocuous deployment. I don’t want my opponent to see I have a blade in-play (unless on my terms and my assessment) and the circumstances here, most, have been in the dark, which I also utilize to my advantage in deployment. I always ensure distance or advance awareness before doing so and can draw – even under pressure – quite quickly considering the added mechanics of folder deployment. That’s also where covers, body-shielding, distractions/engaño, “live hand” serpentine movement, and subtle body-angling come into play. I never draw square.

Unlike popular industry belief (and I hear this over and over), I have a) always been able to deploy folder successfully in real-time, and b) always had advance prep on incoming threat. I have yet to be surprised or caught off-guard, knock on wood. The key is seeing trouble coming and personal acknowledgement of how it unfolds in your environment – I know quite well how many kinds of violence transpire here, fortunately. (Meaning, most often granted that mentioned prep-time) I, personally, have never (as of yet) had trouble putting folder into play but do also practice pressure deployments fairly consistently (quick-drawing, pressure draws, resistance training, grappling with undeployed blade, deployment drilling with non-sharps) and have real-world experience. Just thought I´d mention this after the folder thread and not at all claiming superiority over fixed (I carry those too), just giving some context. Overcoming perceived folder-disadvantage IS achievable if it´s a skill worked on, as with any.