Again, I reiterate,
Many people will "talk the talk" but will not in actual fact, "walk the walk", by this I mean there are a lot of people out there who are big mouths who say they would "take the guy's head off" or permanently maim the guy, but be in the situation, it's a whole different ball game.
There you are, minding your own business, out for a stroll thinking of nothing of importance and there he is, a knife mm from your jugular (doesn't this sound over the top?) your mind is all of a sudden in a flat spin, scared, angry, nervous, shaky and your eyes all over the place trying to get a glimpse of that blade he's holding. You can do what you like, the last thing on your mind is "how the hell can I take this guy out?"
It takes longer than you think for reality to set-in and before you know it, it's all over and THIS is what the attacker thrives on, this little part between the instant he showed-up and the instant he leaves, is all a blurr and in that instant, he's done what he aimed to do, even stabbed you and taken your wallet.
You do get those who react out of instinct, pure adrenaline and it's these people the attacker must be aware of, because this type of person can actually throw caution to the wind and probably ends-up killing the guy, guess who's up for the high jump?

Is Mise,
While we are on the subject, lets not forget the fact, that the attacker is not always a scrawny thing lurking in the shadows with a knife ready to pounce on you, what happens if the guy resembles a mac truck and he's holding you by the throat?
Then I suggest you give him your wallet with a smile and a shaky handshake, kiss his @rse and polish his boots, 'cos there's not a hope in hell of trying gouge this guys eyes out!... try crying maybe?

TRTL,

What I said was anything else after you have disabled him and are now in a position of relative safety.

I can assure you that if, after he's gone down, you 'put the slipper in' and break a few ribs or start kicking his head then the police will (though understanding) will charge you.

If I may throw in a little story; I once lived in Auburn (Sydney) and our next door neighbour was a man in his 60s, ex-steelworker, fuelman on the railway aka 'coal shoveller' and pugilist.
He came back to his car, up the town, and discovered a husky 18 year old attempting to steal it. One word led to another and fisticuffs commenced.
When the police arrived the youth was on the ground, much the worse for wear, and the old bloke was pounding the youths head on the pavement.

The sargeant explained that the only reason that he was not going to lay charges against the neighbour was that the disparity in ages would make the case a bit of a giggle. He probably had other reasons.
This all happened in the 1940s, today such police discression could not be hoped for.

How many people actually die from knife attacks? Just think yourself lucky we don't have a gun culture like the US.

http://ozpolitic.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1172718773

Freediver,
Hear,hear! Just pray it doesn't get that way.
Looking at the brighter side (if there is one) at least, if you are lucky and able, you can out-run a knife.

While getting away and while having a quick 'stomache settler' in the next big well lit pub, spare a thought for the ones that can't run fast.

Spare just a wee thought for the ones in a home invasion.

'I'm alright, Jack'.