"I'd suggest also to think about stick (long or short) fighting classes - very effective even against the knife." -motif
Effective? Are you kidding? First of all a "stick" (considered a club or baton or striking weapon) is often illegal to carry such as where I live, while a gun is legal with a permit (again where I live). A STICK against a knife weilding attacker? A woman has no chance against that, unless she has a GUN. Don't tell me you wouldn't wish that you had a gun if attacked by a knife.