Ok... wow.
OP has received a monumental amount of constructive criticism, which is not a bad thing. The appropriate argument has been made that the absolute best method of winning a confrontation is to avoid it altogether. I would remind everyone that you likely don't know the route, street corner, approach method of the individual armed with a knife, or potential (or lack thereof) escape routes of the OP. So in essence, we don't know how easy or difficult avoidance may have been. I will say to the OP, or anyone, that avoiding close contact with an individual that you perceive as a potential threat is best. However complete avoidance in every case is not possible, and I can understand your perceived safety as you believed you would not get caught by the light.
I understand exactly what Lohman is talking about, or at least I think I do. I am not necessarily willing to give up my weak side arm to a knife wielding assailant, but I am also not going to walk around and treat every grungy looking homeless guy like a suspect (though I will have a prepared plan for defense and disengagement). I have compassion. This compassion could get me in trouble, but it is a risk that I am willing to take. A friend of mine as a teenager showed compassion by purchasing a meal for a homeless person and offering $10.00 for his next meal. His kindness was rewarded with having a knife pulled on him and his wallet and all his money taken. He said that he would purchase a meal for the next person that appeared to be in need, but if he ever saw that same guy he would call the cops on him.
Preachy is an understatement. All of this discussion of tactics and training throws actual humanity out of the window. Flame on and roast me for all I'm worth. I have, at times, willingly put myself in a bad situation in an effort to help. I have co-workers who responded to a call of someone who wanted to commit suicide by cop. It was an Iraqi war veteran with a young family who just had a hard time coping. They all spoke to his wife, and decided they were willing to take the risk of approaching this guy without guns drawn (actually there was one cover officer who was prepared) because they had committed to not shooting him unless absolutely necessary. The first officer to approach had a gun pointed at him by the suspect, but he just talked to the guy. They eventually talked him into getting help and he is alive today. Were they using bad tactics? From a "tactical" standpoint, yes. From a human standpoint, no. Take it for what it's worth.