Knives seem to have a strong religious significance in islam.
For an unarmed/disarmed society, being killed with a knife is much more terrifying than being shot, which, as awful as it is, has the psychological aspect of distancing. Guns are impersonal. A guy with a blade is up close and breathing on you.
Most folks aren't trained to disarm someone wielding either. And I haven't practiced/trained in twenty years so I'd die either way in a Kraut's situation.
Luckily, this is America and for urban carry, there's my friend Walther. And for most other times, Kimber or CZechy.