Good for you for leaving. I've been the woman who didn't call the police when I should have or who covered for AH when I did and I understand. It's not healthy, it's not safe, it's not wise-- but we're as sick as them in many ways and when I did those things I was in the throws of my own sickness (codie, enabler, guilt through the roof, believed I'd provoked him etc...)
He'll surely have apologies up the wazoo soon if not already and promises etc... Please heed this advice. ACTIONS over time, not WORDS in moments of desperation are what count.
And like Lillamy said, I'd take a shot at going to get a RO. His coming at you with a huge knife is very scary... Who knows how he'll behave when days/weeks go by and you are still away. Without a RO I feel worried for you.