A shop worker suffered knife wounds as he used one of his shoes to fend off two masked raiders.
Police praised the man's "heroic actions" as the robbers left empty-handed from the service station in Westhoughton, Bolton.
The member of staff took off one of his shoes and grabbed a glass jar when he was confronted by his assailants at about 1.20am yesterday.
One of the raiders wielded a knife as the shop worker successfully fought them off, police said.
The victim suffered two puncture wounds to his arm and later needed 12 stitches.
Detective Constable Malcolm Cheetham said: "This man's heroic actions meant that these thieves were able to get away empty handed, but for his trouble he was wounded.
"We will do all we can to find the men responsible."