Knife fight

A knife fight (also called a duel, cut-and-thrust, or "snickersnee") is a fight in which each combatant is armed with a knife. It is similar to a swordfight, except that knives are much shorter than swords, resulting in the combatants engaging at closer ranges.

There are many martial and military systems of knife fighting, which are usually distinguished by region and culture of origin. Proponents of knife fighting systems utilize sparring and drills to hone their skills. This practice is rooted in historical effectiveness where knife fights were more common.

Knife fighting is also emerging and quickly growing as a sport known as knife fencing where simulated knives are used to strike scoring zones for points.

Knife grips

There are multiple ways a knife can be held for offensive or defensive use. The two most common are the forward and reverse grips with the edge facing out.

The following are variations of the forward grip:

1. hammer grip - hand is wrapped around the handle as if making a fist
2. saber grip - thumb is placed on the top of the handle
3. modified saber grip - thumb is placed on the flat of the blade
4. palm reinforced grip - pommel rests against the palm of the hand, index finger is placed on top of the handle or blade spine
5. Filipino grip - hammer grip, but the thumb is along the spine, either floating above the spine, or in contact with it (Janich's modified Filipino)
6. Forward grip edge up - similar to a sabre grip, but with the knife handle rotated along the axis of the forearm, so the edge is facing upwards.

The following are variations of the reverse grip:

1. "regular" reverse grip - more specifically, "reverse grip edge out" or RGEO, where hand is wrapped around the handle as if making a fist with the thumb capping the pommel, edge facing away from the forearm
2. icepick grip - more specifically, "reverse grip edge in" or RGEI, but with the edge facing the forearm. Also called pikal (or pakal) grip.

Each grip has advantages and disadvantages. Holding the knife in one of the forward grips allows for more finesse and a longer range, while a reverse grip allows for more power and a shorter range. The reverse grip is regarded as more difficult to utilize in knife on knife combat due to a closer proximity between opponents.

Use in film

Knife fights, as well as knife-throwing stunts, are staged for dramatic effect in action films. In Under Siege, Commando, and Gangs of New York, knife fights are shown as climactic battles. A common theme in such films is for the hero to discard a gun or similarly superior weapon, in order to engage the otherwise unarmed villain in "fair" knife-to-knife combat. In the 2002 film version of The Count of Monte Cristo, the main character, Dantes, agrees to engage in a knife fight against Jacopo, a member of a smuggler's crew (the captain of which calls Jacopo "the best knife fighter I have ever seen"). Dantes defeats Jacopo but spares his life, gaining a pivotal ally in his future endeavors.

One of the most famous cinematic knife fights occurs in From Here to Eternity. The scene—occurring in a back alley—is stark and realistic, lacks background music and uses pitch black shadow.

In the movie Force 10 from Navarone, a knife fight appeard between Sgt. Weaver, a African-American M.P. Soldier, played by Carl Weathers, and Capt. Drazak, a officer of the Chetniks, allies to Nazi Germany. The fight ended with Drazak's death.

The film Eastern Promises has a rather intense knife fight that rivals that of the also psychologically disturbing knife fight scene from Saving Private Ryan.

In Kill Bill, a knife-fight occurs between the Bride and Vernita Green, during which the pair severely damage Green's living room, only to abruptly halt when Green's daughter is dropped off by the school bus and seen walking towards the house. Shortly thereafter, Green sneakily pulls a gun, and the Bride responds by throwing her knife, to deadly effect.

The Hunted (2003, William Friedkin) was a unique film that put an emphasis on showing knife combat. Starring Benicio del Toro and Tommy Lee Jones, each character has a special affinity for knives, due to participating in various special operations missions under military service, which required use of a knife as a primary weapon. Also Friedkin's Bug (2007) features a knife-fight.

A Grande Arte (1991) along with the above mentioned The Hunted, is one of the rare films to focus on knife combat and features training scenes as well.

Dune (1984, David Lynch) and the 2000 Dune miniseries, based on Frank Herbert´s bestselling science fiction novel Dune, show a world where a corporeal shield (a force-field projector) makes laser and projectile weapons useless. Because of that, wars and duels are settled by knife-fighting, which is altered by the presence of the shield: a fast-moving knife bounces off the shield; a slow-moving knife can penetrate the shield to reach a vital organ. The climactic duel, between Paul Muad´dib and Feyd-Rautha, used only knives (no shields) and martial-arts abilities.

Michael Jackson's music video Beat it features two men knife-fighting using switchblade knives, with their wrists tied.

External links

• Knife Fighting and Defense Video
• K4S knife combat system video