Knife fight
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A knife fight (also called a duel) is a hand-to-hand combat in which each fighter is armed with a knife.
There are several martial arts and military systems of knife fighting. Each is usually distinguished by region and culture of their origin, most notable of which is Kali/Eskrima. 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.
In 2009 Dog Brothers MA of Hermosa beach California began the use of "electric-knives" or "Shock-knives" for there full contact knife vs knife fights and knife vs stick fights at the annual "gathering" and tournaments as well as military training seminars. [1] [2] the gathering combats are not scored, but resolved by consent of combatents.
Knife grips
There are several 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:
- Hammer grip - hand is wrapped around the handle as if making a fist.
- Saber grip - thumb is placed on the top of the handle.
- Modified saber grip - thumb is placed on the flat of the blade.
- Palm reinforced grip - the handle rests against the palm of the hand, index finger is placed on top of the handle or blade spine.
- Filipino grip - hammer grip, but the thumb is along the spine, either floating above the spine, or in contact with it. The grip is based on Filipino Martial Arts concepts.
- Forward grip edge up - similar to a saber 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:
- "Regular" reverse grip - more specifically, "reverse grip edge out" or RGEO, where the hand is wrapped around the handle as if making a fist with the thumb capping the handle, edge facing away from the forearm.
- Icepick grip - more specifically, "reverse grip edge in" or RGEI, but with the edge facing the forearm. Also called pikal (or pakal) grip. This is sometimes referred to as the Serial Killer (or Murdering) Grip due to many villains in slasher films using it to stab their victims; the first movie popularizing it was Psycho in the infamous shower scene.
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.
See also
External links
- Applegate, Rex (December 1943). "Knife Fighting". Infantry Journal.