Wellsie

Hi there,

I need some help. I'm having a "discussion" with a friend at work about how to grip a Knife. He is saying that the best way is hold it, by the handle, with the blade facing upwards towards your opponent. I've been told that anyone who knows how to use a knife holds it with the blade pointing down towards your elbow?

Can anyone shead any light on this matter?

Thanks

kengar

Humm! Well, I think it all depends on you situation. A forward grip, knife pointing up, would seem more ideal for an attacking state and your opponant having a weapon. The reverse, which I like, seems to be more of a defensive type of grip. But don't mistake me saying defensive to mean weak or non leathal.

Ken

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Apoth

If you're not extremely well trained, I'd stay with the blade up grip. This allows you an extra 3-6 inches of distance, and allows for blade to forearm blocking. Furthermore, if you use blade down, your slashing attacks are incredibly limited, your blocking ability with the blade is greatly diminished, and your only really strong attack is the overhand stab.

tai-gip

i agree with kengar you want to seem threatening if your attacked so a forward grip is better as a threat
down grip for a defensive posture as in you know its coming lets get it on though it only takes a 180 degree change between them maybe both and squint both eyes and flutter one like you some kind of beserker even let a little spit dribble from the corner of your mouth and smile insanely

as per "the best style" there is only whats best for you its an opinion based argument not fact based no-one can win

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MuayThaiFighter

It is true that you should hold the knife with the blade down towards your elbow.Doing this hides your knife from the sight of your attacker when he comes at you.Flicking the blade out unexpectedly as he strikes can cut him badly when his hand comes in contact with your armed hand.


The way the knife is used also depends on the situation you are put in.

When you hold the knife with the blade facing upwards towards your opponent it is more obvious and he is prepared to defend against it.

If you have never practiced knife defense and don't know how to use a knife as a weapon and you are put in a situation where a person is carrying a knife don't even bother trying to defend against it or use a knife,because if you mess up you'll be the one that ends up dead.In a situation like this you are better off just giving your opponent whatever he wants like your wallet.

Nit

Further to that, I have been told (abiet it wasn't a very good source) that if you hold the knife pointing to the person you are limiting the range of movement of the wrist, you can swipe it from side to side and jab it and that's about it. Also it limits 'slashability'(!?!)

If you hold the knife pointing to the elbow you can slash the opponent left right up and down AND on the return you can slash again (rotate forearm) or stab.

I'm not sure if this is 'correct' but it seems to make sense, as the blade is backed up with your forearm and so you you get some real leverage into it as opposed to 'wiping' your blade against the opponent.

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sercuerdas

it doesn't matter.
i train fma and how ever i pick the blade up i will use it.
the asumption is that if not trained a person will pick up a knife forehand because that is how they use knives to eat. the other assumption is that those holding a knife reverse grip are trained. assumption will get you killed. if you want to learn, find a school and you will see forehand or reverse grip it makes no difference.

fullcircle

In most knife fighting classes you're going to learn basically 7 strikes, holding the knife out w/blade down, and holding with the blade pointing out and toward the elbow (reverse grip). All of them relatively easy both ways, for a bladder stun or chest strike in the reverse grip you'll need to rotate the body a bit. It depends on the situation, but I most likely would hold the blade out. There are alot of things you can do that may end the confrontation before it really starts. Flick the knuckles, filet the forearm, cut the forearm (depending of whether the person knows knife defense or not). Learn to gravity feed well, (this allows you to change the grip). Didn't mean to ramble.

krys

It doesn't matter. You will need to change grips during a fight.....

Keeper

what's a gravity feed?

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Jagster

I do know that reverse grip greatly increases the chance of you injuring yourself. With the tip always pointed back, any defensive maneuver on the attacker's part can easily place the tip right into your gut, chest, etc. When training I prefer forward grip just because I get cut less often.

Although, on the street reverse grip does seem better. It is less visible. With a miss punch you may still land a cut.

Keeper

"I do know that reverse grip greatly increases the chance of you injuring yourself"

Not if you hold it properly.

"With the tip always pointed back, any defensive maneuver on the attacker's part can easily place the tip right into your gut, chest, etc"

I'd be interested to know exactly how you are holding the weapon. I can't think of or experienced any such problems. Reverse-grip or not... the blade should always be facing the enemy.

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szorn

Anyone skilled in the use of the knife will be able to use either grip, depending on the situation and hand positioning prior to deployment of their knife. There is no best knife grip and the grip has absolutely nothing to do with the skill level of the knife practitioner.

Steve
Integrated Self-Defense Systems
http://www.geocities.com/combatives

szorn

Why would you need to change grips during a "fight" and when would you find this opportunity under the stress of a mad rushing attacker?

Steve
Integrated Self-Defense Systems
http://www.geocities.com/combatives

osopardo

The knife should be held between thumb, forefinger and middle finger of the right hand, sharp edge facing down towards the plate. Try to keep the "sawing" motion as small and discreet as possible.

When the meat is cut, put the knife down to the right of the plate and tranfer the fork to your right hand.

Do not use the knife to push food onto the fork.

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