So this may end up as one of those discussions that generates controversy, like the martial arts post from a while back. So the question is in y'alls opinion, what makes a fighting knife? I've heard varying definitions and opinions, but I'd like to know what to each of you makes a knife a fighting knife.
What makes a fighting knife
- Thread starter Scara
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a light and curving blade is the best for fighting khukri style, any weapon needs to be light just because you will get very tired very quick if it is super heavy; and I think the curvature helps deliver a smoother cut drawing through the point of impact -- but mostly guessing there-- others know why it is better, -- also a smaller knife I think is best( short sword is a knife right?), because when you are that close you want to be able to move the blade where you want it without getting tangled up in random limbs.
best fighting knife over all I think is anything stabby like ww1 trench knife or stilletos, puncture wounds seem much more able to deliver deadly strikes with minimal exposure, so over all I think a small stabby knife is the best, like ww2 fairbairns or ww1 trenchers
best fighting knife over all I think is anything stabby like ww1 trench knife or stilletos, puncture wounds seem much more able to deliver deadly strikes with minimal exposure, so over all I think a small stabby knife is the best, like ww2 fairbairns or ww1 trenchers
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The modern definition of short sword generally starts at 26 inches from end to end. The gladius makes this kind of odd because only the longest gladii met this definition. So modernly the gladius isn't considered a short sword and gets classified as a large knife. But I digress.
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Perfect answer.
BTW...a knife is nice to have, but many alternatives are available. A good pen, heavy set of keys on a chain or strap, a leather belt, a xacto pen blade will do just fine.
That being said, I do carry two small EDCs...
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The person holding it.
Or an Entrek Merc.
Or an Entrek Merc.
Bawanna
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Everyday is micro bowie day for me of course but I don't see it as a fighting knife. I'm not a fighter, I'm a lover, hope that don't ruin my fragile reputation round these parts.
I use it mostly to protect the 1911 that rides on the other side. It isn't a fighter really neither, again, I'm a lover. If it comes out somebody doesn't deserve love very much.
I use it mostly to protect the 1911 that rides on the other side. It isn't a fighter really neither, again, I'm a lover. If it comes out somebody doesn't deserve love very much.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kXp5zGqwmw
A fighting knife of the highest order, carried every day off side cav draw.
A fighting knife of the highest order, carried every day off side cav draw.
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I'm a khuk guy through and through like a lot of you. If you made me pick one tool/weapon to use in an emergency/end of the world scenario, I would pick a nice robust yet balanced khuk.
That said, when I pack a knife for what is eye rollingly called "Social Work", it's thin, it's pointy, and I carry it in such a way that it's going to be used to strike before you see it coming because if you have forced my hand to draw a knife then you are well outside of "warning shot" territory.
I gravitate toward the Gerber Mkii mostly. It's a very comfy knife that makes me feel warm and fuzzy. I don't keep it all that sharp because it only has to be sharp enough sink to the hilt. I'm not a knife fighter. I don't have the skill to square off with someone like I'm in the Micheal Jackson "Beat It" Video If I deploy a fighting knife, it's to go right into your guts or soft bits because you have me cornered.
Like Bawanna said, most likely you're going to looking down the barrel of my .357 snubbie, or you might meet my jealous Italian girlfriend Rosa Belladonna. I always keep her close to me tucked lovingly under my arm. She's a Beretta 92fs and is more than willing to plant 15 147gr kisses on your face She's...passionate
That said, when I pack a knife for what is eye rollingly called "Social Work", it's thin, it's pointy, and I carry it in such a way that it's going to be used to strike before you see it coming because if you have forced my hand to draw a knife then you are well outside of "warning shot" territory.
I gravitate toward the Gerber Mkii mostly. It's a very comfy knife that makes me feel warm and fuzzy. I don't keep it all that sharp because it only has to be sharp enough sink to the hilt. I'm not a knife fighter. I don't have the skill to square off with someone like I'm in the Micheal Jackson "Beat It" Video
If I deploy a fighting knife, it's to go right into your guts or soft bits because you have me cornered.Like Bawanna said, most likely you're going to looking down the barrel of my .357 snubbie, or you might meet my jealous Italian girlfriend Rosa Belladonna. I always keep her close to me tucked lovingly under my arm. She's a Beretta 92fs and is more than willing to plant 15 147gr kisses on your face
She's...passionate
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It depends on whether we're talking "dueling knife", where both parties have a knife and neither shoots the other or runs away, or "fighting knife" where one party has a knife and is wishing he/she had brought more magazines (or friends) and the other party might have anything from nothing up to a kalashnikov. What I would choose for dueling is not what I would (or have) chosen for modern war.
Two different kinds of interpersonal crisis management here.
Two different kinds of interpersonal crisis management here.
You've made me curious, what do you choose/have you chosen for those conflicts?
Bawanna
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If this was a contest and I had to make a guess, my guess would be JW carries some rendition of his much coveted scorpion.
Well Steve! That's a fine guess, now Bob tell him what he's won........................................................
Am I lucky around here or what.
Well Steve! That's a fine guess, now Bob tell him what he's won........................................................
Am I lucky around here or what.
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Definition of fighting or some may say combat knife is in my opinion very clearly distinguished from all other knifes regardless of brand or makers,all of these blades are designed first and foremost for one intention---to penetrate human tissue,to reach vital parts,to kill..... and that fastest most effective way possible,with less friction or resistance.
Thats why all these blades have common features,such as very solid, but sleak,thin construction,long enough to reach every vital part of human body...Blade length therefore to be effective must be at least 7 inches,also taking into consideration fact that enemy is dressed and wearing thick clothing,vests etc.
Typical fighting knife is designed to penetrate through human gear,tissue and flesh,predominantly by stabbing and slashing and for this purpose must always have handguard (ideally full double sided) incorporated into handle.Any knife without proper handguard can not be considered as fighting knife,due to simple fact if any hard material or bone comes into direction of stabbing motion,handguard apart of blocking function is there mainly to prevent cutting or loosing own fingers....If this happens,what will most likely follow is loosing also life in most real knife combat scenarios.
Many bushcraft and survival "specialists" are misusing such a knifes for utility and other purposes in wilderness,trying to chop or batton the wood logs etc.as a result of this misuse is their knifes will often snap in half,or chip easy,because these blades are not intendet to be used this way.Human flesh and fabrics of clothing is very different consistence than wood.
These knifes are foremost weapons to eliminate enemy vital functions and to silently kill with most effective way...Single edge is prefered,by many,because of need for possible blocks used during fight,which would not be possible with double edge...
Double edged daggers are less useful in direct fighting/combat and were designed rather for carefully planned assasinations within counterinsurgency or covert operations,where no resistance is expected and the enemy is eliminated before have a chance to react.Double edge with thin blade will easier penetrate variety of heavy combat gear,vests etc.
Many fighting knifes in new modern era are made each decade with more comprehensive materials,resulting in more durability and companies are trying to develop also multifunctional features on some of them,especially those models called combat/tactical knifes,often seem to me like inventing the wheel by adding angles to it...In relation to modern warfare and how it developed,those with experience will tell you,chances of using knife against enemy in direct fight are so slim,that are nearly non existent in reality these days.Simply because of distance and weapons used nowadays.For this reason,many of knifes are used by soldiers as utility tools anyways and are thicker and heavier than those,from the times,when they were actually used in fight as they were intended to be....
When it comes to weapons,nearly every material or substance can be turned into it,it is only a question of understanding and how different people see different things and their ability to use them against its enemy in order to survive,when it comes to attack on his/her life,from other person.Water,sand,gas,paper,metal or any other object can be easily turned into deadly weapon,so as every knife can be "fighting" knife,once we fight and have it in our disposal.
In relation to khukuries, these are considered as one of the most effective edged weapons desinged ever designed by human kind,right next to Japanese swords...Difference between fighting knife and khukury is that khukury's prkme function is foremost chopping and slashing....using its curvature,weight,size to extended momentum, velocity to enhancement of devastating effect of edge during impact.
Because of simple reason,every close quarter combat with edged weapon require speed and accuracy to succeed.Weight is the issue, the bigger weight the slower reaction is possible with every move....I am far away from any specialist with khukuries,but personally i would avoid any stabbing attempts with traditional models,if possible...unless they are modern ones with some sort of proper handguard.These blades have other obvious advantages to be used for benefit.
As khukuri most applicable for fighting are obviously lighter,faster models with enough reach towards oponent.Sirupate,Chitlange,from HI own designs,definitely Kumar Cobra...etc.
This isn't the best known fact about kukris, but thrusting and stabbing don't actually put you at risk of having your fingers slip out onto the blade. The tendency with a kukri is for the blade to rock upwards into the web of your hand in a stab or thrust. So with kukris a crossguard isn't strictly necessary.
Regarding close quarter combat with an edged weapon, I wouldn't say that speed and accuracy are the only issue. Conflict boils down at all levels to timing, distance, and rhythm (see Sun Tzu) and if you can't be good in all three, pick two.
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Stabbing with a khuk isn't generally going to have the end of cutting off your own fingers, but it generally isn't the most effective way to use the tip of the knife in a fight.
Take the M-43 for example: The acute tip is driven home by the arc of the swing. It's much more effective imagining it as a big raptor's claw that hooks in powerfully.
Take the M-43 for example: The acute tip is driven home by the arc of the swing. It's much more effective imagining it as a big raptor's claw that hooks in powerfully.
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Well, what tendencies have khukuries in regards of stabbing,if they hit onto hard material are very clear to me!!! Grab a khukri and stab it rapidly with force straightforward into concrete wall (representing for examble bodyarmour or thick heavy bone) and you can recalculate,how many fingers you will be short of,or in better case-how many stitches was necessary to put your hand together.....Once again-Khuks were not designed for stabbing and from obvious reasons i would leave such an option as last resort,if all other fail,simple as that,regardless of any so called "martial artists" who claims different,simple as that....All knifes and swords that have an edge and were designed for stabbing HAVE GUARD for a good reason.Those who can not comprehend this fact,shall avoid completely manipulation with any sharp objects for their own sake....!
Secondly,when it comes to close quarter combat with knife (without knife) - i did not stated that speed and accuracy are "the only" elements that play vital roles.I said,they are one of most important ones....of course there are tens of others too,included weather conditions and kind of your last dinner......