Some Basic Knife Fighting Mechanics

I wanted to discuss, in a very brief and basic manner, the mechanics of using a knife defensively. You may find yourself in a non-permissive environment where you are not allowed to carry a pistol. I have personally been in areas where flammable gas or dust made gunfire an incredibly bad idea. It is also much handier, and socially acceptable, to open a cardboard box with a knife than with a 9 mm Glock pistol. Carrying a good knife is a good idea.

The single-edged straight blade is not the only style of knife out there. There are also an almost infinite number of ways to grip a single-edged straight blade knife but they're usually variations on a theme. Your stance and grip are fluid, not static, and you need to be ready and able to adapt either one to the situation of the moment. With the basic grips I use, if I need to change the plane of the blade in relation to my target, I can pronate or supinate the wrist.

The cutting efficiency of any single technique is affected by the shape of the blade. A blade with a deep belly is more efficient for slicing than a straight edge. The further the point is off line with the hilt, the less efficient it will be for a straight stab.

The knife I used in this video was purchased from Smokey Mountain Knife Works. I think it was called the Lone Wolf Hunter. It was inexpensive but it's a remarkably solid design that fits my hand very well. The scales are Micarta. The blade is 5 inches long, 440C with a full profile tang. Vascowear, ATS34, 154CM, etcetera, may all be superior knife steels but this blade takes and holds an edge plenty good enough for my purposes. The only thing it lacks is a good sheath. I intend to buy or make a Kydex horizontal belt sheath for this knife.