5 Great FIGHTING KNIVES from History

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Here are 5 historical fighting knives that I think are GREAT! Of course there are plenty of other knives that could make a Top 10 or Top 20. What fighting knives would you include?
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[@scholagladiatoria]

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[@HanSolo__]

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[@no_activity]

@@HanSolo__ you are correct about the sponsor, but they often give life changing amounts of money to youtubers in exchange for the sponsorships. Ultimately it is the responsibility of you and I to do our due diligence before doing business with any advertiser or sponsor.

[@sirmeltalot1536]

@@HanSolo__ These Long adverts are terrible & what you just said make them so much worse, not what i expect from this channel he must be loosing more viewers & gaining less new subs due to this short sighted money grab from his terrible sponsor.. I hope he comes up with better more ethical way of getting money if not i am out of here.

[@juiceoclock214]

What brand is the Bowie knife that you showed off?

[@genghisgalahad8465]

That was such an extended ad promo that I had almost forgotten the topic of the video...

[@ryanmckenzie5918]

"Now we're going to talk about an Afghani knife. Not this knife, which [proceeds to give entire history and influence]. We're not going to talk about this one." XD I love your enthusiasm!

[@user-ns5yy4px3u]

Afghan* not afghani, thats a currency. you wouldnt call a british person a pound or an american a dollar

[@otxoawolf9054]

It's like a bonus....

[@JesseP.Watson]

@@user-ns5yy4px3u ...But you would call a frenchman a Franc... or Frank... or Frank the Frank Franc. So, you know. ...And you might call a German Mark too.

[@justincase3230]

As someone who mostly learned to people from books growing up the urge to go on a three paragraph tangent is always fighting it's way to the front of my brain so I respect it lol

[@JesseP.Watson]

@@justincase3230 Do it! :-) ...I do, you'd be surprised what people will endure, if you make sense... There's always those ready to accuse another of ranting... But they're always the ones with nothing worth saying.

[@finnmcool2]

What I find interesting is that the Bowie and Kukri are both useful once the battle is over. It seems that soldiers recognize the advantages of a multi utility knife. Battle isn't every day but firewood and food are.

[@dianapennepacker6854]

Kukri is by far mt favorite blade design. I personally love forward curved blades. Some yataghan are forward curved just not as pronounced and I wish I could get one. Also want a two handed Longsword length yataghan style blade but they don't exist. Only if I were rich!

[@b.johnathanwarriorinagarde7980]

​@@dianapennepacker6854 Look up Himalayan imports and get a longer length Kobra or Sirupati.

[@dianapennepacker6854]

@@b.johnathanwarriorinagarde7980 Whoa yeah the Kobra is definitely close and thanks! Just maybe longer (long sword and grip length with some type of guard and it would be perfect). Yet the dimensions and such on that Kobra are beautiful. When I googled Skall had a video of one and listening to it now and he is saying nothing but good about the Himalayan Import one. Definitely going to try to pick one up I think.

[@tollutollu]

the peshkabz reminds me of my moms ancient kitchen knives that have been aggressively sharpened regularly

[@adrianjagmag]

It evolved exactly that way 🙂

[@WolfKenneth]

My grandmother had one like that sharpened bazzilion times since like WW1

[@Killianwsh]

Just like the Scandinavian Seax , which he didn't mention, which was the foundation of the "Bowie" . The softer iron more easily available in both regions of the world, though easier to form, dulled much faster and wore away much faster during sharpening. It also breaks easier, making it very likely that Peshkabz were, originally, larger Kiber knives that the tips broke on and were reground/worked.

[@adrianjagmag]

@@Killianwsh what bullshit! Indian subcontinent had probably the best steel in the world (crucible steel, we didn't make weapons from softer 'iron') at that time period...Pesh Kabz have reinforced armour piercing tips specifically forged as such with hollow to convex ground blades. Whilst they evolved from utility blades they were dedicated fighting knives. 😤

[@adrianjagmag]

@@Killianwsh also, the Pesh Kabz is Persian originally, not Afghani, but the time it was adopted in the Subcontinent it was already a dedicate fighting blade.

[@johnandrewserranogarcia7223]

Short list for anyone who needs a recap: 1. Bowie knife 2. Rodel dagger 3. Katar 4. pesh-kabz 5. Kukri Great knives. The Kukri is my favorite.

[@victorwaddell6530]

Bowie is my fave , but that's probably my American bias showing .

[@johnandrewserranogarcia7223]

@@victorwaddell6530, Nice choice, The Bowie is great. It would definitely make my top 5 just like it did for Matt.

[@marshallferron]

Thanks. I was gonna unsubscribe if the khukukuri didn't make the list.

[@victorwaddell6530]

@@johnandrewserranogarcia7223 The Bowie is also a great survival knife . A sturdy Bowie can chop wood , dig earth , butcher game , build shelter , and make other tools/weapons from wood . Try to achieve those tasks with a dagger . I pair a Bowie with a hatchet in my survival kit . Add a folding saw and a multitool and you're good to go in the bush .

[@johnandrewserranogarcia7223]

@@victorwaddell6530, as a hispanic person what I use in the small farm is a machete which is why I have a lot of respect for large work knives like the Bowie and the Kukri. Thats where my bias comes from.

[@SteveSmith-wk9dx]

Do you want a knife or an axe? Nepalese: YES

[@MrBendylaw]

Are you okay with charging entrenched IJN soldiers with nothing but this tool?

[@omariscovoador7486]

22:53 i thought i had the maturity necessary to handle this line with a straight face, but i don't 😂 "if you want to acess it in the dark having a big butt to grab on to helps to make you stay with the point ready to use"

[@hawkeyepierce2017]

Built for adding thrust and deeper penetration

[@mikewatts1533]

As a supposed adult, I too could not contain my laughter. Besides that, very interesting topic.

[@darrylviljoen6227]

It has a big butt to grab, giving you a firm grip with which to deliver powerful thrusts with the deepest possible penetration.

[@downunderrob]

It's worth noting that even in the 19th Century the Kukhri was well known enough. That Bram Stoker has Jonathan Hawker use one against Dracula in the 1897 novel. Both Hawker and Van Helsing use them in Coppola's movie. Though they use different ones. Van Helsings is larger, a custom made one. Harkers is smaller, closer to the Military version. And from the trouble he has cutting rope? Not sharp enough!

[@toddellner5283]

And Quincy Morris has a Bowie. We're two for five!

[@varuug]

Dracula is killed by having his throat sliced by Harker's khukuri while his heart is pierced by Morris' Bowie knife.

[@varuug]

But I would have used the khukuri to chop Dracula's head off.

[@robertboyle2573]

@@varuug Yes.

[@robertboyle2573]

@@toddellner5283 Yes.

[@vettethewarlock5448]

Would be cool to hear about trench knives and other weapons used in WW1 trenches

[@maxlutz3674]

I´ll second that. A specific subtopic would be trench knives improvised in the field.

[@scottnewton9370]

Was the fairburn sykes used then ?

[@KEVWARD63]

@@scottnewton9370 An interwar design originating in Shanghai , FS was a Shanghai Police inspector ....a seedy city back then !

[@scottnewton9370]

@@KEVWARD63 thanks for the info

[@mannihh5274]

That would be a whole series of videos! Most soldiers that time had a slip-joint folding pocket knife and a bajonet of 1-2 feet. Both lacked the ability to act as an effective fighting knife in tight spaces like a trench, so they took literally ANY knife and modified it to meet their needs - e.g. shortened bajonets, rapiers, sabres, reprofiled hunting and sturdy kitchen knives, even bent and sharpened pieces of rebar. All it needed was a sturdy, 4-7inch piece of (hardened) steel with a secure grip, so there were countless examples. Later in the war they were issued with shortened bajonets and hunting daggers.

[@nocomment5586]

Captain Holt: I see you have a knife, but what you really need is an umbrella. Detective Peralta: Tell him why, tell him why! Captain Holt: 'Cause there's a s**t storm gonna rain down on you, punk.

[@daeholm]

Love the knife content. I'd like to see a Seax and a Rifleman's knife.

[@longrider42]

The 1849 Rifleman's knife? Its some what of an obscure blade. I have a very good reproduction of one. Its very plain and simple, but I like the look of it.

[@victorwaddell6530]

@@longrider42 I love old timey American knife styles from the Bowie and before . Some of my faves are the Green River hunting knife , the Hudson's Bay knife , the Roach Belly knife , and the Rifleman's knife .

[@longrider42]

@@victorwaddell6530 I also like the Green River knives, I have several of them. I have a nice Hudson bay knife, and of course the Rifleman's knife. I'm a Knife addict.. Oh and two Bowie knives, both good sized.

[@peterwehrmeyer925]

Rifleman knife. Semi American contribution

[@peterwehrmeyer925]

I saw Kubrick in Argentina

[@tonys8243]

Hey mate you left out the most dangerous knife... the kitchen knife it's inflicted more wounds than any other.

[@darraghchapman]

He did mention it, in fairness, and he makes a point of noting its use in violent crime in quite a few videos to (rightly, in my opinion) highlight silly restrictions in UK legislation.

[@deniskozlowski9370]

I'm a retired police officer and almost all of the violent incidents involving edged weapons were either kitchen knives used in domestic disputes or prison shanks used by inmates who were having a go at their fellow convicts and or staff. It was rare to see someone stabbed or slashed by a Bowie knife or a switchblade.

[@seriousmaran9414]

As someone with an odd form of fibromyalgia I have a habit of stabbing myself in the left hand. I am now "required" to wear a stainless steel glove when using one. Strangely I have swords and knives, never use them so no injuries from them. I used to work on ambulances. If there is a knife accident in the home it is usually a kitchen knife.

[@tonys8243]

Denis Kozlowski ... know what you mean mate 36 years ( finishing up next month )as a screw seen more than my share of cuts and puncture wounds from kitchen cutlery of all sorts.

[@martykitson3442]

And you guys don't even mention the number of times I hacked myself just using one and as much as I had to as a cook the more exposure the more chance of accident, only required er visit twice in 20 some years

[@TaoistSwordsman]

There's alot of modern knives out there that people have preference towards, but it's always interesting to hear the opinion of someone who's handled actual antiques, and is a HEMA practitioner Funny timing actually, i've recently began practicing cutting tatami with shorter blades, like bowies and kabars lately As always Matt, thanks for adding to the communal discussion :)

[@peacekeeper3477]

What do you think is the best fighting knife for todays use?

[@djinndevyl7077]

@@peacekeeper3477 I'm kinda sold on the KABAR but, that's just my opinion

[@allengordon6929]

@@peacekeeper3477 pure combat? FBS. Expanded definition of "knife"? modernized rondel dagger.

[@seriousmaran9414]

A lot depends on what you are doing and your style. I am not convinced there is a best knife.

[@jamescoyne6836]

@@peacekeeper3477 a gun

[@ArifRWinandar]

"It's a bit more comfortable if I just stick three in there" another one for the historical documents.

[@tissuepaper9962]

When you mentioned that a modern chisel sometimes looks like a rondelle, you gave me the idea for my next blacksmithing project. It should be simple to buy a chisel with one of those big orange plastic grips, make a mold of the grip so I can replicate it later in case it's damaged, and then forge the actual chisel part (probably will be a masonry chisel) into a rondelle. It would almost be pop art, with the look of the neon-colored injection molded grip, originally intended for a working man's tool, juxtaposed against a historical nobleman's weapon.

[@cyrilgigee4630]

My dad has a kukri, it's his favorite thing to use for lighter wood chopping (splitting kindling and such). I once asked him about the notch at the base of the blade, he said that he heard it symbolized the trishula (trident) of Shiva.

[@varuug]

Most khukuris that are used as tools in Nepal do not have scabbards. While doing work that require both hands (climbing trees or ladders, swimming across rivers, etc) people hang khukuris at the waist with whatever can be used as rope. The rope is wrapped around the blade (once) at the notch.

[@cyrilgigee4630]

@@varuug A very plausible explanation, and not even mutually exclusive with others such as the one my dad had heard.

[@Xaries82]

yes and no.it eventually connect to trident..maybe you should go up to nepal 'mountain'.

[@lalli8152]

@@cyrilgigee4630 sharp implement might be bit dangerous though if they actually do that though. I think Matt has mentioned too that at least the shape of the notch is likely cultural symbol. There are i think different explanations like the trident, feet of cow, and even possibly symbolizing female part of some god

[@emmanouil9400]

Perhaps one could suggest that the kukri notch is there to assist with starting a fire. By entangling some lint in the notch, and then using the chakmak to ignite it. The word "chakmak" itself is used for (cigarette) "lighter" in more than one languages (e.g. "τσακμάκι" , "çakmak").

[@Sk0lzky]

What if it was meant as an ancient bottle opener except there were no capped bottles so it ended up like DaVincis inventions? XD

[@varuug]

One of the two small tools included in khukuri scabbards is meant to be used as a fire-starter (chakmak).

[@MKnife]

As a long time knife collector of mostly military knives, I appreciate this. I'd also like to see a video of historically more recent (and maybe even contemporary) knives, such as the Fairbairn-Sykes, the Gerber Mk 2 dagger, WW-1 trench knives, the Ka-Bar and even the KM2000. Not forgetting the fact that bayonets are also knives and have been used in combat also as such, and not only when attached to a rifle. It is interesting to see how knife design changes over the centuries as the battlefield evolves, but the basic principles remain, i.e. "stick them with the pointy end".

[@galadballcrusher8182]

Speaking of military knives, there is also a form of Stilettos if i recall correctly that were the sidearm of Italian artillerists and served mainly as a measuring ruller for the portioning of black powder

[@nickaschenbecker9882]

I used to have an Australian BC-41. It was just a single-edged blade with a clip point set edge-up into a knuckleduster. Only 2 uses, that thing. Nasty piece of kit, not sure where it went, think someone stole it. I'd hate to be stopped and frisked by the police carrying that around. lol

[@nickaschenbecker9882]

@@galadballcrusher8182 I've seen those. Some are really nice, some outright fancy with ivory grips and gilding and others quite plain leading me to believe the gunners had to acquire their own. J.F. Schroeder Co. makes really good replicas of them.

[@caracoldeleche]

In Japan there are some examples of tantō with triangular blades used in the battlefield for thrusting between armor gaps, just as the european rondel daggers

[@mariusmioc3045]

They are called Yoroi-doshi. Yoroi = armour, doshi = piercing

[@KageNoTora74]

Asanuma Inejiro was assassinated with a yoroi-doshi in the 1960s.

[@nickaschenbecker9882]

They often had a small tsuba called a hamidashi that wasn't entirely unlike the roundels on a rondel dagger. The idea was that, when sheathed, it could be worn close to the body and wouldn't get in the way of moving around.

[@equesdeventusoccasus]

It isn't medieval, but I would love to see you do a video on the Fairbanks-Sykes fighting knife.

[@Abxiximab]

The Fairbairn Sykes would probably warant a video of its own, but given its reputation as a vicious murdertool , youtube would probably demonetize it within mere hours.

[@lowlandnobleman6746]

I love dudgeon daggers, dirks, and quillon daggers. Also, those weird ring-hilted Celtic knives from the Iron Age look rather nice. The kukri is also great. Hits like an axe and looks like a little baby falcata.

[@Xyz-qz4mz]

I hope you cover in the future the Argentinian "Facon" a goog figthing/utility knife

[@shinobifirecracker6671]

What’s a goog? Sounds racist

[@shinobifirecracker6671]

;)

[@Xyz-qz4mz]

@@shinobifirecracker6671 good, sorry, i write incorrectly

[@motaman8074]

@@shinobifirecracker6671 don't be a goog

[@ozeflvsh4522]

@@motaman8074 yea hes definitley a lowsy goog...lol

[@Dimetropteryx]

Frankly, say the word "dagger", and most people will probably picture a Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife whether or not they know what that is. My favorite fighting knife is not actually a fighting knife, but has historically seen heavy use in that role because of its sheer abundance: The Finnish puukko.

[@brittakriep2938]

A dagger, in german Dolch, is a weapon, while a knife , in german Messer, is useable as tool and weapon (some only as tool). A knife has usually a single edge blade, but not necessarily a point. A dagger has necessarily a point and either a double edge or spike blade. So the Fairbairn- Sykes is clearly a dagger and not a knife.

[@thehighwayman8776]

@@brittakriep2938 doesnt change the fact that it is called the Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife.

[@Dimetropteryx]

@@brittakriep2938 I guess that's why the rondel dagger was mentioned. A dagger is a knife.

[@brittakriep2938]

@@Dimetropteryx : Seems to be a small difference in word use of both languages. In german for example a Säbel/ saber is never called Schwert/ sword.

[@brittakriep2938]

@@thehighwayman8776 : Is this really the official name of this weapon used by british forces? I am surprised.

[@markfergerson2145]

Is the Fairbairn-Sykes knife not old enough to be "historical"? You can certainly see the influence of "real" historical knives in its design.

[@jR-nc1uz]

They're nothing really special. Just one guy's take on a stilleto, just like the ones that people have been using for centuries. Like everything pertaining to WW2, the legend often out paces the truth. They're a handy size for a stilleto. If you want to slit mens throats from behind, or get through an eye socket, it gets the job done. Useless for anything else you might want a knife for.

[@_XR40_]

Problem is that the Fairbairn-Sykes is pretty much useless for anything except stabbing, and gathered a reputation for breaking when doing that...

[@wolfgangkranek376]

If there are still people alive who used it, it's not historical. It's contemporary.

[@wolfgangkranek376]

@@_XR40_ True, but so are many other historical knives/blade weapons.

[@_XR40_]

@@wolfgangkranek376 I guess my point was that the Fairbairn-Sykes was nothing more than a poor-quality small dagger. Nothing original or distinctive about it except it's tendency to snap at the tang and fall apart. Granted, it has been improved over time and some modern variants have full tangs -- But it is still simply a dagger...

[@Spockfucious]

The Scramasax was also an early example of a clip-styled point. Warncliff as well.

[@brittakriep2938]

As a german person from a region, where at nearly every settlement/ village/ town graves with seaxes ( Saxe in german) have been found, there is no standardized seax, the german ones look a bit different to english ones, also length and wideth of blade is rather different.

[@cameronalexander5195]

i've always liked the seax. it can be many sizes and used for many different tasks.

[@cameronalexander359]

OMG.. there's 2 of us!

[@cameronalexander5195]

@@cameronalexander359 we are very confused. 🤔

[@trevergoick9341]

Now 3!

[@SamuraiAkechi]

33:52 I'd like to see following types of fighting knives: -Spanish flamenco knife - a thing similar to bauernwehrs or genovese fighting knives, could be a direct influence on Bowie -Cuteddu ammanicatu - a sicilian folding knife, of a size of a smallsword. They have several similar types of knives. -Belgian folding machete with a d-guard, featuring a navaja-type lock. -italian San Potito knife - basically a crossover between navaja and a french/Maniago style folding knife -Some dude had proposed an Almarada. I think it would be cool to cover it too -Finns have a period of knife crime in their history, I think, covering puukkos and their use in crime and during WWII by both finns and russians would be interesting.

[@Yarblocosifilitico]

wow, great recommendations. That belgian folding machete is exactly the type of weapon I would laugh at if I see it in a game or movie haha, cool to know that it's real

[@brittakriep2938]

German wwl trench knives are simply militarized Nicker hunting/ edc knives.

[@BlueCR055]

@ 9:40: it looks like a Brazilian Sorocabana knife, an all-purpose type of knife that used to be common among "gaúchos" (cattle shepherds) and traveling merchants riding mules or oxen-drawn wagons (the so-called "tropeiros") in southern and southeastern Brazil ("Sorocabana"), northeastern Argentina and Uruguay (they had their own names).

[@stevelewis7263]

I can imagine the Rondel dagger being used on a knight lying prone on the floor, and someone jabbing the Rondel through his visor and giving the rear end a mighty smack driving the knife through the knight's eye socket to the brain, brutal, bloody and possibly mercifully quick ending of life.

[@tfilmyr]

Exactly.

[@toddellner5283]

You made very good choices for knives that had a long history of use in fighting and were historically influential. The only changes I might make are maybe the kanjar vs. the pesh kabz just because it was very widespread in one form or another and related to so many other iconic weapons like the bichwa, khanjarli, and possibly yataghan. The following are just personal preference biased by my training. They aren't nearly as historically important because their influence was geographically small. I find the keris interesting not just because of its cultural and spiritual significance but because of the wide number of forms it took from small needle-like straight blades to the most-familiar wavy-bladed "fever man" hilted Javanes/Madurese types, to long Sumatran double edged pistol-grip knives to Filipino short swords. The variety of forms and uses is fascinating. Also from that part of the world - and I'm showing my biases here - the class of edged weapons that fall somewhere between big knives and short swords - bangkons, goloks, mandaus, bolos, barongs, and so on - is endlessly interesting. They cross back and forth between knife and sword, agricultural tool and martial weapon in ways that require a deep dive into the cultural context in which they were developed. A final one that I like isn't because it's a fighting knife, although it has been used in combat, but because it's such a wonderful purpose-built military blade. It's the Woodman's Pal, the US Signal Corps' brush and forest knife. It looks funny, but it is incredibly versatile and effective and is in many ways the latest evolution of the Pioneer Sword.

[@neutronalchemist3241]

On the roundel dagger, do not forget the "pommel" roundel was handy, once you pinned the enemy on the ground, to put the palm of the other hand on it and so push the blade into the mail armor/gambeson with all of your weight.

[@Skkernick]

Learning about Wootz Steel was my favorite part of this video. Awesome as always and I love how he has so many different examples.

[@jeremynedrow7003]

Great list.I love the history,the function and the astetics of the blade's.You have an amazing collection and wealth of knowledge.Thank you for the great work.

[@oldschooljeremy8124]

No janbiya/khanjar? No Holbein? No tanto? I foresee a "Part 2" video coming! : )

[@adrianjagmag]

@John Smith yet Khanjar/Khanjarli were battlefield weapons and are defo not outdated, you probably have a tourist piece.

[@adrianjagmag]

@John Smith interesting because old Indian subcontinent ones whilst fullered in the middle are much more robust than what you describe and generally even have reinforced points. Not a tribal weapon...

[@kiwid.single9431]

Boycott China and it's products,you can't rely on chinese made knives

[@daxmafesi]

The French Poignard Fencing style/dagger is my personal favorite a lot of people sleep on it for some reason.

[@donavantew8278]

You’re channel has grown so much my friend and you deserve awesome things my friend. Matt you’re a true blessing to the knife culture.

[@jellekastelein7316]

One type of knife that collectors here in the Netherlands are interested in is the Aceh rencong knife. They have one of the weirdest looking grip constructions and the knife is used in what seems like an upside-down fashion (they would stab into the gut and then cut upwards and out, so the sharp edge faces upwards).

[@DavidLee-yu7yz]

The Bowie fighting style was to hold the knife (Bowie) face up and utilizing of European fencing, if you get the chance to hold a Bowie, hold it face up and it becomes intuitive.

[@DonMeaker]

I would like to see a discussion of Fairbairn-Sykes, Applegate-Fairbairn, and V-42, all used about the same time, all used for about the same purpose, but with different features. . "The ideal knife should be sharp as a needle, keen as a razor, small enough to fit in your pocket, and large enough so, in an emergency, you can use it to paddle your canoe."

[@mentaljake67]

I just have a 30 or so dollar cheapo Kukri and even that thing legitimately hits like an axe. Very effective and, feels pretty good in the hand.

[@ricosuave7102]

The only ones that are still in wide spread use are the Bowie and khukri knives. The others are usually wall hangers.

[@bravechicken6251]

I like your videos mate. Long time viewer. Thanks for all the work you do In front of the camera and all the prep.

[@dougness1971]

The cut out at the grip is the ancient Wu-tang emblem.Nobody fuks wit Wutang.

[@oldschooljeremy8124]

Gives a new meaning to "Clash of Clans".

[@jamescoyne6836]

Wu-tang clan is owned by????

[@Shitballs69420]

I always think the same thing, started chanting "WU-TANG WU-TANG WU-TANG" 🙌

[@Si74l0rd]

This made me laugh. I collect kukris and I'm always going to see Wu tang world wide when I look at the Cho now. Could be worse!

[@tysonellis1172]

"When motherfuckers try and bring the ruckus remember that Wu-Tang Clan ain't nothing to fuck with!"

[@Konstantinos340]

the japanese tantos. we need a full video on those.

[@KageNoTora74]

Kozukas and aikuchis as well.

[@davekennedy6315]

Another great vid! I love knives, my favourite being Bowie knives but i also really like the British Commando knife, Tantos and obviously Kukris. Such an interesting topic.

[@mytoolz]

I've been making knives a long time and honestly this is probably the coolest knife channel I've ever seen just subscribed and look forward to all of the stuff!!!!!!

[@josephangiulo8601]

My vote for a second volume would include the Ka-Bar, the Fairbairn-Sykes, the balisong, the classic switchblade and the kris. Not all great fighting knives, objectively, but incredibly influential designs.

[@dawnrazornephilim]

I've always liked the Kukri, but I do like a nice stiletto dagger. Some look really nice and made to a specific function.

[@4unkb0y]

Great vid, thanks Matt. What would we like to see? Defensive daggers/knives! Main gauche, parrying daggers, etc etc Thanks!

[@arctodussimus6198]

I believe the video you made comparing the Kukuri and the Bowie was the video that convinced me to subscribe to your channel. It seems natural to me that you begin and end your list with these two knives 😉

[@weapons-gradenutella3068]

I called it wrong: I figured we’d see a seax. You did say strictly fighting knife, though. Depends what you get up to during dinner, I suppose.

[@douglasherron7534]

The Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife. Relatively modern, yes, but very iconic.

[@EattinThurs61]

Hum, hum it is sort of similar to the French dagger Le venguer...it is just a sort of smallish dagger, ain't it. Larger guard on le venguer which is to my liking.

[@soultraveller5027]

Sykes wasn't particularly impressed with the knife when he first saw it the F.S final design chosen for production had a longer blade 7""" inch blade and a redesign Handel for better grip the original knife from which the Fabian/Sykes knife was based on for "("British army commandos "" ) Not the (Royal marines /commandos ) as that unit didn't exist untill 1942 when both the army commandos and Royal marines came together to what is currently known as based on the Shanghai dagger which had a smaller blade normal 5""inch

[@badger-6377]

The kukri doesn't really need a guard because it is designed to chop rather than stab; the hand would tend to slip off the back, but not up towards the blade.

[@varuug]

Thrusting is done with one hand holding the khukuri and the other pushing with the palm (just like with the rondel dagger).

[@_XR40_]

Just love it when the KZbin ads pop-up in the middle of the in-video ad....

[@battlebright4122]

the first 5 mins was all adds, must be the longest add on youtube.

[@RonOhio]

I would be interested in your opinion of the Fairbairn-Sykes commando daggers. I am old enough to wish I had bought an original when I was young.

[@_XR40_]

Problem is that the Fairbairn-Sykes is pretty much useless for anything except stabbing, and gathered a reputation for breaking when doing that. Apparently the originals weren't very well made or tempered...

[@andreweden9405]

@@_XR40_ , Some makes of the Fairbairn-Sykes dagger were better than others. The somewhat thin cross-section was by design. For one, it aided penetration by minimizing resistance, but also, when indexed correctly, it was literally able to stab between ribs, getting to the tender bits that our ribcage was created to protect.

[@_XR40_]

@@andreweden9405 Point was that the Fairbairn-Sykes was simply a small, low-quality dagger. Nothing original or distinctive about it except for it's tendency to snap. Most modern variants have been improved, and some even have full-tangs, but it's still just a dagger. As far as "when indexed correctly, it was literally able to stab between ribs", would you care to tell me just which kind of knives _don't?_ - I want to be sure to avoid them...

[@p4riah]

the irish supposedly had some famously long daggers at one time that you dont hear much about, the skean/scian. how might they be related to things like the rondel dagger, comparisons to scottish and english daggers, what it evolved from, evolved into, etc. would be interesting to hear about.

[@Si74l0rd]

The Scien Dubh, probably not the correct spelling, is what they wear in their sock for ceremonial occasions. About the only dress knife you can wear under UK law, just as well we don't hold blades as such ceremonial items as in much of the world. Every time the police declare an arms amnesty our historic weapons get melted down in some misguided notion of the common good.

[@junichiroyamashita]

@@Si74l0rd the sgian duhb is scottish and small,the irish skean tend to be very big.

[@lonegunmanx1824]

First, the Karambit. Second - just found this guy. The Forgotten Weapons of knives! Love it!

[@christophers7023]

I would love to see more videos like this. Maybe by region or era, 5 favorite knives/swords/polearms/armor pieces. I would enjoy more videos like that

[@Leery_Bard]

[17:16] That's what she said. [22:57] That's important too.

[@todorminchev2123]

Matt out of context be like xD

[@markwuahlbuargg4780]

It feels so surreal to see Matt being sponsored by Raid Shadow Legends... Like, I just can't picture him hunched over his phone grinding for hours on these types of time wasters.

[@michaelo5665]

Gotta pay the bills somehow and he probably thinks of it as a lesser evil as opposed to having random ads throughout his video

[@daniel-zh9nj6yn6y]

RSL is for people who don't know how to install emulators on their phone.

[@markwuahlbuargg4780]

@@michaelo5665 Oh of course! I wasn't criticizing Matt in any way, I know those sponsorships are pretty much unavoidable nowadays, I was just sharing the weirdness it made me feel.

[@LionAstrology]

Thanks for the video awesome information 🙂

[@ryanmccabe1036]

"Most people think it's an American knife, but British companies stole the idea, called it their own and sold it, so you see, it's British."

[@Cabbolf]

Matt: *succinct and eloquent statement regarding the place knives hold in human history and our relationship with them* Channel fans: "Hehe, pokey thing go stab."

[@gorillaguerillaDK]

My five favorite fighting/service knives; Fairbairn Sykes, Kukri, Tanto, Ka-Bar, Bowie Knife, and for runner up, the Katar, and the Karambit

[@Alpha_Synergy]

One of my favorite blades has been the cinquedea (not sure if I'm spelling that right). It toes the line between dagger and shortsword, and isn't an effective war dagger, but it does have some rather cool features. The wide blade lends itself to being highly decorated, allows for cutting, and the angle makes it a decent thrusting weapon, especially against unarmored opponents, which it was designed for, since it was primarily a civilian blade.

[@coltenlester9426]

I was hoping he'd mention pesh kabs. That thing is awsome.

[@unclebob540i3]

The Pishqabz is one of the sexiest blade designs ever, I'm glad you included it in this video. I love how the same problem inspired the same solutions throughout the world.Cheers!

[@ericvanvlandren8987]

Great video Matt. You asked what else we would like to see. Here is my off-the-top-of-my-head list. I realize you have mentioned many of these before - but I would love to watch the full Matt Easton treatment for: 1) Quillon dagger 2) Smatchet knife 3) Dirk, highland, naval, etc. 4) Stiletto 5) Trench knife 6) Main gauche Looking forward to your insights. Thanks.

[@philw8049]

My favorite “knife” is a simple quillion dagger with a 13” blade. I don’t know what it is about that but it just feels great in the hand and handles fantastically.

[@DavidLee-yu7yz]

I have been looking at the tod cutler one (Quillon) but not bit the bullet yet, love the look of those blades, maybe comes form the films and passion for the medieval castle and Knightly class, from my when i was young.

[@philw8049]

@@DavidLee-yu7yz I don’t think you could go wrong with getting anything from Tod!

[@Xaries82]

2 span from thumb to little finger.3 span for sword or length of your arm.

[@myrrdyn]

Would be nice to see something on the Roman sica (from which the word "sicario" comes from)

[@inregionecaecorum]

You have missed out the Scotish Dirk.

[@thefaithful5991]

My favourite edged combat tools. 1. Japanese Tanto 2. FS Dagger 3. Bowie 4. Jambiyah 5. Gununting

[@alex18771977]

Nice video. Thx. Do you have any videos about the Yemeni dagger?

[@keithallardice6139]

Nice Bowie Matt! ;-)

[@JollyPeanut]

I thought the long intro advert was never going to end 5 mins good grief. I love your videos but the adds are worse than medieval torture.

[@fetus2280]

Show starts @ 5:00

[@konixtwenty8275]

Great video as usual. Wish you would discuss the Caucuses dagger. They’re very beautiful.

[@Arkeo36]

Kukri - the best for all time.

[@jtelevenoyd1571]

Has anyone put in a word for the Smatchet yet?

[@darrylw5851]

My top two would be the Tanto, Fairbain-Sykes Dagger (daggers in general).

[@Meymeygwis]

Another fun and fine video Scott! You pretty much named key others, e.g. Tanto (technically short sword but 1 Shaku blade length fits big knife with its own Tantojutsu); yes to Roman and Filipino versions; the Dirk is a noble consideration along with other main gauche style blades. PS: considering different styles and their technique implications would be cool.

[@shinjofox]

Favourite fighting knife you didn't mention, Fairburn-sykes fight knife.

[@shakerson]

Also, the Applegate-Fairbarn if we are counting knives that recent.

[@Xenophaige_reads]

@@shakerson isn't that just a development of the original fairbarn sykes. Slightly adjusted but same usage by the look of the blade and grip.

[@shakerson]

@@Xenophaige_reads same usage but quite a few changes, not the least of which was convexing the whole blade so that there is no secondary bevel. They also added interchangeable weights to the grip to allow for custom balancing and a few other things. Rex Applegate basically took the best fighting knife ever and made it better.

[@DaelMorris]

@@Xenophaige_reads there are quite a few evolutions of the FS, even beyond the accepted first, second, and third patterms. in a lot of ways, the V-42 is probably the best iteration. (for me, obviously).

[@DaelMorris]

@@shakerson the shift of weight from blade to grip is brilliant. the Applegate version is also more leaf-shaped as opposed to the bayonet style of the original FS. if i remember correctly, the blade is thicker too, to allow for better tip strength and still allow taper. i'm not an expert though, so maybe someone on the thread can chip in.

[@EroticFungus]

What was that first knife he had at the start?

[@battlebright4122]

Thats what i wanted to know but he was talking about some shit video game for so long i drifted off...

[@Yumao420]

Navaja in spanish is the term for any folding knife. It doesn't require any particular kind of blade, just giving you the capacity to put the sharp edge inside the handle by taking of the safe and folding.

[@captainamerica3531]

What is the beauty that you are holding at the beginning and end of the video!? That modern bayonet looking short sword would surely be a contender in my book when going to a length of the Nepal knife design. Great video as always. Thanks a lot.

[@grindsaur]

I would add the stiletto. But on another note, I've always wondered: How well does a katar cut when swung?

[@scottmacgregor3444]

Interesting question. I'd guess that it depends on how well those side bars support on the forearm. Without support a cut with a katar would put a lot of very nasty lateral pressure on the wrist, weakening the cut and potentially injuring the wrist. Never tried it, but that's my supposition.

[@ZagorTeNayebo]

Not that great

[@grindsaur]

ZagorTeNayebo have you tried? Is it the twisting of the wrist that @Scott MacGregor mentions that throws it off?

[@larskunoandersen5750]

The American Ka-Bar comes to mind

[@hermeusxerxes6487]

Kinda falls under the bowie knife category.

[@rm8874]

A few I'd like to see: 1. Randall model 1 2. 1917 American Bolo (used by the legendary Harlem Hellfighters) 3. Saex 4. SOG Bowie 5. Fairbairn Sykes dagger

[@stephanwatson7902]

My favorite (especially because I do jkd/mma) is the Karambit, but mainly as a self defense knife. Even if you're only allowed to carry the 3 inch ones, the shape and retention ring make it very effective and difficult to disarm

[@Tareltonlives]

Some of my favorites too. Northern Mexico was big knife (vaqueros and indios) territory so I'm sure the Spanish designs were the source of the variations. I remember the British were very impressed by the Bowie knife to the point of it being featured in a lot of 19th century literature. Jujustsu is a great example; pretty sure it was developed from medieval combat styles where armored samurai had to knife-fight, and it's really similar to unarmored combat from Europe in the same period Apparently Katar originated from the Vijayanagara empire but moved north and became a staple weapon of the knightlike Rajputs. The Choora evolved from the Pesh-Kabz after Shah Abbas took Kandahar; it's more of a versatile weapon I wonder about the kukri shape in relation to the falcata, kopis, sosun pattah, yataghan, etc. How did it get started and how did it spread? Honorable mention: the Scottish dirk and the similar Caucasian kinjal,the rodel's cousin the baselard , the Tlingit fighting knife or gwa'laa, and the very interesting Polynesian wooden daggers the Hawaiian pahoa and the Maori patu.

[@toddellner5283]

Jujutsu was in many ways "How you fight when you don't have your sword or spear or bow or halberd." So wrestling, some striking, smaller weapons including knives. Older forms were related to the original Sumo which was designed for wrestling in armor. There are so many inward curved blades, and the places they evolve overlap each other so much it would be almost impossible to figure out a definitive family tree. I think the best we can say is that it was a common design decision that was made in may times and places because it suited local needs and resources. Polynesia, Melanesia, and New Zealand had some interesting daggers, but I think we have to admit that their greatest strength was various kinds of clubs - sometimes stone, sometimes with teeth or shells, sometimes sharpened wood, but still clubs. Wood is what they mostly had to work with. Metal just wasn't hardly there until you get up into the Meteorite Belt in Nusantara.

[@scottbauer71]

Who doesn't love a large butt - especially when you need one

[@ColtonWilson3000]

I enjoyed this video. Thanks for making it.

[@InderjeetSingh-im3eh]

Another informative video. I'm curious if the treatises that feature the Peshkabz and Rondel, if they mention defending or taking the opponent's knife whilst grappeling.

[@toddellner5283]

There are living martial traditions which use the Peshkabz on the Subcontinent. The few that I've seen include defense against knives, mostly loose grappling but other things as well.

[@thedamnyankee1]

Fairbairn-Sykes. WW2 was 80 years ago, thats history.

[@jackeagles7080]

No fairburn Sykes? I thought it was guaranteed to be on the list. It's got a very interesting development story and is carried to this day.

[@philodeinos7536]

Some of my favorites you didn't mention : - the quillon dagger (I like the simple "miniature sword" aesthetic) - the main-gauche or parrying dagger (basically the same as the above with added ring and usually longer quillons) - the seax (the Dark Ages version of a Bowie knife)

[@brittakriep2938]

Seax, Bowieknife and german Bauernwehr had been nearly the same.

[@kylewestenbay9757]

Another 5 for me would be the: Karambit, WW1 Trench knife, Swordbreaker/parrying dagger, Japanese Tanto, And Bayonets! (all kinds)

[@preacherjohn]

Is that a Todd Cutler maker's mark I see on your rondel dagger there, Matt?

[@scholagladiatoria]

Yes, it's a Tod Cutler one that Tod kindly gave me.

[@michaelfoster-brown463]

@@scholagladiatoria surely it would punch through Mail, I was surprised you were so ambivalent on that score, is there any historical evidence or recent testing to indicate one way or another?

[@scholagladiatoria]

Mail comes in a LOT of varieties, both in terms of construction (types of ring, size of ring, type of rivet) and also material (everything from soft iron to hardened steel). Some mail would probably be impossible to stab through with a dagger at all.

[@michaelfoster-brown463]

@@scholagladiatoria thank you for the reply. It would be interesting to see some testing videos.

[@Scott-qq9jd]

Well, I certainly like Bowies and kukris for fighting. The Fairbairn-Sykes is a good knife for killing.

[@TaoistSwordsman]

I like Sykes for thrusting, it's a bit like a dagger. A bowie, now that's a good chopper, but not as quick.

[@powerplay4real174]

Good video Matt , the Bowie and Kukri are my two favorite of all of old war blade as will a the more personal Daggers.

[@abelgerli]

Best joke someone told me. Gurkha fighter jumps into a trench heavily waving the kukri against the enemy's throat once. The enemy: You missed ... The Gurkha replies: try to shake your head...