Big Knife Fighting VS Small Knife Fighting

I strongly believe that the size of a knife has a large effect on the best ways of using it, and large knives, such as Bowie knives, had optimum sizes. I believe that when you get too small, you cannot use those knives in the same way.
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[@OdiousCoprophagus]

Matt's expression when saying the word "girth" is absolutely priceless

[@dougselby7592]

Don't even get him started about length!

[@ashleysmith3106]

In Australia, the Customs Service allows the importation of Bayonets, but bans the importation of Fighting Knives (Unless you have the appropriate reams of paperwork, including a Police report showing you have a fit and proper reason for owning it ! ) They have obviously overlooked the fact that the American M5 bayonet and the M3 Fighting Knife were manufactured from the same blanks and have the same blade ! Don't tell them anyone!

[@IHateMilkbruh]

Sounds like Australia is becoming more and more of a prison

[@Elias-xu7uw]

@@IHateMilkbruh hope the people rise up. it is the inevitable.. either that or things will be worse than we might ever have seen before

[@alancranford3398]

For what it's worth, the M3 Trench Knife is the pattern for the M4 Bayonet (for the M1 Carbine), the M5 Bayonet (for the M1 Rifle--the Garand), the M6 Bayonet (for the M14 Rifle), and the M7 Bayonet (for the M16 Rifle). The handles for the M4 Bayonet are the same as for the M3 Trench Knife with additional hardware (muzzle ring, and a catch to firmly hold bayonet to rifle), with the last production runs having a handle like the M7. Early M7 Bayonets (probably prototypes) had stacked leather washer handles but the main production is hard plastic scales bolted to the tang. The M5 and M6 have similar handle profiles to each other. There's reasons collectors accumulate the variants--and if not for collectors, the learning curve on what works and what is cheap and easy to make would be lost to history. Control freaks don't have a clue!

[@deathbyastonishment7930]

The importation of fighting knives is by no means banned. There are some rules regarding double edged blades though, even so, they are widely available in he country.

[@stcredzero]

So folks, Matt Easton, "needs a minimum of 6, but I much prefer 9..." That's the "money shot" right there! (cue the Beavis and Butthead meme!)

[@ReasonAboveEverything]

Average knives are very much useless for conventional dueling. For proper fighting you need at least 7 inch blade minimum.

[@davek89666]

Hahahahaha

[@Tunkkis]

Ehe ehe, ehehehe, hehehehehe, eh, heh.

[@MorgenPeschke]

He definitely knows his audience 🤷

[@MrWolf-le4nv]

Fairburn Sykes knife and the fighting system was/is revolutionary. The way he holds his blade and makes those fluid continually motion for cuts is just great. The stealth and sneak attacks they use w that system are of equal importance

[@vinceblasco]

At this point no one should be surprised that Matt is a size queen.

[@redtesla]

Not the most popular fighting weapon, but I'm fond of the classic 18" machete personally.

[@richardweilandt3315]

I love the Fairbairn/Sykes dagger for close in fighting with a blade. The techniques used differ a bit from bigger blades like Bowies and Toothpick knives, which definitely differ from short sword length blades and Machetes. I agree with blade length dictates techniques used to fight.

[@richardweilandt3315]

I follow the " what works " technique. There is no manual, just personal experience and involvement in knife fights.

[@AldoSchmedack]

I have a Les george as part of my kit and used to have a F-S original knife I donated to a museum. They truly work well as weapons. I agree, they need their own style to use, but man are they effective. Quiet too.

[@HistoricalWeapons]

its not the size of the knife, its how you use it

[@mikejeffsteel]

That's what she said. But the she left with the guy she told you not to worry about... :D

[@HistoricalWeapons]

@@mikejeffsteel lmao

[@becakpasa3690]

@Mike_jeff steel But not every man want to swin in english channel .LOL

[@johnybloom5575]

Give me 9inch

[@torstenscott7571]

I was at the Red Fern festival yesterday in Tahlequah Oklahoma and stopped by the Cherokee museum. On display was a Bowie knife used by a Cherokee Confederate ( I apologize for not being able to recall his name ) sealed in a display case. What surprised me was the length and width of the blade ( I believe close to 16 inches ). I could not help but think about how it was likely a practical camping and wilderness survival tool first, but could be used as a smaller "sword" if necessary.

[@russiannavy1108]

Absolutely! A Bowie is a camp tool first and foremost. It can double as a fighter if the geometry is on point (pun intended) but if it can't fullfil camp function it's just a clip point fighter.

[@battleelf6523]

Big Dan and Little Ann.❤️

[@torstenscott7571]

@@battleelf6523 a great story, and I am glad there is a festival now dedicated to it.

[@OKDogtownPodcast]

The confederate was Stand Watie. I live in Tahlequah and have seen the exact knife you are talking about it's absolutely massive for modern times

[@torstenscott7571]

@@OKDogtownPodcast thank you, yeah it was a pretty cool example of a blade.

[@drakeevanscar5610]

Matt is a size queen

[@ReasonAboveEverything]

King*

[@Hacksaw37]

Demonstration of different styles would be great.

[@Cruxador]

I'm not formally trained or experienced in knife fighting, but the way I know is definitely a "small knife" style, not a swordsmanship one. In fact the knife part is almost an afterthought. The main objective is to catch the other person's knife, ideally in a jacket or something like it that's in your left hand. Otherwise, you are left trying to grab his knife arm, which is more difficult and you will most likely get cut. Once you have control of the arm, you can pull the person in, close distance, and cause the fight to cease. Until that point, it's just feint and be clever (or as in any fight, escape if you can)

[@pablobravomorales5637]

after your first statement... what's the point of the rest? you're unexperienced and not even trained so who cares?

[@Cruxador]

@@pablobravomorales5637 Knowing a limited amount isn't the same as knowing nothing

[@pablobravomorales5637]

In blade wielding martial arts context, tho it is not the same, it's not too different

[@dougselby7592]

@@pablobravomorales5637 Sir, we are not fighting, we are only talking about fighting.

[@tomcox297]

I generally find (10+ years of knife fighting, martial arts and HEMA) that at about 6/7 inches it changes for me from sword techniques to more knife style fighting where grappling becomes much more prevalent and necessary. Quite simply because you’re in the grapple range where controlling the opponents blade can be done by controlling their arm.

[@dougselby7592]

You're an experienced knife fighter tho. Possibly someone without those skills might be better off using a sword-like approach even down to four inch?

[@billybauer3672]

I would think attempting a parry with a 4" blade would be disastrous no matter your skill level... At that point the knife is purely offensive and you are best served with a protected off hand and grappling to control you opponents weapon.

[@ArmouredProductions]

I would love a video on Fairbairns fighting style. I always wondered if it was still a valid fighting style today.

[@jcgardner5852]

It is

[@richardweilandt3315]

It most certainly is a valid style.

[@artawhirler]

Excellent video as always! Thanks!

[@douglasyoung927]

I'm wondering if we just began to find the true answer to the question, "where does a short sword become a long knife?" Is the context of the method, the intended use, and the effectiveness what draws the line that defines the difference between a short sword and a long knife. If you can no longer rely on the sword method, does it automatically become a knife?

[@pablobravomorales5637]

wouldn't it be better to learn proper knife fighting and treat long knives as such instead of short swords (which they aren't)?? I mean "I missed by an inch bcause knife too short" kind of sucks in knife fighting

[@douglasyoung927]

@@pablobravomorales5637 Yeah, that's basically my point. I'm actually a Bladesmith and I get this question all the time "what's the difference between a long knife and a short sword?" The answer always seemed either difficult or irrelevant to answer but I'm realizing now that the answer is pretty straightforward. If it functions like a knife it's a knife and if it functions like a sword it's a sword.

[@kevinschultz6091]

@@pablobravomorales5637 - Well, the version of Escrima I practice answers that question simply by emphasizing the use of the off-hand more and more as the blade gets shorter and lighter. However, the underlying movements are the same....sort of. (In the sense that they use the same framework of techniques, but you really gotta practice each weapon if you want to get good at it.) With that in mind, for most FMA schools, the default training weapon is a relatively short stick (usually between armpit to wrist or armpit to fingertips: 28" to 32") - just at the range where your off-side checking hand is still reasonably in play. Thus, it's (relatively) easy to scale down to a knife, or scale up to a longer sword. (In fact, I'd argue that's the point of using that length of weapon - it's a sweet "middle ground" where the techniques for knife and empty hand can still be relatively practical, while still maintaining a larger weapon-based focus.) That being said, off-hand checking techniques are HARD to do, especially at full speed with a resisting partner - to the point where, while we practice them all the time, you (almost) never use them in heavy sparring with regular-length sticks (ie, 22" and greater). I personally have been doing this fairly regualrly for 15+ years, and I OCCASIONALLY can get a solid check/pass (maybe disarm) off of the most common strike (#1: 45 degree, open-hand, slash to the side of the head)....once or twice a sparring session. That being said, I usually spar folks around my level, so there might be a skill bias in play there. (ie, I don't want to pwn the white belts, as otherwise they wouldn't learn anything.) In contrast, it's the only thing you have when you've got a 3-5" blade, aside from distancing and positioning (or wearing a heavy jacket, I suppose) - so you'd better get good at the off-hand if you want to play at that distance. With that in mind, "I missed him because my blade was too short" isn't unique to knife fighting; it happens all the time in regular sparring when switching between different lengths of swords, or even just if you mis-judged your range with your preferred weapon.

[@dougselby7592]

Yep, seems a change of style is forced at some point. Might even be different for different people?

[@stefthorman8548]

@@pablobravomorales5637 ""I missed by an inch bcause knife too short" " dunno, sounds like an skill issue. maybe if he was famliar with his weapon he wouldn't have made such an mistake,

[@kevinschultz6091]

Matt: "So when does a sword become small enough or light enough that you cannot use it with that technique or method?" Me, without watching the video, but having 15 years of Arnis/Escrima experience and a decent amount of knife sparring: "Well, if it's anything like Filipino martial arts, it's probably if you can use the blade to directly parry/block; after a certain size, there's simply not enough mass and length to reasonably act as a defensive surface." Matt: "It's an issue of Girth, and to an extent length..." Me: ha-ha! Body mechanics are universal! Huzzah! Matt: "Now, what's the minimum length?" Me: I'd say length of the forearm, honestly. Matt: "9 or 10 inches is my personal preference" Me: (tries to go find a measuring tape, but can't find one, then remembers that an average piece of paper is 8.5x11 inches) ....eh, yeah, that's about right. But yeah - while the underlying elements of distancing, flow, targeting, and timing are all fundamentals, knife techniques are pretty much pure offence; what defense there is is usually either the off-hand, distancing, or else the blade forearm. Exceptions would be main gauches, which have enough heft in the blade (as well as generally good hand protection) that you can afford to use traditional sword parries and reasonably expect to have all your fingers afterwards.

[@1917cutlass]

Alright folks, I've practiced Euro-American bowie methods for about 13 years now (mostly under James Keating's Comtech system) and have taught seminars across the country on this subject. My opinion on this, to use "the sword method" for knife fighting, the knife NEEDS to be big enough to oppose other weapons. Granted, I can use components of that system with smaller knives (and improvised weapons), but to truly utilize the whole system(s) of bowie knife fighting, the weapon needs to be able to successfully parry other weapons. Here's the tricky part though. This dovetails into an extremely hot-button issue in martial arts, and that has to do with size and strength being a factor. Being able to use the "sword method" for fighting knives varies greatly from person to person. Matt is slightly bigger and stronger than the average person, so he is able to use a smaller knife than let's say a 5'4 130lb woman. Many argue that size and strength isn't a factor, but IMHO this just doesn't match up with reality. This is just my two cents folks. Feel free to disagree and/or discuss this subject with me.

[@michaelventer885]

I agree. I really like Keating's style and principia. I too study and teach for decades now and from experience , lets be honest; there is no such thing as a knife fight in realty. We do sparr with training blades(with lipstick and old t-shirts) just for the fun of it and interest. In my view, a knife is a sword, is a batton, is a hand, is a gun. They all translate and share principles. A Good swordman, can be a good knifeman ect. The Sword is a great teacher, i believe. I'm also a keen bladesmith and I love making Big Bowies and big Yori Doshi Tanto's. Thanks for the chat.

[@dereinzigwahreRichi]

As a practicer of FMA for 14 years (man, I'm getting old!) I agree with you. Breaking it down to the simplest: you are holding an object with a certain mass to its own with the force you can muster up into the way of another object moved by another person with the strength they have towards you. The outcome depends on that two people's strength, too, of course. Blocking is a "force against force" technique where you need a certain strength to do it. For parrying maneuvers it's "follow the force", which does only depend on you being fast enough as well as for evasive maneuvers. Different story there.

[@dereinzigwahreRichi]

@@user-dz7oj8iy5h thing is I can't really prove you wrong as I fortunately never have been into a real knife fight. But take a look at South East Asian fighting styles like Kali/Escrima/Arnis or styles of Silat. In this we do apply training methods that incorporate blocking or parrying incoming strikes so deeply into your muscle memory that you can't stop it from happening anymore. Even if it's just one of your friends swatting a mosquito sitting on you or something the like, you'll instantly react to everything coming towards you. Talking from my own experiences here. I'm not saying fighting isn't chaotic, it absolutely is, I'm just saying parrying or blocking can work if you trained well.

[@nickwilliams8302]

I would say the issue of using a knife with the "sword method" is not merely about blocking/parrying, but also about the range a longer blade can give you. That is, a sword does not merely oppose the opponent's blade, but your opponent himself. He has to "get past" the sword in a way he doesn't with a shorter weapon or a non-edged weapon.

[@zeekeno823]

@@user-dz7oj8iy5h I would reference older material, like treatises on dagger fighting. I think the problem with looking at trench fighting is that it is a very specific fighting environment.

[@davidhawley3337]

Matt, if you've done a video demonstrating your preferred Bowie knife technique I missed it. I'd like to see that. To date my main exposure to Bowie/large knife technique is from the James Keating-Comtech school of thought. This system seems to be largely derived from sabre technique, only scaled-down, and the stance is more squared to the target and the support hand brought into play. It *looks* well thought out. I'd really appreciate your take on the topic.

[@NecroBanana]

In the UK, I heard they prefer to use spoons and forks because the government has yet to regulate those

[@dougselby7592]

Excellent conversation in this channel.

[@paavohirn3728]

Very interesting! Really cool videos coming up in the future!

[@drewjolly7419]

Love these knive videos bro keep em coming

[@JustMe-um8zp]

The innuendo remains strong with you

[@themadscientest]

That's why when I got a Kabar I got the Big Brother model that was in part designed by Doug Marcaida for using with a more sword like technique. Point of balance is just forward of the guard right where the sharpened portion of the blade begins giving you a feather light feel but just enough weight for chopping. Thankfully the only times it has seen any use was when a plastic tie needed to be cut while camping.

[@michaelsmith8028]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say it's not the size that matters it's how you use it.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Ah, but how you use it depends on the size :-)

[@RobG001]

@@scholagladiatoria and how much mass you have to thrust it home with, hang on what are we referring to again? :)

[@tucotuco2222]

As the philosopher Jeff Foxworthy once said, ..." its hard to get to england in a rowboat."

[@mrd7067]

Q: You know what women always say ? A: Ouch?

[@KicKandRoll666]

I do FMA and i would use one handed sword or machetes a bit like a stick and most importantly from a distantance and also to block attacks. With knifes just like you said there is not much sense in trying to block a weapon. It may be used to attack the attacking arm after evading but probaly only if the opponent does not have a much longer weapon. With only a knife and no kombination like stick and knife, the desired distance also may changes. I would probaly go for some stabbing while closing the distance to a extrem and trying to grapple the opponent and maybe try to get some temporary control over the weapon arm. I would argue there is no other way then go for extremly close distance in a fight againgst anything that is not a weapon of the same very short range. Against unarmed opponent the tactics are mostly irrelevant and against longer weapons any fight on distance will probaly be lost. The shorter the sword the less important is bind work and the more important becomes wrestling. The second big change i see, is that swords are a weapon which can be seen most of times and open combat is common. With knifes it is more about hiding them, drawing them or anticipating someone to have or draw one. It is much more about concealment and less about duel like fights. For me anything easily concealable is a knife/dagger and everything else is a short sword.

[@Residentstrangr]

Didn’t expect the historical aspect to the video when I clicked. Super interesting! We’ll done video

[@serwhit2490]

Informative and helpful 👍 spot on! 👌

[@Backwoodsandblades]

Very well said. Different styles for different weapons, of course.

[@SGTMinguez]

Just watched Skal's video on the langmesser, good timing, and they dovetail nicely.

[@martinbowers6852]

Can’t wait to see the follow up you mentioned.

[@thomasturner4253]

Thanks Matt I have trained in Japanese sword fighting and FMA A lot of martial artist underestimate the knife But if u work with it and train It can be a Great defensive tool Also the techniques can be used with impact tools Thanks Matt

[@mrx2586]

Judging by knife fights and stabbings that I have watched and studies on mortality rates for stabbings I would say far more people overestimate knives than underestimate.

[@BelRigh]

This is why I love u Matt

[@kevionrogers2605]

My first introduction to knife was tankendo and Carl Cestari. Then in a fencing seminar learned Hutton, Marozzo, and Fiore dagger. Later in life learned Inosanto Kali, Sayoc Kali, LINE Combatives and Systema/Ross knife skills. I did Kendo and Arnis as sports before I did sabre fencing. For smaller blades gaining athletics attributes of boxing has the higher return on time invested learning how to avoid getting hit; then treating the thrust as a jab.

[@macmurfy2jka]

Which boxing techniques specifically? Body and head positioning? Footwork? Ducking punches? I’m curious.

[@Ildskalli]

I have little experience with knife fighting, but I think you're completely right. Knives smaller than 10 inches are very tricky to wield "sword-like", and often demand a completely different approach to use well.

[@kevincage1641]

@lldskalli I recommend you study Knife Fighting Systems, specifically Filipino and Indonesian. You will find that a 1 inch blade can be used to kill with ease. Here is some data for you...a knife becomes extremely effective WHEN YOUR ENEMY DOES NOT KNOW YOU HAVE IT. Hence, the importance of practicing drawing a concealed knife from multiple places on your person

[@Neomalthusiano]

​@@kevincage1641it's not a matter of doubting the capability of a certain blade to kill, but being skeptical of the capability of use it the same way as you would use a sword. I'm not versed in knife fighting, but I don't really think zornhau stance or ox stance are a thing in knife fighting for example. Even if they are possible, they aren't necessarily the best option around.

[@jaketheasianguy3307]

Can you beat the dead horse "modern knife fighting vs medieval dagger fighting/defense" ?

[@brandonbowerstx]

Matt hearing you talk about girth and heft make you sound like certain "size queens". Great video. Cheers

[@ziggydog5091]

Your arm becomes part of the sword your “forte” as it were, with smaller knives. Your empty hand and “fencing” method become blended. FMA, CMA, Fiore, and Meyer. Ringen really is the foundation of all true martial systems.

[@ziggydog5091]

@aaa I am with you there brother, size matters! Particularly when it comes to swords and knives, cold steel is the best 😀

[@pablobravomorales5637]

If we are talking knife fighting and bowies, it's worth noting that a regular bowie is closer in size to a machete or bayonet than it os to a pocket knife similar to the ones used in most criminal acts that involve bladed weapons...

[@promiscuous5761]

Thank you.

[@thaynealexander8986]

As a Bowie Knife instructor and practitioner, also Filipino/ Martial Blade Concepts for 15 years, as well as doing HEMA for over 20. I have spent hundreds of hours on sparring and focus sparring with multiple lengths of Bowie's. I would not advise trying to parry or use any sword methods with a knife at 6 or 7 inches. When in the heat of moment and adrenaline going. You tend to miss parries.

[@lamadoo]

u mean 6-7 inches of blade length or overall length? cheers

[@thaynealexander]

@@lamadoo I wouldn't start trying to parry a weapon until it's about a 10 inch blade. If your trained well and practiced, you can go with 8 inch. 6 or 7 inch blade length is not something I would advise since it doesn't have enough mass or length to hold back a longer blade, sticks, crowbar etc.

[@Entiox]

While I did study some Filipino martial arts most of the knife fighting I know was taught to me by a former gang member who had also been involved in underground fighting for money, including knife fighting. He described what they did as similar to gladiatorial combat in Rome, it went on till someone gave up, and he never knew of anyone actually killed doing it. Though he did admit that he came close in one of the fights he lost when he was stabbed in the liver. He had an impressive, and frankly horrifying, collection of scars.

[@DurzoBlint178]

All cap

[@mrx2586]

Contrary to what many people will tell you it is unusual for a person to die in a knife fight.

[@johnhamilton4677]

I have practiced the Fairbairn/Sykes/Applegate method (point shooting, knife and unarmed combat) since the early 90's, before I joined the US Secret Service. As a matter of fact, I would occasionally call Col Applegate on the phone with any questions that I had relative to those various aspects of close combat that I was practicing and I still carry the S&W 640 that he recommended to me. Sometimes we would talk for a couple hours and he was always very gracious and helpful. Those calls weren't cheap, but they were priceless to me.

[@shinedown394]

Does every former “Secret Service” dude post an obvious name and humble brag about what they claim they used to do?

[@johnhamilton4677]

@@shinedown394 Do you have a point or are you just a little troll who has never left your parent's basement?

[@johnhamilton4677]

@@shinedown394 Oh, and I think you meant "anonymous," not "obvious" lol. Yeah, most former Secret Service dudes, as well as anyone else with good sense, usually uses an anonymous name (kinda like "stainless" lmao) and/or picture (or, none at all) because there's so many micro dick assholes on the internet lol.

[@joeshmoe9233]

@@johnhamilton4677 You'll have to forgive him, it's just that without some serious proof and documentation your post sounds like total horse shit.

[@technophile419]

Meanwhile, back on Earth...

[@vyr01]

Bill Bagwell (several videos on here) is a proponent of using the back cut with the false edge with bowies that have a false edge (which he made - Hells Belles )

[@DuncanMcBride]

Dussack training is a brilliant cross of knife and sword fighting. For the sword part you can use it with the same techniques you'd apply to a particularly short cutlass, and for the knife side you can get one on the smaller end of the spectrum to close in and apply some of those Fairbairn Sykes techniques even if the blade is big for it. So I see Bowie knives of similar sizes to a hanger or dussack, I can totally see it being used similarly.

[@khoatran-pc6tb]

Perhaps it was that way because back in the day of the dussack, the messer (the primary single edged blade of the time) vary a lot in size, from big knife all the way to full (single handed) sword size?

[@jonasandersson7367]

I conqur

[@exploatores]

it´s kind of hard to hide a small sword sized machete. if you got it in your hand. i got a dagger with a 7 inch blade. it could give a antagonist a life ending suprice.

[@Erik1970Viking]

great info, makes me curious about the Dussack .. thanks, Buddy

[@brucebotrel2275]

Very interesting, and ive read loads of the comments which for the most part were as interesting as the your video, like most people here i have always had a facination for bladed weapons especially Bowie knives, but lets face it a knife fight is a last resort to much chaos.

[@vyderka]

I feel like a pariah in a knife fighting crowd with my meagre skills. I was taught basics of using a knife in a fight by my dad (some members of our family had been into some dubious activities in the long gone past) before I was ten, started to carry a combat knife on me (it's legal were I live!) when I was thirteen. Since then I've dabbled in knife fighting methods but mostly use what my dad had taught me. It's all about deception and surprise, nothing fancy and no "fencing" at all. Having said that I'm all for impact weapons and pepper spray for personal defense, even with knives I tend to prefer folding ones that I can use yawara style when they are closed.

[@M.M.83-U]

Now I want a comparison of Long vs Short vs Navaja.

[@matthewdylla6090]

I'm glad you share my opinion on 6" vs 9.5" and my girlfriend thinking 6" is sufficient. I'm absolutely not making a euphemism followed by sarcasm and thank you for your service to more than the tip of the knife fighting iceberg.

[@Ebu_Cehil_El-Fakbadi]

If you think you have a small enough "blade" you can always use prison shank method hard and fast. This will guarentee that fight will end quickly

[@FlyingAxblade_D20]

sorry for multiple comments. "from just above your sternum to the top of your head" is your custom length. A slash to the head is what you are defending, drop knife to belly = prection from stabbing your heart ( nearly always a horizontal thrust), and inverted from the sternum (not icepick) to protect bellies & balls.

[@FlyingAxblade_D20]

Periscope Films: "Marine Knife & Club Fighting" forgive, you have to type. =) Pocket knife fighting, against another pocket knife, I'd revert to sabre. Distance. Close. Spring back. Always base attacks at their off hand. Punch their primary hand, one scar on my left punch, always healed. NOT in a video game! Don't grapple a pocket knife...their probably sweaty & slippery.

[@Jim58223]

3 inches Matt, take it or leave it.

[@MrPhantomEd]

Not a master by any stretch, but I'm doing Italian knife fighting (the school of has a channel here, on KZbin. I think it just goes under Italian knife fighting, head master is Rafaelle Irmino). There is one more thing I'd like to add: even if the knifes that were traditionally used are long enough, not only are they slender, but also brittle: typically, those are folding knives with very little reinforcing in the mechanism. So yes, definitely no sword techniques.

[@Ve-suvius]

Use a Cold Steel folder with 6 inch blade. Those can slice a hand off.

[@nicolaalberti7736]

@@Ve-suvius The Espada XL should be even better!!

[@nicolaalberti7736]

I'm italian, I know the knives you're talking about, and you're right, they were very long folders, but they were never used like swords or sabers. Spanish navajas too, for what I know, at least.

[@Ve-suvius]

Sfarziglia The knife of the camorristi.

[@Ve-suvius]

@@nicolaalberti7736 That's a killer for sure.

[@lunacorvus3585]

Would like to see more about Bowie knife ‘fencing’. As someone who is doing modern fencing at this moment (this is the only weapon base combat sport I have access to), and i plan to get into HEMA (specifically small sword and sabre/ side sword) and knife fighting in the future. It is great to know that there are more parallel between what I am doing now and both of the two martial art systems i want to try than I used to think.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Modern fencing is a great basis for all post-1600 armed combat really. And very applicable to Bowie knife.

[@lunacorvus3585]

@@scholagladiatoria Thank you for the response! I guess I could just keep focusing on modern fencing for now then.

[@cabooseabs6864]

Matt the size queen.

[@anderwmarcell9503]

The typical trench knife in WW 1 was between 5 to.7 inches. The trench knife was also used for mundane chores. The Germans used hunting knives the French designed and issued a double edged very sturdy knife ,the British had hunting knives and reworked bayonets. The American military used a knuckle knife. Up close,in a trench, longer blades are cumbersome. The WW2 best combat knife was other the 7" KABAR and the US M 3 fighting knife. Both knives are still in service today.

[@arctodussimus6198]

Yes, a bit more than ‘mildly interesting’ 😎 I would be very interested in your take on a book I haven’t been able to find. Can’t even remember the title now. Many years ago, I read about a book (supposedly written by Jim Bowie) that was banned around the turn of the century (1900) describing the method, or technique that Bowie used when in a knife fight. I also recall an article in Soldier of Fortune magazine (1980ish) about a class that Bill Bagwell taught at the Special Forces training center in Virginia. The military asked him to not teach it to civilians as it “rendered all other martial arts training obsolete”.

[@DavidLee-yu7yz]

I was going to mention Bill Bagwell, thanks saying it for me.

[@requiscatinpace7392]

Fairbairn techniques I think tended to favour knife assassination rather than knife fighting/duelling. Just my tuppence worth. Good video as always.

[@joogleplus6244]

Matt is a size queen, got it.

[@Vegas_Des]

More technique breakdowns of different knife fighting methods please. Very informative!

[@ChevalierdeJohnstone]

Check out James LaFond’s stuff on agonistics

[@Leftyotism]

I think many people forget, that two people fighting with knives can very likely kill both of them, or cripple them for life.

[@jeffreyfinney6930]

I practice Kali knife fighting with a buck 119 clip point and cold steel bush ranger lite as it's my edc knife. The ranger is 3.5 inches so I must use different techniques but has a very broad blade clip point as well. I also use a Schrader machete that is 12 inches and dao like shape.

[@josephfrederic3456]

Great insights as always. Really like the channel and been a subscriber for a few years now. My own weapons training is limited to Escrima, Kali Knife and stick. I really like the system and have sparred it in a wide range of ways with wooden and padded practice weapons over the years. It is fun to see how it fares against fencing. My friend's training is fencing based and we always enjoy the interplay of the two traditions when sparring with padded weapons about three feet long. Beyond that his use of range really does lead to more frequent hits on me. Inside that range I usually win. We use wooden weapons less often now that we are older. Speaking of modest Blades... Will you talk about Katzbalgers and Baselards? Maybe a Cinqadea? I saw a Katzbalger made for Solingen that might be the most beautiful sword I have seen. Would you train Arming sword to use a Katzbalger? Seems more slashy somehow. I think your channel and objective assessment of historic weapons is a great resource for enthusiasts like myself. Thank you.

[@a.s.j.g6229]

So a smaller more girthy weapon can be used as effectively as a longer but thinner weapon.

[@robertmedina5850]

I like that explorer blade from Birmingham such a blast from the past I have a Hercules Bicycle also made from Birmingham apparently they make good stuff

[@bryandow2827]

Would love to see Fairbanks designed knife reviewed not just the Comando Knife but the Smatchet and a rare knife he designed for the Greek Riot Squad called THE COBRA

[@Oooo-bi7bi]

As a qualified master butcher who studied anatomy and physiology of the food animal. Which we are surprisingly similar. There is not many places you can stick a knife in a human. Without fatally wounding them. I wish there was something done to educate young people that if they carry knives and stab people. They are not just ruining the victims life but also their own. Love your channel and have learnt so much. The Bowie knife and other fighting knives are very similar to the steak knife we use. Which as the name suggests is for slicing steaks. I remember as an apprentice, resting the knife on my forearm. Just the weight of the knife if sharp would break your skin if sharp enough. Would be interesting to see what shape you use for a combat knife. From my job, to sharp an edge and it chips.

[@mjmulenga3]

Yes, the movie depictions of knife fighting are wildly inaccurate. As Lindybeige puts it: knives are for murdering. If two people fight with knives, they're very likely to both die.

[@Oooo-bi7bi]

@@mjmulenga3 I haven’t seen the video where he says that. He’s a good guy and I have a lot of respect for him. It’s a shame the comprehensive school system doesn’t employ their style of teaching. I’m sure lots more students would enjoy and remember history if taught this way.

[@mrx2586]

​​@@mjmulenga3 wrong. The mortality rate for knife wounds is very low and as a result knife fights rarely result in a death.

[@opesam]

"9 inches is my happy space" - Matt Easton

[@DaelMorris]

I'd definitely vote for a future video on both Fairbairn and Applegate, as well as Fairbairn's system.

[@michaelshelton5488]

After hearing about blade length I was waiting for a reference to "girth" and I was not disappointed 🤣

[@jamesr792]

I’d add the caveat that the KaBar’s rat tail tang would make it horrible to try to parry with, while the length is sufficient.

[@whim6287]

I use Applegate/Fairbairn with Styers for manual, mixed with passed down Bowie fighting, some Tantojutsu, some Philippino stuff, and whatever I pick up sparring Sikhs. Grabbing a couple of rubber knives and going for it as well. I modify it all since I fence lefthanded.

[@MrWolf-le4nv]

Also loved the curved swords in the background. They do massive damage w a downward slash from like a high guard

[@mcjon77]

This is really interesting. I remember a similar perspective given by an FMA instructor, Bram Frank. He is a whole dvd series on how to use the Filipino bolo. One of the things he talked about was that there's a difference between a large knife and a small sword and how they're employed and he employs the bolo as a large knife. Also, another FMA blade practitioner, Michael Janich, modified his system from traditional Filipino martial arts in part because in traditional Filipino blade systems you're expected to be using a fairly large blade, like a bolo or machete type weapon. The techniques that you could use for defense with the bolo or even a kabar or fairburn Sykes dagger are very different from the techniques that you can use with a pocket knife that has a legally required blade length of 3 inches or less. The areas that you can target are significantly different, and how you counter a tax are very different as well.

[@kennethrimmer1883]

I’ve practiced a lil bit with training knives, I feel most comfortable with a Bowie. I carry either a small fixed Bowie or small seax for my everyday carry. Live in a free state in the US so I also carry a firearm but I do like having a blade for those “just in case” scenarios

[@emoryogglethorp8180]

I like to carry a nice blunt instrument for primary self-defense purposes myself (mainly because of all the stray dogs running around my city) but no matter your choice in primary self-defense tools a well made sturdy and sharp blade always makes a good backup weapon doesn't it?

[@sharp1162]

I carry a Tops cut 4.0 and a benchmade azera as my edc fixed blade. Iwb carry.

[@kennethrimmer1883]

@@sharp1162 Tops cut is a great lil blade, it used to be my main lil edc blade. I always carry a folder for daily task and a fixed blade for (insert imaginary threat). Lately the tops cut rocks out a ulti clip and I use it for gym shorts. My daily knife is either a Becker bk18 or a custom lil seax knife

[@jamesr792]

I too live in a free state, so I also carry a pistol, but there’s nothing like a good knife…. My main squeeze right now is a Spyderco Ronin Also, we strangely enough have the same last name

[@kennethrimmer1883]

@@jamesr792 last name Rimmer? Not many of those running around

[@caesarmendez6782]

Nice video Mr. Easton; as always. You showed some pretty slim blades. Here in the U.S. the Bowie style knifes are usually wider. I have one (made in Pakistan-go figure) 1 1/2 in. in width & 6 in. in length, the point is centered enough for thrusting. The idea being that it's a Field tool: Brush & Camp work, Game prep. & when needed, self-defense. I did have a booklet on the Sykes-Fairbairn fighting knife method (lost it somehow but I think one of my brothers "barrowed" it yrs. ago). And did get taught the basics of Spanish Navaja knife combat. Which could be applicable to a Bowie style blade. I would love it if you did a video on American style Bowies as well as the traditional Spanish Navaja. Thanks

[@connorhighland6783]

Can you do a video about WWI Italian arditi knife fighting manuals and or techniques? I cannot find anything on that on KZbin

[@sharp1162]

Excellent idea!

[@chadwizick]

I'd love to see Matt's opinion on fighting with a smaller 4-6 inch blade.

[@Kroiznacher]

"nine and a half inches is my kind of happy space"

[@rigohook1160]

I follow Scott Babb and his libre fighting system when it comes to bladed weapons. Suits my aggressive fighting style the most...

[@thaynealexander8986]

I know the Libre system quite well. And I would not call what they any type of knife fighting. More like murder and training to go to prison. Most of their stuff is against people without a knife or empty handed.

[@AnotherDuck]

For a similar comparison for when a quarterstaff becomes too short to use as a quarterstaff, see a practical and accurate depiction in Robin Hood: Men in Tights.

[@shionkreth7536]

Thanks Matt, I've had some questions about this topic and this was very informative. I'm trying my hand at some fantasy writing and have a central character whose main weapon is a spear, and I wanted them to have a long knife as a sidearm. I decided the blade would be 14-15 inches long because, to me, any longer feels too sword-like. I know modern knife fighting systems consider that much too long, but I always figured that outlook would be different in a time period/world where it's likely your opponent has some kind of sword.

[@erikmitchell6458]

I like the big knife. I play with all kinds. You’re correct if I had a pocket knife I might prefer knife on the back hand. Big Bowie knife forward

[@oldeays5085]

Thanks for saying inches. I agree

[@docteurguillotine]

after 8 years of saber training, i am known into FMA, with a little tolpar mixed with some tricks learned in Romania with a military instructor

[@MobileBunker]

9.5 inch up to 13 Inch blade length for bowie knife.

[@MrWolf-le4nv]

I love and trained w the katana sword, Bowie, Buck 119 ( which is basically a small Bowie) Various fixed military knives, and various folding pocket knives. I carry a sidearm ( handgun ) and usually have either a 870 shotgun or an AR-15 in the trunk of my vehicle....... So the folding knife I carry is usually a 4 to 3 inch blade w a tanto tip and I definitely train w them different than I do w a Bowie or hunting knife. The small folder comes in really handy because I can conceal it and you will never know I even have till I start to go to work on you w it. With my small assisted opening folders its much more important to study medical books and books on human anatomy like Gray's Anatomy because you need to hit more vital targets to bleed out by almost just prison style, fast repeated thrusts into the neck. It's easier w a longer blade to immobilize your attacker by hitting areas like the tricep, back of the hand, inside of the forearm, or right above the knee where they can't pursue you or at least create enough distance to draw my firearm. Knives are extremely handy at very tight/close distances. Nice video BTW

[@Kris_Stiletto]

Very interesting discussion. :-) Peace, Stiletto :-)

[@twodog42024]

I use a Lakota style of knife fighting that uses smaller blades and grappling techniques it also has a knife/axe or knife/hammer aspect. It is a deceptively fast and agile fighting form

[@-RONNIE]

My favorite knife is a Ka-Bar 8 in. I think that's my typical size reference that works for me

[@JinKee]

6:53 "9 and a half inches is my sort of happy space"

[@rezlogan4787]

I train modern military combatives and the knife fighting is stripped down. Use a closed guard using the backs of the arms, decrease distance, slash at the knife wrist. Then draw cuts to the throat, stab and twist to the midsection. Repeat as necessary. Nasty work.

[@meMiner]

What weapon would you carry for grizzly bear defence that is not a firearm or spray?

[@paranoiawilldestroyya3238]

8:05: Is the fact that it lacks a guard a factor?

[@davidbradley6040]

Is there a difference when using the Italian fencing style with a shorter blade?

[@boogboog8097]

Look up Lynn Thompson to see Bowie and smaller knife use explained in live action where he is training with Ron Balicki.

[@dashcammer4322]

Prison shankings show that small knives can be quite effective.

[@scholagladiatoria]

This video is about how the size of the blades dictates how you can defend with it.

[@Trav_Can]

8:58 Matt... you size queen!

[@alanashley6097]

The addition of khukuri knives as an option would have been nice to hear about.

[@joem1256]

Some over here in the States speculate that the early Bowie knife styles were based on the fencing styles they were learning at the time, be that French, Spanish, etc. Some say that the use of the clip for the "back cut" is derived from Scottish saber fencing. The big Bowie knife is basically a replacement for such weapons as small sword and saber/cutlass. The smaller "cowboy bowie" liek the one that yo showed is a product of Sheffield, etc once the big knife was no longer a primary weapon. That coincides with the introduction fo repeating firearms. As such, the big fighting Bowie was around for less than 50 years. Prior to that, at least in North America, you would have a "long knife." Post American Cvil War, you see the 6-8 inch knives that are till quite common today. Think Randall Model 1, 14, Kabar, etc. One thing about the Kabar is not only is it 7 inches long, it is maybe 5/32-3/16 thick. Basicially a lightweight large utility/hunting knife. Randalls of that size start with 1/.4 inch stock and finish out at .200 plus.

[@JDStone20]

I'd love to hear your opinion on the James Keating/Bill Bagwell Bowie type fighting system.