How to Hold Your Knife Against An Attacker (New Technique)

[@seanhoude]

It is truly frightening the amount of damage that can be inflicted quickly with a knife. You could have just moments to live before even knowing you've been attacked. Gruesome stuff.

[@Cosmystery]

still an eternity compared to the micro second it takes for some1 to pull a trigger and a bullet to fly thru the air

[@gabesmith6475]

@@Cosmystery if you have the element of surprise, then a knife will almost always be the better option for CQC style fighting. It’s light, nimble, and the sheer amount of damage you can inflict in a matter of seconds is astounding.

[@Cosmystery]

@@gabesmith6475 nah there’s a reason the saying ‘never bring a knife to a gunfight’ is a thing

[@MrRebar15]

*USCCA* Awesome tips, also terrifying knives never run out of ammo. Thanks fellas for taking the time to show us how its done. God Bless. (member)

[@avonleamontague2469]

Yep! Slicing not stabbing is actually much better and you're less likely to cut your own hand open.

[@billcoder331]

Very good. Thank you all.

[@antiquatedflatulence1607]

I like the reverse grip and practiced for years using that method it has many advantages, especially when the attacker tries to grab your wrist with the knife in hand.👍👍

[@heithwatkins]

This seems very good if you're filming a movie. In real life it's nearly impossible to do this. Step on his foot?🤣 Most attacks happen in the dark, with the element of surprise in favor of the attacker. It's fast and brutal. The best thing is to be totally aware of your surroundings. Most attackers won't engage, if you're facing them with a knife in your hand. Unless of course, they have a gun.......🤣

[@RobinP556]

Exactly, works in the movies and in martial arts dojos, not so much in the real world.

[@amandacatherine793]

@@RobinP556 Thousands of years from now, Muad’Dib will harness this technique to great effect.

[@MrShmellit]

I hope my attacker is this slow. 🤪

[@dragonsvain7096]

Guess you never been in big cities you walk down streets or round corners,they call to you or just walk right up and try to stab and rob you. Less suspicious walking face to face to stab then grabbing from behind if people are around.

[@heithwatkins]

@@dragonsvain7096 I lived in Atlanta for 26 years. I've been through all the 💩. I lived in the poor neighborhood. Predators will always try to catch you off guard. Sometimes they will come face to face in broad daylight, if they think that will surprise you. Sadly most don't attack alone. You will usually be outnumbered. That's a excellent time to go berserk 🤣👍

[@seanthefilmaker]

My main concern with this video is how simple these techniques are made to look. They are not easy and require hours of daily practice to get down firm. I worry that a neophyte may think that they can just see and do something like this and wind up in a very bad situation indeed.

[@nimbly1693]

Totally agree. This choreographed Jackie Chan knife fight garbage doesn't happen in real life. The only reports I've ever been able to find of someone defending themselves with a knife were just people using them to scare someone away.

[@JWH-01]

The big concern after learning the basic moves is what to do if/when the other arm and fist come into the fight.

[@Enjoyer.762]

This stuff is so far removed from the average John and Jane Doe, who carries a concealed pistol and pepper spray for personal protection.

[@michaellindgren9653]

This is why my go to is: block the attack with my arm or any non-vital area, taking the stab if I have to and then punch them in the throat. Then draw knife/gun and use as necessary.

[@704ab]

Master Ken does not need a knife or a gun!

[@mscir]

GREAT lesson. Please include more defensive moves from different attacks with the right hand, e.g. a stab towards the eye, throat, gut, kidney, liver, groin.

[@Re1ardedHoon]

I've trained with karambits for years now. I strongly prefer it as it blends well with my other unarmed training.

[@centurion7993]

Great content,keep it up gentlemen

[@cgsimons1187]

An advantage to this grip is that it also allows you to wield the knife in a way that can initially be less obvious. If you keep the knife hand close to the body and the blade behind the forearm, someone approaching you from the front may perceive you to be empty handed. This could come in handy if you get some really bad vibes about some shady looking individuals. You may be able to wield the knife prior to them attacking you. It is similar to having a pistol in your pocket and casually placing your hands in your pockets so you already have a grip on the weapon. You're likely to do much better in a fight if the weapon is already in your hand. If for whatever reason the shady individuals decide to leave you alone, you've avoided making a scene by displaying an obvious brandishing of your weapon. Finally, if you must use the knife to defend yourself, they will be anticipating your hand to be a mere fist moving in their direction. The knife will also grant you greater reach than they are anticipating so even if they try to move out of the way, they may fail to move enough to avoid the blade. They will be cut before they realize what is happening.

[@isawit9722]

Me and my friends use to knife fight with macdonald straws as practice when we were 13,14,15..... I learned a lot.... And to simulate fencing with your arm extended ( knife in hand).... you could win everytime....and we were brutal, one body stab would leave a good mark.... you would be considered dead....we fought everyday in the summer by our swimming lake....we also thought we would be drafted into Vietnam...

[@amandacatherine793]

All I see this doing is giving a normal person like me a false sense of security in that I could actually perform something like this in self-defense. If this guy wants to convince us that this is of any use, create a series starting with somebody with zero experience, and show if they can be effectively trained to defend themselves.

[@Marzen216]

There is a certain group of people that think they are prepared after watching ANY self defense video whether it be knives, guns, or hand to hand combat. They never attempt professional training. This group of people is NOT normal and that's why you are able to differentiate between the two. Think of these little videos as an advertisement for real training.

[@pixie3760]

I'm a small woman and I learnt this technique when I was around 19. It works well, but, it requires, like anything lots of practice. Keep at it. It may save your life.

[@pixie3760]

​@@Marzen216you're absolutely right.

[@karledgren8150]

My god that’s incredible information I know you need to practice but that’s great information thank you

[@vincea1430]

This is Great!!! Step by step instructions for how to choreograph a Hollywood fight scene…or get yourself un-alived!!! Fantastic job USCCA!!!

[@Nater2004]

I've seen this in the other knive videos you've posted, why don't you attack the neck at all?

[@spiderlily4386]

Thanks!

[@bernardhernandez2396]

Can you do one with a left handed person? Or show some ideas with a lefty

[@daxmafesi]

Depends if your in clinch or the ground use the reverse grip if you ran out of ammo and there is distance then point up is best, I’ve done plenty of test videos of guys point up vs point down and point up always wins.

[@dragonsvain7096]

Good and true I learned it years ago. In class or like I got kicked out for block then chest up neck slice to jaw. Self-defense is making sure they can't do a second attack.

[@chrisdunnettmusic]

Good stuff...pretty standard FMA

[@jameshuett2559]

Nice technique

[@GaveMeGrace1]

Thank you thank you thank you

[@rmossman88]

My buddy learned knife fighting in prison. This is how he said to fight with a knife. For what that’s worth 😂

[@pappamike6231]

great tip.

[@SHII178]

Love these videos

[@johnduda3573]

The way this world is going..I go out looking to defend myself..Thanks

[@sbishop1700]

😎👍🏻This helps untrained people to understand the danger when confronted and waste no time in creating as much distance as possible and gaining a kinetic advantage point

[@terry_willis]

As Master Chan once said, "Better to avoid knife fight at all. Stay out of bars, night clubs, dark alleys and at night never use ATM or 7-11 stores. (I made up the Master Chan name. Just used it to make the point.)

[@704ab]

It's 3AM. I think I will go gas up in the ghetto!

[@Ajesen]

This comment is pointless because its common knowledge to run and try to avoid the fight in the first place, and every knife instructor will stress this, but sometimes running first isnt An option

[@terry_willis]

@@Ajesen Ah Grasshopper, you are wiser than a tree full of owls. However, sometimes the obvious is not so obvious and it is useful to state it so everyone understands. Peace to you.

[@robertpulliam2904]

60 years ago in hand to hand combat taught by the great USMC we were taught to come in under the rib cage and cut the diaphragm to stop the enemy’s breathing, end of fight.

[@kylemckinley6165]

Uscca I love watching all the tips y'all give totally amazing tips

[@WalterPidgeonsForge]

A reverse grip is very limited.. an illustration of this is in this instruction.. I challenge ANYONE to make an effective uppercut slice with a reverse grip, like the one shown , to your opponents forearm.. there needs to be a much longer blade length and that blade must have a partially serrated blade in order to trap and slice tendons and get deep enough to reach any circulatory damaging vessel or artery. And it is pure fantasy that your opponent will attack this way in the first place. People do not hold still for these defensive techniques. With knives , your advantage is speed and contrary to the movies, a fairly wide, double edged knife with rapid stabs to vital areas is far more effective and dropping your opponents blood pressure to a debilitating level. If you can.. train your weak side with the bladed weapon.. So that your strong hand can deflect/grab/eye gouge/block instinctively… Kick groin and knees to slow them down because unlike a gun, effective range is only arms length. Train to stab, withdraw… stab, withdraw.. if possible.. learn what is vulnerable and how to damage it.. put a small dowel in your hand and practice by “Stabbing” a heavy bag with it.. it takes real force to get through clothing, tendons, ribs/ bones to reach anything vital. BUILD YOUR SPEED UP! And don’t stop until they stop moving. Multiple stab wounds can be likened to the phrase.. “When in doubt, empty the magazine.” I have been stabbed and sliced by knife wielding attackers.. I have the scars. But I have also been shot twice.. fortunately the blades were short and the bullets (.22 or derringer, 25 auto) were small and no vital areas were damaged. As always.. if you can safely Leave? Do that instead.

[@vuboy122288]

If you are trying to slice with a reverse grip, you are doing it wrong. Even the video commented that a reverse grip's advantage is hooking and controlling (and maybe some brutal hammer stabs). Each grip style has its own adv and disadv but the general rule of thumb is you run like hell when facing someone that actually is skilled in knifefighting.

[@MRPosserLivestreams]

Great info. Thank you, now only if i had the time to train with a knife. Appreciate the video in ECQC, USCCA. God Bless.

[@thomasday8656]

Love the training you provide

[@FactsNC300]

I am convinced there is no gun give away

[@irishrose7053]

Dang to see the reality of that. A family friend taught me this technique in late 70s.

[@tdeeb6359]

That was good, thanks.

[@svincent1876]

You would need to have some expertise in self defense in order to execute these moves in conjunction with one another.

[@terry_willis]

What if your attacker is left handed and you only practiced with a right hand guy? You'd be screwed.

[@2023Red]

Super lesson

[@elwynsmith5092]

Great info and practice practice practice so it becomes automatic ! ! Hopefully never be in that situation however, explode into action if that happens !!!!!!!

[@Poohead0990]

Que: in the arms of an angel

[@jjoseph3210]

Great knife defense content.

[@markfcoble]

Yes.

[@gamingwithsecurity1372]

THANKS GUYS

[@podsmpsg1]

I just ordered another Kabar TDI too. Lol. I would use reverse grip if possible or if the situation calls for it.

[@jameshan2k]

The first slash is a sound approach but why switch to attacking the back leg when they have an exposed rib cage and neck? I would go from slashing the bicep to stabbing the jugular in his neck.

[@Enjoyer.762]

I carry a pistol so I don't have to get into a deadly knife fight.

[@704ab]

At 20 feet, gun in hand > knife ;)

[@nickevans3544]

Brother, if they can reach your gun….I’d rather them touch my knife 😉

[@milesrost6674]

USCCA leading the way in self defense tactics. Remember the 21 ft. rule & practice the Tueller Drill when possible. -Godspeed

[@mortykatz2236]

Excellent

[@dotar9586]

I've found the best way to hold a knife is in a spare mag holster.

[@judgementgaming3270]

How would this work if you’re a lefty and your attacker is a righty?

[@70selvisfan]

This is VERY useful! Even if you don't carry a knife, but have access to one in a self defense scenario, this is a great example of how to use one.

[@Enjoyer.762]

How do you figure that when the real-world attacks often do not occur in easily choreographed movements? And you seriously believe that someone with no extensive training in knife combatives is going to successfully use this technique simply because they watch an instructor on a YT video? Really?

[@jerrykinnin7941]

Haven't trained like this since boy scouts. We used sticks. It's safer. But knife fights are brutal and messy.

[@lexlot1174]

Спасибо

[@walterwhiteboy4257]

I used to do martial arts. These things look and sound good but in a real life fight they rarely happen so smoothly.

[@wrathfulvillain]

I’m just a writer, searching for the randomness things lmao. Thank you!

[@jamesjmhumphreys]

Ah yes, training for the least likely scenario where an attacker comes straight at you, you see the knife, knife hand is the lead hand. Assuming that you’ll be able to remember these blade-jitsu bs moves requiring fine motor skills in a high adrenaline situation. And of course the attacker stands completely still and only does one move at a time. This guy will get you killed.

[@bandanabanana3162]

I do appreciate your instruction on how that can be effective, but that's mainly for trained martial artists who can pick it up quickly. To protect your life in a knife fight it for every day people it's better to use a traditional hold on the knife and use short slices on the hands of the attacker until they decide to stop. If you were to disable an attacker the way shown in this video and then attack the leg too you cross out of lawful force to possibly manslaughter at best. I say this, at least here, if you were proficient enough to disable the person's arm it would no longer be justified to continue with the attack. That is the key, once he's disabled you become the attacker if you move forward after that initial move. Legally it's better to use traditional grip during their attempts to cut you or in-between them as they are trying to retrieve the arm from the attack to slice at hands and knuckles to make the person want to stop. Even trained persons using a knife will eventually stop when their hand/ arm/ knuckles are torn up enough to realize it's not worth it and give up. Sometimes the best defense is defense. There are too many "what if's" to go down that road, and too many legal issues to want that kind of hassle.

[@Enjoyer.762]

It's better to create distance if possible and run away. If not, go straight for your concealed pistol and quickly stop the threat.

[@isaacibbotson4632]

I like guns

[@Swagmonkeyfan1306]

This would, for the average ccw citizen who carries a pocket knife, NOT work lmao. I like this guy but this was a joke McDojo tutorial I think I’d rather listen to the DUST guy

[@Floridaangler354]

Recently saw a BWC police video where they responded to a call and the reporting party was lying about being harassed. When the officers made contact, they took his info and turned their backs on him. The suspect then stabbed both officers, one in the neck and blood was everywhere. They shot him after that but the damage was already done, truly devastating.

[@J6789-c9s]

Lynn Thompson teaches to use the reverse “ice pick “grip in a self defense encounter only if your blade tip is going to meet resistance. (Like a thick heavy leather jacket for example). If you are defending yourself against a soft target than you can hold the knife regular and use it to stab and slash the attacker. Unfortunately this video falls into the goofy “all you need to do is hit them with the 1,2,3,4,5 combo this way”, and then pretending like it’s going to play out that way. If your opponent is actively intent on trying to kill you they won’t just be standing there waiting around for you to perform your move. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZbRnGN6psRkh8U Skip to 3:15.

[@RobinP556]

With a reverse grip you’re limiting your reach with almost zero to ever gain. This kind of grip works great if you know exactly how you’re going to be attacked, in other words, you’re making a video or have a martial arts instructor showing you something. It doesn’t work well in the real world when you have no idea how your attacker is going to come at you until it happens.

[@judgementgaming3270]

Doesn’t this grip give you more control over the knife and give you more stabbing/cutting pressure?

[@RobinP556]

@@judgementgaming3270 I used to think the same thing, but my unit in the military spent a lot of time training in all kinds of things, knives being one of them. Still, it took being shown a few times that I was wrong. There are some cases where a reverse grip is better, but that percentage is much smaller than a conventional grip, and switching from one to the other in a real fight is an invitation for that one time that you drop the knife.

[@judgementgaming3270]

@@RobinP556 does the style of knife play a factor in the best holding position? Does the military still use kabars?

[@RobinP556]

@@judgementgaming3270 It’s not about style, just about getting cut as little as possible and cutting the other guy. What knives we carry is an individual preference and always changing. A Kabar is a bit more of a Marine thing than Army, but I carried one at one time. I’ve also carried a Randall No.1, which was one of my favorites. But there are a lot of custom shops that make fighting knives and I’ve carried a few of those as well. Every knife has its positive and negative points. These days I carry one of several folders, SOG knives mainly.

[@gunguy2707]

I live in Montana so we have constitutional carry and able to get your ccw at 18 years old and yet you cant buy a pistol before 21 how do you suggest for the 18 19 and 20 year Olds that want to conceal carry get a firearm to carry

[@Steve-ls3yy]

RE:"gun give away ...ending soon": as a long time USCCA member(2016) and big fan of Kevin Michalowski I just want to note that the ongoing give-away is sounding old, cheesy, cheap and unprofessional. The promotion is way passed it's appeal to new and experience gun owners. Shades of Readers Digest, National Sweepstakes and the now discredited NRA sweepstakes. Please stop. It's embarrassing me.

[@hulksta3223]

Umm, when the victim is blocking with his left hand, isn’t he exposing his left wrist to the blade of the attacker???? I’m sorry but it doesn’t seem very feasible.🤷🏽‍♂️ then again I’m not an expert.

[@TrueSighted]

Guys, please dont use youtube videos as your sole information on how to handle close combat situations. Go learn from a knowledgeable person. Its one thing to understand why you would or wouldn't do something, and its advantages/disadvantages. Another to be able to move efficiently and actually do the right things when actually under threat. Learn from someone who can teach you one on one. This is your life on the line! Its not a game when it counts!

[@hrdrockfarm8948]

Raise your hand if you've ever seen someone killed with a knife or bladed weapon. It's ok. I'll wait.

[@mrx2586]

there are lots of videos of people being killed with bladed weapons online. I have watched lots of them, rather boring to be honest. what exactly was the relevance of your question?

[@StellarSecurityServices]

I have been in a knife fight and your assailant will not give you enough time to cut as how they demonstrate in the video. As a knife practitioner, security contractor and Filipino Escrima student, assailants will not stand there and let you cut them as they have shown here. I prefer quick thrusts using the jabbing technique and slashes using the forward grip. My philosophy is "use length as an advantage" as old warriors and fighters have done for centuries. There are more ways to strike using the forward grip than there are with the reverse grip. You do not want to get in a close wrestling struggle with an enemy. Distance is your advantage. Think of it as Boxing, move and strike while dodging and using defensive counter strikes when attacked.

[@ludgerwillgaster2095]

Weapon train on every weapon...I even train on silly broken sticks with chains

[@caleb2364]

That gun giveaway is a scam. Change my mind. You've said "it ends really soon" for over a year. Losing respect here.

[@bradfoland2127]

This is NOT how it works in a real life scenario. It looks great with a compliant dance partner but in a dynamic, full force, full speed, encounter with fully resistant attacker YOU WILL GET CUT! Sorry guys. I fear this video will mislead people into thinking that they can employ these dance moves for self defense.

[@greenspiraldragon]

The knife is primarily a cutting weapon, if you use it to stab unless you hit a vital your just poking holes. People can be stabbed many many times and still live. Slashing bleeds you out quick.

[@merlinwizard1000]

13th

[@nimbly1693]

Dislike

[@cretzu69]

If you wanna show us who won that you’re freaking gun make a video with the people who won the gun

[@zakzanella1442]

This is ridiculous. The likely hood of anyone having the muscle memory and sheer luck to actually be met with these offenses and do what this guy just showed you is 0.000000001%. This is literally fantasy fighting. Fighting with a knife is as simple as making sure your grip is strong enough to hold your body weight from, and striking for the torso while using any means be it limb or object to defend any offensive blows in the meantime while also trying to retreat. A knife fight where both are armed with a knife usually ends with both people dying. So the less time you are involved the better odds of surviving are. Not trying to step on someone’s foot or even worse thinking you’re gonna upwards slash someone’s arm and disable them like this clown just advised you to do. Get real.

[@loganshotrod4x464]

Excellent technique but your opponent kept his head & neck open throughout the demonstration… that would have been my target. I stopped carrying a gun in favor of a knife. Most violent encounters occur within seconds under 21 feet & in those cases, a knife is generally more effective than a gun. A gun is lethal unidirectionally, it can run out of ammo & you’re hesitant if you have any concern whatsoever for your backdrop. With a knife, you just go to work.

[@JakeCamo]

🤣😂

[@mrseuff617]

🤣

[@Anon-greyman]

I'm unsubing because encouraging people to have knife fights is beyond idiotic. Also, sometimes it really seems like you guys are controlled opposition, some of your advice is reminiscent of Detroit urban survival training. And some even seems like you are anti 2nd amendment, you talk down on open carry as if people expressing their right to BARE arms are stupid. The logic coming out of this youtube page is almost anti-gun. I'm sorry but I'm tired of submitting to tyranny. Goodbye.

[@rekaksky]

this kind of videos makes any cop afraid of knife wielding thugs. most cops do not know that these moves take painstaking hours to practice and perfect. and people who are good with knife defense are law abiding people. so please, to all the cops outthere, learn how to use your batons vs knives.

[@Enjoyer.762]

A cop and even a civil has the legal privilege to use deadly force when attacked by a person using a knife.

[@rekaksky]

@@Enjoyer.762 you just do not get my point. move along.

[@Enjoyer.762]

@rekaksky Legally speaking, you don't have a point. A knife attack is considered deadly force in every U.S. state jurisdiction.

[@Mamba503]

You don’t need these moves to be an effective aggressor with a knife. The aggressor doesn’t have to worry about legality or minimum force. They just have to slash and stab as fast as possible, as is shown by the vast majority of knife attacks. There’s no reason to expect a cop or law abiding citizen to voluntarily make it an even fight when confronted with deadly force.

[@rekaksky]

@@Enjoyer.762 Ok. You people win. Let the cops shoot a person holding a knife. Do not train the police how to use other means like their batons. More police will be criminalize. Did I get your point now?