Mountain man Bowie. A quick one on a uniquely American style of Bowie knife combat.

[@johnbrus3510]

This is the method used in knife fighting in the south during the early to mid-19th century. This style of bowie you appear to be holding was designed for use against the cane swords of the period. Note the shape of the counter guard, to be used to trap you opponents blade, hence the block at the inner end of the clip and the file like serrations on the top of the blade, the clip point was sharpened as well as the main edge. Held in the manner demonstrated the clip point was used for slashing, the main blade for the coup de grace. Nice demo!

[@Echo5-Tango]

This is exactly how I was taught Bowie knife theory as a you fellow growing up in Louisiana close to the Mississippi River. It was always explained to me that this is how the ol’ folks did it and they actually used their knives so this is how it is done! Great video thank you 🙏🏼

[@ЗвездыБольшойПротуберанец]

This type of "reverse edge" knife fighting was popular in the past. This was reflected in the WW2 era soviet combat knife - NR40, which had an S guard turned over specifically for this. Or the Italian combat knife MVSN M1935 and its modern replica Extrema Ratio CN1, this design apparently also implies a similar style of knife fighting.

[@bradfarrahgerwing154]

As a butcher, martial artist and first aid paramedics training it makes sense due to bone/ body structure Veins and arteries are always on the inside of arms and legs....most slashes will hit bone but not the main arteries I had an American uncle who was a lrrp in Vietnam and he taught us edge up

[@ABTactical]

I first heard of this way of using the Bowie about 5 years ago. I do practice it every so often(not often enough) I have never heard it called mountain man style.

[@fajile5109]

When you use the reverse grip its a simple matter to cut your opponents hand apart. Im trying to teach my nephew some of these concepts. Its one grip that wont occur to most people.

[@chrisnewport7826]

Reminds me of why I carry a sawed off shotgun and. .45 pistol along with a Bowie.

[@janetowens7288]

That stuff must make you extra manly, in mom's basement.

[@connorperrett9559]

My man lives in Mogadishu.

[@JimmyWilliamsN0b0dy]

Very cool not a method I would have ever thought of on my own. Thanks for the demo.

[@WolfQuantum]

I saw this video about a week ago. So, I pulled out a Bowie knife and did some slow-motion movements. Just walking through various approaches. Yeah, pretty wicked. Instead of just a thrust to the abdomen, it's thrust and rip. Come in from one side and it's a long slice to the other just pulling your knife back out. I also walked through some of those same movements using edge-up with a KABAR Modified Tanto (The curved, early tanto style tip, not the later tanto tip.) Yep. A lot of wicked and effective in that.

[@chrisdyck6524]

I bought a (Böker Plus Valkyrie Bowie Frankonia SpecialEdition) today and I'm absolutely delighted with it. A sheath made of saddle leather, a blade made of 440C steel, 22.5 cm long, 6 mm thick, mirkada handle scales with mosaic pins and finger grooves absolutely beautiful piece of Bowie for around €100. Subscription is cancelled

[@sharpsholdier]

fantastic video Sir and thank you for sharing. May i ask what's that Bowie you are using here?? custom-made or production?? greetings from Greece!

[@KALISAMERICANO]

It is a custom

[@sharpsholdier]

@@KALISAMERICANO may i ask who the maker is, Sir??

[@KALISAMERICANO]

@@sharpsholdier www.vermontbladesmith.com/

[@sharpsholdier]

@@KALISAMERICANO would i be correct to say that it has a 13" blade that is 0.25" thick, making this a fast, nimble yet very powerful piece of cutlery..??

[@KALISAMERICANO]

@@sharpsholdier yes that’s about right

[@oldeays5085]

Great video

[@KALISAMERICANO]

Thank you. I am happy you enjoyed it.

[@johnp.turner2000]

Can you tell me which side would you wear that big knife? Also did the mountain man wear it on his torso or behind the neck? Curious 🤔

[@KALISAMERICANO]

Generally opposite your pistol.

[@jbensinger5715]

Hey, that knife looks familiar...

[@eloyrodriguez6460]

Have you used these methods in a real life and death situation? Let's say prison or even on the streets in a knife attack. I'm just wondering how it would do

[@KALISAMERICANO]

With a Bowie knife? No I have not.

[@oldeays5085]

😂 Duh, you got any gum?

[@powerplay4real174]

😊

[@LongKungFu]

Why is it called a Mountain man grip?

[@KALISAMERICANO]

The grip is associated with the trappers and hunters of the 1800's in North America. Particularly around Pennsylvania and up through New England and the Canadian border.

[@LongKungFu]

@@KALISAMERICANO How did the correlation start? Is it similar to a movement used when skinning an animal? Did mountain men fight tip up edge in since the belt or butcher knives they were using were guardless?

[@KALISAMERICANO]

@@LongKungFu We really don't know. Unfortunately so much about how knives were used in a martial sense from that period is just not known. So much is rumor and anecdotal stories told third hand and from sensational newspaper stories that your guess is as good as mine.

[@74verseveld]

You must have a lot of bruises on your arm because you keep hitting yourself on the arm, but the information is good, thank you.😊

[@peterschlosser7605]

Was that a standard Schnauzer?

[@KALISAMERICANO]

Australian Cattle dog

[@anthonytokar3961]

Why does he keep slapping himself?

[@KALISAMERICANO]

Body tapping in the FMA, Kali, Arnis, Escrima. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYC2dXaKmtalqqM

[@dallasmore6703]

Excellent presentation! Very informative!

[@lipshroud113]

Why are you slapping your self?

[@adamkadir3803]

I was thinking the same. There's a lot of slapping the self in some eastern martial arts as a 'marking' of checkpoints in techniques or just to look/sound impressive. Might be related?

[@lipshroud113]

Thanks that’s what I thought it was

[@connorperrett9559]

It is a kali practice.

[@elim7228]

Did it wake you up?

[@rm8874]

Where on Earth did you get this information? Have you ever heard of Scholagladiatoria? Both are honest questions, not intended as doubtful. Im from the pacific northwest, the mountain man is kinda our cowboys, though in my opinion the mountain man is more impressive and intimidating than a cowboy. Cowboys like to talk tough and rowdy but the mountain man just sits there quietly till he suddenly and violently decided to skin you and eat your liver because "he's very antisocial".

[@KALISAMERICANO]

Mountain man in my usage here comes the North East, not the North West. Think upper Pennsylvania and the Canadian, U.S. border.. Trappers and fur traiders and hunters. Yes I am familiar with Matt Easton and his work. Also his study with Bowie knives. The reverse edge techniques with a Bowie knife are referenced in articles from the time period. You can also find extant D-guard bowies from the American Civil War that are purpose built with the blade in reverse. As for where I heard the term " Mountain man grip" first. It was from a historian/teacher and Menonite preacher I knew from North Western Pennsylvania. Hope that helps. I am working on a series right now for this channel where I will be documenting what scant actual documented techniques for the Bowie knife that are found in newspaper articles from the time period.

[@rm8874]

@@KALISAMERICANO Thats really fascinating, I think Ive seen the D-guard bowies with the reverse blade before but just didnt know what exactly what I was looking at, years ago when I wasnt really into knives much. I happened across this little book on Amazon on "1880s Bowie knife methods" by a Marc J. Lawrence which is tiny, like pamphlet tiny. I chalked it up to likely just sketchy info, myth and legend with bits of old proven knife fighting methods cobbled together for a quick buck. From what I understand the Bowie has a lot more Legend and myth than proven fact surrounding it and so it is hard to tell what was real and what was just a story that started at a campfire or over some whisky by a mountain man loving to embellish and make up stories. The mountain men I am mostly familiar with are the ones from the rocky mountains and their roles in the Oregon trail as guides. I want to learn more truths about the mountain mans culture, methods and skills. Any good sources you might recommend? I started in martial arts(TKD, Hapkido, Judo, Northern longfist, Wushu broadsword practice though no forms for some reason, Mo Duk Pai) went into fencing(modern, foil, elite French and olympian teachers so very modern and more sport than truly efficient swordsmanship) then tried Kali but not many options locally so now Im trying to learn to make knives. Real trustworthy sources on Bowie uses would be incredibly insightful as I try to understand exactly how a blade was used and how it behaved in the hand to be essential to making a blade someone would genuinely want to use and might cherish. Grew up loving swords and those arent practical no matter how historical and elegant they are, but knives are. I look forward to your next video on the matter!

[@KALISAMERICANO]

I recomend a book titled" Bowie Knife Fights,Fighters,and Fighting Techniques." By Paul Kirchner. Also check out a Master at arms James A Keating. He is one of the leading authorities on the Bowie knife. He has a series of DVDs on techniques.

[@tonymontana3949]

A Cowboy have bowie and revolver

[@oldeays5085]

You are very ignorant on things

[@manwichsandwich]

Something I learned early in my martial arts career is to be very wary of people who hit their self to make their technique look/sound better. That “self hurt” hand should be doing something useful like guarding against counter attacks. I’m sure you have a lot to teach, just clean it up and teach people right. The technique is enough, no showmanship is needed buddy.

[@KALISAMERICANO]

I refer you to this video. This is just touching the tip of the iceberg of just what that slapping is all about. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXiWfpyjebSdjcU

[@manwichsandwich]

@@KALISAMERICANO I responded to you on your video as to why each reason you are slapping yourself is flawed. I stand with my original comment.