Reverse-grip knife and sword fighting in movies

[@Maratusvolans]

Reverse-grip is great for the "When Desperate Try Something Less Effective - Technique" as described by Lindybeige in his movie fighting treatise.

[@paullytle246]

Maratus volans with swords quite practical with knives

[@davidbodor1762]

Oh yeah, in the Helen of Troy movie I believe, that was an awesome video. Also holding your shield on it's side with both hands and bashing with it...don't worry about getting your fingers cut off if you try that...

[@scottmiller4295]

or try anything to throw off an opponent that was kicking your ass technique. once upon a time this was life and death stuff so yea ;p.

[@pandaphil]

So its the martial arts eqivilent of holding a pistol sideways?

[@scholagladiatoria]

Pretty much, in most circumstances, yes.

[@CadenSok]

Just to clarify; it's the slashing with the reverse grip that is the martial arts equivalent of holding the pistol side ways. Reverse grip is still great for when you're at a very close range, and grappling. As he mentioned, it still has uses for hooking, blocking, and stabbing.

[@raics101]

@@CadenSok Maybe slashing would work with something short that has a forward curve. You don't need much leverage if it's short and the forward curve means you don't have to bend your wrist much to get a workable angle, so pretty much a karambit knife.

[@CadenSok]

@@raics101 Yeah. Only Karambits will be able to do the job of slashing with a reverse grip. I forgot to bring that up. And boy, can Karambits leave nasty deep cut in flesh.

[@ironstarofmordian7098]

@@CadenSok and holding a gun side ways is good for... looking intimidating- I guess?

[@jakubfabisiak9810]

Here's one thing a reverse grip is useful for: apologising to your samurai overlord.

[@helium3624]

Oof

[@einzelfeuer_2855]

Underrated.

[@Harshhaze]

Death before dishonor

[@dreysantillan]

Oh... Oh no..

[@trinidadtheislandman4065]

@@Harshhaze Usually in this case it is "Death due to dishonor." 🤗

[@gaiusbrutus7174]

You know I expect to see you reverse-grip handling your Zweihänder in the next video...

[@scholagladiatoria]

But I am fond of my wrists.....

[@Danik0301987]

No dedication at all :)

[@Kaixa123]

I'm expecting to see you half sword your Zweihander in a reverse grip

[@EdsEnemy]

Any historical examples of a downward-pointing 2 handed grip used with Zweihander? Raised above head? Half-swording? Just curious. Edit: Bittner, Metzger

[@andybaxter4442]

I suppose if I were behind some of my mates and I was trying to lend a hand by stabbing at the enemy from over their shoulders, my back hand might be in a reverse grip and my front hand might be on the blade; like the reverse grip on a spear, it might have some useful applications while in ranks.

[@kategrant2728]

One factor about why hollywood loves these also: Actually practical martial arts, whether armed or unarmed, want to make strikes as direct and hard to see coming as possible, motions are short and economical, with little telegraphing. But when you're performing for an audience, the audience needs to actually see what's happening and following the action. Choreographers love draw grip slashes for this reason as well. It slows down the strikes, without the performer slowing down his hands. This conveys to the audience that he's striking REALLY FAST without them actually getting confused or having a hard time following the action.

[@Eidenhoek]

@DahriusArt mmmm reverse-grapes

[@Foxxie0kun]

I heard that this is why producers and filmmmakers HATED Bruce Lee: He wouldn't slow down or add artistic flourish to his fight scenes because he refused to ever compromise proper technique for "Hollywood Magic", so they just slowed down his footage where they could and doctored everything in post production to benefit the audience.

[@powernade]

"Stabbing is really useful with a dagger or knife." - scholagladiatoria This is the quality content I need.

[@TheOneAndOnlySame]

But isn't that quite...violent?

[@bozo5632]

Matt ignored the primary advantage of the reverse grip, which is: it enables the pommel to be central in offense and defense. In the case of ninjas, the pommel can be unscrewed with a flick of the thumb and be sent spinning vorpally at multiple targets.

[@nathanbrown8680]

Bowie knives and katanas don't have pommels.

[@thelegate8636]

I know a fellow master of the blade when I see one. A tip of the fedora to you gentle sir.

[@Luciffrit]

Why not just carry a sack of pommels? Swords just hold them back.

[@blastulae]

IMO, it's primary advantage is defensive. If your opponent tries to grab your wrist, he loses his thumb. That's according to the USMC Gunny who taught me knife fighting. He had three Kilo Kilos as a tunnel rat in Nam, to include a ChiCom colonel.

[@Auriflamme]

You forgot to mention the cool points you earn for reversing your grip, spinning, turning away from your opponent after you land the killing blow and just generally looking as though life and death mean nothing to you.

[@horriblemonkey3065]

I can so see Matt going to a movie set and lecture the coreographer. M.: "That's stupid. Wouldn't work because of (insert valid reason here)." C.: "Um... okay, then we give them shields who they will use for counterbalance behind their back..." M.: "Are you retarded? You do know what a shield actually is, don't you?" C.: "Ummm... then... jump-attacks..." M.: "No." C.: "Ummm... Then the villain raises his sword high for the final str-" M.: "Where you dropped on your head as a child? Have you ever held an actual sword?" C.: "So... reverse dagg-" M.: "No." C.: "..." M.: "Don't even think it." I would pay money to see something like this. Not a lot though, I don't have much, but a bit.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Having consulted on a few TV shows the really hard bit is telling them the truth without totally shitting on all their dreams... and then still making something that works and looks okay.

[@horriblemonkey3065]

Don't confuse me with facts, I wanna imagine a favorite youtuber of mine in a funny situation and I will do so, reality be damned ;)

[@tisFrancesfault]

Horrible Bastard Troy is guilty many of these, and it's soo good to watch.

[@EgoEroTergum]

Atmosphere and camerawork. One could definitely, 100% make a realistic sword-fight exciting - they just have to make it clear that the danger is real. Flynning sword fights in movies tend to lack tension because there is a lot of movement but very little lethality. If you have characters that the audience cares about, and you have it shown that fights are lethal, then you could make a very short fight very tense. Think about The Duelists, or the gunfights in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Lots of buildup, and a short but meaningful climax. None of this drawn-out dancy-prancy nonsense. A fight shouldn't be a scene in itself - fights don't further the plot at all, no matter how long they are. Fights resolve existing issues, they don't create conflict except in very rare circumstances. Most long fights are just pretty filler, and I think action movies in particular would be better off with short, realistic action instead of the fantasy sequences we often get.

[@alexanerose4820]

+EgoEroTergum Good points but I counter with the following: Those flashy sword fights could be solved by not having a clear winner. You see the problem is those sword fights ARE amazing but we all know at the back of our minds who is going to win. "Real" sword fights have unpredictability and tension but to most people who are uneducated with swordplay (which is like 90 percent of so) it's just over two quickly and you just wasted your time and money. It applies to gunfights as well. Other than the old west type style, most gunfights are long and protracted for excitement and because when you stand at a distance and fire hundreds of rounds behind cover you're not gonna die quickly but it remains that one of those bullets WILL kill you. Same with movie sword fights you think those moves are silly but when one of them lands they will end you. "A fight shouldn't be a scene in itself" I could give an argument for this as well but I'll keep it simple: Do you even movie mate? :D The problem with short and tense fights in a high paced action movie is just that, you have to stop the action and build up the tension (which is already hard to do in itself) and that just breaks immersion. Granted it could be pulled of (Obi Wan vs Vader in episode 4) but I've seen hundreds of others where it was just cheap and honestly not memorable. Granted you can say the same about long fights but I can also say you're probably gonna remember the longer fight. When you draw out the action you draw out the excitement and when it ends it's satisfying. A good long fight is satisfying. I mean do you want a boxing match between two legends to end in the first round or do you want an Ali vs Frieser (I think it was Frieser?) that went the distance and impressed. Chances are you're gonna remember the latter and tell it over and over compared to "Oh yeah Ali punched the guy after 1 minuet walking around and won" Like I said keep the awesome sequences but add unpredictability just like in "real" fights. Realism is a feature you add to stories to help improve it but it's not a dogmatic necessity. So in conclusion I counter with this last point : "Most long fights are just pretty filler, and I think action movies in particular would be better off with short, realistic action instead of the fantasy sequences we often get" Then I shouldn't be watching a movie where the amazing happens should I? If I wanted real I would just go outside :D

[@seanb3717]

When it comes to reverse grips of swords (im speaking for my experience in eastern martial arts) i've seen them used for 2 reasons. First with short swords, normally after used after trapping, but there is one way to drastically increase the strength of the cut, that is to rest the blade on the forearm and to use the elbow as the driving for, much like an elbow strike. this is exceedingly rare, ive only ever seen it shown once. The 2nd but more common on is for use with full sized swords, and it has more to do with putting the enemy off balance by changing the rhythm by removing the blade from where one normally expects it to be. it normally ends with a black-handed slash, that is shallow, aimed at the eyes, throat, knees, Achilles, or any other near to surface tendon that one might be able to hit. the attack is not meant to kill but maim or distract

[@basilb4524]

skallagrim: analyzes point up and point up indiscriminately, and gives point down the benefit of the doubt. Matt: ABSOLUTELY BOLLOCKS

[@jonathanlovelace521]

??? Matt is very much in favor of point down. I thought that was clear in this video. He thinks the way point down is done in movies is bollocks.

[@BeingFireRetardant]

Skalls right, Matt's wrong.

[@zaodedong9935]

Someone didn't pay attention.

[@Jon-ov4nc]

Both are generally full of crap in my opinion and should stick to their hema fencing techniques. Most of their videos are 'pointless' nonsense and ramblings (pun intended). I've trained with knives throughout my childhood and adult life and know that you swap grips as and when you see fit. It's not really a debate, if you actually have a decent understanding of fighting with a knife you would know how to do both. The idea that conventional point up grip has range on the stabs is nonsense as that's only the case if your stupid enough to over-extend and get your arm locked out, elbows should stay by the side. The thing about knives is they are extreme close quarters weapons and should be used as such, if you want range use a sword or better yet a spear. It can generate power on the swing but telegraphs when cutting or pommel striking. If you get grappled the knife becomes pretty useless in this grip, which is no good for the close range intentions of such a weapon. You only really use this grip to stab at the liver, slipping through the ribs for the heart, or stabbing the spleen. Reverse grip has very effective trapping and counter grappling techniques (essential at close range), cutting is faster as is the punching motion with the pommel strike. stabbing is more powerful but mainly just gives a good angle for going through the shoulder for the aorta, under the armpit for the artery into the arm, into the groin for the perineal artery, or hooking round into a kidney. Cutting and chopping with knives is just an annoyance, if you intend to kill this way use a saber or an axe.

[@BeingFireRetardant]

@@Jon-ov4nc _____ We thought out, well spoken... Knives are best not on display, just usefully employed once it has begun. And yes, everything is on the table. Nobody likes their tendons being severed. Nobody. _____ Decide Defend Disable Dismantle Destroy _____ That is your escalation of force.

[@kleinjahr]

Weapons like the karambit are designed to be held in the ice pick grip. They are also designed for extremely close quarter combat, literally toe to toe. Bowies and daggers not so much.

[@bozo5632]

Karambit is practically a wrestling knife. I've never touched one, but I bet they're good utility knives too.

[@Leo.23232]

Can't you use them for opening boxes?

[@armynurseboy]

I use my Karambits to open boxes and bags all the time....

[@jonc67uk]

@@Leo.23232 yep, work nicely for cutting the thread when binding fletchings onto arrows too lol.

[@BeingFireRetardant]

Every aspect of the kerambit, in whatever curvature, is extremely purpose built and specific. Yes, death wrestling knives. Reverse grip allows for strikes, blocks, and grapples, while still holding your knife. You cannot do any of that in a saber grip. Watch how a praying mantis kills and eats.

[@cloudcleaver23]

The Star Wars franchise has a number of characters (Galen Marek, Ahsoka Tano, etc) who do this with lightsabers of all things. I've heard defenders of the concept say that since a lightsaber burns through things the lack of pressure doesn't matter, but lore indicates that a lot of materials still provide resistance, and they still suffer from the short reach and awkward ergonomic issues, not to mention there's a steel-melting plasma blade a few inches from the user's forearm with pressure being applied from the opposite side. I really can't understand why this is so popular. It doesn't even look cool, IMO.

[@scholagladiatoria]

The weak pressure/push is also a real problem for parrying - opposing blades would easily be able to collapse their parries.

[@cloudcleaver23]

Indeed. And unlike with a backsword, if your parry collapses with a lightsaber, your arm's off.

[@SonsOfLorgar]

cloudcleaver23 and the only choise you get is if it's going to be cut with your own or your opponents lightsaber...

[@bmxriderforlife1234]

except in the old cannon at least, lightsabers did actually require force to cut through things, you need to disrupt the forcefield keeping the blades shape before itll cut.

[@sapith2700]

cloudcleaver23 It's not as common as you think it's actually rare. "Some users used the reverse Shien grip, an unorthodox variation of Shien where the wielder would hold the lightsaber hilt in a backward position, exposing the front. This grip allowed the user to perform long, sweeping strikes to take down several enemies at a time, whipping the blade forward with the movement of throwing a punch. This variation was rarely seen and, indeed, almost a matter of controversy among lightsaber masters."

[@Paul-Weston]

It looks like the person really knows what they're doing when they hold a weapon in reverse grip. Like they know some kind of secret the rest of us don't know about.

[@Archaeonomy]

A NZ Forest Rangers journal records how they were trained to use Bowies: "We were taught to hold the knife with the blade pointing inward and upward, with the hilt nearer the small finger, laid along the inner arm bending the wrist inward with the blade out of harms way. With the arm held out, knife-defended thus, a blow from a tomahawk could be warded off, then out would flash the blade in a stab."

[@scholagladiatoria]

Nice - Yes I have read this in secondary sources, but do you have access to the primary source? I would love to get a copy. Incidentally what is described here is basically how medieval rondel daggers were used to defend against striking weapons.

[@Archaeonomy]

I pulled that reference from Richard Stowers book "Forest Rangers" it is a massive collation of information and extracts from various Forest Ranger diaries, and is the best book I know of on the subject. That extract is from Sergeant John Roberts. I wrote my thesis on New Zealand wars sites, I don't know if you have seen any of my videos but I have a bit of a bias towards 19th century conflict sites. I see from the bibliography that Stowers accessed Roberts diary via an obscure local history republishing of it from 1983. "John Roberts NZC - A Man in his Time" It makes perfect sense for them to be using them that way, especially with a revolver in the other hand.

[@Archaeonomy]

Incidentally, I suspect the Maori they were fighting would be holding their tupara in their off hand, using it as a shield, and striking out with their tomahawk.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Thanks, I'll look up the book and see if I can find the primary source.

[@Archaeonomy]

The reference for Stowers source is: Patham, W.T. 1983, John Roberts NZC - A Man in his Time, Whakatane, Whakatane & District Historical Society. These sort of sources tend to be typewritten, photocopied documents held in local libraries unfortunately. I am sure a copy of Stowers will be helpful though. Stowers mainly describes the bowies being used as machetes and spades most of the time. They were sizeable bowies, 9-10 inches long.

[@boofmcgoof1534]

I've used reverse grip a few times sparing with friends with wood swords. It's quite effective if you have any experience with linking hook combos with boxing. All the power comes from your torso,not your arms. Just food for thought.

[@alexandreducharme1053]

You do lose the reach advantage but, defensively, deflecting an opponent's blade this way would most often lead to having the dull side towards your arm, which is great. Also, you can essentially "box" with a knife and its virtually impossible to overpowered into stabbing yourself with a reverse grip (your arms and wrists arent meant to bend that way). Although the reach advantage is not by any means negligeable (im a 6'1" foil fencer and current varsity epee champion), at close range, the security, control and speed that a reverse grip offers are pretty significant. All that being said, if fighting with a sword against an opponent similarly armed, the reverse grip is absolutely stupid and serves no purpose (the reach disadvantage would be wayyy too great in a style where inches matter and the weapons generally are very cumbersome for close range fighting.

[@condorstilllives5641]

I still remember the Zatoichi style. He was blind and had a hidden blade in his walking cane.

[@DudeNumberOnePlus]

If you can't pronounce 'Katana', just say 'Nippon sabre'.

[@travissmith2848]

@Danny lifts I was thinking nipple saver, but yeah....

[@PetrPechar1975]

Hah! I was ranting about this to my completely uninterested colleague at work just a couple of days ago. :-)

[@whatTheFup]

Petr Pechar now resume the rant tomorrow with more arguments :D

[@geradosolusyon511]

Y-you Monster! Of 2 years ago.

[@fireman2375]

Interesting video, Matt. While I agree with most of it (and definitely when applied to swords), I just want to point out that the Martial Arts Manual of the USMC covers reverse grip knife fighting techniques and includes slashes with this grip. Admitted, it's at the most expert level, and will probably only compliment the other techniques, it is still interesting to note that apparently these techniques are taught by the military - and without a note warning about being less efficient during a fight...

[@youtubevoice1050]

What I can confirm, is that some Tanto katas include reverse grip slashes. Not as primary grip/ attack though. For example, the reverse slash is aimed at the neck (stepping in) and followed up by a backhand stab to the chest, all from a sideways stance.

[@filomenaa]

Actually the person whom I would like to see involved in another collaboration on this channel is your wife. She raised a couple of good points in response to you in your Christmas video. She doesn't seem afraid to criticize your take on certain weapons and that sort of discourse is interesting. Most of the time there is only one voice on a channel or even in collaborative videos.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Thanks - I'm sure she will make another guest appearance soon.

[@OutOfNamesToChoose]

scholagladiatoria Agreed! Can you add Tobias Capwell to that list as well? It would help The Wallace Collection's channel.

[@slamblamboozled1245]

Praising a wife for being critical? That's like congratulating a lemon for being yellow

[@teampingu]

Upvoted for 'bollocks'

[@spykezspykez7001]

Sure, I'll join you and do just the same!

[@bozo5632]

Never Mind the Bollocks.

[@pionosphere]

Pardon my English, but: Bollocks!

[@slamblamboozled1245]

Down voted cos you're probably a yank. Sorry, I know that isn't your fault but you lot have spectacularly fucked up the world in the past 40/50 years. It took the British empire at least 200 years to cause that much damage aha

[@johnapple6646]

This isn't reddit you morons

[@BlazinBlades]

Hold a knife in the reverse grip, stand straight with both arms fisted on your sides (like a soldier ) the knife disappears behind your arm. Now even walk towards your would be assailant and still in most cases they won't know you have a knife... the element of surprise is so important. That's why I consider the reverse grip better in many ways.

[@RyuFireheart]

That bowie is so shiny that seems unreal :o

[@ozarkscarguy540]

I'm in love with that Bowie. It looks to have silver gaurd and hilt. I love silver its probably my favorite metal.

[@benjammin9350]

From a practitioner of northern praying mantis for 11 years (not my only marital art) ... I can use knife, sword (straight and broad Chinese, also learned Katana from aiido), spear, staff, tonfa, dagger and chain, flail and staff..... The ONLY time you should use a reverse grip is during knife grappling or if you intend to strike the skull.... If you open up with a reverse grip against a competent opponent, you're done. A taboo but arguably useful technique is to learn to quick switch by practicing, you can get a lightning fast switch but you'll always risk dropping your knife during the struggle

[@nightmarethunderfist]

The only reverse grip I've seen is in dual sword combat when we'd use one to block and the other to strike.

[@dougrouse9989]

To use Matt's favorite word "context", I think that reverse-grip slashes make a lot more sense in the context of using something like a karambit as opposed to something like a bowie knife.

[@kalliste23]

Fighting in confined spaces, which I'm assuming might the case on space ships ... or in the modern world submarines, ships, tunnels, crowded trains...

[@BigWillyG1000]

A lot of WWI trench knives are designed to emphasize thrusting and were probably used with an ice pick grip most of the time. Likely in part because of how cramped trenches were.

[@mikevides4494]

One interesting thing I've found about the reverse grip slashing is that it uses a lot of the same muscle-groups involved in throwing punches. Take the "reverse grip slash" - to get any power behind this, you use almost exactly the same motion as throwing a hook punch. The whole-body twist is important for giving it any striking power at all. Note also that it uses the triceps to generate it's power, rather than the biceps. Another example is a vertical or semi-vertical, upward slash with the reverse grip - this would employ the same basic motion as throwing an upper-cut. This is a type of cut that's awkward to utilize using a standard grip. This isn't to say that the reverse grip slashing is tactically valid as a main fighting technique - really, you give up way too much in terms of reach and versatility by going reverse grip if you want to slash as a primary attack. But I think a great part of the reason people think it's not effective at generating force is that it doesn't employ the same muscle-groups and movements as the standard grip. When you train to use a sword the right way, suddenly using different movements and muscles to perform similar actions is going to feel weak and unreliable.

[@Gloin79]

frigging ahsoka

[@scholagladiatoria]

Yeah... It makes a tiny bit more sense with a lightsabre as you need so little pressure to cut, but it would make her parries very weak and her attacks very short range.

[@Gloin79]

yeah, although lightsabres are heavy so i think it would be very hard to cut with

[@MartinGreywolf]

I see more of a problem with how you block heavy strikes with reverse grip - bracing the blade against the forearm is decidedly less pleasant with a lightsaber.

[@Gloin79]

could be, although I believe lighstabres need some force to penetrate their containment field

[@SonsOfLorgar]

Gloin79 but attacks don't need much force to push her own parrying lightsaber into her own arms as that is the weakest possible direction of her grip of the handle...

[@SiriusMined]

I could see someone using a reverse-grip draw cut as their first move, kind of as a surprise move, with the blade tucked under the wrist, slash quickly, but then you'd have to switch to stabbing or change grips.

[@hardheadjarhead]

WHAT? Zatoichi doesn't know what he's doing? NOOOOO!!!!

[@thomaschongs3456]

You don't need to hold a sword correctly when your using deception and your opponent underestimates you.

[@cadaverdogblix7448]

His dance of death

[@bernardweaver2416]

I've always wondered about why that awkward slash was used in movies. In fact in certain Pekiti systems if the knife is held point down, the blade is often held inwards to further facilitate grappling. Glad to see that someone as learned as yourself would verify that this has little historical basis.

[@DoctahDizzle]

Are you suggesting that what we see in film may not be realistic or practical? Childhood destroyed! :D

[@scholagladiatoria]

Well, not just movies. I see some people in real life and martial arts thinking that trying to cut like that is actually a good way of doing things. I mean there may be some VERY specific circumstances where it has an advantage, but generally speaking it is rubbish.

[@eightgeorge]

Not if you use the right knife like the Karambit, as you said. Watch "Forged In Fire" Season 4 ep 4 and you will see how deadly the Karambit is in close quarter fighting. Just my 2 cents.

[@stevesherwood8420]

I fight with a karambit and you are exactly correct. I use it exclusively to hook and slash = hands, arms, etc ... Your understanding of martial arts is impressive

[@CriticalShot1]

Wait..so dance moves aren't useful in fighting?....So ive been practicing jazz hands for nothing!!!!

[@svennoren9047]

Try to find someone teaching renaissance dancing. They even use the same terminology!

[@samk522]

Well, there's always Capoeira...

[@TRACKZZ22656]

On top of my head. One offender is the Starkiller from the Force Unleashed. He uses reverse grip dual lightsabers. One of his opponents used reverse grip dual tonfas.

[@meisterproper8304]

He only holds it in reverse grip but changes to the normal grip once slashing.

[@ant4812]

Could you please do a video on blade care and/or sharpening one day Matt?

[@wierdalien1]

ant4812 he has?!

[@Riceball01]

Skallagrim has videos on sword and knife sharpening as well. He uses this nifty electric sharpener called a Worksharp or something like that.

[@masterof1]

There are some cuts that do utilize the reverse grip in Iado, however they are primarily used to attack at otherwise unused angles to confuse and in some cases defeat the cut being thrown towards you. Nami-ryu also uses these strange cuts, and in this case primarily used in the draw stroke again in able to defeat a cut or attack unconventionally. It might be worth it to reach out to a sensei in order to understand why they cut in that way.

[@gaiusbrutus7174]

I might have skipped something, but I did not find any innuendos in this video(yet). But I sure did find weird dance moves.

[@bozo5632]

He spells out dirty words in the carpet with his feet. It's his raciest work yet imho.

[@clydemarshall8095]

Now I'm sure there are many ways of using a knife in CQC but I have an Uncle who served in the Army and he told me that they train to use knives in reverse grip.

[@tornagh9200]

"Stabbing is REALLY useful" Matt Easton 2017

[@robertlee8400]

It was used by Native Americans when they fought its not a staged choreographed way to fight its the real deal . When the knife was in the hand in this manner it gave a great advantage & leverage in a fight . Sometimes it was used for blocking a incoming blow from a tomahawk , if a tomahawk was coming in hot they would turn the blade upwards & try to catch the handle of the tomahawk that way it would break it at the handle thus no more tomahawk & they would have the upper hand , it was also used when scalping a person it was a way to create leverage when cutting .

[@VelikiHejter]

And now we wait for the first mole ninja to explain to us how reverse grip cuts can be extremely powerful and sneaky in close combat and how we are actually wrong to discard it as a viable technique for swords, especially shorter and straight ninja-to!

[@scholagladiatoria]

I think you mean Mall Ninja (TM), but I love the idea of a Mole Ninja. Specialised in underground assassination.

[@VelikiHejter]

And the legend is born! (sorry, autocorrect...)

[@ThisIsMikkel]

mall ninja*

[@VelikiHejter]

Indeed!

[@mememastodon69]

A blind katana-wielder in a discussion about reverse grip slashing? How exquisitely referential.

[@Blokewood3]

Something interesting to note: although Stage Combat training would be of no help in a real fight, it does require the actors to learn appropriate footwork. I took a single sword course in which one of the other students had years of fencing experience, and he said the footwork we learned was very similar to what he already knew.

[@gazraker4231]

Reverse grip applies to certain weapons. Certain fight conditions and techniques. Great for stabbing, hooking, raking. Close quarters upward slashing. Knives. Not swords. Refer to military knife fighting. Oh come on☹

[@BeingFireRetardant]

All of the above. Silat.

[@dorjedriftwood2731]

So glad you pointed out that underhanded grip is more defensive.

[@SeemsLogical]

"Really short reach range" I can actually see this as a positive. Like when fighting in a tight hallway. Or when you grapple an opponent to the ground and are mounted ontop of them. That downward stab into their chest is easier in the reverese grip I would imagine, though at the cost of the versatility of an overhand grip to stab the sides.

[@BigWillyG1000]

Ian and Karl have a rare video unrelated to firearms about melee weapons in WWI- trench clubs, sharpened e-tools and trench knives and they're pretty sure based on how many like the crude French nails or one of the two main US knuckle duster daggers are almost pure thrusting weapons and the nature of trench raiding that they were mostly used with an ice pick grip. That kind of grip would be good both in narrow trenches and quietly taking out sentries which is why you're using a knife and not a pistol or grenade in the first place.

[@Atamusk]

In Escrima, draw cuts are used as part of a blocking/parrying motion while holding a knife in reverse grip. Since the vast majority of techniques in Escrima are employed within arm's reach, blocks and parries are typically aimed at the wrist, rather than merely deflecting the incoming blade. Typically, that cut is immediately followed by a stab, so you're absolutely right that stabbing is the real moneymaker when holding a knife in reverse grip, but hey, when everything's gone sideways, you take whatever you can get.

[@hunterthomas5801]

I would wager that in close quarters, a reverse grip can be used for effective push cutting when necessary. And you completely neglected blade-in reverse grip, but that doesn't really change the overall narrative.

[@AdeptusForge]

This almost entirely depends on the knife. A trench knife can do reverse-grip hook-slashes much easier due to the added anchorage because of the brass knuckles. A Karambit is specifically designed for this purpose as well, at the cost of normal knife maneuvers. For the most part though, any straight edged dagger is going to be crap for it.

[@BigWillyG1000]

And a lot of the trench knives are ice picked when used in ambush. You're not dueling. You're coming up behind a sentry, using your other hand to cover their mouth and stabbing down into their neck in order to quietly take them out. Open fighting you'd likely be using the brass knuckles more if fighting is that close or if there is any range you switch to firearms- pistols, rifles, SMGs or to hand grenades.

[@uppitywhiteman6797]

The times I use the reverse hold on a knife is when I an in dark circumstances in a bad area. It allows me to have the knife out open and ready and largely hidden from view, If attacked my first reaction is to raise my arm in self-defense to ward off a blow and exposing the knife-edge to the blow. Possibly cutting the assailant and in a perfect position for a downward stab move, if appropriate. My normal grip is in the Marine style.

[@crazyt1ger08]

I'd agree that apart from coming in from behind and stabbing down with a knife there is little to no reason why you'd hold a knife in a reverse grip but in regards to a Katana there are a number of moves that are very useful using the reverse grip such as the draw or unsheathing of the sword, it is quicker with the reverse grip. Another move is against a 2nd opponent that is coming from behind, while still facing your 1st opponent you reverse the grip the sword and as if you were laying an elbow into the 2nd opponent the blade is thrust in and withdrawn quickly whilst still in reverse grip using a sweeping upwards motion against the 1st opponent to then move back into a forward two handed grip to continue the fight. The reverse grip is not a hard hammer grip which of coarse would limit your reach but more like a reverse handshake grip with the blade spine running down in line with your elbow (which in itself makes for a powerful block) and thereby allowing the blade to gain further reach and speed by releasing your three lower fingers which I would describe as a OK hand motion when you strike and then using those three lower fingers to help guide edge alinement, note this should be a quick whipping strike and the grip should go back into a firm reverse handshake position as the blade returns. When practised it becomes clear why the handguard of a Katana is the small size it is, so as not to become entangled (also why square guards are a bad idea), also why the handle of a Katana is that much longer......unlike European Longswords where the cross guard makes such moves very difficult and the Sabre's cupping hilt makes them near impossible. It would be ill advised to fight entirely in the reverse grip but to practice moving between grips for maximising the strength each grip has as to the strike. Finally, a reverse sweeping strike is not meant to be a kill strike but moreover as a debilitating move towards the face or extremities pushing the opponent back with the whipping speed followed by a thrusting strike for the kill.

[@AkosKovacs.Author.Musician]

dude you should see force unleashed 2.Dual reverse gripped lightsaber of equal length.

[@DoctahDizzle]

Ákos Kovács Dual reverse grip is pure bad ass! Get with the program, buddy! :D

[@JimCullen]

I mean, it's a lightsaber, so you presumably don't *need* to apply a lot of force. A lightsaber might be one of the only cases where it might actually make some sense.

[@GM_Lemmy]

In that case, it might make even less sense... You don't get any extra benefit from holding it with a reverse grip, so why give up the reach advantage of a normal grip?

[@nikitaonassis6090]

You could jump split reverse kick with a reverse grip with a force shield on your back..

[@AkosKovacs.Author.Musician]

Jim Cullen but you would need leverage in a lightsaber to lightsaber combat.

[@bonebard6178]

im so glad someone is making a video about this cause ive been curious, i always (ok maybe it was only a few minutes ago) thought the reverse grip would be good if you were trying to punch and slash/stab at the same time like when you go for a punch and you curve your arm and then when your punch finishes you bring your arm back for a stab

[@Optionsaregood]

Most moive fights look more like a stylized dance anyway.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Indeed, most do. And honestly I still enjoy watching those if they are well done. But some movies and TV shows do make fights look like fights. I was rather impressed with Daredevil Season 2, for example.

[@Optionsaregood]

Yes.

[@thekuan7002]

scholagladiatoria I prefer shakey camera fight scenes. It feels so real. Like when I watch a boxing watch, I would find myself wishing for shakey cam effect.

[@wierdalien1]

Carlo Enad shaky cam is the worst.

[@stevenpremmel4116]

To be fair they only do the reverse grip half way through the battle as if to say "I've been pretty easy on you so far but you've failed to die. Now for my super secret knife technique. Now you're for it."

[@breaden4381]

Anyone seen Mett Euston's video on this subject? It's pretty informative as well.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Yeah it's great.

[@NUSensei]

It always looked and felt wrong to me. I do agree on the "stage fighting" aspect - circular motions look nice. That's about it, mostly. I argued the same point for characters who use bows in melee combat - while they are generally *pretty bad* in melee, they're used in the worst possible way because it's easy to telegraph, and it looks nice on screen to see the curves and arcs in action.

[@tzimiscelord8483]

Also, intentionally slashing at the throat to set up a levered stab could easily be executed quickly out of using the knife in reverse to block

[@aswwafl]

Matt, everything you said was good and true, in the right order and goodly in detail and rate. I mean, fundamentally, or at the general, what else is there? Its great that you mentioned hooking as it is still instrumental in the Western mode or attitude of the mode elicited. In the east, still the shoulder barge. Put the two together and you get two knifes, one in normal orientation in the right hand, one reverse in your left, or vicce versa if you are left handed, for the majority of instances. Can't be said to sum that up with any other rapier et main gauche scheeme of any combination of weaponry therein. In that respect, the karambit does have it. So it's not that the karambit looks more than lethal, it is actually a less than lethal option; it's that the person who fears the karambit, fears unity or cojoining, with their rightful other. Also, I think that they are starting to say that if you find yourself with two knifes against another armed opponent, then adopting that style is usually the best, even whatever configuration your opponent has in his head or hands. Good things, Andrew.

[@zainabe9503]

A "KZbin expert", I expect nothing less.

[@grassyclimer6853]

I've also seen people make the argument of reverse grip for pushing in close combat making it harder for a grappler to turn your weapon against you

[@MPJ784]

In the case of swords, the most common type of sword to see with a reverse grip is the kataná. I'm going to risk saying here, which is a lot because of Iado's influence (probably misrepresented in manga or samurai movies ... I do not practice, so I do not know if this use it's correct or not), besides being an aesthetic option that responds to a need in movies and games to differentiate a ninjutsu practitioner from a samurai. Leaving this aside, a question or suggestion for a video: Matt, you as an instructor and someone who knows and has several types of swords in you collection, could you answer the following question: If it were to design a sword from scratch, what aspects of the swords you already had or used would you would incorporate to form a balanced weapon? (suggestion: armor technology is 1300 to 1400, but feel free to choose swords of any period) Ps-sorry bad English, Brasil here.

[@MPJ784]

No, Zatoichi already used the technique in his films (iai from scabbard), and they are from 1962 (26 films and a 100 episode series), and the first Japanese movie to win a Oscar was a 1951 Rashomon (Jidageki), so Japan culture was being reaching the Usa at the time. We see the reverse grip in the 1989 american movie “Blind fury” with Rutger Hauer, the move is some-kind of remake of Zatoichi. Also, Quentin Tarantino says in the Kill Bill extras that "Kage no Gundan" as one of his influences for his movie, as he was a fan and watched when he was young on cable. Also, Lone Wolf and Cub is from 1987. And I only citing a few examples of material that I know is available in the USA and that have had a considerable impact on pop culture in the 80s .... Anyway, we cannot estimate with certainty the effects of the Japanese cinema/tv/mangas had post WWII US, and we cannot pinpoint who was the first to show the reverse grip. But the fact that the movie “Hunted” have ninjas and have appeared 30 years after Zatoichi, basically nullifies the possibility of him being the origin of this trope, And states that the film was influenced by Japanese cinema and culture. All this place the roots of it in japan, probably in gekigas or Jidaigeki (if we are talking about Hollywood cinema).

[@MPJ784]

I was trying to remember where i see Ninjas using reverse grip, and the only example i can remember is in The Tenchu game series.... but there so much material to look, that i cant say for sure that the "reverse grip for ninja" is a thing or even a troop. But the iai part really makes sense.

[@phiengley]

One of Skallagrim's older videos actually dissected Riddick's knives and turns out they're a fairly reasonable fictional weapon? More knuckledusters than knives in use.

[@thehoopscoop]

what about the karambit? it is designed to be used in reverse grip slashing especially against tendons from what I recall.

[@MrFRIINGE]

thehoopscoop The Karambit is different in that if you were to slash with it you would really be hooking and slicing with the way the blade is shaped you don't need actuate the blade forward to to cut like you would with a flat edge. The karambit is a hook with an edge so the angle will basically do all the cutting rather than moving your wrist; therefore, I think it's an exception here.

[@thehoopscoop]

SpookyLizards that is what I was thinking. definitely seems to be an exception.

[@livinglifeform7974]

He mentioned the karambit in the video.

[@thehoopscoop]

He mentioned it but he did not discuss how it is properly used at all. From what I have seen, karambits very much are used in reverse grip slash attacks.

[@bozo5632]

Title is Reverse Grip In Sword And Knife Fighting In Movies. So, Karambit is not a sword, and is a fairly rare, specialized knife that seldom or never appears in movies. It's not ridiculous to use a Karambit in reverse grip, so it's just an asterisk to this video.

[@123colinfrost]

Valid observations Matt. When we start playing with point up/down drills the advantage of substantial extra reach with point up is quickly apparent. In silat If a point down grip is preferred it's mainly used in counter attacking particularly if the edge of the blade is facing back, that way the opponents limbs can be cut and stripped when they are trapped. More people need to call 'that's bollocks' more often!!

[@vlaaddracul1172]

You've quite obviously never been in a knife fight outside of playing in a studio. This channel is ridiculous and silly.

[@les3449]

I must disagree with you sir. Matt DOES have skill and is approaching this question from his skill set. He may not know all YOU know but as an old saying goes, "don't throw throw the baby out with the bath water." You appear too quick to judge and too willing to discard his knowledge. I doubt you are over 30 years old and are very impetuous.

[@bencowles2105]

Point down blade edge out in close quarters is an effective starting point. Transitioning from point up and point down is a critical skill that is useful in extreme close quarters.

[@stevemartin9046]

It's got its place! Just got to get your footwork spot on!

[@marcussmith7409]

Furyan Ulaks that Vin Diesel used are used more like brass knuckles, the bladed part swept off to the side is only used if the foe dodges his punch so he simply follows them with the edge to at least do a serious draw cut. It's a totally different fighting style then the reverse bladed movie style we see so often. The Ulaks are much more akin to boxing really. He also occasionally flips the Ulaks so the curved part rests on the bottom of his wrists and he can stab with them. Skallagrim explained that it wouldn't have the leverage and power behind it as a dagger thrust (I mean you can put your off hand on the pommel of the dagger for more force, but there's nowhere to grab on the ulak for your off hand for even stronger thrusts really) but it still would be pretty powerful and is the only reason why Ulaks would have a pointed end because otherwise you're needlessly endangering the user by risking them stabbing themself in the arm if they twist their wrist the wrong way.

[@vytas5584]

I always love the "talk about that in a minute" setups ☺

[@tomtom7955]

reverse grip is also good for concealing your knife, if you see a knife you might not let me get close enough to use it. those initial 2 draw cuts should be followed by a stab to the neck/clavicle area. i think the idea is to open the opponent with a superficial wound or distraction via 2 quick draw cuts while setting up for that downward stab to the neck/clavicle.

[@RogueWraith909]

In the case you mention it might also surprise the opponent and cause them to lose balance or back off, which could be good and bad in that they're likely to end up out of your reach... however if you walk past them it's a good position for knifing them in the back as you walk by.

[@tomtom7955]

@@RogueWraith909 I wasn't setting up a scenario. They were meant to be separate statements .

[@kevinschultz6091]

Note that the defensive slash up (essentially doing a quick uppercut) actually works really well - however, it's essentially a hand-pick/offensive parry against the arm of someone who also has a knife. Holding the knife in reverse grip, as you show, puts the blade against your forearm, and thus makes using it defensively a lot easier. But yeah - for cuts to the body, the only thing that really seems to work is what amounts to a (boxing) hook to the neck.However, one thing it does do is helps teach form - there's a tendency for people to want to swing knives in arcs - but you don't need to. It's really more of a punch. Putting a knife in reverse grip, and having someone do basic boxing moves against a bag, tends to get people a lot close to what the form should be (mostly straight, with a bit of elliptical movement at both ends of the swing). The other use of practicing the reverse grip for a sword (or shortsword/baton) is for disarms and "fumbling around on the ground if you've dropped your weapon" - ie, if, for whatever reason, you accidentally pick your weapon up wrong, or else disarm someone and end up with the weapon in reverse grip as a consequence. The (very rare) final reason to use the reverse grip is to do a quick switch and come back at someone on a different angle. I have an instructor that does this sometimes, and he's pretty good at catching his opponents with it. However, that's with a stick, which I would imagine is significantly easier to switch grips with than with a sword.

[@BrassStacks]

When I learned Filipino Modern Arnis we were taught both Eskrima and Kali. One of the two utilized the reverse grip and was extremely effective with it. I don't remember much, but one odd thing is that with the right sized knife you can protect your wrists and therefore keep your weapon longer against someone that is targeting tendons and muscles to disable you. "Defanging the snake" as M.Janich would say. You can be slick with the knife held this way. Seeing someone that knows what they're doing is very cool.

[@BrassStacks]

Btw, at about 5:50 you forgot about one key attack that I thought was very cool when I learned it, and that's to punch past/to the side of someone and cut them when you do. The act of punching "off target" can mess with someone's mind, and by the time they realize you did it to cut them instead of punch them it's too late.

[@longleaf1217]

so glad you talked about this. I have always thought it was the dumbest thing in so many movies. i mean i can see how using it in a hooking manor can be useful but i cant think of a single movie where i have seen anyone use it that way. using it with a slash is sooo stupid cause its both weak and has very short range compared to regular grip.

[@AdviceFromArron]

The knives in the thumbnail riddick actually used to stab, the ulak in the Riddick movies was designed for slashing and aside from a few small issues it works very well for that design.

[@thenorseman8964]

I know this is years old to comment but can't help myself! So, one great example of an actually useful reverse grip push-cut was at the end of Kurosawa's movie Yojimbo (IIRC). It was Toshiro Mifune's character; one on one duel and one upward cut on the draw, reverse grip. I'm sure the maneuver was chosen most especially since they happen to be standing extremely closely during the chi battle stare-down before the draw. It's a perfect example of everything you've pointed out here about the limited range and limited power; the range in this case was perfect because of how close they were but Mifune's left hand was also pushing the back of the blade into the opponent's body because of the relative weakness of that reverse-grip stroke. Go watch it; it's masterful!

[@jmalmsten]

I think none other than Kurosawa is partly to "blame" for draw cutting with katanas being popular. In Sanjuro (the somewhat sequel to the more known Yojimbo), the titular ronin does a surprise draw slash resulting in a very unconventional fountain of blood spraying out of his opponent. The amount of the river of blood was not intended but the director loved the shocking impact so he opted to use the "failed" take. This encounter then inspired hundreds of imitators to amp up blood sprays and severed limbs on screen to get that heightened reality. But as I rewatched the duel a few minutes ago. The argument about the weakness of the grip seems to not be lost on Kurosawa in his film as Mifune is seen using his other arm on the back of the blade to provide extra leverage and force to the slash. But it should also be noted that it was an unconventional move in the first place to show out of the box thinking as the characters were so close to each other that using the hand over the scabbard to draw the sword and slash in a single move provided the very minute few milliseconds of advantage over the more traditional opponent that had to reach over to grab the hilt before drawing his sword. And neither of them had armor, which probably helped. :)

[@cameronlloyd9752]

Several useful underhand strikes you missed. I studied a form of Hapkido where we trained with knife/dagger/karambit and we always held knives underhanded. No, we did not do sweeping draw cuts, but had several other striking/clinching techniques. One of the most common was to punch past someone's face or kneck, aiming for the eyes or carotid artery (especially brutal with a karambit). This was mostly to put someone on the defensive. Most of the damage would be done by hooking after you punched past them, either behind the neck or shoulder, then doing a big pulling draw cut back towards you. Would also use it in the clinch with the blade parallel to the forearm (in an arm bar for example) applying pressure in a joint lock. From there you can complete either the same sort of push-hook-pull series of cuts or rake the the blade up a limb. Sort of shaving up the length of a long muscle or bone. Again, these techniques weren't killing cuts in themselves, but aimed to cause pain and fear to stun an opponent to make it easier to get them into a tighter lock or onto the ground to either kill, incapacitate, or disengage.

[@VilleKivinen]

An Estonian friend of mine served in Russian VDV during late 80's, and the only way they were taught to use knives was always point down / icepick grip, since knife is a weapon for headbutt distance only, otherwise one has a rifle, and it's bayonet. And techniques he has showed me seem effective if one is willing to suffer horrible wounds in order to stay alive. In our Hapkido classes knives were always point up and free hand always in front.

[@bozo5632]

I bet those techniques didn't include a lot of horizontal slashing moves. I bet they didn't teach a reverse grip for the rifle and bayonet. I would say knife range is greater than head butt range. At head butt / grappling range, a reverse grip might make sense.

[@rubbers3]

I always see point up knife fighting is when you use a knife primarily as a weapon In and of itself, and point down is more of a grappling aid, rather than your primary weapon.

[@TwentythreePER]

I know Chronicles of Riddick was fake but I actually really liked that movie. Hollywood never did know how to handle weapons. Interesting video I'm glad you clarified.

[@angelsjoker8190]

In reverse grip there are two options in which direction the edge shows. You were holding it outward, but if you hold it inward, the hooking will additionally be cutting.

[@Sifuben]

Context! If you spar knife vs knife and both of you are good at hand fighting it's quite hard to get a clean stab and you spend a lot of time working from stalemate positions. Then draw cutting to the flexor tendons, biceps attachment, throat or eyes becomes quite useful in that it's something they have to defend which opens up the stab for you.

[@johannschmidt3389]

There are four basic ways to hold a single edged blade in one hand, and the forward reverse grip is one of them. The main problem I have with it is that it doesn’t work well with smaller blades and it takes a lot more force to make an effective cut. If you want a strong reverse grip, use the backwards reverse (Michael Mayers) grip. It’s really only good for grappling, but chances are in a knife fight, this will be useful more often than not.

[@wagujulemos609]

The Karambit is I Believe the only Knife that's Best for Reverse Grip. Good info Matt.

[@markkelly9621]

i think part of the reason it is used in movies is because it looks very exotic since it is not what most people would assume is the natural way a person uses a knife in a fight. Therefore it gives the impression that the person with the knife in that way must have some specialist, secret training.

[@robertschulke1596]

Personal experience: the index finger to heel of palm fulcrum is about 4x stronger than the little finger to web fulcrum. Working with (short bladed) knives cutting tough materials (paper factory stripping super calendar drums) the reverse grip push cut will go about 4x deeper than a forward grip pull or stab cut. This is likely much more relevant working inside your opponent’s defense (hugging distance), than outside (arm’s length). Try it on a phone book for example.

[@phillipnunya6793]

I've been occasionally practicing using a knife in a reverse grip with the blade toward me rather than facing out. It isn't ideal for slashing or getting a good reach, but it is ideal for using when being tackled and keeping the knife in your hand. You get the benefits of reverse grip in close quarters, but you also can use the edge to pinch against the attacker's skin and sawing or cutting them until they back off your knife hand.

[@FuzzyTrekkie]

Concerning the reverse-grip on swords, for the most part, I completely agree. However, in my Larp group, there are certain classes that are not allowed to use sheilds, for the people in those fighting classes who aren't as skilled in one-handed sword fighting, I've seen many of them fight with dual wielding swords and using reverse-grip with one of the swords (We call it the Earth And Sky technique). They tend to use that sword as a sheild and rarely use it for offense. The only time they do use it for offense is when the opponent has run up and pushed their other sword out of the way. At that point, they take their defensive sword, and stab with it. Unless the opponent is an advanced fighter, this usually catches them off guard since they practically run into the point of the defective sword.

[@aethos20]

@scholagladatoria speaking for knives only. zendokai, a martial art developed in Australia in the 80s, uses reverse grip and draw cuts for both attack and defense. the knife is held along the forearm and the force is applied by the arm and the rotation of the torso into the target. draw cuts are used because of the generally unarmored nature of modern combat, as well as because of the way they are viewed by the law. stabbing implies intent to kill in Australian law whilst draw cuts can be argued as being defensive and without intent to kill

[@calebpritchett8575]

If I remember correctly, the fight scene between Captain America and the Winter Soldier near the underpass uses the reverse grip correctly. The Winter Soldier quickly flips his knife around and stabs down, not slashes.

[@freman007]

One technique I've seen described is using a knife with the edge inwards with the blade below the hand. The attacker drives the blade into flesh, then uses the muscles in their shoulder and back to rip it towards them. It's not for dueling, it's purely a butcher's blow.

[@fisadev]

Dat intro. Intros are getting better by the day!

[@eightgeorge]

As you said the specialised knife for reverse grip fighting is the Karambit. This is a deadly weapon for close combat fighting. If you watch "Forged in Fire" season 4 episode 4, Doug Marcaida demonstrated how effective it was on a pork leg. A normal bowie knife would best for stabbing and slashing used like a sword for a reach weapon. If you know any martial arts and close combat fighting once you get inside your opponents space the Karambit is the best fighting weapon in my opinion.

[@southpawmoose]

THANK YOU!! especially for explaining the Reverse grip on knives.

[@patriotkarate8574]

A knife held in a reverse grip used for stabbing should be held with the edge back, not forward, so the edge is in line with the motion of the blade. This is important. The same thing applies to hooking too, since it will be the edge that cuts into the arm or whatever it is you hook. Whether forward or reverse grip is better depends on the type of knife and distance; close range and a shorter blade are good for reverse grip; longer range is better for a grip that extends your reach, even if only a little. There is a time reverse grip, even on a sword, can be useful, and has been taught to pragmatic martial artists. An old ninja technique is (at least said to be) holding the relatively shorter sword of the ninja in a reverse grip behind the back, with the hand, arm, and body hiding it. Then the ninja would suddenly slash forward. He would naturally shift to a forward grip after that as soon as it was practical, but he might make a few slashes before he does. The same technique with a knife is used by common criminals and police are trained to look for it. If you can't see all of a person's fingers, assume he's holding a knife in this way (or another weapon). What they do in movies though is really lame, a glorification of idiocy. It's painful to watch it. Obviously safety and ignorance are both reasons for this. But I think there is another reason. I think they do not want to show effective technique being used because it would become in effect a how-to movie on pragmatic martial art technique. It'd be like showing a person building a deadly boobytrap that really would be effective, even how to make the trigger, rigging, and so on. I don't agree with this concept; I think realistic technique should be shown, because the bad guys will be learning that stuff anyway. But I do think it's one of the bigger reasons they do it like they do.

[@cyberserk5614]

I trained Japanese sword in Japan and I can asure you: slashing with reverse grip is a thing with knife, short sword and especially with sword.

[@acyutanandadas1326]

Zatoichi?

[@cyberserk5614]

@@acyutanandadas1326 is the name of a fictional character a question?