Knife Fighting Basics

A knife fight (also called a duel, cut-and-thrust, or “snickersnee”) is a fight in which each combatant is armed with a knife. It is similar to a swordfight, except that knives are much shorter than swords, resulting in the combatants engaging at closer ranges.

There are many martial and military systems of knife fighting, which are usually distinguished by region and culture of origin. Proponents of knife fighting systems utilize sparring and drills to hone their skills. This practice is rooted in historical effectiveness where knife fights were more common.

Knife fighting is also emerging and quickly growing as a sport known as knife fencing where simulated knives are used to strike scoring zones for points.

Knife grips
There are multiple ways a knife can be held for offensive or defensive use. The two most common are the forward and reverse grips with the edge facing out.

The following are variations of the forward grip:

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