8 Mindblowing Knife Fighting Styles

Andries Viljoen
9 min readFeb 11, 2024

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8 DANGEROUSLY EFFECTIVE KNIFE FIGHTING STYLES

Knife fighting is far superior to guns when it comes to dealing with close combat and melee. These styles tend to emphasize fast, aggressive movement and sudden attacks that can disarm or even kill your opponent.

If you take the time to research you will find that there are many knife fighting styles. This post will expose you to these amazing styles. Knives are a practical and effective way to protect yourself when the need arises.

If you are interested in learning any of these methods, make sure that you train with a weapon that won’t hurt you and that you are constantly prepared to protect yourself.

#1 KNIFE FIGHTING STYLES: KALI ESKRIMA (ARNIS)

Because of its recent rise in popularity in countries other than the Philippines, the modern form of Arnis is now more commonly referred to as eskrima or escrima.

Filipino Knife Fighting Techniques : Kali / Arnis / Eskrima (youtube.com)

The Spanish translation of eskrima is to skirmish; however, it was not known by this name until after World War II when Filipinos began studying various martial arts such as judo and capoeira abroad and brought back their knowledge upon returning home.”

Arnis Knife Fighting is a martial art that uses a knife as its primary weapon. It is considered to be one of the most deadly martial arts in the world, and it is known for its quick and deadly strikes.

Arnis has been around for centuries, and it is still used by military personnel and law enforcement officers today.

According to an article published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, arnis knife fighting was developed by Spanish colonizers and then gradually passed on from generation to generation.

Arnis is still taught today mainly by tribal guru’s in the Philippines.

Arnis knife fighting is a highly aggressive martial art that focuses on creating openings in opponents’ defenses. It is one of the most lethal forms of knife combat known to man. It is a hybrid of Filipino martial arts, including other forms of knife fighting like Kuntaw and Silat.

It is characterized by a fast and aggressive style that focuses on attacking the opponent’s vital areas to quickly incapacitate him or her.

Arnis knife fighting has been practiced in the Philippines and many parts of Southeast Asia since the 1600s.

Kuntaw was originally practiced by the indigenous people of the Philippines and Malaysia. It is characterized by a fast and aggressive style that focuses on attacking the opponent’s vital areas to quickly incapacitate him or her.

#2 KNIFE FIGHTING STYLES: MCMAP

The MCMAP is a martial arts system that was developed by the United States Marine Corps. It is based on the use of the fighting knife and incorporates aspects of kung fu, tae kwon do, silat, krav maga, and boxing.

U.S. Marines instruct MCMAP Knife fighting to Afghan Security Detail (youtube.com)

The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) has integrated knife fighting into its system as a way to provide Marines with a well-rounded training experience that will allow them to defend themselves in any situation.

MCMAP training includes the use of both edged weapons, including knives and poles, as well as unarmed combat. The basic principles are based on the use of three basic principles: discipline, character, and teamwork.

Knife fighting is taught and used in conjunction with other martial arts.

#3 KNIFE FIGHTING STYLES: PARANZA CORTA

The Paranza Corta is an Italian knife fighting style developed in the late 19th century by Luigi Barbasetti and taught to soldiers.

Sicilian knife fighting — Raffaele Irmino school (youtube.com)

It was designed to be used with a knife and a stick, which makes it one of the most practical styles for self-defense.

Paranza Corta uses a lot of feints, misdirection, and stabbing attacks to keep your opponent off balance, making them easier targets for counterattacks or finishing touches.

The name comes from its use of short thrusts (paranza) instead of wide swings (corto).

Italian Knife Fighting is a style of knife fighting that uses a knife and a gun. It was developed by the Sicilian Mafia in 1860. The traditional Sicilian Knife fighting style is called Paranza Corta, which means

short blade. However, there are also other styles like Paranza Lunga (long blade) or Daga Larga (broadsword). In these styles “Siciliano” can be found as well as an Italian dialect from Sicily.

The first thing to learn about Italian Knife Fighting is that it requires you to have both hands free, meaning no firearms or other weapons can be used during combat except for throwing knives or daggers when necessary because when facing multiple opponents it will allow them more time for attack if not killed outright on sight by anyone who sees this person coming towards them with such weapons before they reach their destination where they intend on killing someone else and then themselves after completing their mission successfully.”

#4 KNIFE FIGHTING STYLES: PENCAK SILAT

The term “Pencak silat” was coined in 1948 by Indonesian President Sukarno. The name comes from the words Pencak (a performing art) and silat (the art of self-defense).

Basic Knife Fighting Entries — Silat Suffian Bela Diri (youtube.com)

In Pencak silat training, students learn to use any part of their body as a weapon and how to rely on their own techniques to protect themselves from an attack.

Pencak silat practitioners generally use small knives during training sessions because they are easier for beginners to handle than larger knives such as machetes or swords.

These smaller blades are also more suited for indoor practice, where space may be limited, especially in busy metropolitan cities like Jakarta where there are many people living close together in high-rise

apartments or row houses built with balconies overlooking one another’s windows across streets lined with cars parked bumper-to-bumper along curbside parking spaces lined up between sidewalks filled

with pedestrians walking alongside vendors selling everything from fresh fruit juices made using freshly squeezed fruits at juice stands operated by local vendors who live nearby

#5 KNIFE FIGHTING STYLES: SYSTEMA SPETSNAZ

Systema Spetsnaz is a Russian martial art that was developed by the Soviet Union, and it is designed for both lethal and non-lethal attacks.

Knife Fighting Exercises — Knife Self Defense — Russian Systema Spetsnaz Training — YouTube

The system was created using techniques from military hand-to-hand combat, self-defense, and special operations tactics.

It has since been modified to include elements from other martial arts such as boxing, wrestling, karate, and jiujitsu.

Systema Spetsnaz knife fighting is a form of knife fighting that originated in the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The Soviet special forces units were the primary users of this system and they trained extensively to be able to defend themselves against any potential attack.

This knife fighting style is different from other forms of knife fighting in that it focuses on using the opponent’s own momentum against him/her.

This is achieved by using the techniques of karate and jujitsu, to throw the opponent off balance.

This style was actually developed as an alternative to traditional fighting styles because it focuses on practicality over aesthetics like many other forms do (like karate).

#6 KNIFE FIGHTING STYLES: TANTO JUTSU

Tanto Jutsu is a modern martial art based on the use of the tanto. It was developed by Sōke Takayuki Kubota and is a combination of Japanese martial arts and traditional Japanese knife fighting.

Mini Serra TurboBlade [ULTRA PRECISÃO] (youtube.com)

The system focuses on hand-to-hand combat, rather than using weapons to engage in close combat situations. Because of this, students learn how to defend against attacks from both armed opponents as well as unarmed ones.

They also learn how to use their knives in close-quarters battle scenarios, such as when an attacker has grabbed them or is attempting to disarm them.

The art of knife fighting, or Tanto Jutsu, is a martial art that uses knives as the main weapon. This ancient art has been used by warriors for centuries and is still being taught today.

There are many different ways to use a knife in a fight, and the techniques vary depending on the type of knife being used.

#7 KNIFE FIGHTING STYLES: HEMA

If you’re interested in the history of knife fighting, then HEMA is a great place to start.

2018 Short Blade Symposium HAMA vs HEMA EPIC knife fight! (youtube.com)

HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) is the study of historical European martial arts as opposed to modern fencing, karate, or other martial arts. In other words, it’s not just learning how to use a knife in combat — it’s also learning about how people used knives back then and why they did so.

It’s important to note that while HEMA is often associated with modern-day fantasy swordplay reenactments and Renaissance fairs, there are many styles of fighting practiced under its banner.

#8 KNIFE FIGHTING STYLES: KAPAP

KapapAnything to do with a knife could be deadly. It all comes down to how you use the weapon:

  • Is The Energy Placement right?
  • Are you using economical motions?
  • How is your structure?

All of them have different techniques and philosophies that may or may not suit you. Be sure to research each skill set, and find one that suits your needs and style.

Kapap Knife Fighting : Sparring Experience from Kapap Indonesia (youtube.com)

There is a wide variety of approaches, to fighting with a knife.

Some emphasize speed, while others emphasize strength and power; some include a limited number of techniques, while others place a heavy emphasis on improvisation and creative thinking; and some require no physical contact at all.

There are even more knife fighting styles that we haven’t discussed such as dual dagger fighting styles or Krav Maga Knife Fighting styles.

Our view on knife fighting styles is the same as our view of all martial art styles. It’s a good idea to be familiar with most if not all knife-fighting martial arts.

BASIC KNIFE FIGHTING TIPS

Fighting with a knife is one of the most dangerous situations you can find yourself in. Because it’s so close range, there’s no room for error.

If you miss your target or make a mistake with your grip, you could easily end up severely injured or dead. But that doesn’t mean you should be afraid to fight back!

There are ways to defend yourself when faced with an attacker armed with a weapon — and we’ll show them to you right here.

HOLD THE KNIFE IN YOUR DOMINANT HAND

It’s important to hold the knife in your dominant hand. If you’re left-handed, hold the knife in your right hand. If you’re right-handed, hold the knife in your left hand.

It’s also a good idea to practice using both hands so that if necessary, you can use either one while fighting.

This is especially true if there is an opponent with a similar skill level who is holding a weapon of some sort like brass knuckles or a club.

STRIKE AT VULNERABLE AREAS

You should also be aware of the different areas on the body that are more vulnerable to different types of weapons. For example, if you have a knife and your opponent has a sword, aim for the arms or hands.

If you’re unarmed and your opponent has a knife, aim for their head or neck area (ideally while they’re distracted).

MOVE SWIFTLY AND UNPREDICTABLY

When you’re facing off with an opponent, it’s important to keep moving.

This can be easier said than done since you’re likely going to want to stay in one spot and defend yourself from your attacker, but if you find yourself in this position, it’s best to move around them instead of staying still.

If your opponent is attacking you from the front and has their knife pointed at your chest, for example, move swiftly behind them so that they don’t have a chance of hitting any vital organs or organs at all.

Move swiftly and unpredictably when out on the streets as well.

If someone comes up behind you while walking home at night (or anytime!), turn around quickly enough that they can’t catch up but not so quickly that they think they’ve scared you into running away just yet;

then run as fast as possible towards where there are more people before slowing down again once confronted by another person with a weapon.

Conclusion

As can be seen, there are a variety of martial arts that focus on knife combat. There are also numerous distinct approaches to fighting with a knife, and each of these approaches has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

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