My dad trained with Maj. Fairbairn at Area C at QUANTICO, VA in the OSS during World War II. Fairbairn was legendary! He brought his knife home and kept in the night stand along with his OSS .45 pistol.
There is a gentleman who served with the Rhodesian SAS who, sometime around 2010 was contracted to train US special operations units a course that centered around hand-to-hand combat. I participated in this course prior to a deployment overseas. Much of the principles shown here, as well as the movement shown, mirrors exactly what we were taught. The course lasted nearly three weeks and much of it was very brutal.
Finding this channel has me thinking about my father, who passed just under one year ago. A veteran of The Pacific Theater, Korea, and a few months of Vietnam, his formative years were spent growing up hard in the mountains of Western North Carolina. This type of feral upbringing saw him take to the martial arts of Judo and Defendu as if he were born to it, which culminated in the creation of a dangerous man that would suffer no fools. His military career saw him standing at just 5'5", 160lbs of twisted steel and bad intent, however I'd still probably put money on him in a 1v1 against nine out of ten yardbirds on any level 4 prison yard.
People LISTEN from 5:48! Those are words of a man who knows what he is talking about! You want to KEEP your blade and you do NOT want to be hampered from doing what you feel you need to do. Having that knife outside of your center makes your motion too long and wide and easier to defend. This guy did a great job and should be listened to instead of the FMA videos that are not as practical.
Barry, you're one of the few youtubers who actually know and demonstrate the 'proper' application of the retention thumb lanyard. I have a rare video of Col. Rex Applegate explaining how and why both he and Fairbairn collaborated on improving the F/S dagger by creating the Fairbairn/Applegate combat knife. He gives documented history on the failures of the F/S dagger in combat during WW2. And how the F/A combat knife corrects those issues. The gerber mk2 is an excellent military combat knife as well. I knew some guys in my Infantry unit whom carried one. I carried an armor piercing, chisel point, combat knife while active duty but never needed it for CQC cause the only time a Soldier needs to use his combat knife is if he's seriously failed at his training. For sentry and guard dog removal we have sound depressers. Down range most of the OpFor had alot of dogs that acted as guard/alarm dogs that would give away the presence of a raid. You're not crawling up on several dogs to shank them w/a dagger before they sound the alarm. Same goes for multiple guards. We use sound depressed firearms for that now. Carrying a dagger or knife on the off hand side of the chest rig allows an Infantryman or operators to create space if one fails at their training during CQB, clearing rooms, and gets their weapon grabbed or gets tackled by an OpFor while coming through a fatal funnel in extreme close quarters. But again, very rare, since CQB is firearm based engaging threats while tactically pieing corners. Operating in fire teams. Our tactical training, particularly in CQB, is far more advanced than our WWII grandfathers had. The regular infantry today has more tactical training than special forces commandos of WWII recieved. Still, strange anomalies occur, in rare cases infantry and light infantrymen have had to engage in hand2hand/CQC, like the U.S. Army Ranger who killed an OpFor w/an MRE spoon (true story, look it up). And when some outnumbered U.S. Marines fixed bayonets and charged the enemy in Iraq (you can google that). We train unarmed combatives/CQC and when I first enlisted we also trained bayonet combat, our ranger officers taught us how to use the knife to kill in CQC, even though we were taught if we had to use this stuff it meant we screwed the pooch, failed our training, but the mentality was better to have and not need than to need and not have. Also, most of us came from prior service wrestling, bjj, judo, muay thai or mma backgrounds. Many trained in unarmed combat arts, martial arts, krav maga or filipino arts in free time to keep acquiring new skills, even if it's highly unlikely professional gun fighters will resort to unarmed combat or shank-fu. But no highspeed active duty infantry or light infantry Soldier doesn't cultivate combatives/cqc skills anyway. Being well rounded is part of the warrior profession. Hooah. ♣
These are excellent thoughts and demonstration of skills. Notice his eyes and where the business end of the blade is presented, always to the threat. Like he said, the threat has to make it past his knife's defense.
Thank you for an informative video. Born and raised in Hong Kong as a lifelong martial arts student, I am versed in Fairbairn’s methods, history, and somewhat familiar with Applegate. As an “old horse” I can personally tell you, as it was in Fairbairn’s time, not much has changed in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Old manuals refer to the snake cut as a viper strike. I noticed you use reverse slashes, that rely on the radial bone of the wrist and the thumb, for grip strength and cutting power. I avoid this as I find it a weak cut. Sure it can draw blood, but can also knock the knife from your hand. Which incidentally is why you use a wrist strap. Specifically, Fairbairn cautioned that arteries that were merely nicked would tend to coagulate and stop bleeding, whereas only arteries that were severed clean through would bleed out. Hence I do not use reverse slashes, but I do use reverse stabs. It is my opinion that while Fairbairn’s footwork was excellent, he being a military instructor, like all the rest of them, necessarily must also be a salesman first and foremost, in order to convince the top brass and get funding. I’ve noticed military combative instructors without exception also have a breadth and depth of lexical repertoire that borders on elephantiasis considering most of the battles they fight are done with words, obviously. That said I find it curious that most of Fairbairn’s movements are clearly influenced from a fencing background, not necessarily his fencing background, but more plausibly due to whom he was dealing with, other military men whom had a fencing background, indicated by his use of majority slashing techniques which by his own admission are defensive in nature, for instance his number one preferred target being the enemy’s left or nearest arm in 85% of people, the left brachial artery on the inner elbow, yet the business end of the blade ultimately is for stabbing, as the Roman Gladius, and the Chinese word for assassin 刺客 literally “one who pierces “. This strikes me as a case of techniques for show versus techniques for go. Would you agree? Finally, is the issue of the grip. Fairbairn used as you demonstrated and explicated, the thumb and index finger grip, an elegant grip for an elegant tool. I do not use a wrist strap for the simple reason, a marine who drops his rifle is a dead marine, a Spartan who loses his shield is a dishonoured Spartan, if you drop your blade, you deserve it. The blade should be held with the understanding that life and death depend on it, not just your own, but everybody who is counting on you as well. Knife Fighting from Folsom Prison Put ‘Em Down Take ‘Em Out, recommends the hamfisted grip in the cup or eye of the palm, tight as all life depends on it. Yes, that changes how the blade is used, less show, more go. Tingo Tango as I like to call it, ‘knife fighters’ pawing at each other, is a bit different than the real thing. What are your thoughts on that? I don’t recall Fairbairn ever addressing what is to be done once the blade goes into the enemy, a failure methinks, for the real damage is done after the blade is in them, with a good heave or twist to rend them wide open. For instance, attorney literally means, one who turns the knife. Our people used to be more familiar with a blade, such as the Leathernecks who dealt with the Moro guerillas. WW1 and 2 saw proper Bowies used to skull cleaving effect; today as men’s balls get smaller, their blades also get smaller, clearly. They now sell rubbish for 350$ that matches their peckers.
Another question, Fairbairn recommended the blade be mirror polished much like a Spartan shield and should effectively glow in the dark like a light sabre such that if the enemy never sees it, all the same, conversely if he does see it, he’ll piss himself, and be paralysed by fear. This was a big principle in Fairbairn’s jargon and selling points that the simple but brutal cold steel once held in the hand immediately imbues it’s wielded with courage and strikes his enemies with terror. Today’s knives almost exclusively opt for black blades that cannot reflect light. An enemy cannot be intimidated by what he cannot see now can he? The point is this: when a blade is drawn on an unarmed foe, he’s either running or getting butchered, no challenge no sport no problem there; conversely, if he’s neither running nor being butchered meaning, he’s not a non-problem, then that’s because he has the means and the grit to fight back and actually thinks he can win, ie, he’s a real problem. Just as a cat cannot resist his eye following motion, a flashing blade glinting the promise of cold steel provides the additional bonus of arresting the enemy’s gaze thereby putting him on the defensive which is precisely where we want him, a minor problem awaiting an inevitable solution. We don’t want him on the offensive, that’s our business. What is your opinion on that? I find it a testament to the boyish naivety of modern males whom are not men by any sense of the word that so many have overlooked this and forgot the dear-bought wisdom of the ages. If glinting and drawing premature attention prior to ambush were a concern, then he who suggests such, automatically concedes poor trigger discipline and technique, for a blade is easily concealed.
I've studied martial arts and lots of weapons training, including blades. And you my friend explained what I needed to know about attacking with a knife.
Hi , new subscriber here.. This is the only video I've seen showing REAL KNIFE FIGHTING techniques.. The knife is a massively underestimated weapon which is often superior to a gun at close range . Thanks .
I was in the fencing varsity team in college. When I had knife fighting training in the Marines, my fencing training helped me immensely especially in blocking, parrying and counter sticking. I also had a great advantage using fencing footwork.
I am an old man with terrible arthritis and fibro pain, many times I dream I am in a fight and being cut to ribbons, now I can learn how to fight back! I don't wan't to hurt anyone, but I guess in my nightmares it is ok. Thank you, looking forward to battling those creeps on an even footing! You are one scary looking dude behind that knife, I doubt any amateurs would hang around long , once they saw you were proficient and serious .
Good video. Useful information. 👍🏼👍🏼 I remember back in the ‘80’s in the Corps during a knife class being told to always have the knife in front of your body. Just makes sense. And muscle memory is a real thing too… so always be practicing and training.
I use to train with an Army guy who taught me a version of this! Together with the Filipino system it's darn near perfect! Kinda like fencing with a knife meets the Filipino slashing style. Cool stuff. I'm happy that I taught this to my sons! Great channel!
I do the Filipino ice pick style grip. It's for a small knife, a karambit. For a longer knife the standard grip might have a value, you can't throw with an ice pick grip.Fine video.
I just got finished re-watching an OSS training film (dubbed into Spanish with English subtitles) on Fairbairn himself demonstrating his knife techniques. The line drawings in Fairbairn's _Get Tough!_ give a stilted and static presentation of Gutter Fighting. Really useful to see the Old Man himself show just how fluid and fast it was in actual practice. You definitely got fluid and fast down pat.
My Father always told me. " Son never pull a knife if your not going to use it & never use if your not willing to kill. "" Given that he also told me on separate occasions how to hold it,,, maintain an edge,,,where,,,how & when to attack,,,but he stressed as most important,,,"" Like your knife,,,always keep your mind sharp & know when to pull it. ""
Pulling a knife is using it. As a person of small stature, many kids and a few adults have made the mistake of thinking that they were going to assault me with ease. A knife in my hand sent them the other direction. One kid pulled a knife after I successfully beat his ass during an earlier confrontation when he attacked me. I pulled out a bigger knife and he stood there for a minute or two, then put his back in his pocket and left. He had to get his ass beat again about a year later before he learned his lesson. He didn't bring a knife that time though. I have been stabbed once, but it didn't hurt. It just pinched. I thought it was just a little cut until blood started soaking my whole leg. It went in a little less than two inches. When the medics started working on it, blood squirted about three inches out of the wound. Just knicked my femoral artery. Got to go back to the rear and enjoy air conditioning and be clean for the first time in over two weeks though. Took about 3 months to heal to where I could start carrying a full combat load. The muscle was cut against the grain. I still have a nice pucker where the dagger went in.
Great demonstration. I think there is also value in the forced breathing to generate speed and power. I think that since a knife can slip due to blood or hitting bone its good if a knife has a post at the front and at the end of the handle so no slip forward or backward.
Barry, I like that you use a strap on your blades. I use a pocket knife strap on my middle finger instead of the thumb. That strap position allows you to switch from a knife up to a down position and allows you to open the blade without touching it, also it makes it unlikely to be kicked out of your hand. I'm a former Eskrima and 3-weapon fencing instructor who has more than 20+ years of experience in teaching stick, sword & knife fighting in Honolulu, Hawaii. You did a good job on this video. Most of the commentators have never done anything with a knife.
Hell yeah, I'm glad RUclips is promoting this otherwise I would've missed it. Well done Barry, I'd hate the be the guy who tries to mug you in the middle of the night. That sabre cut would give a whole new meaning to "spilling his guts"...
When thrusting with a quillioned double-edged dagger/fighting knife, if the tip of the thumb is wedged behind the quillion, the impact of the thrust is on the tip of the thumb . . . if the tip of the thumb slips against this surface in a cut or a thrust (say, for instance, that there is blood on the hand/haft/quillion area) then the grip on the knife is disrupted and the knife can very easily be dislodged from the grip by the impact of the thrust or the torque caused by the cut. I was taught that the flat of the blade should be under the thumb, with the quillions resting against the curled forefinger. If the knife meets resistance in the thrust, it is absorbed in the palm of the hand and against the curled forefinger, which distributes the force more evenly. It being said that this hand position is matter of choice, the fact remains that the 'faster" grip is also the most secure.
Finally some good cqb. So many young people think they can ufc the way out of a knife fight. You aren’t disarming someone like this with these styles. You can recognize macsog or fairbanks by the posture and grip. You see that and you don’t have a knife or gun you best run. Many cqb styles from the Vietnam conflict era are still the best to learn and use. Lethal combat techniques vs sparing are two different things. The guys on some of these channels will get wrecked or get people hurt if they think they’re going to have some type of grappling edge over a blade.
I ha a fairbairn sykes commando dagger that was made in sheffield england. Its not an old school gen 1 or 2. I think mine is a gen 3 made to look like a gen 2. There are so many characteristics that determine the type. The knife does remind me of the V42 military stiletto. Nice knife overall.
If you found this video interesting check out "Fairbairn Protocol - Commonality of method used in W.E. Fairbairn's Gutter Fighting" as it puts Fairbairn knife, Gutter Fighting and other weapons together. ruclips.net/video/AqqPDpN1lUk/видео.html
This is brilliant stuff! This is very similar to the angles of Escrima that I was taught when I began studying it. Unfortunately I haven't been trained with my guro, so I began looking into Fairbairn Combatives in the meantime. I've been in martial arts for most of my life in some capacity or another - and I've never gotten to the point of proficiency where I would be confident to teach others. And given how LtCol. Fairbairn designed his system to be absolutely effective and very easy to learn, it has caught my attention. I'm not running down my Shotokan Karate training (10+ years) or my Escrima study - both are excellent arts and I still hold onto what I've learned from them - but Fairbairn's system has been pressure tested on record from day one. And that's why I hope to learn it, and become proficient enough to perhaps start teaching it!
I always liked the Sykes -- Fairbairn knife (dagger style) but always thought of it more as a good, well-built assassination weapon such as used for quick, unexpected and silent kills of sentries and such. For a hand-to-hand knife fight, I like a big bowie, a K-Bar, or a kukri-style knife. But of them all, I'd rather be the guy that brought a gun to a knife fight instead of the other way 'round.
Nice one Barry. Just found your channel. The thumb-behind-quillion orientation method makes sense of the S-shaped quillions on the Pattern 1 FS which Fairbairn and Sykes designed. It also might explain the apparently original 3-inch quillions of the prototypes.
Great reminder that we don't need big movements to get big cuts . I've been cut 6 times bad enough to require stitches . Not once was the blade in somebody else' s hands . They, were either in my own hand , lying in a sink, or twice a dull putty knife just sitting in my back pocket . Try getting a pork roast and have a go at it with your carry blade . Knives are terrifying to face .
I trained a bit with the foil in college and afterwards went to a trainer teaching Filipino knife fighting style that had very little thrusting movements but a lot of small circular thrusting.
I had the same experience. In college joined the fencing club and trained with the French Foil. While stationed in Manila, I learned Filipino Knofe fighting. A lot of slashing moves and combinations with the Balisong!
Having lived in the Philippines for 8 months to learn a different way of knife fighting and seen 2 men getting killed with knives, I promise you that there are plenty of trusting movements. And this man lacked both good foot movements and good balance when demonstrating.
This knife fight style exist since WW1 when Arditis the Italian elite unit killed so many Austrian- Hungarian soldier and took back the Italian occupied territories from Austrian-Hungarians & Germans. British SAS took the motto ( Who Dares Win) from this guys ARDITIS
The arditi using totally different sistem of knife fight.. In hand to hand use a ju jitzu and the knife techniques are a mix of SCHEMA DEL FIORE medieval dagger sistem.. And tantodo of jappan.. The arditis knife have a not extremely sharped blade.. Are made to stab.. And in the trench the best techniques are close the distance ingage a close combat and using the knife to stab.. With a braceknuckle in left hand and knife in right hand
The video said, "The best knife is the one your used to, the one your comfortable with". I think the best knife is the one your willing to carry everyday, just like grabbing your wallet, keys and cell. For me, that's the Benchmade Bugout.
Great technique. Great for those less skilled, as for example when you are are doing a defensive strike to your opponents' flexor tendons in their forearm, which is moving rapidly, you need a lot of practice to land it. With this method, there is no aiming, and it is better at deterring the aggressor when it comes to personal defense, as I sure know if someone is swinging their knife back and forth many times a second, I wouldn't want anything to do with them. It is harder to control someone like that. As you said, since you never pause at the end of your motion, there isn't much of an opportunity for a disarm.
If a one does not want to spent much time for training fighting techniques one does to limite the number and difficulty of the techniques he want to train. But one have to train the techniques every day at least one time, so that it become natural moviments. In Belgium and The Netherlands it is forbidden to carry any kind of fighting knife. In my town it the law is so written that one can not have chopstikes on ones person if he does not need them to eat with. I train every day twenty techniques without weapons, mostly from Fairbairn, and the same number of techniques with the walking stick. Simple techniques, noting fancy as one can see on you tube. Simple and practical in use. It take me five minutes a day. Because I do not want to be depended on a trainingpartner, my walking stick is my virtual opponent in the first training routine. Then I seek physical contact with the stick. Fighting hurts, better get used to it. Just yesterday, I found by accident a ice pick methode that takes me 20 secondes a day to master. Your simple routine I will add to my training. It will take me an other 20 secondes daily.
Love your ideas, I train the same way, with techniques taught to me by my father, A Marine in ww2, including walking stick, and knife,, ive trained in boxing, and jiu jitsu, but Fairbairns system stays my basis,
The Fairbain system is great in dealing with another 7 or 8 inch blade. But IMO it's main weakness are the flashy cuts and strikes when dealing with a some different blade types. I believe it would be perhaps out of its element when dealing with a knife such as the "Musso" Bowie. Being 18 inch in length, with a 12 inch blade, a 5 inch handle and a full length brass strap secured to the blade spine. Contrary to belief, the Bowie was designed primarily to be for multifunctional uses. The brass strap was added to absorb blade shock when being used as a hammer. Not as a blade 'catcher" as some believe. But for self defense when the knife blade is held upward, it can produce enough power to break bones, and this doesn't include injuries from the devastating "back cut". The Fairbain is truly a beautiful knife, and correct me if i am wrong, but is also issued to the French Forward Legion.
Knives are devastating weapons.. I've not witnessed a stabbing, but I've seen my fair share of videos. People who think they can casually engage in a knife fight are truly delusional
The thumb position is a bit technical for me. In a real adrenalin charged knife encounter gripping in a hammer grip with thumb wrapped around is more likely, stronger and with enough aggression just as useful if not so pretty. Most knife fights I witnessed or attended afterwards with the Barangay Tanod (community police) in Bogo and Talisay, Cebu, the knife was used in a stabbing way and usually frantic, sewing machine style. Never saw a 'duel', either. All very instant, immediate, no time to think it was already happening... or had happened. Basically 4 years in the Philippines changed my whole mindset and teaching on bladed weapon combat.
Love the Gerber Mark II, especially the slightly more modern version with double serrations. It's the knife that got me into knife collecting, even though I never actually got to own one :-D. Might have to pick one up some day.
As a former boxer i like the idea of using 2 knives in a fight. I carry one in my left hand that i can throw as a fast jab and the right hand is used for thrusts.
@@vincentlee7359 True, though knife fighting is basically bogus, unless you live in a society where it is normal. These knives are really for killing people who didn't realize they were in the fight at the time. You could defeat the guy with that knife if you had a cane, and canes aren't illegal anywhere I know of. You can even take them on airplanes.
@@HondoTrailside Okay, go outside fight some experienced knife fighter in the Philippines or some Brit while you use a cane and video it lol I want to see how easy it is to beat a knife fighter. I can tell you haven't gotten into any actual fights. I've seen people die trying to fight against a dude who had kniveS on him. Seen people throw knives, I've seen people pretend to lose their knives only to get closer and shank them. Experienced knife fighters are very scary even if you have a long stick. Don't forget: they too can grab and use the same stick you have.
The principles seem very much the same as with a saber. The V-42 has a thumb groove on the flat of the blade I always figured was for stabs, I like it because it offers another option even if it is situational. But you make a good point about commonality which I like, K.I.S.S.
Nice 👍 Your points are very valid and sound and yes the best knife is the one you feel comfortable with and the one you like using ,that a fact especially if it going to be use to possibly defend yourself against harm. ⚔️🤺💯
The thumb placement definitely makes your mobility higher, but it also is a little more technical and not wrapping your thumb around the handle makes it much easier to accidentally have it knocked from your hand. However, I agree with nearly everything else you said. Good work.
ruclips.net/video/eKwlwvM7IJc/видео.html I slightly alter knives I ways to make them more practical for utility, repetitive, or niche specific work. Dancing the line between practicality and fun. Love to hear your opinion. Imagine a knife with a lever between the mid and index finger resting at the knuckle. It allows you to penetraye deeper, retreat more easily, and retain grip in almost any circumstance. I feel as though I'm overlooking some obvious problem, the simplicity of the design seems like someone else should have thought of it. Video related is a knife I use for tearing apart coconuts without blistering, but many other prototypes under way. Until now I hadn't thought of arranging a lever that would orient the thumb. My biggest fear has always been stabbing someone in the ribs, slipping and slicing my hand in half. The lever eliminates that fear at least. Could talk about this for hours
I think the method displayed in "kill or get killed" is the best(almost like a boxers stance extreme mobility just shoot the knife out there like a jab and using the empty hand to create an opening or shield) similar to don pentecost book put em" down take em" out.
Excellent video, I own an Applegate Fairbairn boot knife from Boker, I love the knife but the sheath it came with is terrible, I wish I could find a leather sheet with a metal clip so I could carry it when I don't carry my Perrin street bowie.
Cutting takes a distant backseat in effectiveness to thrusting. Stabs pierce organs, create deep tissue hemmoraging, and incapacitate far quicker than cuts do (in blades smaller than 7 inches especially). Without severing a major vessel (carotid, jugular, brachial, radial), cuts have mostly a psychological effect, and are often not a fight stopper. Targetting the hands with slashes is a good tactic, but likened to the jab setting up the cross. The thrust(s) better be delivered, if retreat is not an option.
Excellent comment well stated and in my opinion quite accurate. I like the mention of the 7" blade. With complete respect to the specifics of it, may I ask how you came to focus on 7"s?
That was _way_ more instructive than the previous video. In the previous video the slashing seemed frivolous and theatrical. Maybe a good distraction or intimidation tactic but nothing more and no threat to a determined attacker. In this one, however, you demonstrated at speed it and looks a lot more formidable. The explanations are well made. The snap cut makes a lot more sense as a precursor to a serious thrust. Your breathing seems pretty well matched to the technique. Did Fairbairn have instruction on breathing during a fight? I used to own a Gerber like that. It was cool but beware. Gerber blades tend towards the brittle side. I broke mine throwing it at a tree (dumb I know). The tang inside the handle broke. That was way back in '88, so maybe Gerber improved a bit. But if they didn't understand if you use it in real life you gotta go for soft targets and don't get it caught in a rib cage. Somehow I missed the part about the eye.
With all respect, self defence is about fighting a more experienced, so a one-on one engagement for a beginner is not recommended, maybe only for a person with your experiences. Beginnershould run away or make use of everything not to get cut, like umbrella, suitcase, jacket or towells,....Best regards and no attackers. Paul,68, retired istructor of Karate
You are absolutely correct! In this video I am 100% focused on the upper basics as an introduction of the FS knife. For a complete documentation of fighting the inclusion of the associated footwork would be mandatory. Good eye!
So, you are positioned square on. Can you explain why this is better than reducing your size by a more sort of fencing pose? Like side facing the assailant? Leg out in front and body turned to reduce surface area, knife out in front lead hand cutting/slashing up and down? Keeping the reduced surface area covered with the up N down cuts? Excuse me for not being able to articulate my self. Good video
In a two second answer - Trade-offs is the reason. There is a distinct difference between knife-fighting vs fighting-with-a-knife. The latter being what I am showing where the advantages of boots & strikes traded in at the cost of the loss of extreme blading of the body.
We call that back n forth movement the "sneaky snake". FYI- if you don't rotate wrist and cut wirh the backside of the knife, you risk disarming yourself. This is a big no no unless you are trying to nick an ear or something very weak. Cheers!
21 feet is dangerous for a person who knows how to fight with a blade. It's hard to believe and I didn't until I saw with my own eyes. Sometimes we don't realize how a few seconds can make a huge difference. Train. All the weapons in tge world mean nothing if u can't effectively use them when needed. Don't be tge guy who buys a gun and it sits in nightstand. Train. Even drawing and dry fire. Train.
@@pietrodangelo8460 If u asked ppl most would swear that a man with a gun can stop a man with a knife. Not so. The old saying Don't bring a knife to a gun fight is a falsehood. When I was in Marines doing predeployment training and we walked over to a table with fake blue K bars and a old man with a beer belly . He was there to teach us about knife fighting and CQC. I thought what's pappy gonna teach us. Well we had simunition, 9mm rounds with a light load and plastic tips that when hit would leave a paint mark. Hurts like hell. Anywho he started out at 21 feet and he charged while we pulled and fired with a loaded chamber. He won every time. He won over 21 feet cause he does this for 40 years and train weekly. That old man was SF in Vietnam. He moved so fast and would cut urr neck both sides, and 2 stabs to center mass and 2 inside of legs in groin. Then he went over joint manipulation. He used 1 hand, other tied behind his back. He'd have us down and tapping fast. Then a lil lady marine who was a mcmap instructor said Come at me. We went soft and she said Come on u guys a bunch of Bitch scared of a lil woman? Well I went at her ready to take her down and in a dodge, grab and throw I was on my back, her knee in my neck, and my arm bent like it shouldn't be. I knew this lesson but completely got it fully. Never judge a book by its cover. That old man, or a 90 pound woman might just be urr end. Never judge a book by its cover. Always respect urr elders and ladies. And the movies are not real. Urr not John Wick and urr not gonna dodge bullets or disarm a attacker with a weapon unless u train. All the guns and knives in the world won't do no good if u don't train with them weekly. We may think we're as good as we once was but even a month off makes u lose a step or 2. Seconds matter. All Law Enforcement should do this training. I respect all ppl in uniform but some of these ppl need to take their jobs and their lives more serious. I've saw ppl who can't barely tie shoes, do 1 pull up or run around patrol vehicle. How they gonna stop a threat? I think if that's urr job u should have a physical fitness requirement that's pretty strict. We've all seen the bad guy who resists and it takes 5 cops to get him down and cuffed. If that guy had a weapon LE would be in life and death trouble. Our NCOS would pair us up with guys way bigger than us. I thought they liked seeing us get ass whooped but it was cause urr not always gonna be the big guy. And I've seen some dudes who looked like a book nerd manhandle some big guys. But they knew how to handle themselves and had backgrounds in wrestling, martial arts etc and trained. Ppl don't have to look like the rock, or bench 600 pounds but learn how to stop a threat. Always best to run away is possible and save weapons and strikes for last resort. Too many ppl sitting in prison cause of a street fight gone bad and ppl hit head, was pushed into traffic, etc. But u gotta train. Alot of ppl bought pew pews during Kung flu and they fired 1 time and it sits by bed, in car etc. Train like urr life is at stake cause it is. Don't doubt a person with a knife. If they know what they're doing u will be carved up like Xmas ham b4 u can blink. Practice instinct shooting like they did in WW2. draw and hold at elbow high and hit urr target without both hands on grip and being in line of sight. looks silly but if u train and get draw fast u can pop a few pretty fast.
I love the Gerber Mark II. I just wish Gerber would make it full or through tang and make the handle some kind of Micarta or maybe some rubberized grip for comfort and practicality, and the steel 440C, AUS8A or AUS10A perhaps. Give the GMII an upgrade. It's worth it.
@@rnkmode1876 The GMII is definitely the pinnacle of spear point combative blades, but there are better options out there. I definitely agree that full tang is important, and not just a meager thin strip of metal going through the handle; an actual wide piece, so the handle doesn't rotate (That has happened to me before). Also, better quality steel and especially a more ergonomic handle and better blade guard is very important. The MII doesn't quite feel like a natural extension of my hand. I only put time into training with a blade that is of the atmost good feel in my hand.
@@scottlawrence8157 yeah, I have the Cold Steel Drop Forged Wasp dagger and it's pretty Badass but the grip tape like handles inserts are meh. Still is cool though and the KaBar EK 44 dagger is cool too, but it would be alot cooler if Cold Steel made the Peacekeeper dagger again. Not sure why they discontinued it. It was quite popular.
There are so many fighting styles with a knife in hand and if trained well a knife in the right hands can be a very deadly tool… also majority of knife fights are not what you think they are… it’s not like in the movies. Also you have to think about rules of engagement while in a fight. If you get close enough you win… hand to hand combat is then applied… knife vs gun depending on the situation you might as well consider yourself dead.
Fairbairn also teaches you to switch hands as you approach so your opp doesn't know which hand the knife will be in. The lanyard prevents you from doing such.
Good call! In direct compliance that would be true. However in detailed study of Fairbairn's work we see significant liberties within to reasonably justify as certain reasonable personalization of the method while still remaining within the method. In this statement I feel compelled to add that a personalization within the method doesn't constitute that personalization to be recognized as now part of the method as prescribed. I can expand on this further if required.
@@fairbairnprotocolh2h399 That's not a Fairbane Sykes fighting knife you have there it's a Gerber mark 2 dagger!. At first I thought it was a bill harsey spartan dagger.
@@tyleringle268 Nope to the Bill Harsey Spartan dagger! You were right on the Gerber Mark II. Serialized with a 5 degree angle on the blade to grip line, A beautiful thing with a substantial history. It responds beautifully to the Fairbairn Methods.
@@fairbairnprotocolh2h399 The bill harsey spartan dagger is based off the FS knife they are beautifully crafted! Excellent video thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!
What was the other knife you were using ?, it looked kind of like a Gerber Trident . When you use a knife to fight with , I'm assuming that you don't have a firearm, and your opponent doesn't either. If time permitted I would try and wrap clothing around my free arm. I like the Gerber coffin handled Bowie knife, get in close grab his clothing, fall backwards and let him impale himself on it , would that be a good strategy? what do you think about the 1918 trench knife for fighting? I also like the Gerber LHR but I am having problems finding one at aresonable price, Shalom
The black knife is a cold steel training knife. With regard to your concept of falling back I would never sacrifice my standing positon, With regard to wrapping the free arm that is highly situational dependant. It also depends on your fight style / strategy. If you want the free hand free to strike grab ect then wrapping or swinging a pice of clothing can be a problem.The trench knife creates an advantage in its built in brass knuckles but presents a problem in that it restricts grip options.
Last thing one wants is to drop the knife, either from outside force or from hitting something from an unexpected angle. Sabre grip may give you more agility, but is less secure than hammer grip in that respect. I'd definitely go for hammer grip
I do believe that he approach you are describing (although accurate) depends heavily upon the situation, proximity, and opportunity. Especially so if you are the responder.
@@fairbairnprotocolh2h399 What you said makes sense. In concealing the knife as much as possible Fairbairn mentions swaping hands with the knife, so they dont know which hand its in prior to or during a response. But someone on You Tube said, in addition to using the knife as a 'shield' like you did, to keep the knife back at your hip to help conceal it (and) so no one can grab your arm and disarm you. They also said to keep the knife by your hip, and use your other arm to grab their head or face - when opponent reacts and goes to grab your arm, vitals are exposed the knife using an 'upper cut'. Is this right, or should you never grab them that way and just use the shield? I am talking in a life or death senario liike war, not defense, where I can see purely using knife as a shield may end the situation. Any thoughts? Thank you..
@@Revelation1316 I think the nature of circumstance demands a variety of approaches. Certainly concealing, hip positions, blade first slashes and stabs all have their validity but again given certain circumstances. There are very few if any perfect for everything techniques.
That's how I do it with my .22 mag. 4-shot. Hides well in my hand and it's only meant to be used on neck, belly or head. The best weapon of any kind is the one your attacker doesn't know you have.
My dad trained with Maj. Fairbairn at Area C at QUANTICO, VA in the OSS during World War II. Fairbairn was legendary! He brought his knife home and kept in the night stand along with his OSS .45 pistol.
Don't ever sell those items. They should be honored heirlooms forever.
🇺🇸⭐💓👊🏻
There is a gentleman who served with the Rhodesian SAS who, sometime around 2010 was contracted to train US special operations units a course that centered around hand-to-hand combat. I participated in this course prior to a deployment overseas. Much of the principles shown here, as well as the movement shown, mirrors exactly what we were taught. The course lasted nearly three weeks and much of it was very brutal.
What a shame what happened to Rhodesia :(
Greatest sin was that the whole world stepped aside and let it happen.
Thank you, that was very educational.
My mother-in-law will never know what hit her.
Finding this channel has me thinking about my father, who passed just under one year ago. A veteran of The Pacific Theater, Korea, and a few months of Vietnam, his formative years were spent growing up hard in the mountains of Western North Carolina. This type of feral upbringing saw him take to the martial arts of Judo and Defendu as if he were born to it, which culminated in the creation of a dangerous man that would suffer no fools.
His military career saw him standing at just 5'5", 160lbs of twisted steel and bad intent, however I'd still probably put money on him in a 1v1 against nine out of ten yardbirds on any level 4 prison yard.
People LISTEN from 5:48! Those are words of a man who knows what he is talking about! You want to KEEP your blade and you do NOT want to be hampered from doing what you feel you need to do. Having that knife outside of your center makes your motion too long and wide and easier to defend. This guy did a great job and should be listened to instead of the FMA videos that are not as practical.
I always enjoy your videos. There is so much self-defense BS out there, it's a real pleasure to watch a man who is the real deal.
Barry, you're one of the few youtubers who actually know and demonstrate the 'proper' application of the retention thumb lanyard.
I have a rare video of Col. Rex Applegate explaining how and why both he and Fairbairn collaborated on improving the F/S dagger by creating the Fairbairn/Applegate combat knife. He gives documented history on the failures of the F/S dagger in combat during WW2. And how the F/A combat knife corrects those issues. The gerber mk2 is an excellent military combat knife as well. I knew some guys in my Infantry unit whom carried one. I carried an armor piercing, chisel point, combat knife while active duty but never needed it for CQC cause the only time a Soldier needs to use his combat knife is if he's seriously failed at his training. For sentry and guard dog removal we have sound depressers. Down range most of the OpFor had alot of dogs that acted as guard/alarm dogs that would give away the presence of a raid. You're not crawling up on several dogs to shank them w/a dagger before they sound the alarm. Same goes for multiple guards. We use sound depressed firearms for that now.
Carrying a dagger or knife on the off hand side of the chest rig allows an Infantryman or operators to create space if one fails at their training during CQB, clearing rooms, and gets their weapon grabbed or gets tackled by an OpFor while coming through a fatal funnel in extreme close quarters. But again, very rare, since CQB is firearm based engaging threats while tactically pieing corners. Operating in fire teams. Our tactical training, particularly in CQB, is far more advanced than our WWII grandfathers had. The regular infantry today has more tactical training than special forces commandos of WWII recieved. Still, strange anomalies occur, in rare cases infantry and light infantrymen have had to engage in hand2hand/CQC, like the U.S. Army Ranger who killed an OpFor w/an MRE spoon (true story, look it up). And when some outnumbered U.S. Marines fixed bayonets and charged the enemy in Iraq (you can google that).
We train unarmed combatives/CQC and when I first enlisted we also trained bayonet combat, our ranger officers taught us how to use the knife to kill in CQC, even though we were taught if we had to use this stuff it meant we screwed the pooch, failed our training, but the mentality was better to have and not need than to need and not have. Also, most of us came from prior service wrestling, bjj, judo, muay thai or mma backgrounds. Many trained in unarmed combat arts, martial arts, krav maga or filipino arts in free time to keep acquiring new skills, even if it's highly unlikely professional gun fighters will resort to unarmed combat or shank-fu. But no highspeed active duty infantry or light infantry Soldier doesn't cultivate combatives/cqc skills anyway. Being well rounded is part of the warrior profession. Hooah. ♣
Shank-fu! Ha ha, I like it :-)
These are excellent thoughts and demonstration of skills. Notice his eyes and where the business end of the blade is presented, always to the threat. Like he said, the threat has to make it past his knife's defense.
Thank you for an informative video. Born and raised in Hong Kong as a lifelong martial arts student, I am versed in Fairbairn’s methods, history, and somewhat familiar with Applegate. As an “old horse” I can personally tell you, as it was in Fairbairn’s time, not much has changed in Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Old manuals refer to the snake cut as a viper strike.
I noticed you use reverse slashes, that rely on the radial bone of the wrist and the thumb, for grip strength and cutting power. I avoid this as I find it a weak cut. Sure it can draw blood, but can also knock the knife from your hand. Which incidentally is why you use a wrist strap. Specifically, Fairbairn cautioned that arteries that were merely nicked would tend to coagulate and stop bleeding, whereas only arteries that were severed clean through would bleed out. Hence I do not use reverse slashes, but I do use reverse stabs.
It is my opinion that while Fairbairn’s footwork was excellent, he being a military instructor, like all the rest of them, necessarily must also be a salesman first and foremost, in order to convince the top brass and get funding. I’ve noticed military combative instructors without exception also have a breadth and depth of lexical repertoire that borders on elephantiasis considering most of the battles they fight are done with words, obviously. That said I find it curious that most of Fairbairn’s movements are clearly influenced from a fencing background, not necessarily his fencing background, but more plausibly due to whom he was dealing with, other military men whom had a fencing background, indicated by his use of majority slashing techniques which by his own admission are defensive in nature, for instance his number one preferred target being the enemy’s left or nearest arm in 85% of people, the left brachial artery on the inner elbow, yet the business end of the blade ultimately is for stabbing, as the Roman Gladius, and the Chinese word for assassin 刺客 literally “one who pierces “. This strikes me as a case of techniques for show versus techniques for go. Would you agree?
Finally, is the issue of the grip. Fairbairn used as you demonstrated and explicated, the thumb and index finger grip, an elegant grip for an elegant tool. I do not use a wrist strap for the simple reason, a marine who drops his rifle is a dead marine, a Spartan who loses his shield is a dishonoured Spartan, if you drop your blade, you deserve it. The blade should be held with the understanding that life and death depend on it, not just your own, but everybody who is counting on you as well. Knife Fighting from Folsom Prison Put ‘Em Down Take ‘Em Out, recommends the hamfisted grip in the cup or eye of the palm, tight as all life depends on it. Yes, that changes how the blade is used, less show, more go. Tingo Tango as I like to call it, ‘knife fighters’ pawing at each other, is a bit different than the real thing. What are your thoughts on that?
I don’t recall Fairbairn ever addressing what is to be done once the blade goes into the enemy, a failure methinks, for the real damage is done after the blade is in them, with a good heave or twist to rend them wide open. For instance, attorney literally means, one who turns the knife. Our people used to be more familiar with a blade, such as the Leathernecks who dealt with the Moro guerillas. WW1 and 2 saw proper Bowies used to skull cleaving effect; today as men’s balls get smaller, their blades also get smaller, clearly. They now sell rubbish for 350$ that matches their peckers.
Another question, Fairbairn recommended the blade be mirror polished much like a Spartan shield and should effectively glow in the dark like a light sabre such that if the enemy never sees it, all the same, conversely if he does see it, he’ll piss himself, and be paralysed by fear. This was a big principle in Fairbairn’s jargon and selling points that the simple but brutal cold steel once held in the hand immediately imbues it’s wielded with courage and strikes his enemies with terror. Today’s knives almost exclusively opt for black blades that cannot reflect light. An enemy cannot be intimidated by what he cannot see now can he? The point is this: when a blade is drawn on an unarmed foe, he’s either running or getting butchered, no challenge no sport no problem there; conversely, if he’s neither running nor being butchered meaning, he’s not a non-problem, then that’s because he has the means and the grit to fight back and actually thinks he can win, ie, he’s a real problem. Just as a cat cannot resist his eye following motion, a flashing blade glinting the promise of cold steel provides the additional bonus of arresting the enemy’s gaze thereby putting him on the defensive which is precisely where we want him, a minor problem awaiting an inevitable solution. We don’t want him on the offensive, that’s our business.
What is your opinion on that?
I find it a testament to the boyish naivety of modern males whom are not men by any sense of the word that so many have overlooked this and forgot the dear-bought wisdom of the ages. If glinting and drawing premature attention prior to ambush were a concern, then he who suggests such, automatically concedes poor trigger discipline and technique, for a blade is easily concealed.
I've studied martial arts and lots of weapons training, including blades.
And you my friend explained what I needed to know about attacking with a knife.
A few years ago I watched an interview with a WW2 SAS commando where he gave a demonstration. A good demonstration with experience to back it up.
You may be referring to "Trooper Stan". He is a legend. ( ruclips.net/video/CfY8X7ryZuc/видео.html )
Hi , new subscriber here..
This is the only video I've seen showing REAL KNIFE FIGHTING techniques..
The knife is a massively underestimated weapon which is often superior to a gun at close range .
Thanks .
I was in the fencing varsity team in college. When I had knife fighting training in the Marines, my fencing training helped me immensely especially in blocking, parrying and counter sticking. I also had a great advantage using fencing footwork.
Stay behind the blade, that one tip made this tutorial for me.
Agreed
I am an old man with terrible arthritis and fibro pain, many times I dream I am in a fight and being cut to ribbons, now I can learn how to fight back! I don't wan't to hurt anyone, but I guess in my nightmares it is ok. Thank you, looking forward to battling those creeps on an even footing! You are one scary looking dude behind that knife, I doubt any amateurs would hang around long , once they saw you were proficient and serious .
I wish I knew about this channel when I was delivering pizzas from 5pm to 5 am in downtown Indy. It was a real shitshow 😂😂
Good video.
Useful information.
👍🏼👍🏼
I remember back in the ‘80’s in the Corps during a knife class being told to always have the knife in front of your body.
Just makes sense.
And muscle memory is a real thing too… so always be practicing and training.
I use to train with an Army guy who taught me a version of this! Together with the Filipino system it's darn near perfect! Kinda like fencing with a knife meets the Filipino slashing style. Cool stuff. I'm happy that I taught this to my sons! Great channel!
I do the Filipino ice pick style grip. It's for a small knife, a karambit. For a longer knife the standard grip might have a value, you can't throw with an ice pick grip.Fine video.
I just got finished re-watching an OSS training film (dubbed into Spanish with English subtitles) on Fairbairn himself demonstrating his knife techniques.
The line drawings in Fairbairn's _Get Tough!_ give a stilted and static presentation of Gutter Fighting. Really useful to see the Old Man himself show just how fluid and fast it was in actual practice. You definitely got fluid and fast down pat.
Thank you for your kind words
Fairbairn was in his late fifties when he made those films too-- the Fred Astaire of knife fighting.
My Father always told me. " Son never pull a knife if your not going to use it & never use if your not willing to kill. "" Given that he also told me on separate occasions how to hold it,,, maintain an edge,,,where,,,how & when to attack,,,but he stressed as most important,,,"" Like your knife,,,always keep your mind sharp & know when to pull it. ""
Absolute wisdom!
Pulling a knife is using it. As a person of small stature, many kids and a few adults have made the mistake of thinking that they were going to assault me with ease. A knife in my hand sent them the other direction. One kid pulled a knife after I successfully beat his ass during an earlier confrontation when he attacked me. I pulled out a bigger knife and he stood there for a minute or two, then put his back in his pocket and left. He had to get his ass beat again about a year later before he learned his lesson. He didn't bring a knife that time though.
I have been stabbed once, but it didn't hurt. It just pinched. I thought it was just a little cut until blood started soaking my whole leg. It went in a little less than two inches. When the medics started working on it, blood squirted about three inches out of the wound. Just knicked my femoral artery. Got to go back to the rear and enjoy air conditioning and be clean for the first time in over two weeks though. Took about 3 months to heal to where I could start carrying a full combat load. The muscle was cut against the grain. I still have a nice pucker where the dagger went in.
@@joesikkspac7904 "Ok."
This 7 minute video is a wealth of information. Thank you 🙏
Great demonstration. I think there is also value in the forced breathing to generate speed and power. I think that since a knife can slip due to blood or hitting bone its good if a knife has a post at the front and at the end of the handle so no slip forward or backward.
Barry, I like that you use a strap on your blades. I use a pocket knife strap on my middle finger instead of the thumb. That strap position allows you to switch from a knife up to a down position and allows you to open the blade without touching it, also it makes it unlikely to be kicked out of your hand. I'm a former Eskrima and 3-weapon fencing instructor who has more than 20+ years of experience in teaching stick, sword & knife fighting in Honolulu, Hawaii. You did a good job on this video. Most of the commentators have never done anything with a knife.
Hell yeah, I'm glad RUclips is promoting this otherwise I would've missed it. Well done Barry, I'd hate the be the guy who tries to mug you in the middle of the night. That sabre cut would give a whole new meaning to "spilling his guts"...
You can always tell a good martial arts system by the basic moves. This is an awesome system.
Thankyou for making Saturday night so much safer Barry.
When thrusting with a quillioned double-edged dagger/fighting knife, if the tip of the thumb is wedged behind the quillion, the impact of the thrust is on the tip of the thumb . . . if the tip of the thumb slips against this surface in a cut or a thrust (say, for instance, that there is blood on the hand/haft/quillion area) then the grip on the knife is disrupted and the knife can very easily be dislodged from the grip by the impact of the thrust or the torque caused by the cut. I was taught that the flat of the blade should be under the thumb, with the quillions resting against the curled forefinger. If the knife meets resistance in the thrust, it is absorbed in the palm of the hand and against the curled forefinger, which distributes the force more evenly.
It being said that this hand position is matter of choice, the fact remains that the 'faster" grip is also the most secure.
Finally some good cqb.
So many young people think they can ufc the way out of a knife fight. You aren’t disarming someone like this with these styles.
You can recognize macsog or fairbanks by the posture and grip. You see that and you don’t have a knife or gun you best run.
Many cqb styles from the Vietnam conflict era are still the best to learn and use.
Lethal combat techniques vs sparing are two different things. The guys on some of these channels will get wrecked or get people hurt if they think they’re going to have some type of grappling edge over a blade.
I ha a fairbairn sykes commando dagger that was made in sheffield england. Its not an old school gen 1 or 2. I think mine is a gen 3 made to look like a gen 2. There are so many characteristics that determine the type. The knife does remind me of the V42 military stiletto. Nice knife overall.
Confucius say…. In knife fight…..don’t be there.
Or Shoot pistol
Confucius said if your in a knife fight bring a gun
Entero somewhere elso.
Not all fights are optional
Confucius, he say, "In knife fight, offer butter, bread and jam. Leave with a new friend."
If you found this video interesting check out "Fairbairn Protocol - Commonality of method used in W.E. Fairbairn's Gutter Fighting" as it puts Fairbairn knife, Gutter Fighting and other weapons together.
ruclips.net/video/AqqPDpN1lUk/видео.html
This is brilliant stuff! This is very similar to the angles of Escrima that I was taught when I began studying it. Unfortunately I haven't been trained with my guro, so I began looking into Fairbairn Combatives in the meantime.
I've been in martial arts for most of my life in some capacity or another - and I've never gotten to the point of proficiency where I would be confident to teach others. And given how LtCol. Fairbairn designed his system to be absolutely effective and very easy to learn, it has caught my attention. I'm not running down my Shotokan Karate training (10+ years) or my Escrima study - both are excellent arts and I still hold onto what I've learned from them - but Fairbairn's system has been pressure tested on record from day one. And that's why I hope to learn it, and become proficient enough to perhaps start teaching it!
Old school. Tried and proven. Always seems to work.. Straight forward. Good video.
I always liked the Sykes -- Fairbairn knife (dagger style) but always thought of it more as a good, well-built assassination weapon such as used for quick, unexpected and silent kills of sentries and such. For a hand-to-hand knife fight, I like a big bowie, a K-Bar, or a kukri-style knife. But of them all, I'd rather be the guy that brought a gun to a knife fight instead of the other way 'round.
Nice one Barry. Just found your channel. The thumb-behind-quillion orientation method makes sense of the S-shaped quillions on the Pattern 1 FS which Fairbairn and Sykes designed. It also might explain the apparently original 3-inch quillions of the prototypes.
Great reminder that we don't need big movements to get big cuts . I've been cut 6 times bad enough to require stitches . Not once was the blade in somebody else' s hands . They, were either in my own hand , lying in a sink, or twice a dull putty knife just sitting in my back pocket . Try getting a pork roast and have a go at it with your carry blade . Knives are terrifying to face .
I trained a bit with the foil in college and afterwards went to a trainer teaching Filipino knife fighting style that had very little thrusting movements but a lot of small circular thrusting.
I had the same experience. In college joined the fencing club and trained with the French Foil. While stationed in Manila, I learned Filipino Knofe fighting. A lot of slashing moves and combinations with the Balisong!
Having lived in the Philippines for 8 months to learn a different way of knife fighting and seen 2 men getting killed with knives, I promise you that there are plenty of trusting movements.
And this man lacked both good foot movements and good balance when demonstrating.
This knife fight style exist since WW1 when Arditis the Italian elite unit killed so many Austrian- Hungarian soldier and took back the Italian occupied territories from Austrian-Hungarians & Germans.
British SAS took the motto ( Who Dares Win) from this guys ARDITIS
The arditi using totally different sistem of knife fight.. In hand to hand use a ju jitzu and the knife techniques are a mix of SCHEMA DEL FIORE medieval dagger sistem.. And tantodo of jappan.. The arditis knife have a not extremely sharped blade.. Are made to stab.. And in the trench the best techniques are close the distance ingage a close combat and using the knife to stab.. With a braceknuckle in left hand and knife in right hand
If you need a sword go and Buy one. Jesus's Mighty words.
Fairbain also said....a man who walks around unarmed is a bloody fool 😂
A man that carries a dagger is a fool every day of his life, except one
@@johnanon658 ....😒 I like Fairbain's opinion better.
The video said, "The best knife is the one your used to, the one your comfortable with". I think the best knife is the one your willing to carry everyday, just like grabbing your wallet, keys and cell. For me, that's the Benchmade Bugout.
Great technique. Great for those less skilled, as for example when you are are doing a defensive strike to your opponents' flexor tendons in their forearm, which is moving rapidly, you need a lot of practice to land it. With this method, there is no aiming, and it is better at deterring the aggressor when it comes to personal defense, as I sure know if someone is swinging their knife back and forth many times a second, I wouldn't want anything to do with them. It is harder to control someone like that. As you said, since you never pause at the end of your motion, there isn't much of an opportunity for a disarm.
Exactly.
Those moments are coming from sabre fencing techniques...hence thumb position.
If a one does not want to spent much time for training fighting techniques one does to limite the number and difficulty of the techniques he want to train. But one have to train the techniques every day at least one time, so that it become natural moviments.
In Belgium and The Netherlands it is forbidden to carry any kind of fighting knife. In my town it the law is so written that one can not have chopstikes on ones person if he does not need them to eat with.
I train every day twenty techniques without weapons, mostly from Fairbairn, and the same number of techniques with the walking stick. Simple techniques, noting fancy as one can see on you tube. Simple and practical in use. It take me five minutes a day. Because I do not want to be depended on a trainingpartner, my walking stick is my virtual opponent in the first training routine. Then I seek physical contact with the stick. Fighting hurts, better get used to it.
Just yesterday, I found by accident a ice pick methode that takes me 20 secondes a day to master. Your simple routine I will add to my training. It will take me an other 20 secondes daily.
Love your ideas, I train the same way, with techniques taught to me by my father,
A Marine in ww2, including walking stick, and knife,, ive trained in boxing, and jiu jitsu, but Fairbairns system stays my basis,
The Fairbain system is great in dealing with another 7 or 8 inch blade. But IMO it's main weakness are the flashy cuts and strikes when dealing with a some different blade types. I believe it would be perhaps out of its element when dealing with a knife such as the "Musso" Bowie. Being 18 inch in length, with a 12 inch blade, a 5 inch handle and a full length brass strap secured to the blade spine. Contrary to belief, the Bowie was designed primarily to be for multifunctional uses. The brass strap was added to absorb blade shock when being used as a hammer. Not as a blade 'catcher" as some believe. But for self defense when the knife blade is held upward, it can produce enough power to break bones, and this doesn't include injuries from the devastating "back cut". The Fairbain is truly a beautiful knife, and correct me if i am wrong, but is also issued to the French Forward Legion.
Foreign
@@adods9824 Avantgard
Poppa Loves Mambo.
"Foreign" thanks, old man mistakes lol!
Yes breaking news, a compact dagger isn't a good weapon for deflecting swords.
I saw a stabbing in Dublin, Ireland. Horrific.
Knives are devastating weapons.. I've not witnessed a stabbing, but I've seen my fair share of videos. People who think they can casually engage in a knife fight are truly delusional
The very best tool for staying alive in a knife fight, you ask? A good pair of running shoes.
And a gun
A Stun Gun atleast. :)
But in a survival condisition you still need knife :)
.
Everyone thinks they're so smart for making these boomer comments
When you think about it it's a pretty nasty business and in knifre fighting imagine how horrible it must feel having a blade pushed through you.
Didn't know what to expect watching this I'm no fighter but this is really intersting stuff
The thumb position is a bit technical for me. In a real adrenalin charged knife encounter gripping in a hammer grip with thumb wrapped around is more likely, stronger and with enough aggression just as useful if not so pretty. Most knife fights I witnessed or attended afterwards with the Barangay Tanod (community police) in Bogo and Talisay, Cebu, the knife was used in a stabbing way and usually frantic, sewing machine style. Never saw a 'duel', either. All very instant, immediate, no time to think it was already happening... or had happened. Basically 4 years in the Philippines changed my whole mindset and teaching on bladed weapon combat.
Thank you, sir
That save my life one day
God bless ❤️✝️💪🏼🧠
This is a great video. Thanks for sharing!
Love the Gerber Mark II, especially the slightly more modern version with double serrations. It's the knife that got me into knife collecting, even though I never actually got to own one :-D. Might have to pick one up some day.
Even David Lo Pan once said of the Gerber Mark II....."Good knife!"
As a former boxer i like the idea of using 2 knives in a fight. I carry one in my left hand that i can throw as a fast jab and the right hand is used for thrusts.
You're suppose to have more than 1 knife on you. Knife fighting 101.
@@vincentlee7359 True, though knife fighting is basically bogus, unless you live in a society where it is normal. These knives are really for killing people who didn't realize they were in the fight at the time. You could defeat the guy with that knife if you had a cane, and canes aren't illegal anywhere I know of. You can even take them on airplanes.
@@HondoTrailside Okay, go outside fight some experienced knife fighter in the Philippines or some Brit while you use a cane and video it lol
I want to see how easy it is to beat a knife fighter.
I can tell you haven't gotten into any actual fights. I've seen people die trying to fight against a dude who had kniveS on him. Seen people throw knives, I've seen people pretend to lose their knives only to get closer and shank them. Experienced knife fighters are very scary even if you have a long stick. Don't forget: they too can grab and use the same stick you have.
The principles seem very much the same as with a saber. The V-42 has a thumb groove on the flat of the blade I always figured was for stabs, I like it because it offers another option even if it is situational. But you make a good point about commonality which I like, K.I.S.S.
Nice 👍
Your points are very valid and sound
and yes the best knife is the one you feel comfortable with and the one you like using ,that a fact especially if it going to be use to possibly defend yourself against harm. ⚔️🤺💯
Have a great day ? You just stabbed me twenty times
LOL, Thx.
The thumb placement definitely makes your mobility higher, but it also is a little more technical and not wrapping your thumb around the handle makes it much easier to accidentally have it knocked from your hand. However, I agree with nearly everything else you said. Good work.
ruclips.net/video/eKwlwvM7IJc/видео.html I slightly alter knives I ways to make them more practical for utility, repetitive, or niche specific work. Dancing the line between practicality and fun. Love to hear your opinion.
Imagine a knife with a lever between the mid and index finger resting at the knuckle. It allows you to penetraye deeper, retreat more easily, and retain grip in almost any circumstance.
I feel as though I'm overlooking some obvious problem, the simplicity of the design seems like someone else should have thought of it.
Video related is a knife I use for tearing apart coconuts without blistering, but many other prototypes under way.
Until now I hadn't thought of arranging a lever that would orient the thumb.
My biggest fear has always been stabbing someone in the ribs, slipping and slicing my hand in half. The lever eliminates that fear at least.
Could talk about this for hours
Thank you sir
I think the method displayed in "kill or get killed" is the best(almost like a boxers stance extreme mobility just shoot the knife out there like a jab and using the empty hand to create an opening or shield) similar to don pentecost book put em" down take em" out.
Great information 👍 thank you
Excellent video, I own an Applegate Fairbairn boot knife from Boker, I love the knife but the sheath it came with is terrible, I wish I could find a leather sheet with a metal clip so I could carry it when I don't carry my Perrin street bowie.
Cutting takes a distant backseat in effectiveness to thrusting. Stabs pierce organs, create deep tissue hemmoraging, and incapacitate far quicker than cuts do (in blades smaller than 7 inches especially). Without severing a major vessel (carotid, jugular, brachial, radial), cuts have mostly a psychological effect, and are often not a fight stopper. Targetting the hands with slashes is a good tactic, but likened to the jab setting up the cross. The thrust(s) better be delivered, if retreat is not an option.
Excellent comment well stated and in my opinion quite accurate. I like the mention of the 7" blade. With complete respect to the specifics of it, may I ask how you came to focus on 7"s?
That was _way_ more instructive than the previous video. In the previous video the slashing seemed frivolous and theatrical. Maybe a good distraction or intimidation tactic but nothing more and no threat to a determined attacker. In this one, however, you demonstrated at speed it and looks a lot more formidable. The explanations are well made. The snap cut makes a lot more sense as a precursor to a serious thrust. Your breathing seems pretty well matched to the technique. Did Fairbairn have instruction on breathing during a fight?
I used to own a Gerber like that. It was cool but beware. Gerber blades tend towards the brittle side. I broke mine throwing it at a tree (dumb I know). The tang inside the handle broke. That was way back in '88, so maybe Gerber improved a bit. But if they didn't understand if you use it in real life you gotta go for soft targets and don't get it caught in a rib cage.
Somehow I missed the part about the eye.
With all respect, self defence is about fighting a more experienced, so a one-on one engagement for a beginner is not recommended, maybe only for a person with your experiences. Beginnershould run away or make use of everything not to get cut, like umbrella, suitcase, jacket or towells,....Best regards and no attackers. Paul,68, retired istructor of Karate
любая война является продолжением политики и экономики другими,более радикальными методами и нужно всегда быть к этому готовым!😊
Печальная истина для каждого человека, понимающего истинное лицо человека.
@@fairbairnprotocolh2h399 "все люди -братья,только одни-Каины,а другие-Авели"
Whilst I like the fluid wrist motion the footwork is lacking, everything should be moving if it even stands a chance of being slightly effective
You are absolutely correct! In this video I am 100% focused on the upper basics as an introduction of the FS knife. For a complete documentation of fighting the inclusion of the associated footwork would be mandatory. Good eye!
So, you are positioned square on. Can you explain why this is better than reducing your size by a more sort of fencing pose? Like side facing the assailant?
Leg out in front and body turned to reduce surface area, knife out in front lead hand cutting/slashing up and down? Keeping the reduced surface area covered with the up N down cuts?
Excuse me for not being able to articulate my self. Good video
In a two second answer - Trade-offs is the reason. There is a distinct difference between knife-fighting vs fighting-with-a-knife. The latter being what I am showing where the advantages of boots & strikes traded in at the cost of the loss of extreme blading of the body.
Thank you for this excellent distillation.
We call that back n forth movement the "sneaky snake". FYI- if you don't rotate wrist and cut wirh the backside of the knife, you risk disarming yourself. This is a big no no unless you are trying to nick an ear or something very weak. Cheers!
Great video ❤ check out Cold Steel Counter TAC, two sizes.
Stay safe brothers 🙏
very well done Bro, Respect.
Very good info, thank you for your instruction!
Thank you for demonstration
very wise consideration about the position of the thumb Sir, congratulation great lesson
21 feet is dangerous for a person who knows how to fight with a blade. It's hard to believe and I didn't until I saw with my own eyes. Sometimes we don't realize how a few seconds can make a huge difference. Train. All the weapons in tge world mean nothing if u can't effectively use them when needed. Don't be tge guy who buys a gun and it sits in nightstand. Train. Even drawing and dry fire. Train.
You're right, sir.
@@pietrodangelo8460 If u asked ppl most would swear that a man with a gun can stop a man with a knife. Not so. The old saying Don't bring a knife to a gun fight is a falsehood.
When I was in Marines doing predeployment training and we walked over to a table with fake blue K bars and a old man with a beer belly . He was there to teach us about knife fighting and CQC. I thought what's pappy gonna teach us. Well we had simunition, 9mm rounds with a light load and plastic tips that when hit would leave a paint mark. Hurts like hell. Anywho he started out at 21 feet and he charged while we pulled and fired with a loaded chamber. He won every time. He won over 21 feet cause he does this for 40 years and train weekly. That old man was SF in Vietnam. He moved so fast and would cut urr neck both sides, and 2 stabs to center mass and 2 inside of legs in groin.
Then he went over joint manipulation. He used 1 hand, other tied behind his back. He'd have us down and tapping fast. Then a lil lady marine who was a mcmap instructor said Come at me. We went soft and she said Come on u guys a bunch of Bitch scared of a lil woman? Well I went at her ready to take her down and in a dodge, grab and throw I was on my back, her knee in my neck, and my arm bent like it shouldn't be. I knew this lesson but completely got it fully.
Never judge a book by its cover. That old man, or a 90 pound woman might just be urr end. Never judge a book by its cover. Always respect urr elders and ladies. And the movies are not real. Urr not John Wick and urr not gonna dodge bullets or disarm a attacker with a weapon unless u train. All the guns and knives in the world won't do no good if u don't train with them weekly. We may think we're as good as we once was but even a month off makes u lose a step or 2. Seconds matter.
All Law Enforcement should do this training. I respect all ppl in uniform but some of these ppl need to take their jobs and their lives more serious. I've saw ppl who can't barely tie shoes, do 1 pull up or run around patrol vehicle. How they gonna stop a threat? I think if that's urr job u should have a physical fitness requirement that's pretty strict. We've all seen the bad guy who resists and it takes 5 cops to get him down and cuffed. If that guy had a weapon LE would be in life and death trouble. Our NCOS would pair us up with guys way bigger than us. I thought they liked seeing us get ass whooped but it was cause urr not always gonna be the big guy. And I've seen some dudes who looked like a book nerd manhandle some big guys. But they knew how to handle themselves and had backgrounds in wrestling, martial arts etc and trained.
Ppl don't have to look like the rock, or bench 600 pounds but learn how to stop a threat. Always best to run away is possible and save weapons and strikes for last resort. Too many ppl sitting in prison cause of a street fight gone bad and ppl hit head, was pushed into traffic, etc. But u gotta train. Alot of ppl bought pew pews during Kung flu and they fired 1 time and it sits by bed, in car etc. Train like urr life is at stake cause it is. Don't doubt a person with a knife. If they know what they're doing u will be carved up like Xmas ham b4 u can blink. Practice instinct shooting like they did in WW2. draw and hold at elbow high and hit urr target without both hands on grip and being in line of sight. looks silly but if u train and get draw fast u can pop a few pretty fast.
super , very professional
I like the Gerber Mark II you got there...
I love the Gerber Mark II. I just wish Gerber would make it full or through tang and make the handle some kind of Micarta or maybe some rubberized grip for comfort and practicality, and the steel 440C, AUS8A or AUS10A perhaps. Give the GMII an upgrade. It's worth it.
@@rnkmode1876 I guess you're right.
@@scottlawrence8157 well idk if I'm right, it's just my thoughts on it.
@@rnkmode1876 The GMII is definitely the pinnacle of spear point combative blades, but there are better options out there. I definitely agree that full tang is important, and not just a meager thin strip of metal going through the handle; an actual wide piece, so the handle doesn't rotate (That has happened to me before). Also, better quality steel and especially a more ergonomic handle and better blade guard is very important. The MII doesn't quite feel like a natural extension of my hand. I only put time into training with a blade that is of the atmost good feel in my hand.
@@scottlawrence8157 yeah, I have the Cold Steel Drop Forged Wasp dagger and it's pretty Badass but the grip tape like handles inserts are meh. Still is cool though and the KaBar EK 44 dagger is cool too, but it would be alot cooler if Cold Steel made the Peacekeeper dagger again. Not sure why they discontinued it. It was quite popular.
Good demonstration
Thumb behind the blade makes perfekt sense when you think of a folding knife without a blade lock.
Nice Gerber Mark 2
Notice no bull shido moves. Point stays in front of you, where the threat comes from.
This guy vs. Seagal's ponytail -- which drops first?
Hahahaha. That's funny.
My money is on the guy that can stop your heart with a hard stare.
A really excellent video...
Very practical !!!
Confucius say: get out of there 🤣
Terrific video. I learned a lot. Thank you
There are so many fighting styles with a knife in hand and if trained well a knife in the right hands can be a very deadly tool… also majority of knife fights are not what you think they are… it’s not like in the movies. Also you have to think about rules of engagement while in a fight. If you get close enough you win… hand to hand combat is then applied… knife vs gun depending on the situation you might as well consider yourself dead.
Very good! Thanks for sharing!!!
Ah, the old Geber survival knife. I wondered what happened to mine.
Fairbairn also teaches you to switch hands as you approach so your opp doesn't know which hand the knife will be in. The lanyard prevents you from doing such.
Good call! In direct compliance that would be true. However in detailed study of Fairbairn's work we see significant liberties within to reasonably justify as certain reasonable personalization of the method while still remaining within the method. In this statement I feel compelled to add that a personalization within the method doesn't constitute that personalization to be recognized as now part of the method as prescribed. I can expand on this further if required.
@@fairbairnprotocolh2h399 That's not a Fairbane Sykes fighting knife you have there it's a Gerber mark 2 dagger!.
At first I thought it was a bill harsey spartan dagger.
@@tyleringle268 Nope to the Bill Harsey Spartan dagger! You were right on the Gerber Mark II. Serialized with a 5 degree angle on the blade to grip line, A beautiful thing with a substantial history. It responds beautifully to the Fairbairn Methods.
@@fairbairnprotocolh2h399 The bill harsey spartan dagger is based off the FS knife they are beautifully crafted! Excellent video thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!
Great video! Respect!
Great lesson thanks
I have Gerber Command s30v but I'm not sure if it is practical or for display, however my Cold steel Loredo and recon scout in 3v make sense for me.
The dagger in this video is not the Fairbairn-Sikes dagger, but mostly lookslike the Gerber Mark 2 dagger...
He didn’t say the knife was a F-S knife. He is demonstrating the F-S style as he knows it.
@@Tribecasoothsayer ahaa, i understand now
Only difference its on the guard hand, the rest its similar, its a dagger like fairbairn knife too
He says it's a Gerber mk2
What was the other knife you were using ?, it looked kind of like a Gerber Trident . When you use a knife to fight with , I'm assuming that you don't have a firearm, and your opponent doesn't either. If time permitted I would try and wrap clothing around my free arm. I like the Gerber coffin handled Bowie knife, get in close grab his clothing, fall backwards and let him impale himself on it , would that be a good strategy? what do you think about the 1918 trench knife for fighting? I also like the Gerber LHR but I am having problems finding one at aresonable price, Shalom
The black knife is a cold steel training knife. With regard to your concept of falling back I would never sacrifice my standing positon, With regard to wrapping the free arm that is highly situational dependant. It also depends on your fight style / strategy. If you want the free hand free to strike grab ect then wrapping or swinging a pice of clothing can be a problem.The trench knife creates an advantage in its built in brass knuckles but presents a problem in that it restricts grip options.
Last thing one wants is to drop the knife, either from outside force or from hitting something from an unexpected angle.
Sabre grip may give you more agility, but is less secure than hammer grip in that respect.
I'd definitely go for hammer grip
Michael J Fox looking good!
What 😂😂😂lol
Experienced knifers won’t let the target see the knife until they are bleeding.
I do believe that he approach you are describing (although accurate) depends heavily upon the situation, proximity, and opportunity. Especially so if you are the responder.
@@fairbairnprotocolh2h399 What you said makes sense. In concealing the knife as much as possible Fairbairn mentions swaping hands with the knife, so they dont know which hand its in prior to or during a response.
But someone on You Tube said, in addition to using the knife as a 'shield' like you did, to keep the knife back at your hip to help conceal it (and) so no one can grab your arm and disarm you.
They also said to keep the knife by your hip, and use your other arm to grab their head or face - when opponent reacts and goes to grab your arm, vitals are exposed the knife using an 'upper cut'. Is this right, or should you never grab them that way and just use the shield? I am talking in a life or death senario liike war, not defense, where I can see purely using knife as a shield may end the situation. Any thoughts? Thank you..
@@Revelation1316 I think the nature of circumstance demands a variety of approaches. Certainly concealing, hip positions, blade first slashes and stabs all have their validity but again given certain circumstances. There are very few if any perfect for everything techniques.
@@fairbairnprotocolh2h399 Thanks for the comprehensive reply. I undertand. In that case common sense and training prevails.
That's how I do it with my .22 mag. 4-shot. Hides well in my hand and it's only meant to be used on neck, belly or head. The best weapon of any kind is the one your attacker doesn't know you have.
That was excellent thank you.
This is awesome, thank you so much. New subscriber 👏
Good job Sir
Why didn’t you use a proper Sheffield made FB knife then? The genuine article has no wrist strap either so how can you do the required hand swapping?
Thank you Sir for your tutorial! 🫡
Great Video! Thank you 👍🏻👍🏻
Subbed. Great content. No BS