What are some knife fighting styles?

[USAFA06STX]

If you have not already taken some sort of self defense class, I recommend this before you start any sort of knife fighting styles. I personally prefer a mixed style based on Brazilian jujitsu although the Israeli Haganah style is interesting and one that seems to be gaining popularity. I also recommend taking classes in grappling/wrestling as fights have a tendency to end up on the ground after the first few seconds. I recommend this because there are places you will not be able to carry knives and there is always the chance that you may not be able to get to your knife even if you have it on you, or the knife may be knocked from your grasp.

That being said, you should also realize that if you get into a knife fight, you must accept the fact that YOU ARE GOING TO GET CUT, despite what Hollywood might lead you to believe. Once you accept this you can make a decision on what style fits you as there are many, ranging from jailhouse techniques to military techniques to Sicilian or Philipino styles previously mentioned by others (a quick search of Amazon.com will turn up books on several different styles and reading them before taking lessons may help you make a decision on which ones you are interested in). Make this decision based on your own comfort level, wants/needs, personal preferences, and what is available in your area.

Above all you must make a mental decision that if you do get into a fight (and you should by no means go looking for one, in fact you should avoid them if at all possible) that you are willing to neutralize the attacker using any means necessary, even if it means using tactics that some people might consider to be "dirty tricks." You must also realize that at a certain point that the attacker, once neutralized, no longer poses a threat and you should not use excessive force (like repeatedly banging the bad guys head against the floor).

 

[steeltiger]

You should know its perfectly possible to get cut, but I'd put as much training in NOT BEING CUT as concievable. One thing ive asked here before is for training on the mentality if you do happen to find yourself in that situation, you must resign your self that there will be blood, and possibly some of it will be yours, so if every time you envision a monuver (spelling?) think of it being as bad as you can imagine so you get the disgust out of your system before your forced to deal with it, I don't think vomiting or feinting will help you survive. I have litle experiance or training and I'm open to any corrections I'm tryng to learn as much as possible I see presious few things that are new to me, the rest is constant reveiwing, and I have alot to learn, dont get cockey that'l doom you here and know, I hope I never become that arogant if I do then I just lost. Please correct me if I'm wrong ciao.

 

[dimasalang]

As most people on here have mentioned, any form of FMA is best. All styles of FMA deal with knives, swords, sticks, and empty hand. One thing about FMA, they teach you fast and the moves are simple and easy to pick up. Unlike most schools where you would have to learn day in and day out for a couple years to get anywhere, a FMA school gets right to the point. First day of class and you already have a weapon in your hand. 6 months is plenty to learn all the basics, which is pretty much all you really need.

If you want to know the most ruthless knife fighting art out of the Philippines, it is hands down Pekiti-Tirsia. 70% of the art is knives. Being filipino and seeing all the styles my culture has to offer, Pekiti-Tirsia is the one. It is taught to Philippine Special Forces, and here in the States, Pekiti-Tirsia instructors are in high demand by LE agencys and select military units. Good luck finding one in the States tho, they are extremely rare here as well as the Philippines.

 

[Steel Talon]

Silat

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Steel Talon