Khukuri as a weapon

Finn,
My mistake,I misread your intention!I look at the K a little diff., I approach it first, as a weapon(tool??)& see how it adapts to my MA.Living in an apt. means I have to go to the EVERGLADES to do any chopping(Vince has already chopped down everything choppable in his yd)!Have one K in my truck(rotate K's) & a few in my apt!
jim
 
Jim,

You have an excellent approach. The Ghorkali's make it look so easy because the knife is so adapted and integrated into their lifestyle. Nothing beats plain old familiarity. Handling and wearing your khukuri's as much as possible, will in and of itself make you a more formidable adversary.



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"To know and to act are one."
 
Been fighting the flu (khuks don't help!) and coming in late on several posts here.
A few comments on this thread:
I have lived in crummy apts in my time, and while still a kid, had to confront intruders while armed with a knife, on one occasion an ice pick, and once with a small axe (hatchet.)
I am glad that I am better armed now, and the big knife near my bed is only the SECOND thing I reach for, if things go bump in the night.
The concept of a 'safe room' is all very well for those in suburban split levels and penthouses, but if your home is a two-room bed-sitter with an outside door accessible from the street, one wonders how the concept should be utilized. I chose to go to the threat, and successfully, as I am still here.
Stalking an intruder in the blind, through doors and around corners, is sport for tigers. For what it's worth, my take on corners (right handed defender) is to advance on left-corners with the left foot, knife hand low, supinated and 'cocked' to deliver a horizontal or rising blow/drawcut to the midsection. A right corner would be approached differently, right foot first, knife hand vertical by left shoulder for a downward strike. Keep the free hand close to the body, no sense in offering your opponent a handle. Other forms would undoubtedly work.
The khuk is a 'saber', not an epee. Cuts, not thrusts, are its forte. Keep all the distance you can while staying in range for your cuts. If your instinct is to thrust, you would be better armed with a 10-14" Bowie or dagger. In a 'chest to chest', I would try to disengage before striking, rather than grapple. (A short dagger is best for that sort of fun.) By the way, a solid blow with a heavy blade beats a surgical thrust every time, for immediate effect and incapacitation.
I find the 20" sirupati a bit cumbersome for this exercise, but the Gelbu Special, at the same weight and an inch less in length, seems good. I expect the BAS and WWII, 15" sirupati and AngKholas would serve as well.


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The sword cannot cut itself, the eye cannot see itself.
 
Good point Gunhou! I should have thought of that, cause until we bought this larger house we lived in apts that were mostly all interconnected rooms where an intruder could simply walk into the doorless bedroom. There were no "safe-rooms", so in those cases your right, better to advance and meet the intruder before he gets to where the family is.

Rob
 
Finnean,

Your position on this subject does have some merit, but if the public accessability of this post makes you nervous, aren't you more concerned about all the instructional "trade secrets" given away in magazines such as "Combat Weapons & Tactics" (a mag run & authored by veteran LEO's), "SWAT", & other police tactical mags? Then of course you have all the martial arts magazines, the obligatory knife fighting articles in SOF & almost every knife magazine, and of course, Keating's own internet forum and probably a hundred or so other similar public internet forums where knife fighting tactics are freely discussed? Will's question, and the following replies, are not giving away anything that the poorest & meanest dirtbag can't find out on his own with a trip to the library (via the periodical section AND free internet access) or to the nearest Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million, where he can read every magazine & book on the subject at their coffee section without ever spending a dime.

As I said, I don't totally disagree with you, but it seemed that we were all missing the bigger picture here, and some perspective was in order. I consider Will's post & subsequent remarks of little use to any would-be burglars or other evil-doers with regard to learning anything they can't learn elsewhere. Besides, if I were a burglar, my time would be better spent on a security alarm breeching or lockpicking forum (don't think that there isn't one out there!) rather than researching mortal combat techniques against khukuri-armed home owners.

I'm reminded of the people here in America who complain about their ATM fees or gas prices while they're being taxed into extinction. I can't understand that mindset.

I think it's signature time again.

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I DO NOT CHOOSE TO BE A COMMON MAN

"It is my right to be uncommon...if I can; I seek opportunity...not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me. I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stole calm of utopia. I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat. It is my heritage to stand erect, proud, and unafraid; to think and act for myself; enjoy the benefits of my creations and to face the world boldly and say,
This I have done, and this is what it means to be an American."

--Dean Alfrange
 
X-Head,

I understand and agree with your point. I also strongly feel that there is a serious lack of responsibility in all media, the quick buck being all important. Blood and Guts have always sold well, but the ancient perspectives on the Ways and Arts of defending your own- be it yourself, family, friends, or country have again
degenerated on a mass scale to the same level where lack of respect and self-service rules- which is unfortunately the common ground for much of our society.

Hey, is this a diatribe or what?!

I'm not merely trying to stir things up here, though it doesn't bother me a bit. This forum definately does not fall into the category earlier referred to. It is a great place with great people to help somebody make some choices, and pick a direction to take. My point is, that is what it should be.

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"To know and to act are one."
 
Ok, Now you have me curios. What is your level of experience in fighting? I have had experience in Tai Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do, and SoRim Kung Fu a total of about 6 years, three of which I was a instructor. Meaning no disrespect either you are much better than I or my master was or you are just beginning. I learned Very early on to try to grab a weapon regardless of how WIDE the bladeis. It would be increasing your chances of being injured about 85% if not higher. I can see blocking or deflecting the weapon if the person is slow or awkward. It is always nice to show in a demonstration on a student a pre rehearsed demonstration But in real life ~which I can attest to by the faint but present scar on my shoulder that in a knife fight you strike what is presented as it is presented. If you can remember which foot was where and how you were holding the knife the fight will be long over. Now my master may be able to disarm just about anyone but then he has reflexes that even at his age are scary fast. Having been an instructor and knowing quite a few it is quite simple you don't engage under any circumstances a person with a knife with the intent to disarm. You put your fangs out and try to disable and/or kill him/them as fast as you can with the least amount of damage to yourself as you can spare. So you were asking about chest to chest scenario? Ok The BADGUY has a knife I have a khukuri. My right foot is extended with 35% of my weight and 65% on the left/back foot. I am carrying the Khuk with the blade down. The first thing I notice is the BGK -BADGUYSKNIFE is much smaller than mine. His is quicker but mine has the reach. He takes a stab (pardon the pun) I back Up slightly and move the khuk to a more guarded position between me and the knife. He overextends a little and I move forward. Our knives meet and the edges slide and lock. He sees mine is much bigger and only has a single edge and grabs for the blade. A) As he does this I disengage and turn my khuk to the now exposed fingers/hand cutting his hand badly. He staggers (everybody has to stagger in a knife fight) back raising his knife to defend his retreat. Unfortunately he has now exposed his knee. Pressing I strike down, bummer there goes a knee. Weak from loss of some fingers and a knee he staggers back again.
Or we can go with B) He sees mine is much bigger and only has a single edge and grabs for the blade.
I can't change the position fof the blade as he grabs for it so I use the back of the blade as a club whipping the back of the blade into his hand and turning it down on his knife hand cutting several fingers forcing him back again and with the same conclusion he now has to expose something else and that is where the khuk is going next. In short I have used my mind and body as one. Final recommendation is to NEVER get into a knife fight. TOO many people mistake them as gunfights and bring the wrong tool(s).
 
Thanks all for the information. While I did not ask the question directly for home defense applications I found the comments informative.

Finnean

You make a valid point about younger audiences reading this forum. The information I was interested in is a bit more detailed (and instructional) than TV.

Gunhou,

Thanks for the info concerning moving around corners.

Stephen

What you described seems to work extremely well, it gives me over 8” of movement to generate momentum for the large blade.

rhubany

I have no experience in knife fighting. I am looking at a situation where the bulk and size of the khukuri may be at a disadvantage and how to overcome it. Up close it would be awkward to swing with the khukuri and due to the length of the blade apply leverage for deep cuts.

Due to a sudden encounter and the flailing about that ensue a BG might grab the blade of a khukuri especially if it is dark and he does not really see the khukuri and you can not see his motions. If cut I would most likely instinctively let go but that does not mean a BG will. The wide blade might give the opponent the leverage he requires to take the khukuri away. I don’t know for sure if it is harder to retain the khukuri than a smaller knife in this situation.

Will

 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by rhubany:
NEVER get into a knife fight. TOO many people mistake them as gunfights and bring the wrong tool(s).</font>
Click to expand...

That pretty much says it about ANY kind of fight I can think of. Bout the most sensible statement I've heard in the last three months.

(Of course my philosophy is that I abhor violence and will go to just about any length to prevent it. Say starting from about a hundred yards on in.)
 
Restricting access to information is the same issue as restricting access to guns -- it has no effect on criminals because they have their own sources; it only disarms the good guys.

By the way, I'm practicing what I preach ... or maybe preaching what I practice would be a better way to put it???
smile.gif
Click on the link in my new sig and decide for yourself....


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-Cougar :{)
Use of Weapons
 
Will,
A K is not awkward in CQ a 16" K can work
quite nicely, what changes is your tech. of using the K! YOU DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE TO CHOP!
JIM
 
"I have no experience in knife fighting."

Then try Escrima Philippine style Knife fighting very hard to find but the best pratical use of weapons I have seen.

"I am looking at a situation where the bulk and size of the khukuri may be at a disadvantage and how to overcome it."

TRAINING and MORE TRAINING not playing with a trusted friend spend a little money and a lot of time and go to class ~open your mind. The great part of my martial arts training tought me to think in ways I couldn't or wouldn't comprehend. It is an investment that will help you grow and MAY save your life or the lives of the ones you care about.

"If cut I would mostlikely instinctively let go but that does not mean a BG will"
Congratulations! you got in a knife fight P1&&__ the BG off, dropped your weapon and now you are dead
frown.gif
Sorry here but once you start this giving up = death.

"The wide blade might give the opponent the leverage he requires to take the khukuri away"
NEVER if YOU know what you are doing! This goes with ANY weapon. If you don't know what you are doing with one than leave it alone it is more dangerous to YOU than anyone else. And to wrap up knife fighting you do not go for a "one shot one kill" You strike what is in reach and if you have to take them out a piece at a time. Several small wounds will slow him/them down just as good if not better than a single "deep" cut. A lot of people have given you advise here but you don't seem to be getting the picture so take a few classes. Then try a different style and instructor until you find one (both style and instructor) that you like. To the ones that don't want us talking about this it is still a free country. You are just as free Not to read this as to read it. NO CRYING! And no I don't go around cutting people up and shooting them. I hold an FFL so can provide proof of my background.
Rick
 
I may have missed it, but Will asked a question earlier that I don't think was answered.

A reinforced cut is a cut made with the free hand on the spine of the blade. This motion is often seen in Decuerdas Escrima (doubtlessly in other styles as well) as a blocking motion when the GG can't safely get off the line of the attack.

Hope this helps.
 
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