Fighting Knife

[warren5421]

While visiting in the south along the Gulf I seen an add for training in fighting with a Bowie/Fighting Knife. I know just what a Bowie is, what makes a knife a fighting knife? I thought that any fixed blade, or even a folder, was a fighting knife if used to fight with.

 

[jimbo1096]

It’s probably a wide option term, but to me a fighting knife is a strong fixed blade with a full tang and a guard for your hand and includes double edged blades. A Bowie is considered to be a fighting knife. Blades are also on the longer side between eight and 15, 16 inches.
jmho

 

[Jeepnik]

I'd say its a knife whose primary purpose is as an offensive or defensive weapon. This is such a design.

 

[sharpblade7777]

In my opinion, these all could be considered

fighting knives.

 

[eveled]

I know just what a Bowie is,

Really?

If you seriously look into it. You will find out nobody knows what a Bowie knife is. Jim’s knife is lost to time. Sadly “Bowie knife” has became a marketing gimmick.

A small excerpt from the Wikipedia page which surprisingly is pretty accurate

To answer your question a fighting knife is any knife used to fight with. From a lowly box cutter to a $10,000 custom “Bowie”.

One actually designed for fighting would IMHO be a fixed blade of sturdy construction and have a top and bottom guard.

Comparing something like a KA-BAR to a Buck 119 both are similarly constructed have similar blade shapes. The KA-BAR is clearly a fighting knife with it’s top guard, the Buck is clearly a hunting knife with its single lower guard.

 

[Killer Bee]

I thought everybody knew what a Bowie knife was.

 

[vito]

I think that the knife carried by Crocodile Dundee in the movie of the same name would qualify as a Bowie knife. I just wonder how long a knife's blade can be before it is called a sword.

 

[GunnyGene]

Many things (blades, firearms, etc) acquire name tags for marketing and/or political purposes. Assault rifles for example, or as in some recent legislative bills "assault firearms" to cover more territory. Define "Fighting words" for example.

Alice in Wonderland:

 “When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less.”
 “The question is,” said Alice, “whether you can make words mean so many different things.”
 “The question is,” said Humpty Dumpty, “which is to be master—that's all.”

 

[s4s4u]

I carry a folding knife with a 2-1/2" blade at all times and I am prepared to FIGHT with it.

 

[bowzette]

It depends upon how you define "fighting knife". If you are thinking in terms of a dual knife against knife on a Mississippi river sandbar then something like the Bowie knife. If you are contemplating combat situation then a KBar. My concern is extreme CQC. Think of fighting inside a vehicle, or if you can find one, inside a telephone booth! I'm old and even though I've trained in the distant past in several martial arts and boxing I can't go toe-to-to with someone, younger, stronger, bigger and faster than me. The brain may know what to do, but the body will say "no way". I shoot well and have had a significant amount of training. I have been taking cane self-defense training from Master Gary Hernandez (check him out on YT) who also teaches knife fighting as well as martial arts. I have no grappling skills. As long as I'm upright I have a chance. So I carry and train with a Shivworks Clinch Pick Double. This knife is only about 2.6" double sided blade. Not suitable for a knife fight, but great for making someone realize they made a bad decision to grab you or wrestle with you on the ground. If interested Watch

 

[GunnyGene]

It depends upon how you define "fighting knife". If you are thinking in terms of a dual knife against knife on a Mississippi river sandbar then something like the Bowie knife. If you are contemplating combat situation then a KBar. My concern is extreme CQC. Think of fighting inside a vehicle, or if you can find one, inside a telephone booth! I'm old and even though I've trained in the distant past in several martial arts and boxing I can't go toe-to-to with someone, younger, stronger, bigger and faster than me. The brain may know what to do, but the body will say "no way". I shoot well and have had a significant amount of training. I have been taking cane self-defense training from Master Gary Hernandez (check him out on YT) who also teaches knife fighting as well as martial arts. I have no grappling skills. As long as I'm upright I have a chance. So I carry and train with a Shivworks Clinch Pick Double. This knife is only about 2.6" double sided blade. Not suitable for a knife fight, but great for making someone realize they made a bad decision to grab you or wrestle with you on the ground.

A rifle at 100yds beats a knife every time.

 

[sharpblade7777]

I also believe smaller knives and some folders can be good fighters.

 

[pyth0n]

Nuther option.

 

[jimbo1096]

A fighting knife is one specifically designed to be used for Close Quarters Combat. It can take different shapes according to the imagining of the constructor. Folding knives are not considered CQC knives because they have other purposes that are more prominent by their design. The same goes for box cutters. I believe according to the posting by the OP that’s the intent is to frame out what a specific knife would be for close quarter combat labeling. If I use my nail clippers to defend myself from somebody attacking me on my way home, that wouldn’t make the nail clippers, a fighting knife. Neither would a box cutter.

 

[coachk64]

When I hear "Fighting Knife" this is what immediately comes to mind:

I know that there are many others that will fit the description, but I've had some training and experience with this one, and it will always be my first choice.

 

[bowzette]

A rifle at 100yds beats a knife every time.

A rifle at 100yds beats a knife every time.

Yep. But not in a vehicle or rolling around on the ground. There's a time and place for a knife, but very limited.

 

[Larryburford]

As for Bowie's I like the Hells Belle I have

 

[s4s4u]

When I hear "Fighting Knife" this is what immediately comes to mind:

View attachment 92667

I know that there are many others that will fit the description, but I've had some training and experience with this one, and it will always be my first choice.

I love me some k-bar

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

I think that the knife carried by Crocodile Dundee in the movie of the same name would qualify as a Bowie knife. I just wonder how long a knife's blade can be before it is called a sword.

Below is a weapon with an 18" blade. It is neither a knife nor a sword. It's called a scimitar. A great fighting weapon because you don't need to be a swordsman to use it, but gives you reach. A slasher AND a stabber.

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

I would consider 3 of the 4 below as fighting knives. It's not all about length, but design. The bottom one COULD be used to fight with, but it's just a camp knife. Not enough point for stabbing, and the blade isn't shaped for slashing. The Karambit ( with the hole in handle) is a terrific fighter, IF you have trained with it. Otherwise it could be more dangerous to the user. A great slasher AND stabber. The dagger is designed for stabbing, but can be used to turn and rip once inside. The top one is a good all around fighter- has it all. Note that all are full tang. I would never consider any folder or switchblade a knife for defending my life except as backup. Something to remember if you plan on carrying; Since knives such as daggers and karambits are designed specifically as weapons- and are not considered tools- many states do not allow them to be carried in public.

 

[eveled]

Nuther option.

It’s a good one too. Those are great get off me knives.

 

[neilin]

Below is a weapon with an 18" blade. It is neither a knife nor a sword. It's called a scimitar. A great fighting weapon because you don't need to be a swordsman to use it, but gives you reach. A slasher AND a stabber.

The Scimitar was Jamestown’s Captain John Smith’s favorite weapon.

 

[neilin]

Many things (blades, firearms, etc) acquire name tags for marketing and/or political purposes. Assault rifles for example, or as in some recent legislative bills "assault firearms" to cover more territory. Define "Fighting words" for example.

Alice in Wonderland:

 “When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less.”
 “The question is,” said Alice, “whether you can make words mean so many different things.”
 “The question is,” said Humpty Dumpty, “which is to be master—that's all.”

I may have to read Alice.

 

[Joey]

My kind of knife fight....................

 

[Jack Ryan]

While visiting in the south along the Gulf I seen an add for training in fighting with a Bowie/Fighting Knife. I know just what a Bowie is, what makes a knife a fighting knife? I thought that any fixed blade, or even a folder, was a fighting knife if used to fight with.

Ten more dollars on the price makes it a "fighting" knife.

 

[Richard76]

I like the Ka Bar. the guard is enough so your hand wont slide over it when stabbing and the handle is such that you have grip when slippery to pull and strike again

 

[Watertender]

When I was servicing medical equipment I met Doug Marcaida. He was a respiratory therapist. I like how he handles a Karambit.

The funniest joke I ever heard about fighting with an edged weapon was from a migrant worker when I was a teenager. He told me that 2 dudes were fighting with straight razors and one said to the other..
You missed.... The other said... Yeah Fool. Shake yo head...

 

[Jeepnik]

My first acquaintance with a "fighting knife".

What I wanted at the time, but they weren't available.

What I got my kids in 2003. The issued K-Bars were thoroughly trashed.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I agree with sharp blade, even a folder (Buck 110) as long as it’s sharp is better than going barehanded against a knife. You have to at least be able to match level of equipment that’s coming against you. Obviously you want to bring a gun to a knife fight and not the other way around.

 

[eveled]

You don’t even have to open a 110 to use it as a weapon. Just use it like a hammer

I’m surprised no brass knuckle knives have made an appearance yet. No dispute over their purpose.