KNIFE DESIGN AND SELECTION; GRIP FACTORS

We have discussed various aspects of the preferred knife above. In this section we will explore how the design of the handle influences the fighter's grip on the weapon, and the implications for single-edged knife selection.
Mass Ayoob once wrote an article describing over a dozen different ways to grip the knife. While these are all interesting, we can break the grip down into broad categories:

POINT ORIENTATION
If the point protrudes from the thumb side of the grasp, then this is Forward-grip [or, Standard-grip]


[Ka-bar in Forward Grip]

If the point comes from the little-finger side of the hand, this is Reverse-grip [or, Icepick-grip]


[SOG Bowie in Reverse-grip]

Different schools of knife fighting have emphasised either of these point orientations. Enthusiasts often argue at length about which is superior, and dismiss the other. Rather than engage in such "pointless" discussion, I would like to illustrate an important consideration, which I discuss in this video: [click to play]

Access factors

So you see, even if you believe, like Colonel Applegate, that reverse-grip is only fit for "deranged people, and women" then the exigencies of combat mean you should train the alternate grip, and also become ambidextrous.
Another expert noted that the standard grip has a reach advantage over reverse-grip. This is true, but the difference is tiny, and would only matter in a knife duel, and where both fighters had knives of identical length.

EDGE ORIENTATION
The work of James Keating with his "Drawpoint" material, and Craig "SouthNarc" Douglas with his P' kal method, has alerted the community to another consideration, that of using the knife with unorthodox edge orientation.
In the above photos of Standard and Reverse-grip, you can see that the edge of the blade faces either down [in forward-grip] or out [in Reverse-grip]. Contrast that with these photos of the P'kal knife:





This orientation allows a plethora of nasty and effective techniques. Note that a type of Edge-up grip was favoured in the American West:


["Mountain man grip"]


GRIP SPECIFIC DESIGNS
Some knife models have been designed with the grip factors in mind. Note this photo of  the Kasper Companion  shows just how much subtle work has gone into the concept:



In this next video we discuss how knives are often designed for a specific orientation.[click to play]

Edge orientation

So, in general, a given design will be compatible within point orientation, but not across the types of edge orientation.

GRIP NEUTRAL
While at the GALEFI Conference we spent time chatting to Daryl Bolke, whose views on close combat are deserving of respect. Daryl, advises you should be able to grasp the knife for any method. In other words, a "grip neutral" design.
The model of Strider that he designed, and with bears his initials, has a "grip neutral" handle, able to be grasped in any point/edge orientation. In the rough and tumble of violent confrontation we cannot always access the knife in the optimum way, or gain the desired grip. We must train for all options, and our selection of weapon should allow this.



To sum up, create a training program that really reflects street circumstances, then select appropriate weapons to support this.