Bowie, Big Knife & Bayonet Fighting: TAKE THE HAND! Lessons from Biddle WW2 

My dad was in the Marines (4th Div) and remembers Biddle. He said he was one tough guy--nobody could take him, as he would throw the biggest guys around with ease. His knife fighting skills were legendary.

We all like to imagine defeating enemies by great strikes to their head or torso completely ending the fight right there or cleanly cutting off their limbs to win the fight but we tend to forget just how fragile us humans can be. A small, well placed cut to the wrists could sever tendons, completely taking away the ability to hold the weapon. A hard hit to the back of the hand (even with a blunt side) can cause the hand to open up and drop the weapon.

As a former Police Officer (1980's) in a force that did not generally carry firearms most of the time (no, not the UK), the wrist/hand attack was common defensive training for us, as we were issued with night-sticks for general use. How the night-stick was worn actually made it a more effective defence against short-range knife attacks than a firearm, as it was easier & faster to draw & bring it into action than a handgun.

One of the best pieces of advice came from Starship Troopers, " The enemy cannot push a button if you disable his hand." Also applies to other situations, but hands are vital to the functionality of an attacker. I have an original SMLE bayonet and a repro M1 bayonet, the main difference is the point shape in terms of basic design.

For a long time I've been thinking of how to use a stick to defend against knife attacks. In this video you gave a very important clue - attack the knife hand

My group once did stress testing of unarmed vs knife in an enclosed space. What we found out works best is to bat the knife hand as it attacks and retreat. When we went forward , the best result was a double kill with 50+ holes. If you're not Fairbairn or a fremen, just stay out of shanking distance and protect your squishy parts.

His techniques were passed down through LINE training in the Corps. The knife/bayonet section was pretty aggressive and eye opening. Granted, we used plastic knives or our bayonets with scabbards (the instructors actually used their Ka-Bars or unsheathed bayonets during their demo), but they focused on us using our forearms as shields or to take the thrust to the forearm. Rather the blade get stuck in your arm instead of your gut or chest, and to slash, stab or bunch the opponents knife hand.

You’re one of the most informative educators about historical topics on RU-vid, and make it both understandable and entertaining. Keep being awesome Matt Easton!

Sparred knives once with a HEMA guy. He kept his point offline and just waited to chop at my arm. I didn't really clock what he was doing with that guard at the time, you just explained it. Cheers.

As you say: "Applicable across the centuries". An important principle that should be taught more widely in modern systems. Great stuff.

Biddle was a very under-rated if not outright slandered CQC instructor, especially by the 1970s & 80s armchair commandos and the Asian Martial Art fanboys. While not his "protégé", John Styers (1952's _Cold Steel: Technique of Close Combat_ ) was a student of Biddle and very influenced by Old Man Biddle.

I had bought a 15 inch over all bowie knife. With safely playing with it I realized that the techniques I learned from studying DeGrassi several years ago could be easily applied to the larger knife. Thank you for confirming this. I might look at Biddle's book at some point to get a greater degree of techniques to use.

Quick shout out to Robert Redfeather and his book, "Apache Knife: Fight Like the Wind". His Chiricahua Apache tradition also has an emphasis on Bowie knife and subduing your opponent by taking the hand!

There's a very popular saying in FMA: "Defang the snake"

It works pretty well with small knives too, but you have to keep in mind that the short blade does not have enough inertia to displace the incoming thrust. That means you have to completely rely on footwork for defense.

I've heard you explain the "offend that which offends" concept before, but it never once occurred to me that it would work with knives. Very cool, and even useful in modern times.

I remember reading a bodyguard manual where the writer had a saying from the New York Police, "Watch the hands." This was where the threats were going to come from in a confrontation.

“Madly shanking away” Sounds like a great way to pass the time.

Interestingly, there's a philosophy from numerous Martial Arts that follows the principles almost exactly: 1) Get out of the line of attack 2) Redirect the attack 3) Neutralize the weapon 4) Neutralize the opponent. Which, in the end,, simple to learn, but in application, can take a lifetime to master!

This was refreshing to watch. Ive made two versions of "big blades" clinic material intended to bring sabre (and a little rapier) technique into the more modern context of a knife fight, and to hear a little affirmation of my experimentation come from so such a well-regarded source will no doubt bring a bit of comfort and confidence to my approach in the classroom. Just for gits and shiggles: my take on big knives ranges from 12"ish to 24"ish

I found this to be true in my own exploits. A disabled opponent can also create a buffer zone to limit on coming attacks, buying time to engage other attackers.

A brilliant video - Biddle is one of the great teachers of practical fighting........ So surprised and happy that someone else has studied Biddle - The guy taught real world skills not nonsense......!!!

I knew a man who fought in the Pacific during WW2. His unit was issued large Bowie knives to carry. During one battle he was able to save his life by drawing his Bowie and parrying a bayonet attack. He used the Bowie against an Ariska rifle with a bayonet. It ended poorly for the attacker.

Biddle was a fascinating fellow. Disney actually made a movie about him called "The Happiest Millionaire". He even founded a Christian movement combining religious principles and physical fitness.

Just some bayonet history to add. The "sword" bayonet Matt is holding is the British Pattern 1907, and was intended for the Short, Magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) rifle. It was based on an earlier Japanese Type 30 bayonet. The contemporary British Pattern 14 rifle's bayonet used essentially the same blade and handle design as the Pattern 1907, but had a taller cross-guard to mount to the Pattern 14's different muzzle configuration. The American's Model 1917 rifle was nearly identical to the Pattern 14, and thus its Model 1917 bayonet was essentially identical. The American 1917 bayonets were made by Remington and Winchester. The American Model 1903 rifle was primarily issued with the Model 1905 sword bayonet, which again, was nearly identical to the Model 1917/Pattern 14/Pattern 1907/Type 30 in overall length (16"-17" blades with grip handles) and blade design, the only real differences were in how they mounted to their rifles. By World War II, however, the British and American primary service rifles (the Lee-Enfield No 4 and M-1 Garand respectively) would no longer be issued with sword-type bayonets. The M-1 used a shorter blade (about 9") whose handle/mount was backward compatible with the older Model 1903 rifles. The British Lee-Enfield No 4 rifles abandoned both the blade and the handle of the earlier Pattern 1907, adopting a simple 9" spike-type bayonet which would only be useful when mounted on the rifle. Post WWII, short bladed bayonets were made for No4 rifles, but they still lacked handles, only having the barrel-mounting socket. Interestingly, the British No 5 rifle (the "Jungle Carbine") was issued with a shorter (9") bladed bayonet with a grip handle. For those interested in greater details, a recommended web site is: worldbayonets.com/index.htm

The skills and ability to fight with “cold steel” edged weapons, need to be in the combat-skill “tool-chest” of combatant. Battle goes on, regardless of whether you have or don’t have ammunition. Out of ammunition, well then, fix bayonets and charge. From time to time, the odd sentry may need to disposed of quiet and discreetly. There is a surprising amount of skill required to properly cut a throat. Extra knowledge is never a burden upon your back.

Interesting video, as usual, thanx Matt! It inspires me to do some testing with umbrellas and books 🤔

Hey Matt! I'm an American knife maker who's a bit obsessed with Bowie knives. I've spent many hours pouring over historical pictures and sketching out dozens of different forms considering minute features like guard size, blade width, belly shape, tip acuity, ect and how they effect the use of the blade as a weapon and tool. I would LOVE to see a video from someone as knowledgeable as you about the different forms of Bowie (From the old brass backed and "Smithsonian" blades to 20th century Case and Collins offerings) and the implications of the various design features that have popped up over the years.

When you mentioned using something other than a knife to attack a knife weilder's hand I was reminded of the Bourne movies. I can remember three different fight scenes where the title character uses a ball point pen, a tightly rolled magazine, and a hand towel to attack his opponent's knife hand. Regardless of realism they are good examples of grabbing whatever you can to stop a knife.

I'd like to see lessons how to use various implements like books, to defend against knife-thrusts and slashes. The biggest risk of violent death today is being attacked by some punk with a short knife when you are totally unarmed. Being able to first deflect, then follow up with a disarming-attack on the knife or hand using whatever one has in the hands would be a great thing to know.

100% agree with your lesson - attacking the closest target to my body, which is the incoming hand. Thank you for this informative video!

Fascinating! There are parallels in Chinese swordplay too with both jian and dao to attack the hand/wrist/arm. I'd also like to add from experience of being stabbed in the hand, and fingers more specifically, don't rely on a single cut/attack to do the job. I could still hold the knife and move without much problem, and shock didn't set in for a good 15 min. So don't overextend, or stop after a single strike, be smart and ready to continue till the blade actually drops!

Ive been training/trying to rebuild Native American knife/tomahawk systems & its a methodology that holds true there as well. Though if you have a tomahawk in the other hand it does change things ever so slightly obviously.

I recently got into a small argument over that scene in Crocodile Dundee over whether or not tiny-knife fighting was a thing in New York, and was reminded how much I wanted a knife like the one Dundee pulled out. It never occurred to me that bowie knives might have their _own_ style! I look forward to seeing more of your videos, especially about that knife.

I was taught to go for the fingers, toes, shins and ears. The most pain nerves are there where the body ends, so the relative easiest ways to tame or weaken an attacker is that without doing to much damage to get yourself in trouble afterwards. The Biddle methods of incapasitating an opponent are legendary. Very brutal to watch but highly quick and effective indeed. Check the ww2 instruction films here on youtube.

A practical guide to Biddle techniques is hard to find... Excellent work sir!!!!!!!!

Anthony J. Biddle is a hero, period. His story was written by his daughter, Cordelia Drexel Biddle, in her book "My Philadelphia Father", which was turned into the Disney movie "The Happiest Millionaire'. His daughter wrote that the only person he was afraid of was his aunt, Mary Drexel (she was a holy terror).

I am a Chinese gung fu practicner. We are taught to put the weapon to flesh as soon as possible. Like you said it applies to multiple weapons.

Great video but something to note is that the knife is pronounced (boo-wie) unlike the singer (bow-ie). The surname for Jim Bowie, the knife fighter and Texas revolutionary, is originally Scottish and comes from the Gaelic word "buidhe", meaning "yellow", "fair haired", "lucky", etc. which eventually becomes "bui", also meaning "yellow". The original Gaelic, like the knife fighter, is pronounced with a long "oo" sound, buidhe -> pujə.

I was trained in Biddle as a teenager this is knife fighting 101 from here you go on as a warrior. the first words out of my trainer's mouth everyday.

I think Sir Richard Burton's "Manchette System" also relied heavily on hand and arm cuts for their non-lethality.

It’s freaking sad, I cannot remember his name. Way back in the early 80’s we had a fellow come to our school who was a WW2 veteran. He had been in the same unit as the soldier with the record distance knife throw, dispatching a sentry as they infiltrated the enemy. He had a collection of crazy knives for us kids to ogle over.

Another excellent video, Matt! Thanks!

Glad you mentioned FMA. Ironically, I've noticed that most of the edged weapon systems look a LOT alike and have a lot of the same principles. Truth is truth I guess.

George Silver's dagger system uses this method: "The manner of handling your continual motion is this, keep out of distance & strike or thrust at his hand, arm, face or body, that shall press upon you, & if he defends blow or thrust with his dagger make your blow or thrust at his hand."

Excellent presentation. Thank you sir.

Taught the very same concept from my knife instructor - get the hand...excellent analysis. Very fluid movement with weapon.

While many arts have limb attacks - for example Muay Thai on kicking arms and legs intentionally, European sword arts, etc. - no art does it in the scale, degree, and level of the Filipino martial arts. While there are hundreds, maybe thousands of "styles" in the Phillipines, "defanging the snake" or "guntings" are at the core and heart of the vast majority of them. The details, nuances, amount of techniques in the catalog is vast and immense. So much so, that it is also part of their unarmed catalog. Boxing, kickboxing, and grappling systems where attacking the limbs, muscles bellies, bones, etc. as a primary tactice before closer targets are ever engaged. Also, I thoroughly enjoyed your video and your delivery of the information pulls one along and never gets dull. Very well done.

My dad taught knife to paratroopers during Korea.. I found out when I was sixteen.. I asked about knife fighting and what advice would he give someone.. “It’s a bad idea. Knife to be quiet is an ambush. A knife in a fight is not going to be quiet.. you might as well use gunpowder.” What if you don’t have a gun? “You need to plan better…”

In the limited training I've had in FMA, a defensive cut to the hand, became my primary sparring technique.

Love your channel. Such a wealth of information. Your collection of weapons is wonderful and amazing. Thanks again for sharing.👍👍⚓⚓🇺🇲🇺🇲

A person who doesnot gets chills in spine by sight of these pieces of steel is not in his senses. These are fearsome tools.

Great job on the topic !!

Mr. Biddle's treatise is available on Kindle (as I'm no longer allowed to clutter shelves with reams of books) for a very reasonable £3!

I truly enjoy your videos. You bring great insight and history to life.

That was fantastic! I'm watching your videos from now on. Life saving simplicity on that one. But I could imagine the effectiveness.

And I always thought the three main targets where eyes,throat and knees ! You won't win many fights if you cannot see,breathe or move ! Never considered going after the hands ! Thanks for another great tip !

Great video as always i would also add that Giganti suggest this against armoured opponents. Especially interesting is D'Alessandro's Treatise where has two tactics called the rippligiata/ventaglio and the sbaratto tondo there he also mentions that by chance the opponent will receive cuts to the hand or drop their sword because the hand is numb. Joachim Meyers mentions in one of the versions a similar cut about which he says that its great to use with the dussack against all kinds of mismatched weapons.

Nice tip but I'll stick to running away when faced with a knife attack... 😄

Excellent work, cheers!🗡👍🤠

I watched the USMC Knife & Club Fighting original WW2 film at the Library of Congress back in 2004. Very cool info at US Library of Congress. They actually had some very impressive WW1 Disarming people with your rifle attached bayonet.

This kind of stuff is why in the Tao of JKD, you don't just find moves from judo, jiu jitsu, boxing, wrestling, muay thai, karate, wing chun, etc (all found in modern MMA btw), you also find moves and concepts from fencing, HEMA and other weapons martial arts. "Use what works from any style or system!" (Btw once you close distance you better know how to grapple and wrestle, either be all the way OUT or all the way IN). P.s. this will sound brutal, but I mean only self defense when lives are on the line. But also use what Miyamoto Musashi talked about, frequent stabs to the face and throat. When you're in closer range you should constantly be mixing in stabs to the face/throat, because if you can get your opponent to flinch, or shy away, the next stroke can kill them

I love it, as you cover this I reach for my knife, as you introduce the guy I knew a USMC Kabar was the right purchase!!

Thanks for making the video.

Thanks, Matt.

My grandfather was one of the men stationed in Scotland responsible for training the 1st army rangers for d day. I still have that very bayonet interestingly the first 4 inches have been sharpened and he used it for chopping foliage and wood as well as defence etc

Brilliant! More on knife techniques please 👍🏻

Awesome sensible video, cheers

That is absolutely fascinating.

Enlightening, thank you 😊

Very interesting and still applicable today.

Excellent. Thanks!

I'd love to see more of this type of content to include discussing content in books like, Kill or get killed, get tough, etc.

Interesting take on using a rondel dagger defensively. I practiced with a fundo(weighted chain) against a knife from slashing and stabbing attacks like how the rondel is used defensively but I never considered a short sword or dagger used like that.

Thanks. I learned quite a bit !

Very cool video.

Thanks for the information.

Great vid as usual - interesting to note that in genuine times of conflict, go for the hands is right up there. Having cut myself accidentally a few times, in minor ways - a full bodied whack on the hand or wrist with a large blade would be horrific! Great self defence advice.

A great explanation of a very common sense skill. Fascinating stuff.

I agree that the defense technique of going for the have likely goes back to sticks. We did a bit of goofing around with padded short sticks in college and I found defending by going for the hand or wrist to be quite effective

Cool video man. Thanks.

Again, very informative. Thank youu.

U r a very good teacher 🙏

Do or die is a great little book

Jim Bowie died at the Texas Alamo 1836. His brother designed the Bowie knife. Jim was a dualist. Point- the fighting techniques range back at least as far as the early 1800's. The 1937 book therefore refers to a fairly long backwoods tradition. On another note. 18,000 US Cavalry sabres were ground down and issues to the Philippine Guerrillas circa 1942-43. A story you might like to go into.

Good advice. Applies to striking weapons too, like the blackjack. In an altercation rather than combat, a hard blow to the back of the hand with a Convoy blackjack pretty much ends any fight. The enemy is that which closes the interval to do you harm. That is why more privates than generals die in combat. They are within the combat interval. Technically, a blow to an attacking hand or foot is just about the only truly simultaneous defensive and offensive move in close combat. That makes mostly hands and feet the enemy. The logical conclusion is that if both his hands and both his feet are disabled, the threat is pretty much abated. Whether he lives or dies then becomes a somewhat less urgent moral question. The other side of that is protect your own hands and feet!

1827 Sandbar Fight near present-day Vidalia, Louisiana. What began as a duel between two other men deteriorated into a mêlée in which Bowie, having been shot and stabbed, killed the sheriff of Rapides Parish with a large knife. This, and other stories of Bowie's prowess with a knife, led to the widespread popularity of the Bowie knife. Bowie enlarged his reputation during the Texas Revolution. Died: at the Alamo, March 6, 1836, Alamo Mission, San Antonio, Texas Colonel James Bowie - Texas Volunteer Army Battles/wars:Texas Revolution, Long Expedition, Battle of Nacogdoches, Battle of Concepción, Grass Fight, Battle of the Alamo

Excellent

Cutting the hands and arms is found in just about every Allied WWII Combatives manual that teaches the use of knives and was taught to me personally.

I really got a lot out of this video! Well done sir!

Good moves. You can also hold your weapon between you and the advancing weapon holding hand. That way you let them run their hand onto your edge also letting them use their own force to defeat them.

How the Soviet Union decided to study judo and develop sambo. Thomas Cowen” At some of the forts men fought at close quarters, bayonet to bayonet, and it was once again shown that, though the Russians have the advantage of size and weight, they are no match for the quicker and more skilful Japanese”

Yes give me all the knives content, love it like always great video.

Early 1800's for the Bowie at a minimum. One semi popular theory is that the Bowie type big knife replaced the smallsword in civilian dress in places like New Orleans. Some have theorized that Bowie knife fighting is a blend of Continental fencing styles and Scottish saber fencing. Bill Bagwell felt that the back cut was a Scottish trick.

"Take the hand" is a classic move in FMA knife fighting and refer to it as "Defanging the Snake".

Yes, cutting to the hand/forearm is very common, and very effective, baton vs knife training such as used in military and other police work strikes to the hand are coached too. Benefits include low lethality, maximum reach, injury avoidance.

Thanks for the heads up on Biddle's works. I just ordered his book and supplement. I've a collection of bowie knives and the books will be great research on fighting with them. Still trying to find a similar navaho knife. The one you show is awesome!

Thank you for the historical and cultural information in this video. Techniques developed in the past that still have context and are relevant to this day. I look forward to your thoughts in future videos of the adaptation of the then current sword fighting systems that early users of Bowie knives developed and used. Thanks again.

I learned a lot from this. Thank you

i really love Cold Steels line up of extra large blades. The Espada XL(7.5in blade) is just ridiculous....i must have one! I carry a Voyager XL (5.5 in blade) as my edc. Used to carry a Recon 1(4 inch blade) tanto half serrated as my edc, still have that one and its a tank.