Great timing! I just read this book over the weekend and enjoyed it immensely. From my studies in Silat and Arnis I'm leaning more towards using the left hand knife in a sabre grip rather than a reverse grip as it allows a considerable increase in range albeit at the cost of trapping techniques. Brian your lecture technique is outstanding, you are a natural teacher. Thanks for a great video.
Brian gives a good review of the book and some decent advice on basic training. I've been in martial arts 50plus years and found this video helpful. I will take his advice and buy the book as well. He's not trying to show off and say he's a master. He just has advice as a guy who has followed, practiced and became experienced by doing so. Watch his part 1 as well. Great Video Brother!
Brian -Thanks for posting. Again you find a Kali (Filipino Martial Arts)teacher/class you could combine the footwork and drills of Kali to vastly improve your skill with a hawk! Footwork-body mechanics and drills with a partner would make you awesome with the tool!
Excellent. I've just bought a copy of this and was a little confused by the sequence. I've become interested in this subject through learning about the French and Indian War and have bought a cold steel trainer for practise.
Nice videos, i learned a lot, for those who have something to say about the techniques Brian used, notice that there's a lot of thechniques to use, and there's not a best one, just as he said.
only discrepancy I could pick with an otherwise very good vid, is the strike to the groin, or assailants nuts would not be up with the blade. It would be with the hnd in a natural position coming up with the hammer as the impact part of the tool. This would give much more control and power, as well as allowing easier release by just pushing down should the hawk hang up on clothing, soft tissue etc. If I'm wrong please please educate me im a beginner
@@sharkymoon422 That's an excellent question! One of the main reasons I favor a hawk over an axe is blade geometry. With the exception of battle axes, most axes you buy are made for cutting wood. This gives them a wedge like cross section, which excels at splitting logs, but limits your capacity to injure a softer target. Weight is also an issue, since given the greater mass of the blade design, for an axe to get down to the weight of the Trail Hawk, the head itself would have to be incredibly small. Another reason I really like tomahawks in general has nothing to do with combat effectiveness, and everything to do with sustainability. Due to the construction of the eye, a tomahawk handle is much easier to fabricate and replace if it is broken in the wilderness, as it inserts from the top of the head, and is held on by friction, rather than wedges. I hope that answered your question! Thank you for watching!
Good job, really enjoyed. I dual weld with one knife in reverse if I'm using a knife. So tomahawk and reverse grip knife, forward and reverse knife's, or cane and reverse knife. I use the reverse grip for power close in and to defend from attack behind with groin attacks. Since my cane or tomahawks out range the reverse knife, its good for close in work, and having it reversed keeps the point away from my other hand if I go two handed grip on a long tomahawk or my cane, while holding a knife as well. I use a Double Agent I by Cold Steel with two finger rings. I applied Constrictor knots strategic on my tomahawks handles and my knife, so I can orient and control various grip stations in day or night, wet or dry, with authority and accurate power. So I can hold a Double Agent knife and a tomahawk in each hand conceivably, but it hurts because I practice actual blows upon dead standing tree's. It compromises grip some also, so only one knife with two tomahawks at most for now. I should get some tactical gloves. My abused wonderful hands need the protection. I hit trees with them occasionally accidentally and such. For reverse grip I find curved or forward raked blades work great at extending range. Huge difference. A forward raked Bowie would be great. I'd prefer a Kopis/Bowie combo for a big fixed blade. Blade heavy and raked forward, clipped and powerfully gripped. I got a Cold Steel Spartan 4+" AD10 Lockback. Its a kopis design and has the same effective reach as my 6" straight blades, either forward or reverse, and more power, as well as superior hand protection and weapon retention. The Spartan can be instantly manipulated by handling into an extended grip, reverse or forward. The Spartan handles like a mini tomahawk, but you can powerfully thrust through damn near anything. The cord grip stations I hitch onto the Tomahawk handles, do slow the draw itself some, but they add speed and confidence by snapping into place in hand instantly. Its a magnitude of power and control I gain from such. Especially when wet.
All these haters on the comments, mang. Look up Okichitaw and you'll see real Americans fight just like this. With a big ass axe on one hand and a reverse grip knife on the other.
There are so many out there it would be hard to narrow them down. I personally have an old Ontario Spec-Plus fighting knife, which is seen in the video. I really like it, but I wouldn't say it's the best out there. It might not fit your hand like it does mine. I would look for a knife in the 7"-10" blade length, from one of the major reputable knife companies, and try a bunch of them until you find the one that feels best in your hand...and fits your budget!
This guy is funny. *HERE IS THE FULL LIST OF AXE STRIKES* 1.Cleave/Chop (depends on strength) 2. Bite (hard-grip for single strikes) 3. Hack (soft-grip, for flurries) 4. Slash/Tear (upon/across surface) 5. Cut (through) 6. Kick (lhard or soft-grip, like a real kick) 7. Wrap (an inward hooking swing, whipped to strike the side or rear of their head or back.) 8. Hook n' Pull (with beard or pole-spike) 9. Rake (respectfully, as seen in video) 10. Punch (full-choke) 11. Thrust/Jab (no choke) 12. Push (it's just a push) 13. Throw/Hurl
Hey Brian, another question. it would be great if you could post a review of his other book about fighting with the bowie knife. I would be much more likely to follow that route. Any thoughts?
Good video! Are you using the Cold Steel Trail Hawk? Also, how long is the handle, I figure it to be about 20 inches long. Thank you very much. I have four tomahawks.
I would love to, but I don't have the book. You could buy it for me, then I would definitely do a review for you ;-) It's on my list of books to get, but I have no idea when I will get it. Sorry I couldn't be more help!
Hi Brian, I just found your channel and subscribed. It looks like you haven't posted anything in 5 years. Is that so? Are you still active ? Hope so. Best regards ,JA
Respected Brian, A knife is strictly meant for stabbing someone through the throat or vital organs, slashing people only pisses them off, stabbing and twisting a knife through vital organs sends them into shock. The backhand grip of a knife as you yourself said is awkward. It's totally unnatural, can you imagine Roman Legions, Zulu Warriors, competitive fencers or bayonet wielding Marine Infantry with backwards weapons? Knives are to thrust through a ribcage tomahawks are to break open a skull, that's how the fight ends and you walk away, if the enemy is armed the tomahawks distance allows splitting their arms apart while you come in and ram the knife through their heart. If you disagree, God Be With you, men must have opinions and you are preserving America's Combat Heritage... Death to all Communists, where the hell is Ronald Reagan when we need him?
I agree that stabs are often more deadly, but the reverse grip is very natural for powerful close-quarters stabbing to the face and upper body. In history (e.g. in the Middle Ages and Renaissance when people commonly wore daggers and knives) that was the most common way to hold such weapons in close combat against opponents wearing heavy clothing or body armour - not to "fence", but to strike in a hammering, stabbing motion in conjunction with grappling techniques, since that offers a more solid and forceful thrust than a forward hammer or sabre grip, and also lets you use the blade to hook opposing limbs or weapons out of the way.
Superb presentation, Brian. Looking forward to more instructional tomahawk skill, drills, and techniques. Regards, M.
Great timing! I just read this book over the weekend and enjoyed it immensely.
From my studies in Silat and Arnis I'm leaning more towards using the left hand knife in a sabre grip rather than a reverse grip as it allows a considerable increase in range albeit at the cost of trapping techniques.
Brian your lecture technique is outstanding, you are a natural teacher. Thanks for a great video.
Thank you for making this. I appreciate the time you put into it, and you also have a very good teaching style.
This was a fantastic review. Glad I found it!
Great info... Thanks for taking the time to research the tomahawk... Good stuff, keep up the great work!!!
Brian gives a good review of the book and some decent advice on basic training. I've been in martial arts 50plus years and found this video helpful. I will take his advice and buy the book as well. He's not trying to show off and say he's a master. He just has advice as a guy who has followed, practiced and became experienced by doing so. Watch his part 1 as well. Great Video Brother!
Thank you, I really appreciate this!
Brian -Thanks for posting. Again you find a Kali (Filipino Martial Arts)teacher/class you could combine the footwork and drills of Kali to vastly improve your skill with a hawk! Footwork-body mechanics and drills with a partner would make you awesome with the tool!
This is a fantastic vid. Thank you.
Excellent. I've just bought a copy of this and was a little confused by the sequence. I've become interested in this subject through learning about the French and Indian War and have bought a cold steel trainer for practise.
Nice videos, i learned a lot, for those who have something to say about the techniques Brian used, notice that there's a lot of thechniques to use, and there's not a best one, just as he said.
Brian Grubbs
hardly any clips on tomahawk show drawing, nice that you do, good clip.
Brilliant video! Perhaps you could swap the edge to the hammer on the hawk for non lethal defense?
only discrepancy I could pick with an otherwise very good vid, is the strike to the groin, or assailants nuts would not be up with the blade. It would be with the hnd in a natural position coming up with the hammer as the impact part of the tool. This would give much more control and power, as well as allowing easier release by just pushing down should the hawk hang up on clothing, soft tissue etc. If I'm wrong please please educate me im a beginner
That is the Cold Steel Trail Hawk, my personal favorite.
Why a tomahawk and not a same weight axe? Better balance?
@@sharkymoon422 That's an excellent question! One of the main reasons I favor a hawk over an axe is blade geometry. With the exception of battle axes, most axes you buy are made for cutting wood. This gives them a wedge like cross section, which excels at splitting logs, but limits your capacity to injure a softer target. Weight is also an issue, since given the greater mass of the blade design, for an axe to get down to the weight of the Trail Hawk, the head itself would have to be incredibly small. Another reason I really like tomahawks in general has nothing to do with combat effectiveness, and everything to do with sustainability. Due to the construction of the eye, a tomahawk handle is much easier to fabricate and replace if it is broken in the wilderness, as it inserts from the top of the head, and is held on by friction, rather than wedges.
I hope that answered your question! Thank you for watching!
Good job, really enjoyed. I dual weld with one knife in reverse if I'm using a knife. So tomahawk and reverse grip knife, forward and reverse knife's, or cane and reverse knife. I use the reverse grip for power close in and to defend from attack behind with groin attacks. Since my cane or tomahawks out range the reverse knife, its good for close in work, and having it reversed keeps the point away from my other hand if I go two handed grip on a long tomahawk or my cane, while holding a knife as well. I use a Double Agent I by Cold Steel with two finger rings. I applied Constrictor knots strategic on my tomahawks handles and my knife, so I can orient and control various grip stations in day or night, wet or dry, with authority and accurate power. So I can hold a Double Agent knife and a tomahawk in each hand conceivably, but it hurts because I practice actual blows upon dead standing tree's. It compromises grip some also, so only one knife with two tomahawks at most for now. I should get some tactical gloves. My abused wonderful hands need the protection. I hit trees with them occasionally accidentally and such. For reverse grip I find curved or forward raked blades work great at extending range. Huge difference. A forward raked Bowie would be great. I'd prefer a Kopis/Bowie combo for a big fixed blade. Blade heavy and raked forward, clipped and powerfully gripped. I got a Cold Steel Spartan 4+" AD10 Lockback. Its a kopis design and has the same effective reach as my 6" straight blades, either forward or reverse, and more power, as well as superior hand protection and weapon retention. The Spartan can be instantly manipulated by handling into an extended grip, reverse or forward. The Spartan handles like a mini tomahawk, but you can powerfully thrust through damn near anything. The cord grip stations I hitch onto the Tomahawk handles, do slow the draw itself some, but they add speed and confidence by snapping into place in hand instantly. Its a magnitude of power and control I gain from such. Especially when wet.
All these haters on the comments, mang. Look up Okichitaw and you'll see real Americans fight just like this. With a big ass axe on one hand and a reverse grip knife on the other.
Thank you Brian.
You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it.
There are so many out there it would be hard to narrow them down. I personally have an old Ontario Spec-Plus fighting knife, which is seen in the video. I really like it, but I wouldn't say it's the best out there. It might not fit your hand like it does mine. I would look for a knife in the 7"-10" blade length, from one of the major reputable knife companies, and try a bunch of them until you find the one that feels best in your hand...and fits your budget!
This guy is funny. *HERE IS THE FULL LIST OF AXE STRIKES*
1.Cleave/Chop (depends on strength)
2. Bite (hard-grip for single strikes)
3. Hack (soft-grip, for flurries)
4. Slash/Tear (upon/across surface)
5. Cut (through)
6. Kick (lhard or soft-grip, like a real kick)
7. Wrap (an inward hooking swing, whipped to strike the side or rear of their head or back.)
8. Hook n' Pull (with beard or pole-spike)
9. Rake (respectfully, as seen in video)
10. Punch (full-choke)
11. Thrust/Jab (no choke)
12. Push (it's just a push)
13. Throw/Hurl
Great Video! Will you do some more videos of the medieval english longbow? or warbow would be better! :D
Hey Brian, another question. it would be great if you could post a review of his other book about fighting with the bowie knife. I would be much more likely to follow that route. Any thoughts?
Good video! Are you using the Cold Steel Trail Hawk? Also, how long is the handle, I figure it to be about 20 inches long. Thank you very much. I have four tomahawks.
Yes, this is the Cold Steel Trail Hawk! This one has an 18” handle, but I think they come with a longer one now.
Hey Brian, I enjoy your vids. and wonder what knife you recommend for the long knife (bowie).?
I notice you're using an Ontario sp-6. What made you choose this model? Great video, thanks so much
I would love to, but I don't have the book. You could buy it for me, then I would definitely do a review for you ;-) It's on my list of books to get, but I have no idea when I will get it. Sorry I couldn't be more help!
Part 3 please!
Hi Brian, I just found your channel and subscribed. It looks like you haven't posted anything in 5 years. Is that so? Are you still active ? Hope so. Best regards ,JA
Not as much as I would like to be. I have some plans for videos to shoot, but family life has gotten a lot busier lately.
Nice shirt, been there many times.
The rake idea reminds me of the front spike on Winkler tomahawks. Maybe that's what he had in mind. My interest in this book is really piqued.
when is part 3 coming? ;-)
Hopefully soon, my schedule has been a little crazy for filming lately with the new year things should slow down a little.
Thanks!
What tomahawk are you using??????
what knife?
The knife I used in this video is the Ontario Knife Company Spec-Plus Fighting knife.
thanks!
prêt t'y interesting, thanks
Respected Brian, A knife is strictly meant for stabbing someone through the throat or vital organs, slashing people only pisses them off, stabbing and twisting a knife through vital organs sends them into shock. The backhand grip of a knife as you yourself said is awkward. It's totally unnatural, can you imagine Roman Legions, Zulu Warriors, competitive fencers or bayonet wielding Marine Infantry with backwards weapons?
Knives are to thrust through a ribcage tomahawks are to break open a skull, that's how the fight ends and you walk away, if the enemy is armed the tomahawks distance allows splitting their arms apart while you come in and ram the knife through their heart. If you disagree, God Be With you, men must have opinions and you are preserving America's Combat Heritage... Death to all Communists, where the hell is Ronald Reagan when we need him?
I agree that stabs are often more deadly, but the reverse grip is very natural for powerful close-quarters stabbing to the face and upper body. In history (e.g. in the Middle Ages and Renaissance when people commonly wore daggers and knives) that was the most common way to hold such weapons in close combat against opponents wearing heavy clothing or body armour - not to "fence", but to strike in a hammering, stabbing motion in conjunction with grappling techniques, since that offers a more solid and forceful thrust than a forward hammer or sabre grip, and also lets you use the blade to hook opposing limbs or weapons out of the way.