It seems reverse grip makes more and more sense the shorter your blade gets to the point that experts in knife fighting use the reverse grip a lot for hooking and controling the enemy.
Exactly this. I strongly suspect that part of its introduction onto modern media came from people mimicking knife choreography with swords when they lacked the understanding to know why these are different
@@ionseven I mean when it comes to knife fighting ice pick grip is absolutely valid and used very often so it's not a sure you could do that but it's a you can do this or this situation
EXTREMELY proud and happy that you're willing to argue for the side you normally don't. Amongst other reasons, it's a sign that you're able to put aside your emotions, biases, etc. to have a constructive argument and conversation! You have earned my MAJOR respect, sir!
@@civilprotectionunit8145 I'd agree with that, devil's advocate is the fun choice in competitive debate. Online competitive debate seems to be non-existent.
in the first 2 mins of this video he admited his bias and that he wasnt trained in the style so this video is actually just his bias opinin wtf you talking about open minded
@@xXDDKJefferyXx even the most open minded person has bias. What makes you open minded is the willingness to recognize you're biased and to try to do an effort to make a logical evaluation.
Out of most of the "Sword Channels" I've seen, I consistently find Skall to have the most nuanced approach to most modern media topics. From dual wielding to reverse grip. And I think it comes down to the fact he actually gives it a try to make it effective instead of dismissing it outright. We learn by seeing it visually and proven. I think his weapon reviews as well have also the most range. I still think the Chakrum is one of my favorite vids alongside the LK Chen Jian. You're doing good Skall!
I think of reverse grip more like a hand to hand combat than typical sword fighting. The goal from everything that I have seen is to be as up close as possible. Wouldn’t be great in long engagements but, for example, if you brace with the flat of the blade and go into a grapple or step in and try to end the engagement, it would be useful. It seems more like a useful tool to have available in your arsenal rather than something you’d use as a main combat style.
I also tend to see it as more something to throw your opponent off for a quick finishing blow of some sort. Most swordsman would have trained almost exclusively against people using traditional grips, so if you weren't getting anywhere with normal attacks, a quick switch to something they aren't practiced against could end the fight quickly with possibly a single hit to the face or neck, or a quick icepick style thrust somewhere vulnerable.
I was gonna say something like this myself. From the references I've seen in Historic manuals, it seems like it was more of a "how to possibly survive if attacked with a sword and all you have is your dagger" type of a deal, which mirrors morden martial arts "how to handle being attacked with a weapon when unarmed" in that you want to jam them up and get in to make their weapon useless... reverse grip braced allows you to do that, using the strength of your forearm to hopefully stop the blade (aiming for their forte I'd assume) and then shank them. Not likely to work in a duel, since this will not work out well if they are not commited, but in a street fight, maybe? Then again, there are lots of martial arts that fail in sparring because of that... but work in a situation where the opponent is just hitting you, not fighting you, if that difference makes sense.
The content creators that don't think reverse-handling works are basing their understanding on conventional swordplay. That's where they get it wrong. You, on the other hand, just broke out of that line of thinking. Using your opponent's own momentum against them is a core principle of more than a few unarmed combat styles, and using that kind of core principle for reverse-handling works greatly. That said, one thing you are incorrect about is that you should never have a main fighting style. Every style has a natural counter-style, so you should learn around three or four different styles.
yea you have no clue as to wtf your talkin about. its a defensive position not an offensive position. its for deflection and slashing works better in pairs so you can cover the horizontal and vertical planes.....
At 08:30, when Skal talks about breaking the forearm whilst using it to brace the sword, I would suggest (as Skal says) that this is not likely. But I've practiced similar parrying techniques with an inverted long barrelled pistol and it can be REALLY painful, particularly if it impacts the elbow. Certainly painful enough to affect your fencing for a short period. And bear in mind that this was not a particularly hard cut from a one handed sword whilst I was wearing a padded jacket.
See, this is what i like. I see too many videos of people "proving" that a certain style or grip is bad and they dont acknowledge that they haven't trained in that way nor do they even actually put in real effort. You did in this video and actually tried to make it work which gives a way better template to compare with.
That kind of leans into a persuasive writing/discussion technique which is to establish the absolute best version of the opposing argument and then break it down to show where it's strong or weak against your argument. That way you're getting a conclusion that is much closer if not entirely aligned with the absolute truth. You could also think of it as the complete opposite to the strawman fallacy. Good stuff at any rate.
Elder scrolls Skyrim anniversary edition for ps4 sucks. Elder Scrolls Skyrim for ps4 sucks. Because videos game today sucks, because someone buys a disk for the game, he or she has to pay for it again online on online purchase on online Plus, which is stupid, because why would you want to purchase it again, if you already have the disk, you should not have to pay for it online. Also people want to play in all of Tamerial offline on ps4, it should be truly free to play all of Tamerial in Elder Scrolls: Skyrim anniversary edition on ps4. Also they should have at least allow people to play in Skyrim, in Alrik’s desert in Hammerfell, and in Cyrodil on Elder scrolls: Skyrim anniversary edition offline on ps4. Also people want to fight against Minotaurs, satyrs, fauns, Cyclopes, and other monsters throughout Tamerial in Elder Scrolls offline for ps4.
I always like a good faith re-examination of principles. What I'm seeing is that there are things the technique can capably do, but few things better than a conventional grip, while the list of things a conventional grip can do better is very lengthy. Really, the few advantages of a reverse grip are negated by having a shield.
and this explains why it usually shows up outside of an environment where a shield would be an option, IE knife fighting for defense because you don't carry a shield when you go down to the village market, certain japanese styles of fighting due to the culture having few examples of "Sword and Board" in regular use historically, etc. it's good in tight spaces like confined hallways.
@@gourdguru It really isn't, because it biomechanically shortens your reach, at the same time it biomechanically limits you to short weapons. If the other guy has a weapon at least as long as yours, all he has to do is aim at your head, and you're undefended. Thrusting weapons are for hallways.
reverse grip seems like the kind of thing to add to your repertoire after you've basically mastered the standard grip techniques. It's useful in some limited scenarios, and if you can pull it off and surprise your opponent then it's a hidden advantage.
given how advantageous a low block is with the reverse, it might work well as a short sword in the rear hand paired with a short sword in the forward hand. The advantage of this could be that two short blades would be much easier to deploy and more comfortable to wear than a sword & shield or sword & buckler. Weaponism has a sparring video with a Krabi Krabong practitioner that showcases this. Would love to know what you think about this in a follow up.
Assuming the wielder had trained their balls off to be ambidexterous with it, this style would be a nightmare to fight against just from all the angles and strikes that could potentially be thrown. Swapping between forward and reverse grip in each hand, throwing quick reverse strikes at fingers and legs and then following up with straight thrust lunges, keeping track of which hand is holding which grip to know what might be coming and which defenses are weakest would be a whole extra layer of thought and complexity to keep track of.
I am happy to see you being so open minded with different styles. many years ago I went to a sparring event where we had used padded 'blades' and it was interesting how easily it was to 'dual wield' weapons, using one defensively as you showed within this video, and it gives more options with reach options. having a short reverse grip can also help defend against someone who is able to get in close.
sure its easy to dual wield with padded blades, but I think when using a sharp edged blade it becomes harder to hit and really do some damage while having to manage one blade for each hand
@@synthrunner4244 well, yes, even with padded weapons it isn't easy, but its possible. it would be having a blade to attack, and another to defend, kind of like having a shield without the mass of one, just having a bar to catch other blades.
Skallagrim. Sire, I have been watching your content for years. Your channel has always managed to entertain me. Videos are unique. It's painful to see your content not receiving the attention it needs. The first video I watched was your Windlass Steelcrafts scimitar review. It gave my mind something to focus on when I was feeling down in the dumps. I am truly grateful that I came across your channel because it kindled my interest in learning history. I have learned a lot from you. Thank you. Keep making these videos the way you have always done.
I think we need a video demonstrating a sort of dual wielding combo. Conventional grip in lead hand and reverse grip on off hand. Should be the best of both worlds right? Might be fun.
The reverse dagger seems ok, especially when you are facing an opponent with a heavy weapon. In conventional grip the dagger struggles with static blocks, in a reverse grip the forearm gives you a chance it seems.
@@littlekong7685 perhaps, but if someone had a true 2 handed weapon and you tried the reverse arm block I feel like it would just blow through you. Especially in a static block. Seems like you’d have to be a counter fighter almost like a high level kickboxer. Maybe you’d be able to beat a spearman, but a longsword, axe, or hammer…. I doubt it. Just imagine yourself holding a dagger in that reverse block and a barbarian swinging a Dane axe down at you…. I certainly wouldn’t want to be in that position
@@maxgriffin7870 I wouldn't even wanna be in that sort of position with a shield and sword, longsword, dagger, spear, halberd, any weapon of that matter. Lmao
I mean, this style is totally used historically, in rapier schools. Entire daggers were built for this purpose, viz. parrying daggers. Granted, you are not stopping a great-sword this way. Even armored, it would likely break your fingers, wrist, or forearm. Aside from a spear (good luck blocking that with a sword, let alone a knife) most pole-arms are even heavier. I mean, if they can reasonable break an arm through a heater shield …
As I always imagined, reverse grip might be best used for an off-hand weapon, as a parrying dagger like you showed. It doesn't hinder your defense with it much, and allows you to get close and attack with it after your main-hand weapon gets blocked. You could even "feint" a main-hand attack just to pull this off.
I'm far from an expert on sword fighting, but a thought I had in my mind is by using the parrying dagger reverse gripped it gives you all the options and allows you to black with whichever is better to block with against the strike. Since as he mentioned blocking leg attacks with reverse grip is easier
I'd say the main benefit of reverse grip would be in CQC, where you just don't have the space to do any proper move with a forward grip and also when dual wielding. Reverse grip sword could potentially function as a shield for approaching and closing the distance and then if the strike with the forward grip sword wasn't successful but the distance have closed up tremendously, you have your reverse grip follow up. In short, I'd say it's not meant to be used as the main form for your fighting style, but support for it. Shore up the weaknesses so to speak.
The video was a fun look outside the norm! One perhaps plausible scenario for using a reverse grip for a sword could be when needing to subdue someone, also armed with a sword, with minimal force. Your blade doesn't really point towards the target, so the risk of badly cutting them would likely go down. From what I saw in the video, most deflects or blocks put you in a really good position to drive a pommel, fist or handguard into the face or jaw of your opponent. Maybe then it could work if a character in a story absolutely needs to subdue another person without lethal force, mostly using their sword for defense and blunt force. Perhaps risking life and limb to get a good ransom for a noble or similar. Then again, I've seen really good swordsmen take a sword duel into a grappling match in a flash with no reverse grip at all.
Its always good to look at something from a more inquisitive view, as opposed to looking at things from a preconcived bias. Sure it may end up being a niche low-use case, but there are cases where its preferable to other options. Not just reverse grip, but many other things in many other groups
You briefly touched on this a couple of times, but a *huge* thing I notice just screwing around with reverse grip is how much less power I have with most swings. Even the ones that are biomechanically easy feel more like "pushing" and less like "swinging" than the coventional grip. I think this would get better with training, but I'm pretty sure some it is just inherent to which muscles are engaged more and how they're engaged. Stabs are powerful, draw- and push-cuts are fine since they are more about the edge than impact, but swings and snaps feel weak.
Muscles require training just like you do. Upward cuts can be plenty powerful and, done properly, are not 'pushing'. If you're pushing, well, you're doing it wrong. Flex your wrist backward (knuckles toward forearm) during your swing.
Not that I disagree, however hammer fists in MMA feel very strange at first and once you get used to them can be very effective and precise forms of strikes. I would theorize that similarly, if you trained this way it'd become more natural. Also, in non armored scenarios it doesn't take much force to stab or slash someone. We're essentially meat bags. So context is everything.
@@TheBestOfTheWorst I totally agree with the last part, although I think I'd want *some* chopping power even for heavy clothing. As far as the first part goes, yeah, I suspect a lot of it is training. I guess an interesting follow-up question then is, does it take more training to learn to make powerful reverse grip cuts than conventional? (Going to avoid the whole question of whether it's worthwhile.)
As far as I'm concerned, the reverse grip would be useful when traversing around or when in really tight quarters fighting. With the former, assuming one wants to have it outside the scabbard (assuming they didn't ditch it in advance of a fight) but isn't ready to attack, holding it backwards and behind the wielder could keep it from getting caught or clanging on things (imagine a ninja-esque character running around holding his sword backward, switches to forward when fighting, and smoothly goes back to reverse when travsersing again). That and I can see it in a story where the wielder is marching to a duel with the reverse grip indicating to unintended targets that he's not fighting them before switching to forward when facing the actual foe (basically, imagine Geralt in Blaviken only holding his sword backwards when walking to the enemy gang and then gripping it normally when ready to fight). With the latter, when way up close to the enemy to where it becomes grappling, stabbing with reverse grip is easier than forward as you don't need to twist your wrist around (not saying it's not possible, just easier with backwards). Forgive me if my comment was long and messy. I hope I offered something to think about.
@@vagabondwastrel2361 I meant when the fighters end up getting right up in each other's faces. Of course, even if I'm in a hallway or similar situation, I'd try to point my blade forward when fighting. Still, if I happen to get up to an enemy point blank, I can imagine it being awkward trying to stab forward. What got me thinking was a scene from a movie I saw on TV. I don't remember the name, but it involved a knight or guard escorting people and he encounters another guard/knight in a tunnel and the two start struggling with ones back literally against a wall. Both drew their swords in reverse grip as they were at one another's face (granted, they both lose them and one stabs with a dagger, but that's besides the point). Mind you, it wasn't meant to be flashy as it was a rough and messy fight. Just thought I'd mention it.
@@cadethumann8605 sorry if I wasn't clear. I did mean that as two separate ideas. I was thinking of what target would a reverse grip actually be useful. Horse legchopper, sword/dagger or sword shield. holding a 2 ft sword like a knife in a horror movie over a shield would actually be in a reverse grip
Having seen your original delisted reverse grip many many moons ago, it is really cool seeing you more open to the idea and reevaluating it with literal decade of more experience. This was also a natural trajectory, since you’ve been showcasing more unconventional weapons and styles like sickle and spiked shield. Love watching these; looking forward to more!
Love the approach of determining the practicallity of it through actual practice, learned a fair bit from this. Thank you for another great video that brings forth critical thinking!
The reverse grip sword style got well known from the blind samurai series. The protagonist, Zatoichi, used it. It was a style Zatoichi developed for himself, as being blind he needed to get close, so it worked for him. I don't think I ever saw anyone else in that series use that style. Zatoichi used a cane sword which was basically a no guard straight katana. I think someone fast enough wielding a short sword could use a reverse grip, but not all the time. Maybe switch to reverse when getting really close?
underhand grip also gives slightly longer reach when using fending sweep maneuvers to gain distance on your target, and is physically stronger at delivering downward thrusts., but like any proper usage of a weapon it has situations where its superior or inferior. Underhand suffers from not being a balanced grip, nor is it a grip that is easily transitioned to without sacrificing control.
Except, that's fiction. And it is really, like EXTREMELY, difficult to analyze/prove/disprove any combative style using fiction because plot armor is real. Skall's video is excellent. Unless one is doing dagger fighting, maybe short sword at best there are some fairly serious disadvantages and we can use that(that being this video) as a valid source. Any fictional series is not a valid source. They just cannot be. Plot armor just takes that away.
A fictional case where it also can be very well justified is ahsoka tano. Dual whilding in reverse grip means she can way more easely and naturally all around her one in front of her, on in the back for example. Weaknesses in a one one one fight do not matter that much to her for the main threat to her is shooting from all side and there she has a major advantage this way. Additionally one has to take in consideration, that she has two extra senses for spacial awareness and warning her of dangers she can not see, so using a blade behind her back to deflect works for her in a way it would not for a normal human.
I appreciate the honest and nuanced apprach. Seeing you spar and test some moves, it occurs to me that maybe movies / tv shows could reach the awesome amount of coolness associated with edgy reverse grip just by showing proper half-swording technique? It seems to me it could be a good bridge between two ways of thinking.
I've seen videos of soldiers reverse-grip their knife in training and demonstrations, but apparently its preference varies as reverse grip limits your range of attacks.
It’s really due to the way a lot of samurai are depicted in media being able to do acrobatic movements and flip their sword in their hands like a monkey staff while fighting groups of enemies
I've heard that the ice-pick grip was used in the trenches during the first world war, for getting a knife more then threateningly close to enemies' faces in cqc trench brawls. WOuld be interesting to see how this fares against shields - maybe use a foam paintbrush in an karambit grip?
I do really enjoy when you get into technical discussions like this. While I was listening, a lot of the issues and advantages you talked about sounded very similar to the ones you talked about in the Klingon Bat'leth videos; in 'conventional' terms, it has a lot of disadvantages, especially in terms of reach/range, but in certain circumstances where a conventional sword grip is biomechanically weak, the Bat'leth and reverse grip have strong advantages.
Now, one thing I would be incredibly interested in seeing would be how fast you can change grips in combat using a shorter blade off-hand. It seems that there are merits and demerits to both of those styles, so ability to switch quickly between the two seems like it would be the best of both worlds.
That's what I'm saying too. Who says you have to stick to just one grip? Having tested it out myself, switching from reverse grip to forward grip is super easy, while changing from forward to reverse takes a little more time (you might end up having to forfeit some ground in order to buy the time to do it). So you might start with a reverse grip, block in a way that gives you an opening, and quickly switch to forward grip before thrusting.
Great video. Seems there's some reality in the trope of assassin/rogue types using reverse grip. Absolutely love the ending point that it wouldn't prove much to test a style you aren't acquainted with.
One thing I feel you failed to mention, is that for blades, and I largely just use short blades, but it's fairly easy to train yourself to be able to quickly switch grips. Hell with a dagger I can normally spin the thing doing it so fast.
You almost convinced me in the beginning that the entire video would be backwards. Or, maybe it is? Which would mean the original idea was a video which starts with a conclusion and ends with the testing??
Honestly the best I've seen it done in media was Sky's of Arcadia where he holds it by the hilt and uses it as a vambrace/shield well attacking with a sword in the other hand. Although Honestly still better with a sword and shield of course.
Thank you for the short explanation. But did you watch the whole video in the first place? The one minute difference between the video upload and your comment is quite suspicious.
@@VioletDeathRei and in star wars but I consider being able to see the future a few seconds before an attack happens is kind of cheating especially with a Sword that can cut through basically everything
As people have said this seems more indicative of being used with knife fighting. To that end I think a broad bladed off hand dagger in a reverse or ice pick grip would be a useful parry/ block and feint tool. Cuts to ward and dissuade the enemy, ability to handle heavier blows as you can brace the blade with your forearm (assuming it can't wrap around and strike you in some fashion) and a heavy from the top thrust for if your main sword is in a bind and you don't want to back out.
To the point of it being better at guarding the legs: lots of LARP fighters use reverse grip this way. Most commonly, when using a round parma-esque strap shield, a sword or bat will be gripped point-down in the shield hand. They call it a "down stick". It passively intercepts some leg sweeps, and can also have the point raised for praying mantis style shanking out of nowhere.
Congrats on the video! Its been a while since i saw a so unbiased analysis about something...specially the fact that you admitted that after a while the person using the reverse grip didnt get completed destroyed by the other...this seens to indicate that someone trained in reverse grip could pull it off in a real scenario (not saying it would be better than "standard" grip)..
Yes, specialized training makes a difference. If both fighters have a comparable amount of training under their belt it would still be a disadvantage compared to a conventional grip, but I don't think it would be completely one-sided.
In a practical sense, Reverse Grip makes the most sense in stairwell and hallway fighting with a shorter blade. Going up a clockwise spiral stairwell in a fortified structure such as a castle means you have the inner pillar at your side interrupting your ideal cutting angles from your right hand and have the disadvantage of the ceiling being lower behind you, making diagonal slashes from over your shield extremely challenging to do with any power. Reverse Grip blows can strike without striking the central pillar as the blade can follow behind your arm, giving you options there, and the floor will not get in the way of your cuts, allowing you to strike from both directions. Likewise, as you demonstrated, the tip cut/thrust available in reverse grip is a far better tool for this kind of cramped stairwell fighting, where thrusting over the enemy shield with the full power of your body behind it can easily kill someone. So it's absolutely a useful skill to practice on a medieval battlefield for siege fighting. But it's not a good technique for open fields, where you have less reach and less options than simply using the blade in standard grip.
@@AB-ln2py If you carry a different weapon for every possible situation you run into, you'd be carrying a ton of weapons. Making the best use of weapons you do have is more efficient. Simply switching your grip on your sword as needed saves weight and cost both, and you aren't sacrificing anything for fighting on the ramparts, courtyard, or anywhere else in the castle in the name of better stairwell combat.
@@AnemoneMeer Pretty sure that people that Knew they will be fight in cramped spaces will take weapons useful for such enviroment. Besides swords are not the basic weapon used to fight on battlefield :P
@@AB-ln2py They are not, but attempting to use a pike, halberd or other polearm indoors goes very poorly, and maces can't thrust well and need to build up momentum more than swords. Swords were *a* weapon used to fight on battlefields, and reverse gripping one in stairwells has a form of value. So if you're carrying a sword (and people were), and find yourself fighting in a castle stairwell or cramped passage (which people did), Reverse Grip is an option. And if it's still in your hands when you get up on the ramparts, you're not gonna be able to pause the game of life and switch it out for your halberd.
@@AnemoneMeer Swords were never the first pick, which means people HAD more than one weapon. Everything is an Option, but some are better than others :) Im pretty sure people had to pause to dismount and then storm the castle. And dropping a halabard to pull a backup wont take much time. Also spoiler... gladius is a type of sword.
It seems like the 1 incontestable disadvantage is the reduction in reach. If a reverse grip user could find effective parries, blocks and disengages for the various standard techniques then I wonder if the reverse grip would have an advantage similar to being South Paw in boxing. With the majority of strikes coming below and downward thrusts being significantly stronger, I imagine that might be off putting to someone who has trained with standard hammer and handshake grips. I realize that is a lot of "IF"s but it's fun to think about and this was a very entertaining video.
I'm not any sort of swordsman by a long shot, but it seems to me the main practical application of training the reverse grip would be to allow oneself to capitalize on awkward situations where for a hot second or two reversing one's grip allows one to offend one's opponent (or defend against them) in an unexpected way, then quickly revert to standard grip.
I think of it in battlefield scenarios, imagine you're an infantry unit in the middle of many people fighting around, there will be situations where you won't have enough space to move around so the reverse might find a use there. With your shelter reach you may get to deliver attacks that your opponent cannot because his blade will be impeded while yours have just been shortened enough to deliver an attack. Because their attacks will be limited, predicting and defending their attacks will be easier, as well as counter attacking.
I think some fantasy/scifi does it well in the sense that, a lot of characters using reverse grip is because they are using a second, often shorter, blade, so that the two blades don't collide with each other, you have ideal protection for feet and torso and ideal cuts on all angles. If you have only one sword, it just doesn't make too much sense to primarily use reverse grip, since you would just have access to less options overall. Based on this video, I guess the ideal use of reverse grip for both attack and defense would maybe be a buckler with a defense grip spike or short blade. Which I would say it is not too far off from some historical shields. You extend your defense provided by the buckler to your most vulnerable parts, including your arm and legs, and you gain the posibility of some powerful upward cuts and downwards thrusts. I think specially if fighting armored opponents, you want as much power as possible, and the ability to target the more exposed areas like the eyes, the neck or the groin.
In case it hasn't been mentioned yet. This style is particularly suitable in narrow corridors and low rooms. In addition, it is also well suited in specially constructed rooms of fortresses to bypass the structural obstacles for swordsmen, since many attacks are made directly in front of one's body. You are less likely to get caught on low-hanging branches, walls and ceilings. 😄
I wonder if it would be useful with defending the spiral staircase towers where you are defending from people below you, with the advantage as is with the spiral. I’d have to think about that more.
13:50 One larger blade (about the size of the one you're using) which is excellent for reverse-grip, is the Klingon mek'leth: It has a secondary blade running roughly parallel with the handle, so it does form a hand-guard of sorts, and, that secondary blade features several sharpened edges, as well as a 'spur', which would assist with blade-trapping and binding, and so when held in that reverse grip, the main blade is used almost entirely for blocking and trapping, then the secondary blade used for back-hand cuts etc... But, as seen when first debuted in The Way of the Warrior, Worf's grip shifts between conventional and reverse-grips: It's not a solely reverse-grip blade, but, it is one which can still be used effectively in a reverse-grip, because of its shape... With its multiple blades/stabbing edges, the mek'leth is certainly one of the most versatile blades I know of, but, it's length (maybe 18-25 inches) does mean it is also severely limited in reach... Purely for hacking and slashing some chump on a battlefield, or maybe cutting a path through jungle, sure, both thumbs up; but for fighting an actual *duel* (especially against a trained opponent) no thankyou, its length would put the wielder at too much of a disadvantage... Closest Human analogue for function, I would say would be a machete: It has a purpose, and, if necessary, could be used in a fight or a dual, but, by no stretch of the imagination, should it ever be confused for being a *sword* with a sword's inherent blade length and intended use...
What you need is one of the movie magic Chinese swords that spin round in your hand. The one advantage I can see is if you swapped mid spar the point of your weapon would be in an unexpected place for the attacker. EDIT: Just to add after just seeing the film Bullet Train, you can turn round backwards and strike upwards to the opponent.
Video is highly informative. As a writer I am being one of those people that wants to create a character where they make reverse grip work. From my bits of observation and research, what you want is a sword blade no longer that your wrist to your shoulder (on the long side) reverse curve blade, front guard, and at least a hand guard (preferable sharpened) leading to a spike at the end. You then take two of these blades and fight a bit more like how a brawler would. Mix things up by forcing binds that you can easily put more weight behind and be aggressive in your placements and attacks, you should be able to blow through most any blocks your opponent would put up. If you get swiped aside, you can pull your arms back slightly to protect your back if needed (main problem here would be your legs). Would a style like this be more practical for reverse? If possible I would like your thoughts.
It really comes down to specifics and variables (sword type, fighting style, number of opponents, opponent's weapon, terrain, enclosed or open environment, etc.). Reverse grip with most European straight blades, I can't recommend, but reverse grip with a curved blade, especially indoors and in tight quarters can be a very effective defense.
A short sword or any kinda curved knife would be best. MAYBE nothing bigger then a Roman Gladius or short Katana an maybe nothing heavier then a machete or big curved knife like one the big Bowies or Kukari style knives of which the later would be pretty terrifying to see coming at you blade first an reverse gripped. It'd be hard to block too being so big an swung right.. Basically in an elbow strike kinda motion, Korambit styles are also lent well to it from the nature of being made razor sharp, light an even the big ones are curved an light enough to move effectively
Great video, as always. The way I was taught was similar to the manuscript you showed. Only use reverse grip if you have a shorter blade than your opponent and aim to use your dagger and hands to grapple and disarm.
Someone posted a video of two people fighting with wooden pallets on our HEMA chat group, and asked the instructor if he knew any techniques for it. His response was "yeah, drop it and get a bloody sword!" A cool conversation to have, but I don't think anyone will be winning any competitions with a reverse grip anytime soon!
A person has recently won a tournament with spinning attacks, which many Hema practicioners villify saying that you're only opening yourself for a stab or something. How was it possible, oh it was simple, by just using it to dodge an attack. Which means that now the opponent doesn't have the superhuman reflexes necessary to attack the opponent while he is in rotation. Instead their sowed has just hit the air and they know they won't have enough time to follow through and punish the guy doing the spinning, nor will he be able to defend. Meaning, Spinning attacks have never being ridiculous and impeactica, it only takes practice to use them. The guy won multiple duels with them, all the way to winning the tournament
🥲 Nice to see a video on alternative techniques again. Especially when you really try to find an argument for it and try to find it's uses. It's rare, because even though its clearly not the superior technique, you don't automatically throw it into the garbage bin and set it on fire. Well done and off course with gendris input, it gained another perspective. Well done indeed.
i am glad you decided to do some of your own testing on this. personally i always thought there was a time and place for it as long as you are proficient at it.
As someone that dabbled in in sword fighting in high school for fun (just a bunch of amateurs that had no formal training and HEMA wasn't really a thing yet) and did some legitimate fencing, I experimented with every type of grip. The reverse grip is interesting because no media really portrays it right in my experience. For knives its great, as it more or less just adds some slicing to you punches, and gives you a powerful thrust, but when using say a long sword or heaven forbid a two handed sword, it's a completely different style and mindset. 100% It is not viable in a sparing format, it's not designed around point based system or fighting on a line. It's designed around fighting defensively, being a kinetic high energy stance utilizing your entire body for most things, constantly stepping in to meet attacks or side step, never taking a step back, fighting dirty , and taking away you opponents ability to utilize footwork as their legs should constantly be at risk of you striking/stabbing at them. The best way I know how to say it with the proper technique you create a singular line that is the blade and yourself, with the reverse grip you create two parallels line one is the blade the other is you. The blades line should be almost perpendicular to your opponents line angled just enough to deflect their line so you can get closer to physically break their line. Another thing I noted while using it is you can lock your elbows at basically 90 degrees to create rather powerful static guards that is basically your whole body blocking the blow. If your fighting exclusively in a reverse grip with a proper sword and not using it as an offhand, both of your hands need to be trained to be able to use it in either hand effectively. This is style that thrives in being able to alter your hand mid combat and I'd suggest in making sure your hilt can be two handed so it's easier to switch hands, and obviously has some kind of finger guard. If possible a spike for the pommel or a small but thick hook. The reverse grips strength is in limited space, and its defense but that has a limited of effective range. I personally would never lift my elbows to be above my sternum, You loose too much strength to have effective guards and too much can just blow past your blocks. Never allow the tip of the blade to go past one's chest height for a swing, if you at the head height level you over extended and you have probably lost. However the range of movement you get from the locked elbow should give you strong static blocks, and functionally you should be able to effectively deflect anything below your chest level. Anything above you should be able to duck out of the way, do not try to contest it. You constantly should be moving and almost always be slightly off the opponents line. If your cutting don't aim above your opponents waist, unless you are feinting to throw them off. If your going for body blows that should be coming from strikes with the pommel or guard, with any cut you should be in range to stab at you opponents feet and legs as well as have enough control that you can do so. If this style if being utilized as with one hand specifically, you need to know how to throw punches, kicks and headbutts with this. You entire body should be the weapon with this stance and it's still more akin to brawling as opposed to sword fighting. With two handed swords that pommel and guard are also weapons and should be used like a weapon. The last thing of note with that, is that it honestly deals with thrusting really well in my experience as you kinda just turn into the thrust and step forward. If your doing it right you when they pull back you should still be the same distance from the tip as you were at peak of their thrust. Which is terrifying that you can gain that much ground because the thrust doesn't contest you at all. That was more or less what I learned from my experience with utilizing solely reverse grip for several months and trying to analyze it for ways to either improve it or utterly crush it if a friend wanted to adopt it. I then implementing it into a dual stance with two long swords and two short swords or a mix of the two. I'd usually start with just one sword then switch to dual wielding one reverse grip and one proper grip in combat. Reverse grip was always defense focused being utilized to get me out of my opponents effective range and into my shorter range, or to mind game my opponent into thinking I'd only approach defensively. I would say that for swords not daggers and knives, it's not a style intended to be stand alone. It can do a lot on it's own, and is phenomenal in protecting oneself so one can get away., but in terms of offensive combat It's real strengths is being able to transition in and out of it with certain attacks to completely mix up you opponent, and the fact that most people don't know how to deal with a style that excels at going for the legs, and ruining footwork gives it a great edge. That being said glaring weaknesses. It takes a lot of stamina to utilize well, cuts above the belt are honestly worthless; thrusts above the belt are only effective if you control you opponents weapon; it's a very precise weapon on the defense giving you a smaller margin of error then other weapons; it needs you to know other combat stances or fighting styles to really even be viable; there is little information on how to utilize it effectively so you have to trail error a lot of it; and you have to get comfortable stepping into blows. Shows like to show people step into your range. No that's not how it works, people will not give up their range advantage. This means you should basically be chasing you opponent down so you can force them into your range. It can be fun, but it's a style that honestly is heavily underdeveloped due to the traditional style being overall easier to utilize as a tool for combat and war, and extremely effective for both.
I like your video! I enjoy how you came at this from an angle that tried to be as unbiased and logical as possible. I also like how honest you are with regards to not being familiar with the reverse grip style of fighting. With all things, it is incredibly difficult to come to a conclusion when one is not a master at something. It can be easily argued that a style is not good but what if an expert in that area is able to make it good? Additionally like you said, with reverse grip the fighting mechanics is the reverse of the regular grip, it may be necessary to explore other aspects that are different with it, footwork, counter vs initial engagement, range management, parrying, control, motion and options. An example I saw was where you blocked and did a slashing counter, with those blocks you can also change the angle of your blade and go into a stabbing motion. My instructor always had a saying, “ move away from danger”. I think with reverse grip you may have to explore the footwork necessary to make it effective. I like the sparring content you had towards the end and I would have like to see more of it to really analyze what would work well. Aside from that I would like to make an argument against what your friend said. I don’t fully agree with him that the biomechanics of the reverse grip is inferior to the regular grip for physical power, or maneuverability. Maybe the focus of it is different. For example for maneuvering it may be best to focus on your lower body, the footwork, and range of motion closer to yourself instead of outwards towards your opponent. Ultimately all weapons range is the point of contact, maybe the reverse grip is meant to force the enemy to overextend, not for it to move forward. Now with regards to the biomechanics: the reverse grip is like having your arms up in an unarmed boxing stance for protection, so it can be argued that this is more natural in terms of putting a barrier in front of your enemy. Secondly the range of motion of a reverse grip does not use your arms for strength, it uses your whole body. You can put your whole weight into a stab, slashing upwards. Slashing Downwards, etc. the range of motion is the same as striking in mma. I am not saying it doesn’t have its disadvantages, to which I agree it does, but it may be necessary to continue exploring it. I’d like to ask if you can do a video showcasing the power in each striking for regular and reverse grips. If you have some plate armor, I’d like to ask if you can stab it using reverse grip while it’s on the ground using your full body weight and a regular grip for testing purposes.
I'm glad you discussed having a second, conventional gripped weapon in your offhand. While watching and in VR* I feel like I see a lot of opportunities to attack the weapon arm of your opponent. *= Of course VR is a video game and not realistic
From a martial arts stand point, if I may, The reverse grip maneuvers you started doing around 12:30 is correct, but what's added is that the sword is constantly moving in a figure eight. Focus is on the tip of the blade to hit it's target, also parrying attacks with the full of the blade, this technique must be done to understand it how it feels, and works. It's strange. Next time swing that figure eight when blocking a strike, and see how it puts you in places where other techniques are possible. It's also very hard to defend, being able to tell the direction it's coming from. Not easy being on the receptacal end of a constant figure eight swinging in front of one's face. Cheers to you from a big fan.
3:20 Imagine if you had some sort of metal bracer on that arm (the one the sword is in) with a thickness similar to that of a buckler, so you wouldn’t need to protect that arm. 🤔
I'd say reverse grip is better for getting in a grapple. Like around the 3 minute mark when he talks about moving his arm back for the block, if he launched his other side forward, he could grab the enemy, or if he had dagger like peacekeeper in for honor, then you can stab. With my foam swords, I prefer short sword reverse for grip in my left, longsword in my right. You have to make note you'll be more agile moving around a lot if you're going to reverse forgrip. Also, play low, get as close as you can to the ground while being able to move while keeping your arms up more around your neck/shoulder level. An issue i noticed is, everyone tries to use reverse forgrip but in a stance similar to normal grip. When they are sparring, skall is hiding behind his sword like he is scared because he was standing too tall and probably did the movement with his feet keeping on in front of the other the whole time. With reverse, you will be switching leading foot a lot. You basically have to reverse your basic principles when using reverse I noticed a lot of hits tend to be more flashy with how you have to go about hitting them but is always satisfying with how cool it felt lol
I’ve found in what little sparring I’ve done (only through belegarth if you want to count it) that reverse grip is useful with daggers for hooking. While fighting with a polearm I prefer to hold a dagger in the reverse grip in my hand closest to the rear of the spear. In the event that someone gets past the blade at the end of the pole and attempts to rush you, a downwards stab in the reverse grip to the neck or shoulder feels more organic than a forward thrust in a standard grip to the those same regions;additionally it saves me the time of having to draw a sword or dagger by simply holding onto it at all times. While I know this isn’t a common thought process, I thought I’d offer what I learned.
Speaking as an advocate for using a reverse grip (in certain scenarios, w/ certain weapons [single edge, less than 24" blade, and minimally curved]) you're 100% spot on with your assessment. Generally speaking I would only use the reverse grip in 2 scenarios - the first is if your opponent is using a weapon that is not really effective on opponents that are extremely close (spears, axes, various greatswords, etc) the second would be against opponents that are exceptionally bad at extremely close combat and are known to be poor at forcing their opponent back into a more comfortable range. The whole purpose of going into combat with a reverse grip is to close the distance and end the fight as quickly as possible by aiming for lethal or crippling blows - especially against armored opponents.
I really like the attitude. Questionning things is always more interesting when one doesn't already hold tight to an answer. I got the feeling this discussion would be really nice with someone trained to used a karambit, because they might have strong advices on body mecanics for reverse grip.
10:20 something abt this scene is so human. From a directing point of view, cutting back as the sirens are still drifting off keeps it so organic. It *feels* like two friends in a yard. 😊
Been away for a while but doing a little binging to catch up and this may be my favorite video of yours I've seen. As someone who's dabbled in steel fighting, seeing the actions and words put together with another person makes much more sense to my monkey brain.
Yeah, it's more of a momentary situational thing than a complete viable fighting style in its own right. Something you switch into for a particular attack
Glad you brought up the point about protecting your legs more, I think that's really a strong point, one thing that I think you should check out is a two handed sword, held reverse grip with only one hand when going against a spear using opponent, reason being it frees one hand to quickly grab the shaft once you are able to deflect a thrust. in a way the sword becomes entirely defensive in this technique. Once you have the spear grabbed, quickly switch grips to attack, not letting go of the spear unless they do of course.
It would be cool to see skall review some of the fighting in the last kingdom. The main character uses an arming sword with a seax with the icepick grip and maybe it's just good choreography but it looks genuinely effective.
In Asian martial arts (yep, I know you are talking HEMA) the reverse guard is used as you showed, defensively with the flat along the forearm. Now the reason this is done (and it is pat of a sequences of moves rather than a set method unto itself) is it provides a fighter with 2 weapons an increased advantage against an opponent (especially armed with a single weapon) to close range either by "lunging" (or more sexy) spinning inside the pocket deflecting the opponents blade with your body weight and opening up their whole torso to attack. Its a "use case" thing with us, I am really glad to see anyone from the HEMA world give this such a depth of consideration. Great vid
Always found something shorter in reverse grip to be a more defensive measure for the off hand, coupled with a longer main hand in standard grip always worked nicely for myself. Likely a measure of practice but found it to be more agile than a shield with similar benefits and the occasional snipe at legs/forearms etc.
To be honest reverse grip only really shines in a grappling situation or with weapons like the karambit and of course most forms of fiction it's cool but not the most practical in a lot of situations but regardless I'm glad you made another video on it keep up the good work
There's a niche for reverse grip. I like to spin short swords for fun and as aerobic exercise and what I've leaned by that is how you can utilize reverse grip with normal grip if you just master the switch with one hand so, that it becomes like a seconds nature. What you show at 9:00 is the first advantage I realized with it. If you don't have a shield for some reason and find yourself from a battlefield it's easy to spin the sword in a split second to reverse grip, rest the spine to you forearm and use it as a shield and being capable to counter attack immediately especially from move. It also requires much less to stop from over extending the slash than with normal grip, but that's pretty much where the benefits end. One thing I hadn't thought was that leg protection, mainly 'cause I'm paraplegic, so I haven't really thought about that lol
It seems to have some defensive advantages, but some offensive disadvantages, but that said, reach is incredibly useful and there will be a lot of situations where a normal grip is better. In other words, I think the best way one could utilize this is by switching in-between the grips depending on the situation. Its not worse, its different, and if you train enough so that switching and knowing when to switch is as natural as switching your stance or guard, then it could add an overall benefit.
In my hema club we had an instructor from a different club who did reverse grip in longsword sparring and he made it work. It's not something that he'd do for extended period, it was only to show off. You can't simply translate things in reverse grip, you need to do different things (which become predictable soon) because biomechanically it makes no sense as the human wrist naturally applies leverage at the thumb side of the hand. 14:37 - there you go! I wrote my comment before reaching that part of the video, but the problem is not limited to reach, because of how human arms work you have more agility and dexterity in normal grip.
17:55 That paddle grip looks usable, especially with those longswords with really long handles, that were popular for some time in late medieval period (can't remember where).
I think alternating between reverse and conventional during the fight is the wisest choice; there ARE legitimate pros to reverse grip, and the conventional speaks for itself. The circumstances of a fight are rather fluid, so alternating back and forth to suit the circumstances and maximize your advantages of both while minimizing disadvantages seems like a good idea. An example Skall uses is at 18:27, where he transitions from conventional to reverse in order to move over the block.
I think some of this depends on the type of weapon used, but it seems to my that in any situation where you'd want to reverse your grip for a momentary advantage, the time spent doing so constitutes a risk in itself if your opponent is comparably skilled. There are edge cases for everything (As Skall went to these lengths to demonstrate), but by and large, it seems that if you're close enough for reverse grip to be useful, you're too close to safely reverse your grip.
@@fenrir509 I would say that time taken to reverse ones grip mid-fight is trivial, if you combine the action with another movement. Also, even if you are unable to combine actions, the transition appears quick enough, to me at least. Again, Skall transitioning from conventional to reverse at 18:27 encapsulates both the apparant speed of the transition and also combining actions, in my opinion.
@@nextcaesargaming5469 I can understand why you're coming to that conclusion, and it may just be a matter of risk acceptance, but the time it takes to go from ready to act with conventional grip and ready to act with reverse grip IS long enough for a strike to land. I suspect you could make it faster with practice, but... it's such an edge case; why wouldn't you rather practice for something that's useful in more situations?
@@fenrir509 I'm not saying to not practice with what is going to be be used more often; conventional grip shouldn't be discarded. I am saying that if you have the ability to expand your options so that if, for whatever reasons, you *do* need reverse grip, you can do so. I see no reason not to expand my repertoire if I can find the additional time. Better to have something and not need it than need it and not have it. Or, something to that effect at least.
Proud you’ve gone back and looked at the minutia, the little details. I personally don’t like the reverse grip unless it’s a knife fight, and as much as I think it looks cool, games like Absolver where you only use reverse grip make me cringe a little.
Awesome vid as usual! Although not directly related, your comments on not training the reverse grip or some design of swords not being too apt for it made me think if there are weapons better designed for RG. Dagger/knifes seem to be a good option generally, because of the close-range advantages you mentioned. I was also thinking about the Sai. Although it is (usually) edgeless, so that takes the alignment and cutting part out of the equation, one of the key techniques you need to learn in the style I practice is switching from the regular grip to the reverse grip quickly, in case you need to block with your arm behind it. I do not know if there are other weapons better suited for this.
About 4:35 in, but I had to chime in. Based on my own practice, I'd say that the Reverse Grip turns your short sword or dagger into an axe blade without an axe haft, at least in offense. I think it'd be wise to have a one-handed forward grip and a one-handed reverse grip if you're dual-wielding, using the off-hand for your reverse grip; lay a wide blade like a gladius flat against your arm and you got a decent defense; and if you need to, you can switch it up to an axe-style stab.
Hearing you mention the reverse grip's convenience in protecting the legs made me want to propose its potential use in dual wielding, but then minutes later you highlight it yourself already. XD
It is nice to see different perspectives like this video. I'm so tired of HEMA groups dismissing everything except late medieval knight duel tactics. Everything we see in movies, TV series and games is not just about two characters crossing each other and having a duel. Sometimes there are things like bar fights, and in such cases they need to add different techniques and things that may look "cool" on camera just to reflect the chaotic state of the fights. Otherwise, it would be boring if every battle scene consisted of a one-on-one duel. Of course, HEMA groups would admire such scenes, but would they be cinematically enjoyable? Not really.
You do a really good job at debunking the functions of fighting with arms. I've watched several videos of yours over the years. On the topic of this video. Reverse wielding isn't for sparing/open battle. It's a concealment style of attack. Unless you're doing the regular plus in which is basically a shield that can cut. Reverse wielding is typically meant for assassination. Also running is safer. Then there is the type of blade. Typically standard curved blade also is necessary for this style at least a straight edge anyways. If an assassin were to enter frontal combat the curve would be used to deflect while using a wide tilted stance. As you say you aren't trained in that style of fighting. The assassin wouldn't be trying to be in a bout. He would be trying to excape. Because once the assault has been found out he is in jeopardy already. Also he would be fighting from a lower stance against a full on standard attacker. He would be in the since a ninja. He would be trained in some kind of acrobatic movement and stealth with the emphasis on defense/deflection. A curved blade in the wide swing to roll and fling the on coming attack into a roll and run. He wouldn't be tapping toes or staying around.
As someone whom has studied this for years, I find that the reverse grip can be used and used well but it's more complicated and requires a lot more training with it. I also find that it's best with Asian styles of combat in which you are very close to the enemy like using a karambit, or something similar to that. Going quick as possible targeting vital areas. It could also be used as a defensive stance or almost like a shield but with the ability to cut if the opportunity comes. It's also depends on the style, weight, and length of the blade too. It's meant to quickly exploit an opening and take them down as quickly as possible. Anyway I loved the video, and I'm happy to see someone defend that style while also pointing out the draw backs.
This is such a beautiful video. The only time I've ever used a reverse grip and felt good about it was when using sais. They aren't cutting weapons, so the reverse grip is really more about using the weapon to cover your forearms.
One of the best videos I have seen thus far on the Reverse Grip. His points are very valid, but he lacks one thing. Mobility. To properly use Reverse or Ice Pick Grip you have to be dynamic using deflections to get in close where the mechanical advantage you get is able to be maximized. It is pretty much useless to with Arming Swords or bigger blades so it will only effectively work with shorter blades like my Bowie Knife or Kukri. Obviously, you have to be dynamic, so you risk overextending yourself easily and or getting trapped into getting stuck out of position. Either way it is like any other form of combat; a double-edged sword that must be used properly to minimize the risk whilst using it. As a longtime fan of Skallagrim and Ice Pick Grip; I love that he looked at it critically without going straight to stereo types.
5:45 The biggest problem with this kind reverse-grip defense is how easily you can get your fingers damaged when defending cuts. I've been experimenting with these things years ago. We used swords made of materials like aluminium alloys, which were somewhat lighter than steel, but pretty damn capable of breaking fingers if you get unlucky. You can't realistically assume that you are going to defend cuts perfectly, both in terms of timing and in terms of distance. That'd be a really, really bad plan. You need to give yourself some room for the margin of error - without even a slight error getting you maimed. Now, with the type of guard they have on, like, chinese butterfly knives/swords, which does cover the fingers, I could see that being viable.
I'd be interested to see sparing with both opponents using reverse grip. It might just end up like dagger fighting, but it could be interesting how they would think and act differently.
It seems reverse grip makes more and more sense the shorter your blade gets to the point that experts in knife fighting use the reverse grip a lot for hooking and controling the enemy.
Exactly this. I strongly suspect that part of its introduction onto modern media came from people mimicking knife choreography with swords when they lacked the understanding to know why these are different
As Inosanto says, "Sure you _could_ do that, but..."
Yup - it makes so much sense that it's rarely used throughout history.
Yeah only a keyboard warrior would argue against it. Even samurai tanto training emphasized getting good at changing between grips.
@@ionseven I mean when it comes to knife fighting ice pick grip is absolutely valid and used very often so it's not a sure you could do that but it's a you can do this or this situation
i really like this "what if i'm wrong" attitude here. our world could definitely use more of that.
EXTREMELY proud and happy that you're willing to argue for the side you normally don't. Amongst other reasons, it's a sign that you're able to put aside your emotions, biases, etc. to have a constructive argument and conversation! You have earned my MAJOR respect, sir!
It’s really rare these days
@@Morfeusm No, it really isn't rare. It really, REALLY isn't. Quite the opposite, in fact.
@@ChristophBrinkmann on the internet yes it is.
@@civilprotectionunit8145 I'd agree with that, devil's advocate is the fun choice in competitive debate.
Online competitive debate seems to be non-existent.
What next? Argue the benefits of holding it in your mouth or tying it to your head? It's ridiculous
One of the biggest things I love about skall is his mind set. He goes into everything with a open mind and revisits his past thoughts.
in the first 2 mins of this video he admited his bias and that he wasnt trained in the style so this video is actually just his bias opinin wtf you talking about open minded
@@xXDDKJefferyXx He also said he'll see if he can change his mind...
This ain't Shad...
@@xXDDKJefferyXx even the most open minded person has bias. What makes you open minded is the willingness to recognize you're biased and to try to do an effort to make a logical evaluation.
Out of most of the "Sword Channels" I've seen, I consistently find Skall to have the most nuanced approach to most modern media topics. From dual wielding to reverse grip. And I think it comes down to the fact he actually gives it a try to make it effective instead of dismissing it outright. We learn by seeing it visually and proven.
I think his weapon reviews as well have also the most range. I still think the Chakrum is one of my favorite vids alongside the LK Chen Jian. You're doing good Skall!
well "IT DEPENDS!"
nice pfp
I think that the reverse grip becomes more useful with shorter blades. There's defintitely a place for it in knife fighting.
With dagger its a different story. You can have a strong, close range stab but with long blade its just awkward to do so.
@@erurainon6842 Exactly. I do some training with knives and stabbing with a reverse grip feels better than stabbing with a sabre or full grip.
@@erurainon6842 Not if you come from the opposite direction, it's also better for deflecting the first attack to lead in with your secondary weapon.
In an equal fight? Nah, but yeah if you have the advantage this may have a few ideas on it.
@@franktower9006 Do you train against someone using a traditional grip.
I think of reverse grip more like a hand to hand combat than typical sword fighting. The goal from everything that I have seen is to be as up close as possible. Wouldn’t be great in long engagements but, for example, if you brace with the flat of the blade and go into a grapple or step in and try to end the engagement, it would be useful. It seems more like a useful tool to have available in your arsenal rather than something you’d use as a main combat style.
I also tend to see it as more something to throw your opponent off for a quick finishing blow of some sort. Most swordsman would have trained almost exclusively against people using traditional grips, so if you weren't getting anywhere with normal attacks, a quick switch to something they aren't practiced against could end the fight quickly with possibly a single hit to the face or neck, or a quick icepick style thrust somewhere vulnerable.
Seems like it would work well of already grappling.
I was gonna say something like this myself. From the references I've seen in Historic manuals, it seems like it was more of a "how to possibly survive if attacked with a sword and all you have is your dagger" type of a deal, which mirrors morden martial arts "how to handle being attacked with a weapon when unarmed" in that you want to jam them up and get in to make their weapon useless... reverse grip braced allows you to do that, using the strength of your forearm to hopefully stop the blade (aiming for their forte I'd assume) and then shank them. Not likely to work in a duel, since this will not work out well if they are not commited, but in a street fight, maybe? Then again, there are lots of martial arts that fail in sparring because of that... but work in a situation where the opponent is just hitting you, not fighting you, if that difference makes sense.
The content creators that don't think reverse-handling works are basing their understanding on conventional swordplay. That's where they get it wrong. You, on the other hand, just broke out of that line of thinking. Using your opponent's own momentum against them is a core principle of more than a few unarmed combat styles, and using that kind of core principle for reverse-handling works greatly. That said, one thing you are incorrect about is that you should never have a main fighting style. Every style has a natural counter-style, so you should learn around three or four different styles.
yea you have no clue as to wtf your talkin about. its a defensive position not an offensive position. its for deflection and slashing works better in pairs so you can cover the horizontal and vertical planes.....
At 08:30, when Skal talks about breaking the forearm whilst using it to brace the sword, I would suggest (as Skal says) that this is not likely. But I've practiced similar parrying techniques with an inverted long barrelled pistol and it can be REALLY painful, particularly if it impacts the elbow. Certainly painful enough to affect your fencing for a short period. And bear in mind that this was not a particularly hard cut from a one handed sword whilst I was wearing a padded jacket.
::practicing blocking a sword with a pistol barrel in the off hand::
who's ship be ye plannin' on stealing, Witty Jack?
Might be another reason most reverse grip styles are using shorter blades
See, this is what i like. I see too many videos of people "proving" that a certain style or grip is bad and they dont acknowledge that they haven't trained in that way nor do they even actually put in real effort. You did in this video and actually tried to make it work which gives a way better template to compare with.
Amen.
But the reason people don’t like the reverse grip and don’t think it’d good is bc they’ve tried it to know it doesn’t work
That kind of leans into a persuasive writing/discussion technique which is to establish the absolute best version of the opposing argument and then break it down to show where it's strong or weak against your argument. That way you're getting a conclusion that is much closer if not entirely aligned with the absolute truth. You could also think of it as the complete opposite to the strawman fallacy. Good stuff at any rate.
Elder scrolls Skyrim anniversary edition for ps4 sucks. Elder Scrolls Skyrim for ps4 sucks. Because videos game today sucks, because someone buys a disk for the game, he or she has to pay for it again online on online purchase on online Plus, which is stupid, because why would you want to purchase it again, if you already have the disk, you should not have to pay for it online. Also people want to play in all of Tamerial offline on ps4, it should be truly free to play all of Tamerial in Elder Scrolls: Skyrim anniversary edition on ps4. Also they should have at least allow people to play in Skyrim, in Alrik’s desert in Hammerfell, and in Cyrodil on Elder scrolls: Skyrim anniversary edition offline on ps4. Also people want to fight against Minotaurs, satyrs, fauns, Cyclopes, and other monsters throughout Tamerial in Elder Scrolls offline for ps4.
@@taylorfusher2997 what does this have to do with the video
I always like a good faith re-examination of principles. What I'm seeing is that there are things the technique can capably do, but few things better than a conventional grip, while the list of things a conventional grip can do better is very lengthy. Really, the few advantages of a reverse grip are negated by having a shield.
There probably be a skill curve too
and this explains why it usually shows up outside of an environment where a shield would be an option, IE knife fighting for defense because you don't carry a shield when you go down to the village market, certain japanese styles of fighting due to the culture having few examples of "Sword and Board" in regular use historically, etc.
it's good in tight spaces like confined hallways.
@@gourdguru It really isn't, because it biomechanically shortens your reach, at the same time it biomechanically limits you to short weapons. If the other guy has a weapon at least as long as yours, all he has to do is aim at your head, and you're undefended. Thrusting weapons are for hallways.
reverse grip seems like the kind of thing to add to your repertoire after you've basically mastered the standard grip techniques. It's useful in some limited scenarios, and if you can pull it off and surprise your opponent then it's a hidden advantage.
@@willyolio9590 I think it would be more beneficial to learn how to use your sword as a club (hand on blade) as well as basic pommel strikes.
given how advantageous a low block is with the reverse, it might work well as a short sword in the rear hand paired with a short sword in the forward hand.
The advantage of this could be that two short blades would be much easier to deploy and more comfortable to wear than a sword & shield or sword & buckler.
Weaponism has a sparring video with a Krabi Krabong practitioner that showcases this.
Would love to know what you think about this in a follow up.
Assuming the wielder had trained their balls off to be ambidexterous with it, this style would be a nightmare to fight against just from all the angles and strikes that could potentially be thrown. Swapping between forward and reverse grip in each hand, throwing quick reverse strikes at fingers and legs and then following up with straight thrust lunges, keeping track of which hand is holding which grip to know what might be coming and which defenses are weakest would be a whole extra layer of thought and complexity to keep track of.
Someone played Tenchu I see
I am happy to see you being so open minded with different styles. many years ago I went to a sparring event where we had used padded 'blades' and it was interesting how easily it was to 'dual wield' weapons, using one defensively as you showed within this video, and it gives more options with reach options. having a short reverse grip can also help defend against someone who is able to get in close.
sure its easy to dual wield with padded blades, but I think when using a sharp edged blade it becomes harder to hit and really do some damage while having to manage one blade for each hand
@@synthrunner4244 well, yes, even with padded weapons it isn't easy, but its possible. it would be having a blade to attack, and another to defend, kind of like having a shield without the mass of one, just having a bar to catch other blades.
seeing you come back to these with even more careful consideration is a point towards why you're one of my favorite sword stuff channels
Skallagrim. Sire, I have been watching your content for years. Your channel has always managed to entertain me. Videos are unique. It's painful to see your content not receiving the attention it needs. The first video I watched was your Windlass Steelcrafts scimitar review. It gave my mind something to focus on when I was feeling down in the dumps. I am truly grateful that I came across your channel because it kindled my interest in learning history. I have learned a lot from you. Thank you. Keep making these videos the way you have always done.
Thanks!
I think we need a video demonstrating a sort of dual wielding combo. Conventional grip in lead hand and reverse grip on off hand. Should be the best of both worlds right? Might be fun.
The reverse dagger seems ok, especially when you are facing an opponent with a heavy weapon. In conventional grip the dagger struggles with static blocks, in a reverse grip the forearm gives you a chance it seems.
@@littlekong7685 perhaps, but if someone had a true 2 handed weapon and you tried the reverse arm block I feel like it would just blow through you. Especially in a static block. Seems like you’d have to be a counter fighter almost like a high level kickboxer. Maybe you’d be able to beat a spearman, but a longsword, axe, or hammer…. I doubt it. Just imagine yourself holding a dagger in that reverse block and a barbarian swinging a Dane axe down at you…. I certainly wouldn’t want to be in that position
@@maxgriffin7870 I wouldn't even wanna be in that sort of position with a shield and sword, longsword, dagger, spear, halberd, any weapon of that matter. Lmao
I mean, this style is totally used historically, in rapier schools. Entire daggers were built for this purpose, viz. parrying daggers.
Granted, you are not stopping a great-sword this way. Even armored, it would likely break your fingers, wrist, or forearm.
Aside from a spear (good luck blocking that with a sword, let alone a knife) most pole-arms are even heavier. I mean, if they can reasonable break an arm through a heater shield …
@@liamhogan4369 I agree it would work very well in a rapier/ eppe dual scenario. Makes sense that they would’ve taught it for that.
As I always imagined, reverse grip might be best used for an off-hand weapon, as a parrying dagger like you showed. It doesn't hinder your defense with it much, and allows you to get close and attack with it after your main-hand weapon gets blocked. You could even "feint" a main-hand attack just to pull this off.
I'm far from an expert on sword fighting, but a thought I had in my mind is by using the parrying dagger reverse gripped it gives you all the options and allows you to black with whichever is better to block with against the strike. Since as he mentioned blocking leg attacks with reverse grip is easier
I'd say the main benefit of reverse grip would be in CQC, where you just don't have the space to do any proper move with a forward grip and also when dual wielding. Reverse grip sword could potentially function as a shield for approaching and closing the distance and then if the strike with the forward grip sword wasn't successful but the distance have closed up tremendously, you have your reverse grip follow up.
In short, I'd say it's not meant to be used as the main form for your fighting style, but support for it. Shore up the weaknesses so to speak.
The video was a fun look outside the norm! One perhaps plausible scenario for using a reverse grip for a sword could be when needing to subdue someone, also armed with a sword, with minimal force. Your blade doesn't really point towards the target, so the risk of badly cutting them would likely go down. From what I saw in the video, most deflects or blocks put you in a really good position to drive a pommel, fist or handguard into the face or jaw of your opponent.
Maybe then it could work if a character in a story absolutely needs to subdue another person without lethal force, mostly using their sword for defense and blunt force. Perhaps risking life and limb to get a good ransom for a noble or similar. Then again, I've seen really good swordsmen take a sword duel into a grappling match in a flash with no reverse grip at all.
Its always good to look at something from a more inquisitive view, as opposed to looking at things from a preconcived bias. Sure it may end up being a niche low-use case, but there are cases where its preferable to other options. Not just reverse grip, but many other things in many other groups
You briefly touched on this a couple of times, but a *huge* thing I notice just screwing around with reverse grip is how much less power I have with most swings. Even the ones that are biomechanically easy feel more like "pushing" and less like "swinging" than the coventional grip. I think this would get better with training, but I'm pretty sure some it is just inherent to which muscles are engaged more and how they're engaged. Stabs are powerful, draw- and push-cuts are fine since they are more about the edge than impact, but swings and snaps feel weak.
Muscles require training just like you do. Upward cuts can be plenty powerful and, done properly, are not 'pushing'. If you're pushing, well, you're doing it wrong. Flex your wrist backward (knuckles toward forearm) during your swing.
@@GUNNER67akaKelt Maybe!
Not that I disagree, however hammer fists in MMA feel very strange at first and once you get used to them can be very effective and precise forms of strikes. I would theorize that similarly, if you trained this way it'd become more natural.
Also, in non armored scenarios it doesn't take much force to stab or slash someone. We're essentially meat bags. So context is everything.
@@TheBestOfTheWorst I totally agree with the last part, although I think I'd want *some* chopping power even for heavy clothing. As far as the first part goes, yeah, I suspect a lot of it is training. I guess an interesting follow-up question then is, does it take more training to learn to make powerful reverse grip cuts than conventional? (Going to avoid the whole question of whether it's worthwhile.)
As far as I'm concerned, the reverse grip would be useful when traversing around or when in really tight quarters fighting.
With the former, assuming one wants to have it outside the scabbard (assuming they didn't ditch it in advance of a fight) but isn't ready to attack, holding it backwards and behind the wielder could keep it from getting caught or clanging on things (imagine a ninja-esque character running around holding his sword backward, switches to forward when fighting, and smoothly goes back to reverse when travsersing again). That and I can see it in a story where the wielder is marching to a duel with the reverse grip indicating to unintended targets that he's not fighting them before switching to forward when facing the actual foe (basically, imagine Geralt in Blaviken only holding his sword backwards when walking to the enemy gang and then gripping it normally when ready to fight).
With the latter, when way up close to the enemy to where it becomes grappling, stabbing with reverse grip is easier than forward as you don't need to twist your wrist around (not saying it's not possible, just easier with backwards).
Forgive me if my comment was long and messy. I hope I offered something to think about.
in tight quarters just pointing a sword and pushing forward seems more useful. in fact reverse grip seems like a hindrance in hallways.
@@vagabondwastrel2361 I meant when the fighters end up getting right up in each other's faces. Of course, even if I'm in a hallway or similar situation, I'd try to point my blade forward when fighting. Still, if I happen to get up to an enemy point blank, I can imagine it being awkward trying to stab forward.
What got me thinking was a scene from a movie I saw on TV. I don't remember the name, but it involved a knight or guard escorting people and he encounters another guard/knight in a tunnel and the two start struggling with ones back literally against a wall. Both drew their swords in reverse grip as they were at one another's face (granted, they both lose them and one stabs with a dagger, but that's besides the point). Mind you, it wasn't meant to be flashy as it was a rough and messy fight. Just thought I'd mention it.
@@cadethumann8605 sorry if I wasn't clear. I did mean that as two separate ideas.
I was thinking of what target would a reverse grip actually be useful. Horse legchopper, sword/dagger or sword shield. holding a 2 ft sword like a knife in a horror movie over a shield would actually be in a reverse grip
@@vagabondwastrel2361 Well, stabbing a target that's lying on the ground can make such grip work.
Having seen your original delisted reverse grip many many moons ago, it is really cool seeing you more open to the idea and reevaluating it with literal decade of more experience.
This was also a natural trajectory, since you’ve been showcasing more unconventional weapons and styles like sickle and spiked shield.
Love watching these; looking forward to more!
It's the ideal grip for fighting Hobbits, goblins and dwarfs
Possibly
Love the approach of determining the practicallity of it through actual practice, learned a fair bit from this. Thank you for another great video that brings forth critical thinking!
The reverse grip sword style got well known from the blind samurai series. The protagonist, Zatoichi, used it. It was a style Zatoichi developed for himself, as being blind he needed to get close, so it worked for him. I don't think I ever saw anyone else in that series use that style. Zatoichi used a cane sword which was basically a no guard straight katana.
I think someone fast enough wielding a short sword could use a reverse grip, but not all the time. Maybe switch to reverse when getting really close?
Yeah Zatoichi used a hidden weapon. I think thats the point that gets overlooked a lot. He always strikes from ambush, basically.
underhand grip also gives slightly longer reach when using fending sweep maneuvers to gain distance on your target, and is physically stronger at delivering downward thrusts., but like any proper usage of a weapon it has situations where its superior or inferior. Underhand suffers from not being a balanced grip, nor is it a grip that is easily transitioned to without sacrificing control.
Except, that's fiction. And it is really, like EXTREMELY, difficult to analyze/prove/disprove any combative style using fiction because plot armor is real. Skall's video is excellent. Unless one is doing dagger fighting, maybe short sword at best there are some fairly serious disadvantages and we can use that(that being this video) as a valid source. Any fictional series is not a valid source. They just cannot be. Plot armor just takes that away.
weeb
A fictional case where it also can be very well justified is ahsoka tano. Dual whilding in reverse grip means she can way more easely and naturally all around her one in front of her, on in the back for example. Weaknesses in a one one one fight do not matter that much to her for the main threat to her is shooting from all side and there she has a major advantage this way. Additionally one has to take in consideration, that she has two extra senses for spacial awareness and warning her of dangers she can not see, so using a blade behind her back to deflect works for her in a way it would not for a normal human.
I appreciate the honest and nuanced apprach. Seeing you spar and test some moves, it occurs to me that maybe movies / tv shows could reach the awesome amount of coolness associated with edgy reverse grip just by showing proper half-swording technique? It seems to me it could be a good bridge between two ways of thinking.
I’d say a knife is acceptable to be reverse gripped, but a sword just seems a bit fantasy visuals to be reverse gripped.
Even then you kinda don't do much with the dagger in reverse grip than grappling and finding a chance to jam the thing in your foe.
I've seen videos of soldiers reverse-grip their knife in training and demonstrations, but apparently its preference varies as reverse grip limits your range of attacks.
A Karambit would be an example of what you are talking about.
It’s really due to the way a lot of samurai are depicted in media being able to do acrobatic movements and flip their sword in their hands like a monkey staff while fighting groups of enemies
@@kovona That's why it's called the defensive grip.
i feel like the ability to have strikes that your opponent has never encountered could be very advantageous too
I've heard that the ice-pick grip was used in the trenches during the first world war, for getting a knife more then threateningly close to enemies' faces in cqc trench brawls. WOuld be interesting to see how this fares against shields - maybe use a foam paintbrush in an karambit grip?
I do really enjoy when you get into technical discussions like this. While I was listening, a lot of the issues and advantages you talked about sounded very similar to the ones you talked about in the Klingon Bat'leth videos; in 'conventional' terms, it has a lot of disadvantages, especially in terms of reach/range, but in certain circumstances where a conventional sword grip is biomechanically weak, the Bat'leth and reverse grip have strong advantages.
Now, one thing I would be incredibly interested in seeing would be how fast you can change grips in combat using a shorter blade off-hand. It seems that there are merits and demerits to both of those styles, so ability to switch quickly between the two seems like it would be the best of both worlds.
That's what I'm saying too. Who says you have to stick to just one grip? Having tested it out myself, switching from reverse grip to forward grip is super easy, while changing from forward to reverse takes a little more time (you might end up having to forfeit some ground in order to buy the time to do it). So you might start with a reverse grip, block in a way that gives you an opening, and quickly switch to forward grip before thrusting.
Great video. Seems there's some reality in the trope of assassin/rogue types using reverse grip. Absolutely love the ending point that it wouldn't prove much to test a style you aren't acquainted with.
One thing I feel you failed to mention, is that for blades, and I largely just use short blades, but it's fairly easy to train yourself to be able to quickly switch grips. Hell with a dagger I can normally spin the thing doing it so fast.
I was about to post a comment about using it for an off -hand weapon right before I got to that part of the video, glad you covered it already!
You almost convinced me in the beginning that the entire video would be backwards.
Or, maybe it is? Which would mean the original idea was a video which starts with a conclusion and ends with the testing??
This is one point that made me subscribe years ago: you are willing to change your viewpoint and rethink what you have stated.
tl;dr: reverse grip bad, but not instant self destruction.
Honestly the best I've seen it done in media was Sky's of Arcadia where he holds it by the hilt and uses it as a vambrace/shield well attacking with a sword in the other hand.
Although Honestly still better with a sword and shield of course.
Thank you for the short explanation. But did you watch the whole video in the first place? The one minute difference between the video upload and your comment is quite suspicious.
@@sergeychistov8162I got the jist of it from the start.
@@VioletDeathRei and in star wars but I consider being able to see the future a few seconds before an attack happens is kind of cheating especially with a Sword that can cut through basically everything
This gave me a funny idea of someone using reverse grip and immediately exploding a couple of seconds after.
Watching this as I eat and edit a video, good work and good luck!
As people have said this seems more indicative of being used with knife fighting. To that end I think a broad bladed off hand dagger in a reverse or ice pick grip would be a useful parry/ block and feint tool. Cuts to ward and dissuade the enemy, ability to handle heavier blows as you can brace the blade with your forearm (assuming it can't wrap around and strike you in some fashion) and a heavy from the top thrust for if your main sword is in a bind and you don't want to back out.
A shoutout to your "sparring partner". They do a very good job at showing us viewers all the movements. Well done!
To the point of it being better at guarding the legs: lots of LARP fighters use reverse grip this way. Most commonly, when using a round parma-esque strap shield, a sword or bat will be gripped point-down in the shield hand. They call it a "down stick". It passively intercepts some leg sweeps, and can also have the point raised for praying mantis style shanking out of nowhere.
Congrats on the video! Its been a while since i saw a so unbiased analysis about something...specially the fact that you admitted that after a while the person using the reverse grip didnt get completed destroyed by the other...this seens to indicate that someone trained in reverse grip could pull it off in a real scenario (not saying it would be better than "standard" grip)..
Yes, specialized training makes a difference. If both fighters have a comparable amount of training under their belt it would still be a disadvantage compared to a conventional grip, but I don't think it would be completely one-sided.
In a practical sense, Reverse Grip makes the most sense in stairwell and hallway fighting with a shorter blade. Going up a clockwise spiral stairwell in a fortified structure such as a castle means you have the inner pillar at your side interrupting your ideal cutting angles from your right hand and have the disadvantage of the ceiling being lower behind you, making diagonal slashes from over your shield extremely challenging to do with any power.
Reverse Grip blows can strike without striking the central pillar as the blade can follow behind your arm, giving you options there, and the floor will not get in the way of your cuts, allowing you to strike from both directions. Likewise, as you demonstrated, the tip cut/thrust available in reverse grip is a far better tool for this kind of cramped stairwell fighting, where thrusting over the enemy shield with the full power of your body behind it can easily kill someone.
So it's absolutely a useful skill to practice on a medieval battlefield for siege fighting. But it's not a good technique for open fields, where you have less reach and less options than simply using the blade in standard grip.
Wouldnt it be better to go stabby stabby then with a gladius like weapon ? Paired with a shield...
@@AB-ln2py If you carry a different weapon for every possible situation you run into, you'd be carrying a ton of weapons. Making the best use of weapons you do have is more efficient. Simply switching your grip on your sword as needed saves weight and cost both, and you aren't sacrificing anything for fighting on the ramparts, courtyard, or anywhere else in the castle in the name of better stairwell combat.
@@AnemoneMeer Pretty sure that people that Knew they will be fight in cramped spaces will take weapons useful for such enviroment. Besides swords are not the basic weapon used to fight on battlefield :P
@@AB-ln2py They are not, but attempting to use a pike, halberd or other polearm indoors goes very poorly, and maces can't thrust well and need to build up momentum more than swords.
Swords were *a* weapon used to fight on battlefields, and reverse gripping one in stairwells has a form of value. So if you're carrying a sword (and people were), and find yourself fighting in a castle stairwell or cramped passage (which people did), Reverse Grip is an option. And if it's still in your hands when you get up on the ramparts, you're not gonna be able to pause the game of life and switch it out for your halberd.
@@AnemoneMeer Swords were never the first pick, which means people HAD more than one weapon.
Everything is an Option, but some are better than others :)
Im pretty sure people had to pause to dismount and then storm the castle. And dropping a halabard to pull a backup wont take much time.
Also spoiler... gladius is a type of sword.
It seems like the 1 incontestable disadvantage is the reduction in reach. If a reverse grip user could find effective parries, blocks and disengages for the various standard techniques then I wonder if the reverse grip would have an advantage similar to being South Paw in boxing. With the majority of strikes coming below and downward thrusts being significantly stronger, I imagine that might be off putting to someone who has trained with standard hammer and handshake grips.
I realize that is a lot of "IF"s but it's fun to think about and this was a very entertaining video.
I'm not any sort of swordsman by a long shot, but it seems to me the main practical application of training the reverse grip would be to allow oneself to capitalize on awkward situations where for a hot second or two reversing one's grip allows one to offend one's opponent (or defend against them) in an unexpected way, then quickly revert to standard grip.
I think of it in battlefield scenarios, imagine you're an infantry unit in the middle of many people fighting around, there will be situations where you won't have enough space to move around so the reverse might find a use there. With your shelter reach you may get to deliver attacks that your opponent cannot because his blade will be impeded while yours have just been shortened enough to deliver an attack. Because their attacks will be limited, predicting and defending their attacks will be easier, as well as counter attacking.
I think some fantasy/scifi does it well in the sense that, a lot of characters using reverse grip is because they are using a second, often shorter, blade, so that the two blades don't collide with each other, you have ideal protection for feet and torso and ideal cuts on all angles. If you have only one sword, it just doesn't make too much sense to primarily use reverse grip, since you would just have access to less options overall.
Based on this video, I guess the ideal use of reverse grip for both attack and defense would maybe be a buckler with a defense grip spike or short blade. Which I would say it is not too far off from some historical shields. You extend your defense provided by the buckler to your most vulnerable parts, including your arm and legs, and you gain the posibility of some powerful upward cuts and downwards thrusts. I think specially if fighting armored opponents, you want as much power as possible, and the ability to target the more exposed areas like the eyes, the neck or the groin.
In case it hasn't been mentioned yet. This style is particularly suitable in narrow corridors and low rooms. In addition, it is also well suited in specially constructed rooms of fortresses to bypass the structural obstacles for swordsmen, since many attacks are made directly in front of one's body. You are less likely to get caught on low-hanging branches, walls and ceilings. 😄
I wonder if it would be useful with defending the spiral staircase towers where you are defending from people below you, with the advantage as is with the spiral. I’d have to think about that more.
13:50 One larger blade (about the size of the one you're using) which is excellent for reverse-grip, is the Klingon mek'leth: It has a secondary blade running roughly parallel with the handle, so it does form a hand-guard of sorts, and, that secondary blade features several sharpened edges, as well as a 'spur', which would assist with blade-trapping and binding, and so when held in that reverse grip, the main blade is used almost entirely for blocking and trapping, then the secondary blade used for back-hand cuts etc...
But, as seen when first debuted in The Way of the Warrior, Worf's grip shifts between conventional and reverse-grips: It's not a solely reverse-grip blade, but, it is one which can still be used effectively in a reverse-grip, because of its shape...
With its multiple blades/stabbing edges, the mek'leth is certainly one of the most versatile blades I know of, but, it's length (maybe 18-25 inches) does mean it is also severely limited in reach...
Purely for hacking and slashing some chump on a battlefield, or maybe cutting a path through jungle, sure, both thumbs up; but for fighting an actual *duel* (especially against a trained opponent) no thankyou, its length would put the wielder at too much of a disadvantage...
Closest Human analogue for function, I would say would be a machete: It has a purpose, and, if necessary, could be used in a fight or a dual, but, by no stretch of the imagination, should it ever be confused for being a *sword* with a sword's inherent blade length and intended use...
What you need is one of the movie magic Chinese swords that spin round in your hand. The one advantage I can see is if you swapped mid spar the point of your weapon would be in an unexpected place for the attacker. EDIT: Just to add after just seeing the film Bullet Train, you can turn round backwards and strike upwards to the opponent.
And maybe get hit yourself while at it... Spinning is always tricky
Video is highly informative. As a writer I am being one of those people that wants to create a character where they make reverse grip work. From my bits of observation and research, what you want is a sword blade no longer that your wrist to your shoulder (on the long side) reverse curve blade, front guard, and at least a hand guard (preferable sharpened) leading to a spike at the end. You then take two of these blades and fight a bit more like how a brawler would. Mix things up by forcing binds that you can easily put more weight behind and be aggressive in your placements and attacks, you should be able to blow through most any blocks your opponent would put up. If you get swiped aside, you can pull your arms back slightly to protect your back if needed (main problem here would be your legs). Would a style like this be more practical for reverse? If possible I would like your thoughts.
It really comes down to specifics and variables (sword type, fighting style, number of opponents, opponent's weapon, terrain, enclosed or open environment, etc.). Reverse grip with most European straight blades, I can't recommend, but reverse grip with a curved blade, especially indoors and in tight quarters can be a very effective defense.
with a straight blade you get is so the flat sits on your arm and then just throw elbow strikes to cut or stab, at least that's how the Chinese do it
A short sword or any kinda curved knife would be best. MAYBE nothing bigger then a Roman Gladius or short Katana an maybe nothing heavier then a machete or big curved knife like one the big Bowies or Kukari style knives of which the later would be pretty terrifying to see coming at you blade first an reverse gripped. It'd be hard to block too being so big an swung right.. Basically in an elbow strike kinda motion, Korambit styles are also lent well to it from the nature of being made razor sharp, light an even the big ones are curved an light enough to move effectively
Great video, as always. The way I was taught was similar to the manuscript you showed. Only use reverse grip if you have a shorter blade than your opponent and aim to use your dagger and hands to grapple and disarm.
The thing a lot of people forget about holding a sword like that is those that do that are often way more agile and limber
Great video. I like how you always rethink topics.
Someone posted a video of two people fighting with wooden pallets on our HEMA chat group, and asked the instructor if he knew any techniques for it. His response was "yeah, drop it and get a bloody sword!" A cool conversation to have, but I don't think anyone will be winning any competitions with a reverse grip anytime soon!
A person has recently won a tournament with spinning attacks, which many Hema practicioners villify saying that you're only opening yourself for a stab or something. How was it possible, oh it was simple, by just using it to dodge an attack.
Which means that now the opponent doesn't have the superhuman reflexes necessary to attack the opponent while he is in rotation. Instead their sowed has just hit the air and they know they won't have enough time to follow through and punish the guy doing the spinning, nor will he be able to defend.
Meaning, Spinning attacks have never being ridiculous and impeactica, it only takes practice to use them.
The guy won multiple duels with them, all the way to winning the tournament
🥲 Nice to see a video on alternative techniques again. Especially when you really try to find an argument for it and try to find it's uses. It's rare, because even though its clearly not the superior technique, you don't automatically throw it into the garbage bin and set it on fire.
Well done and off course with gendris input, it gained another perspective. Well done indeed.
i am glad you decided to do some of your own testing on this. personally i always thought there was a time and place for it as long as you are proficient at it.
As someone that dabbled in in sword fighting in high school for fun (just a bunch of amateurs that had no formal training and HEMA wasn't really a thing yet) and did some legitimate fencing, I experimented with every type of grip. The reverse grip is interesting because no media really portrays it right in my experience. For knives its great, as it more or less just adds some slicing to you punches, and gives you a powerful thrust, but when using say a long sword or heaven forbid a two handed sword, it's a completely different style and mindset.
100% It is not viable in a sparing format, it's not designed around point based system or fighting on a line. It's designed around fighting defensively, being a kinetic high energy stance utilizing your entire body for most things, constantly stepping in to meet attacks or side step, never taking a step back, fighting dirty , and taking away you opponents ability to utilize footwork as their legs should constantly be at risk of you striking/stabbing at them. The best way I know how to say it with the proper technique you create a singular line that is the blade and yourself, with the reverse grip you create two parallels line one is the blade the other is you. The blades line should be almost perpendicular to your opponents line angled just enough to deflect their line so you can get closer to physically break their line. Another thing I noted while using it is you can lock your elbows at basically 90 degrees to create rather powerful static guards that is basically your whole body blocking the blow.
If your fighting exclusively in a reverse grip with a proper sword and not using it as an offhand, both of your hands need to be trained to be able to use it in either hand effectively. This is style that thrives in being able to alter your hand mid combat and I'd suggest in making sure your hilt can be two handed so it's easier to switch hands, and obviously has some kind of finger guard. If possible a spike for the pommel or a small but thick hook. The reverse grips strength is in limited space, and its defense but that has a limited of effective range. I personally would never lift my elbows to be above my sternum, You loose too much strength to have effective guards and too much can just blow past your blocks. Never allow the tip of the blade to go past one's chest height for a swing, if you at the head height level you over extended and you have probably lost. However the range of movement you get from the locked elbow should give you strong static blocks, and functionally you should be able to effectively deflect anything below your chest level. Anything above you should be able to duck out of the way, do not try to contest it.
You constantly should be moving and almost always be slightly off the opponents line. If your cutting don't aim above your opponents waist, unless you are feinting to throw them off. If your going for body blows that should be coming from strikes with the pommel or guard, with any cut you should be in range to stab at you opponents feet and legs as well as have enough control that you can do so. If
this style if being utilized as with one hand specifically, you need to know how to throw punches, kicks and headbutts with this. You entire body should be the weapon with this stance and it's still more akin to brawling as opposed to sword fighting. With two handed swords that pommel and guard are also weapons and should be used like a weapon. The last thing of note with that, is that it honestly deals with thrusting really well in my experience as you kinda just turn into the thrust and step forward. If your doing it right you when they pull back you should still be the same distance from the tip as you were at peak of their thrust. Which is terrifying that you can gain that much ground because the thrust doesn't contest you at all.
That was more or less what I learned from my experience with utilizing solely reverse grip for several months and trying to analyze it for ways to either improve it or utterly crush it if a friend wanted to adopt it. I then implementing it into a dual stance with two long swords and two short swords or a mix of the two. I'd usually start with just one sword then switch to dual wielding one reverse grip and one proper grip in combat. Reverse grip was always defense focused being utilized to get me out of my opponents effective range and into my shorter range, or to mind game my opponent into thinking I'd only approach defensively.
I would say that for swords not daggers and knives, it's not a style intended to be stand alone. It can do a lot on it's own, and is phenomenal in protecting oneself so one can get away., but in terms of offensive combat It's real strengths is being able to transition in and out of it with certain attacks to completely mix up you opponent, and the fact that most people don't know how to deal with a style that excels at going for the legs, and ruining footwork gives it a great edge.
That being said glaring weaknesses. It takes a lot of stamina to utilize well, cuts above the belt are honestly worthless; thrusts above the belt are only effective if you control you opponents weapon; it's a very precise weapon on the defense giving you a smaller margin of error then other weapons; it needs you to know other combat stances or fighting styles to really even be viable; there is little information on how to utilize it effectively so you have to trail error a lot of it; and you have to get comfortable stepping into blows. Shows like to show people step into your range. No that's not how it works, people will not give up their range advantage. This means you should basically be chasing you opponent down so you can force them into your range. It can be fun, but it's a style that honestly is heavily underdeveloped due to the traditional style being overall easier to utilize as a tool for combat and war, and extremely effective for both.
What a nice video! The way you demonstrated the technique... Amazing!
I like your video! I enjoy how you came at this from an angle that tried to be as unbiased and logical as possible. I also like how honest you are with regards to not being familiar with the reverse grip style of fighting. With all things, it is incredibly difficult to come to a conclusion when one is not a master at something. It can be easily argued that a style is not good but what if an expert in that area is able to make it good? Additionally like you said, with reverse grip the fighting mechanics is the reverse of the regular grip, it may be necessary to explore other aspects that are different with it, footwork, counter vs initial engagement, range management, parrying, control, motion and options. An example I saw was where you blocked and did a slashing counter, with those blocks you can also change the angle of your blade and go into a stabbing motion. My instructor always had a saying, “ move away from danger”. I think with reverse grip you may have to explore the footwork necessary to make it effective. I like the sparring content you had towards the end and I would have like to see more of it to really analyze what would work well. Aside from that I would like to make an argument against what your friend said. I don’t fully agree with him that the biomechanics of the reverse grip is inferior to the regular grip for physical power, or maneuverability. Maybe the focus of it is different. For example for maneuvering it may be best to focus on your lower body, the footwork, and range of motion closer to yourself instead of outwards towards your opponent. Ultimately all weapons range is the point of contact, maybe the reverse grip is meant to force the enemy to overextend, not for it to move forward. Now with regards to the biomechanics: the reverse grip is like having your arms up in an unarmed boxing stance for protection, so it can be argued that this is more natural in terms of putting a barrier in front of your enemy. Secondly the range of motion of a reverse grip does not use your arms for strength, it uses your whole body. You can put your whole weight into a stab, slashing upwards. Slashing Downwards, etc. the range of motion is the same as striking in mma. I am not saying it doesn’t have its disadvantages, to which I agree it does, but it may be necessary to continue exploring it. I’d like to ask if you can do a video showcasing the power in each striking for regular and reverse grips. If you have some plate armor, I’d like to ask if you can stab it using reverse grip while it’s on the ground using your full body weight and a regular grip for testing purposes.
A breakdown of the first fight in the witcher would have been a nice test to see, comparing moves from tv to real life. I enjoyed the video, thanks
I'm glad you discussed having a second, conventional gripped weapon in your offhand. While watching and in VR* I feel like I see a lot of opportunities to attack the weapon arm of your opponent.
*= Of course VR is a video game and not realistic
From a martial arts stand point, if I may, The reverse grip maneuvers you started doing around 12:30 is correct, but what's added is that the sword is constantly moving in a figure eight. Focus is on the tip of the blade to hit it's target, also parrying attacks with the full of the blade, this technique must be done to understand it how it feels, and works. It's strange.
Next time swing that figure eight when blocking a strike, and see how it puts you in places where other techniques are possible. It's also very hard to defend, being able to tell the direction it's coming from. Not easy being on the receptacal end of a constant figure eight swinging in front of one's face. Cheers to you from a big fan.
3:20 Imagine if you had some sort of metal bracer on that arm (the one the sword is in) with a thickness similar to that of a buckler, so you wouldn’t need to protect that arm. 🤔
I'd say reverse grip is better for getting in a grapple. Like around the 3 minute mark when he talks about moving his arm back for the block, if he launched his other side forward, he could grab the enemy, or if he had dagger like peacekeeper in for honor, then you can stab. With my foam swords, I prefer short sword reverse for grip in my left, longsword in my right. You have to make note you'll be more agile moving around a lot if you're going to reverse forgrip. Also, play low, get as close as you can to the ground while being able to move while keeping your arms up more around your neck/shoulder level. An issue i noticed is, everyone tries to use reverse forgrip but in a stance similar to normal grip. When they are sparring, skall is hiding behind his sword like he is scared because he was standing too tall and probably did the movement with his feet keeping on in front of the other the whole time. With reverse, you will be switching leading foot a lot. You basically have to reverse your basic principles when using reverse
I noticed a lot of hits tend to be more flashy with how you have to go about hitting them but is always satisfying with how cool it felt lol
I’ve found in what little sparring I’ve done (only through belegarth if you want to count it) that reverse grip is useful with daggers for hooking. While fighting with a polearm I prefer to hold a dagger in the reverse grip in my hand closest to the rear of the spear. In the event that someone gets past the blade at the end of the pole and attempts to rush you, a downwards stab in the reverse grip to the neck or shoulder feels more organic than a forward thrust in a standard grip to the those same regions;additionally it saves me the time of having to draw a sword or dagger by simply holding onto it at all times. While I know this isn’t a common thought process, I thought I’d offer what I learned.
FINALLY, an analysis that takes into account footwork, and proper angles. Most I've seen just stand motionless and pointlessly flail their arm about.
Speaking as an advocate for using a reverse grip (in certain scenarios, w/ certain weapons [single edge, less than 24" blade, and minimally curved]) you're 100% spot on with your assessment. Generally speaking I would only use the reverse grip in 2 scenarios - the first is if your opponent is using a weapon that is not really effective on opponents that are extremely close (spears, axes, various greatswords, etc) the second would be against opponents that are exceptionally bad at extremely close combat and are known to be poor at forcing their opponent back into a more comfortable range.
The whole purpose of going into combat with a reverse grip is to close the distance and end the fight as quickly as possible by aiming for lethal or crippling blows - especially against armored opponents.
absolutely adored this vid. id love to see you in a video about samurai armor, mostly because youd look dope af
I really like the attitude. Questionning things is always more interesting when one doesn't already hold tight to an answer.
I got the feeling this discussion would be really nice with someone trained to used a karambit, because they might have strong advices on body mecanics for reverse grip.
10:20 something abt this scene is so human. From a directing point of view, cutting back as the sirens are still drifting off keeps it so organic. It *feels* like two friends in a yard. 😊
Been away for a while but doing a little binging to catch up and this may be my favorite video of yours I've seen. As someone who's dabbled in steel fighting, seeing the actions and words put together with another person makes much more sense to my monkey brain.
Reverse grip sword pops up in various European manuals. It's often in the form of grappling in an armored dueling context.
Pretty interesting stuff.
Yeah, it's more of a momentary situational thing than a complete viable fighting style in its own right. Something you switch into for a particular attack
Glad you brought up the point about protecting your legs more, I think that's really a strong point, one thing that I think you should check out is a two handed sword, held reverse grip with only one hand when going against a spear using opponent, reason being it frees one hand to quickly grab the shaft once you are able to deflect a thrust. in a way the sword becomes entirely defensive in this technique. Once you have the spear grabbed, quickly switch grips to attack, not letting go of the spear unless they do of course.
It would be cool to see skall review some of the fighting in the last kingdom. The main character uses an arming sword with a seax with the icepick grip and maybe it's just good choreography but it looks genuinely effective.
In Asian martial arts (yep, I know you are talking HEMA) the reverse guard is used as you showed, defensively with the flat along the forearm. Now the reason this is done (and it is pat of a sequences of moves rather than a set method unto itself) is it provides a fighter with 2 weapons an increased advantage against an opponent (especially armed with a single weapon) to close range either by "lunging" (or more sexy) spinning inside the pocket deflecting the opponents blade with your body weight and opening up their whole torso to attack. Its a "use case" thing with us, I am really glad to see anyone from the HEMA world give this such a depth of consideration. Great vid
Always found something shorter in reverse grip to be a more defensive measure for the off hand, coupled with a longer main hand in standard grip always worked nicely for myself. Likely a measure of practice but found it to be more agile than a shield with similar benefits and the occasional snipe at legs/forearms etc.
For what it's worth, I found this very interesting. Thanks for the testing!
Definatly seems to work better than i thought, that was really educational.
To be honest reverse grip only really shines in a grappling situation or with weapons like the karambit and of course most forms of fiction it's cool but not the most practical in a lot of situations but regardless I'm glad you made another video on it keep up the good work
There's a niche for reverse grip. I like to spin short swords for fun and as aerobic exercise and what I've leaned by that is how you can utilize reverse grip with normal grip if you just master the switch with one hand so, that it becomes like a seconds nature. What you show at 9:00 is the first advantage I realized with it.
If you don't have a shield for some reason and find yourself from a battlefield it's easy to spin the sword in a split second to reverse grip, rest the spine to you forearm and use it as a shield and being capable to counter attack immediately especially from move. It also requires much less to stop from over extending the slash than with normal grip, but that's pretty much where the benefits end.
One thing I hadn't thought was that leg protection, mainly 'cause I'm paraplegic, so I haven't really thought about that lol
It seems to have some defensive advantages, but some offensive disadvantages, but that said, reach is incredibly useful and there will be a lot of situations where a normal grip is better. In other words, I think the best way one could utilize this is by switching in-between the grips depending on the situation. Its not worse, its different, and if you train enough so that switching and knowing when to switch is as natural as switching your stance or guard, then it could add an overall benefit.
On a side note, I love love love your friend's hauberk/gambeson combo!
In my hema club we had an instructor from a different club who did reverse grip in longsword sparring and he made it work. It's not something that he'd do for extended period, it was only to show off. You can't simply translate things in reverse grip, you need to do different things (which become predictable soon) because biomechanically it makes no sense as the human wrist naturally applies leverage at the thumb side of the hand.
14:37 - there you go! I wrote my comment before reaching that part of the video, but the problem is not limited to reach, because of how human arms work you have more agility and dexterity in normal grip.
17:55 That paddle grip looks usable, especially with those longswords with really long handles, that were popular for some time in late medieval period (can't remember where).
I think alternating between reverse and conventional during the fight is the wisest choice; there ARE legitimate pros to reverse grip, and the conventional speaks for itself. The circumstances of a fight are rather fluid, so alternating back and forth to suit the circumstances and maximize your advantages of both while minimizing disadvantages seems like a good idea.
An example Skall uses is at 18:27, where he transitions from conventional to reverse in order to move over the block.
I think some of this depends on the type of weapon used, but it seems to my that in any situation where you'd want to reverse your grip for a momentary advantage, the time spent doing so constitutes a risk in itself if your opponent is comparably skilled. There are edge cases for everything (As Skall went to these lengths to demonstrate), but by and large, it seems that if you're close enough for reverse grip to be useful, you're too close to safely reverse your grip.
@@fenrir509 I would say that time taken to reverse ones grip mid-fight is trivial, if you combine the action with another movement. Also, even if you are unable to combine actions, the transition appears quick enough, to me at least.
Again, Skall transitioning from conventional to reverse at 18:27 encapsulates both the apparant speed of the transition and also combining actions, in my opinion.
@@nextcaesargaming5469 I can understand why you're coming to that conclusion, and it may just be a matter of risk acceptance, but the time it takes to go from ready to act with conventional grip and ready to act with reverse grip IS long enough for a strike to land.
I suspect you could make it faster with practice, but... it's such an edge case; why wouldn't you rather practice for something that's useful in more situations?
@@fenrir509 I'm not saying to not practice with what is going to be be used more often; conventional grip shouldn't be discarded. I am saying that if you have the ability to expand your options so that if, for whatever reasons, you *do* need reverse grip, you can do so. I see no reason not to expand my repertoire if I can find the additional time.
Better to have something and not need it than need it and not have it. Or, something to that effect at least.
Proud you’ve gone back and looked at the minutia, the little details. I personally don’t like the reverse grip unless it’s a knife fight, and as much as I think it looks cool, games like Absolver where you only use reverse grip make me cringe a little.
Awesome vid as usual!
Although not directly related, your comments on not training the reverse grip or some design of swords not being too apt for it made me think if there are weapons better designed for RG. Dagger/knifes seem to be a good option generally, because of the close-range advantages you mentioned. I was also thinking about the Sai. Although it is (usually) edgeless, so that takes the alignment and cutting part out of the equation, one of the key techniques you need to learn in the style I practice is switching from the regular grip to the reverse grip quickly, in case you need to block with your arm behind it. I do not know if there are other weapons better suited for this.
About 4:35 in, but I had to chime in.
Based on my own practice, I'd say that the Reverse Grip turns your short sword or dagger into an axe blade without an axe haft, at least in offense. I think it'd be wise to have a one-handed forward grip and a one-handed reverse grip if you're dual-wielding, using the off-hand for your reverse grip; lay a wide blade like a gladius flat against your arm and you got a decent defense; and if you need to, you can switch it up to an axe-style stab.
Hearing you mention the reverse grip's convenience in protecting the legs made me want to propose its potential use in dual wielding, but then minutes later you highlight it yourself already. XD
“Reverse grip is superior or on par with regular grip”
History:…no
It is nice to see different perspectives like this video. I'm so tired of HEMA groups dismissing everything except late medieval knight duel tactics. Everything we see in movies, TV series and games is not just about two characters crossing each other and having a duel. Sometimes there are things like bar fights, and in such cases they need to add different techniques and things that may look "cool" on camera just to reflect the chaotic state of the fights. Otherwise, it would be boring if every battle scene consisted of a one-on-one duel. Of course, HEMA groups would admire such scenes, but would they be cinematically enjoyable? Not really.
You do a really good job at debunking the functions of fighting with arms. I've watched several videos of yours over the years. On the topic of this video. Reverse wielding isn't for sparing/open battle. It's a concealment style of attack. Unless you're doing the regular plus in which is basically a shield that can cut. Reverse wielding is typically meant for assassination. Also running is safer. Then there is the type of blade. Typically standard curved blade also is necessary for this style at least a straight edge anyways. If an assassin were to enter frontal combat the curve would be used to deflect while using a wide tilted stance. As you say you aren't trained in that style of fighting. The assassin wouldn't be trying to be in a bout. He would be trying to excape. Because once the assault has been found out he is in jeopardy already. Also he would be fighting from a lower stance against a full on standard attacker. He would be in the since a ninja. He would be trained in some kind of acrobatic movement and stealth with the emphasis on defense/deflection. A curved blade in the wide swing to roll and fling the on coming attack into a roll and run. He wouldn't be tapping toes or staying around.
There was only one thing I could think of when I saw that Longsword reverse grip:
"Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream..."
As someone whom has studied this for years, I find that the reverse grip can be used and used well but it's more complicated and requires a lot more training with it. I also find that it's best with Asian styles of combat in which you are very close to the enemy like using a karambit, or something similar to that. Going quick as possible targeting vital areas. It could also be used as a defensive stance or almost like a shield but with the ability to cut if the opportunity comes. It's also depends on the style, weight, and length of the blade too. It's meant to quickly exploit an opening and take them down as quickly as possible. Anyway I loved the video, and I'm happy to see someone defend that style while also pointing out the draw backs.
Can you next time try the reverse grip on a Kukuri knife/short sword? I think it will fit the reverse grip style more, I may be wrong though
This is such a beautiful video. The only time I've ever used a reverse grip and felt good about it was when using sais. They aren't cutting weapons, so the reverse grip is really more about using the weapon to cover your forearms.
One of the best videos I have seen thus far on the Reverse Grip. His points are very valid, but he lacks one thing. Mobility. To properly use Reverse or Ice Pick Grip you have to be dynamic using deflections to get in close where the mechanical advantage you get is able to be maximized. It is pretty much useless to with Arming Swords or bigger blades so it will only effectively work with shorter blades like my Bowie Knife or Kukri. Obviously, you have to be dynamic, so you risk overextending yourself easily and or getting trapped into getting stuck out of position.
Either way it is like any other form of combat; a double-edged sword that must be used properly to minimize the risk whilst using it.
As a longtime fan of Skallagrim and Ice Pick Grip; I love that he looked at it critically without going straight to stereo types.
5:45
The biggest problem with this kind reverse-grip defense is how easily you can get your fingers damaged when defending cuts. I've been experimenting with these things years ago. We used swords made of materials like aluminium alloys, which were somewhat lighter than steel, but pretty damn capable of breaking fingers if you get unlucky.
You can't realistically assume that you are going to defend cuts perfectly, both in terms of timing and in terms of distance. That'd be a really, really bad plan. You need to give yourself some room for the margin of error - without even a slight error getting you maimed.
Now, with the type of guard they have on, like, chinese butterfly knives/swords, which does cover the fingers, I could see that being viable.
I'd be interested to see sparing with both opponents using reverse grip. It might just end up like dagger fighting, but it could be interesting how they would think and act differently.