I'm a descendent of a nomad tribe from the Arabian peninsula. To use correctly, after the small penetration with the tip forward the holder makes an outward cut like with a kukri. So it never intended to make a full stab in that way of holding. Btw holding it upward with the tip backward was funny to see because in my culture is a sign of lacking the experience with this dagger :)
Interesting, the moment I saw him switch grip, an image of a kukri popped into my mind. That grip on the jambiya looks like it could do some wicked cutting- maybe it wouldn't be able to lop a limb off the way a kukri would, but it certainly looks the part.
One of my maternal uncles lived around Iraq for a while he gave us a Khanjar dagger, of course it could be an early imitation but I have yet to find a use for this knife. I collect knives, swords& machetes and use them to do agricultural work Should I use it for cutting meats , Deboning fish, Gutting animals or as a field knife for cutting brush I know its a ceremonial combat knife do any of you own it can you tell me what to do with it I've seen martial artists use it in combat but don't have an Idea for practical use
@Jahn Famous Really? You are extrapolating from your one experience. Meanwhile millions have combat tested their martial arts over millennia of war.... . and 100000s of people butcher pigs, goats, sheep and cows by stabbing in and then ripping through every day, but you know better. Stupid grunt.
They have this shape for throat slicing. It is curved for slicing like most curved weapons. Dagger attacks are more effective when they are a combination of cutting and thrusting because a experienced warrior on the battlefield can easily block a downward thrust but it becomes more difficult if they become nimble and fast slashes.
Hi Matt. I am from Romania were two thousand years ago lived the Dacians. Their traditional short weapon was the sica which is similar to this weapon (the sica has the cutting edge on the ”inside curve"). We have done some tests with the sica and stabbing with a pistol grip like you mentioned during the impact the sica does not penetrate straight but goes down on curve inside the target.making more damage actually. Just test it on a bottle. Talking about the same pistol grip, generally, the edge should be towards the enemy. For any weapon I think, even for the kitchen knife, were the enemy is the bread.
@@allengordon6929 No. In this case, it is the other way around: the Romanian „hanger” comes from the Turkish word „hancer” (and also arabic/persian with respective variations) that was introduced in Romania (actually in the Balcanic area) during the Ottoman occupation.
I remember seeing a traditional dance where these daggers are used. In that dance the dagger is held with the curve forward and the wielder does a flicking motion. I've tried that exact motion in practice with a Jambiya and it's pretty effective for giving quick cuts. Though it almost certainly wouldn't kill an opponent.
The name khanjar is actually pretty widely used in the Arab world, just depends on where you're from. Here in Kuwait for example, it's widely known as a khanjar, while in Yemen it would be known as a janbiya. Pretty interesting video as always though!
The Pre-Edo Japanese Tanto also was held in a handshake pistol grip upside down. Once you stab into the person, on impact the stabber is forced to turn the blade up, guts the opponent, and slices the organs under the ribcage. Keep in mind that this unusual grip is no longer as common and useful as it once was when infantry wore breastplates to protect their abdomen.
scholagladiatoria With my Koumya I have found that if you curl the first finger over the guard (which doesn't do much for hand protection any way). It's possible to effectively thrust like this. The shape the handle facilitates this though. And Koumya are usually a bit longer and not quite as curved (considering that, it's odd that the scabbards are often a little more curved, than that of a Jambiya).
The impression I get from holding these is to use them with shallow draw-cuts trying to sever arteries and tendons by aiming for joints (specifically wrists, elbows, armpit and neck). It's just a feeling I get of how they're "supposed" to be used by holding them (not a weapon I'm very familiar with), but disabling your opponent's arm would be a good way to end a knife fight before getting full of stab wounds. (considering the medicine, not a bad gamble to me) Of course, it just makes sense when most of the swords are curved (shamshirs, tulwars, many sabers, etc) to have a dagger that uses as much of the same kinesthetics as possible for ease of training and synergy. A culture having daggers similar in form to their swords seems to be the norm, if not the rule (gladius&pugio, falx&sica, arming sword&pre-plate medieval daggers, katana&tanto, rapier&main gauche, etc) and I expect that would make it much more intuitive. I expect this is the dominant factor in most dagger design. Try wrapping your brain around using a shamshir&main gauche or rapier&jambiya weapon sets. It's possible, but the weapons "want" you to think & move in different ways. I'd rather direct that focus toward my opponent than my own weapons, and that's not even counting the adrenaline-dump of real combat.
Badger0fDeath Cutting arm tendons and delivering killing blows is basically the same thing with how close they are to the arteries. Make a cut to the inside of an arm joint, and you've basically severed the arm at that point as far as the circulatory system's concerned. Also, while it'd be shallow for a draw cut, the deepest cut you'd need to make would be
***** Ah, "defanging the snake," thank you! What does the evidence mention about stabbing? I'm not familiar with any good research on them so I'm curious about any specifics (part of why I watched this video afterall). I see that the point of the one he's holding follows the same arc of his stab, so I can see an ice-pick grip being frighteningly powerful (as if it needed to be more so) in exchange for the grappling uses of later European daggers. What are you seeing?
Kairyu & Mina Thank you very much! I try to be so that people have something clear to reply to. (especially when I'm throwing out an idea to see what other people think, so they don't have to start by trying to guess at what I mean)
The kind of move you suggest sounds more like defensive moves,what about offence? Maybe the curved shape of the dagger blade would assist fast drawing like those iaido techniques? So then with this knife,you can catch your opponent by surprise and with the first move/drawing of the blade slash on to their face to stun/discourage/incapacitate and then move to the stabs? Also,would the curved shape makes the blade more prone to be stuck in the body? Like the tiger's claw?
hello, this weapon is very similar to what the horsemen of east Iran and Afghanistan use(d) (now only in traditional dances) it is carried behind the lower back, the S shape allows to carry on horse (point up,left) without causing injury. The usage is only one movement with right hand, pulling it from the back with your palm facing your body and the target is above the left hip bone of opponent with half circle, not from top or bottom but from side (this is what they teach to young boys). while on ground, it's put in front of the belt on either side (usually left), and taught as a secondary weapon, meaning for the last strike. I hope it helps!
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Ok a suggestion on your starting theme : Theorically, it is always good to have a music fade out. It helps the transition between your music, and then your "content". You could do it with the present theme you have. Fading out the last second. Or you could find a theme that fade out naturally ( like bells or an insert music phrase of 5 secs, etc) This just suggestions, of course you do whatever you like, it's your channel, but this suggestion is just there to help you in case you wish to do something efficient and not only something you like. Take care Matt !
A solution to the problem you showed on modern blades with this shape that I've seen, is for the blade angle to be offset slightly, such that the tip remains in-line with the handle, or as neutral as possible.
Col. Walter Lang was in Yemen in the late 70s or early 80s, in his autobiography he described two ways that they were used. 1. Slice across the body to disembowel an opponent. How I recall it was described was as removing the jambiya from its scabbard and slicing in one smooth movement. 2. Slice from high to low to separate the sternum from the ribs of one side, opening up the chest cavity.
It's tip forward, when you stab you "scoop", the tip goes into the vital organs and you can effectively gut and disembowel your opponent. According to all the histories, Europeans thought the wounds caused by these daggers were originally axe wounds, because this dagger was made to disembowel your opponents.
The carambit (kerambit) from Indonesia and similar weapons in the Philippines exhibit fairly similar blade shapes with as a rule single edges on the inside of the curve. They are often employed with stabbing motion like you described.
okay dude I like your style but a lot of your information are kinda wrong, but because I don't want to type to much all I say is this:1- Jambiya was originated from Yemen which is considered the the origin of all arabs. 2- khangar means literally a dagger in Arabic. Also persian daggers are a lot thinner and the lack the central ridge sometimes or it was very small.
On impact, you should consciously pull the hilt upwards while pushing the tip downwards, so as to keep the movement from going in the opposite direction. This will maximise penetration. (Not a traditional technique, but rather my personal approach)
As someone who has no even an entry level of knowledge about ACTUAL historical manuscripts and such, I will assume you are likely correct about the evidence not existing; I will also however, mention that the technique is not implausible just because of the physics and geometry involved but rather is plausible because of the properties of flesh... It doesn't take a strong stab or cut to damage fatally as you recently pointed out yourself on the spear wings video I believe.
I've seen possibly tens of thousands of Turkish and Iranian miniatures of battle scenes, fighting etc. and have never seen a dagger used that way. I think this misconception comes from "jambiya dance" of Yemen where dancers hold their jambiyas like that, true edge facing themselves. But that is for safety, to prevent accidently cutting other dancers.
+scholagladiatoria Hello , this dagger is not used the way you described it . Usually its aimed in a horizontal way cutting from top to bottom , usually the curved side will be the one cutting with. And used to continuously stab someone in arm to disarm him or neck if you gain distance. and its used as a secondary weapon and kept by the abdomen or the hips incase its user lost his main weapon.
That's a neat little dagger. As others have mentioned, it looks like it would be a fairly good all around knife that you could use to chop vegetables, prepare kindling, and do other things you would need to do around a camp. While it probably was used in martial circumstances, my intuition is that it was a bit of a hybrid weapon/tool similar to a fair number of the viking axes we have discovered. As to its use, I would think that it would be held curve out like most other curved weapons throughout history. That outer curve would also aid in cutting with the dagger since you draw more edge along the target.
You have to appreciate people like Matt that actually try to form an objective theory rather than than take their first assumptions and sell them off as facts. Too much of the latter these days.
As has been (briefly) mentioned, the Karambit is something along similar lines, and may have been used in a similar way. The forward facing curve enables one to 'hook' the opponent's knife, although whether that was ever done with this types of daggers, who knows? While some people did you 'dual wielding' as has been mentioned....fighting with two weapons is not exactly the most common thing in the world.
Thanks for showing a Kurdish dagger. Believe me you wouldn't want to go to fight with a Kurd who knows how to use this dagger. The most common way to hold the dagger is pointing the tip downwards. The Kurd lifts his hand and stabs his opponent on the shoulder beside the neck. The second way of stabbing is to hold the dagger so that the blade is horizontal and the tip pointing to the opponent, and stab the him in his chest to pass the dagger between the ribs in a circular hit to tear his lung. The third but uncommon way to use this dagger is to hold it pointing upwards. In this way the holder intends usually to hit the opponent under the heart and upward to tear the heart and immediately reduce the opponents blood pressure to zero. This third way is difficult because your hand which is holding the dagger should be positioned in front of the opponents bodys center line. It is not practical to use the dagger pointing forward as you show because blade gets wide quickly after the tip and if you stab someone in his chest, his ribs will stop the dagger from penetrating. Unless if you intend to target the opponents eyes in this way. This dagger you show is known as assassin dagger, because it is relatively short. Attack daggers tend to be longer, and defensive daggers shorter. The best daggers are made from an alloy of several metals including Iron, and copper. The handle is usually made of horns, or wood. In Kurdish they call these types of daggers (Khenjar y Deban) pronounced as Khanjary Daban which means Alloy Khanjars. Both sides of the Kurdish dagger are sharpened so that it can cut in both sides of the blade. The thickened metal in the daggers center has 2 purposes. the first to strengthen it and preventing it from bending. The second use is to provide more surface area when putting poison on the dagger. In old days Kurds used to poison their daggers to make them lethal even if they cause a small injury. The poison they used was a cocktail for amphibian skin poison, snake venom, and sap of a plant which in Kurdish is called poison grass. Luckily we live in a time where Kurds stopped using and wearing the daggers.
they're not "kurdish" they were used there but not completely exclusive to that location. And it's called a jambiya & khangar which are arabic names so it's probably arabian/islamic
@@cat-em3mj it's called DABAN in kurdish and yes this dagger especially is hundred percent kurdish used by magi kurds until the time of saladin the great it's not an accessory like jambiya in Yemen it's a real fighting dagger
Given how widely these things were used, and that, as far as I'm aware, the people using them weren't subjected to very rigorous training in their use, I imagine they just used these things the way they thought was best, and it's statistically improbable that not at least a few people would have used them in the way you describe... Then again, like with all short blades, a lot of them were probably never even used in a fight (because most people don't get in fights), so their most common actual use was probably to chop up onions, or something along those lines.
Jambiya means "side weapon" it's not for cutting onions! it's used as all around knife and till day most popular among sheeperd in most countries in meddle East. It is Located on the front middle of your belt . Or body core to drag it out very quick. This weapon depends allot on Suprise element.
You ignorance aside, the janiya is carried with a smaller knife used for simple tasks. The janbiya comes in varying sizes all the way to more than a foot long and they were used often and people trained in them regularly. By the way they are used like a sickle.
A splendid dagger indeed....Where do you think i could purchase such a kurdish dagger, Mr Easton? Is it available online or do you have to go Turkey and Oman, where did you get your Jambiya?
The forward curved thrust motion you describe reminds me of the Filipino hagibis, a sort of combat knife that looks sorta like a tanto with a curved hilt and the point reversed so it is angled away from you. Traditional Filipino Weapons sells one, though I have so far been unable to find any pictures of an original so I can't comment on how accurate it is. Anyway, it seems that sort of motion would be the only way to stab with the hagibis due to it's design.
I have this exact same knife is the one In the video! Could anyone tell me any information about it? Was it mass produced? If so who was the manufacturer and what country it was produced in? Also around what time period was it created?
It's used two ways, either stabbing (Blade pointing inwards) or for slashing/disemboweling (blade pointing outwards), you basically dig the tip in a soft spot and you pull outwards. If you survive a slash like that you'd have one hell of a scar that's for sure.
The Jambia is most commonly worn in the Yemen as a symbol of stature. I believe they are used only in close quarter combat not made for lunging forward although if your familiar with the Yemen culture you know that the most qualified to use this weapon could attack successfully from any angle the more expensive Jambias are both much more decorative usually made from rhino horn and embroidered with gold and sometimes gems and diamonds but most importantly the more expensive Jambia has a very sharp blade from both sides and will slash as well as stab and also thrown. Like I said though its a skill for Yemeni swords men who if you know anything about the culture use a dance to display their skill.
would you consider a video on your thoughts on the Sica and Falx? most sica I see made today have a curve but I'm talking about the ones that had a rather severe 'angle' that would be awesome to see!
Do you have a Karambit? Maybe a video on how it's used to in reverse grip to hook and trap limbs, like in wing chun and jeet kune do. It's a good small self defense knife
Hi Matt! Big fan ^_^ I was wondering what you think about daggers & knives with twisted blades, like a Kris. Why are they like that, & would they be useful in a fight? Thanks for your videos, they're all really awesome!
I know nothing about these knives but it makes sense to me that it was designed to be used either way because the handle is made to so that is the same in either grip also a curved blade wi the tip pointing in to the cut is most effective in a slash because it forces the tip deeper and the material in to the curve of the blade as well as giving you more reach when thrusting even if it doesn’t align the tip to the handle and wrist I still see this as an advantage
Looks similar to a kindjal, perhaps these influenced the design? would be cool if you can do a video on them (i've seen both curved and straight versions).
It looks so very similar to the Chilean Corvo Descendant from spanish blades (maybe influenced from arabian/moroccan blades) That one is used with the point aiming forward in slaching motions, stil used by the military (more traditionally than utilitarian)
Khanjar and janbiya are both Arabic words and they are also used as a sickle or a claw especially the bigger ones that are a foot long or more and the ones that have more of a bend. I assure you in Arabia the bigger ones are used like a sickle but I don't know about the thrust
Hi! I love your videos and am very interested in bladed combat. Where/how in the UK can someone get involved in sparring/duelling in a sort of training like environment? Plus, how would someone get involved in tourneys further down the line? At 19 I hope I'm not to old to pick up the skills needed to be a reasonable fencer! Thanks.
mc hunterUK There are lots of clubs all over the UK - the best place currently to locate a local club is on the 'UK HEMA' Facebook page, but the 'British Federation for Historical Swordplay' and 'HEMAC' websites are also useful.
mc hunterUK The Society for Creative Anachronism also does Medieval-style combat (IIRC, the United Kingdom doesn't have its own SCA chapter, but instead is part of the Drachenwald chapter which covers most of Europe). Combat isn't their only focus, but it's a good place to learn the history as well as the techniques.
mc hunterUK I was 21 when I started doing SCA combat, then 30 when I started in HEMA, and 33 when I picked up a rapier. I've met a woman who was 46 when she started and became a real terror. While age & body-type do play in you will find that dedication to study and maintaining the best body you can (with good nutrition) will be the most beneficial. If you're wondering if I'm any good, well I do have vid on my channel. Good luck! :)
You need to b r queen bee. Leik bzZ bZz bzz.. Count de coins on de train..no post code envy..and follow lorde. Seriously dont bother with pension unless you want to end up in China, thats where most Americans probably will end up with their 401k tied into the China economy of cheap things. However, weak stabs would result.
I have found that kind of grip quite useful, especially on karambits. Just try to whiplash your hand (also flick the wrist) while thrusting instead of going for a stiff straight thrust and you will see the benefits of holding it like that. It is not very powerful but it's very quick and you can easily add a curve to it to make it even more unpredictable. It's not very effective at damaging your opponent's internal organs (especially not trough the rib cage or armor) but it is great at attacking the hands, neck and eyes.
Man of the north ignore him, he’s an Arab nationalist I have seen him on every video trying to claim everything going back to this mythical “al magar civilization.”
I have a small sized silver jambiya and it's got lots of silver olive leaf work from handle throughtout scabbard. It is avout half size. Is this like a utility knife size or for kids?
Q. Can you please do more videos on collecting swords. My main interest is 19th century sabers from England, other parts of Europe, and the U.S Some tips, things to look for, values of various swords, how much they appreciate, etc. Without giving away too many of your secrets since I know you're an avid collector also. I know it may take some time for you to do this video (If you deem it a worthy video) so if you could just answer one question. How much does a 19th century sabers value drop when it doesn't come with the scabbard? I've been looking at some swords. P1897, 1885, and P1821 (I think) and don't know what a fair price would be since they are missing there scabbards. Thanks. Also I enjoy your videos greatly and appreciate the excellent information.
Hey Matt! Great video. = ) Thought for future videos. Any documentation or possible historical allusions to using one dagger in each hand for close quarters, civilian combat? Just curious.
This kinda reminds me. Is there much material on swordsmen in history, in many areas, holding swords downwards? Would it be used to guard the forearm only, or to attack too?
....no matter the type of knife, (if being on offense) you hold it point down and sharp or curved side out with a downward thrust, any other way and you'll leave yourself open for a kidney strike or get the knife taken from you. This method allows the most power and lets you put both hands up near your face like a boxer, leaving you with the ability to also throw punches without the blade stabbing your face. If fighting off more than one person then you should switch to a defensive grip which is curve side down with an outward thrust.
Hi Matt, I've got this antique sword at home and I have no idea where it may have come from- do you think you would be able to offer any clues if I was to send in some pictures?
0:33 Indian kings hired Arabs from Yemen and Oman in their militaries. In Hyderabad Deccan there were an overwhelming population of Yemeni soldiers who came and stayed essentially becoming Indian. Many of them brought their own traditional weapons with them.
I feel the thrust forward was just a something a guy thought of while looking at this weapon, with no formal knowledge of fighting. It was basically an uneducated and inexperienced assumption created by observation. It's like how a kid would think a fighter pilot's helmet would still be well suited as a infantry helmet role in ground fighting, not knowing that they are made with different material and are designed to protect the head differently for dissimilar dangerous hazards a crew might face than the ground infantry. At least that's what the last military researcher told me as a kid from some fort my school visited one time haha. I think it might have changed by now.
just wondering, have you done anything involving the caucasian/cossak "kindjal" long knife/short sword? they seem to be in a similar class of blades to these items?
Hi Matt! Where do you bought the dagger shown in the video? I'd like to buy a Khanjar myself but I didn't find a store where to get good ones. I thought you could help me find a accurate one. Thanks for all of your great videos! Lukas
This comment comes from a totally different culture but may provide some clue. In Japanese sword (not sport kendo) I was taught never to thrust straight bur turn the blade a quarter turn counterclockwise. In naginata, the thrust is also turned 90 degrees. In both, the twist occurs at the moment of impact. Japanese blades are only rarely used for stabbing, and in battle, confined to a specialized close quarter armor penetrating blade (yoroi doshi) that is thick and straight spined. However, both the khanjar and most Japanese blades, whether sword or naginata (glaive) are curved. Seems possible that the quarter turn strengthens the thrust by crossing the forearms and moves the weapon in an arch that maximizes the thrust's efficiency.
This raises a question I think. What are your thoughts on the performance of curved swords that curve away from the wielder? Sickle swords like the falx and sica come to mind.
The belly/curve on the upper edge of the blade would push the tip downward on the thrust in that manner as there would be less resistance on the bottom of the tip. Like an airplane wing, only in flesh
I got a different problem with the suggested technique: The blade is perpendicular to the ribs, thus you need more force to penetrate and you might get stuck.
If it was intended to be used the way described I'm pretty sure you'd have an offset tang giving you a 'pistol' grip, but the point would still be in line with the forearm instead of four inches above it. In other words, it would be curved at the base of the blade, not the tip.
As a fighting knife what is your overall impression/opinion of the Jambiya? I assume that it's popularity speaks to some large partial value but we know popularity isn't all. So...?
General wisdom when it comes to weird shaped weapons- when its shaped like a claw- it's PROBABLY used like one. Also, the indonesians claim the Kerambit was based on the arabic Jambiya- which leaves me inclined to believe it had some common use pointed tip-down facing forward and used to rake while punching. This would fall in line with how its commonly worn and therefore drawn. Dueling treatises often neglect to mention all manner of bladed weapons are in-reality used as brawling weapons when things go wrong. Duels are not representative of reality- and the likelyhood is when you draw your dagger they likely dont have one in hand and you arent going to give them time to do so
This curvature is quite similar to the curved bellies of bowie knives and so called modern fighting knives. I wonder if they have the same thrusting technique in mind?
Badger0fDeath Are they really that different? www.uberti.com/sites/default/files/originals/products/bowie_knife.jpg They used to have a sharpened falls edge but in this context it doesn't matter that much whether or not they're double edged. Combat knives can be very similar too. vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/thehungergamesrp/images/f/fe/Knives-kabar-fighting-knife-serrated-kb1214.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20130617091359 I'm not saying they're identical but they sure have that upswept point profile just like the dagger and thus may have similar mechanics.
Badger0fDeath The point of the bowie is not in a straight line with the handle. Or at least not always. Let's say, it doesn't have to be and often isn't. img08.deviantart.net/4f2c/i/2014/065/7/f/crocodile_dundee_bowie_knife_pic_3_by_hellfireforge-d6u4ycf.jpg
Simon's Discoveries ..I think it's reasonable to assume that BoD is talking those bowies that have actually been competently designed as tactical knives, not arbitrary wall-hangers.
Simon's Discoveries A curved belly is no part of the definition of a bowie. If you look at the most widely used fighting bowie of all time, the USMC Kabar, the edge is straight right up to the point.
tane gurnick Could be. Matt did a video not long ago about khukuri, can't remember the name, he showed a technique like: stab and when he is pulling the knife out, he is actually cutting. Sorry about my bad English, I'm not a native speaker.
tane gurnick ** those Khukuri are some heavy bloody knives.** No, real combat ones are comparatively light. You've probably been handling trash tourist grade ones. To give an idea of the difference, a real 1970s British issue kukri would be around 550g, but it's very hard to buy a replica that isn't 750-850g. And most of the weight is forward, where the real thing would have been heavily fullered, making it feel like an even bigger difference. Tora are the possibly manufacturer to make weight-correct military kukris.
The khanjar knife blade is always flimsy,despite the rib that goes either side of the blade. I have found few supposedly 'genuine' ones that take a good edge. On my business travels in Arabia felix I found that inside the walled city of Bahla (in Oman) there were still functioning knifesmith's forges where 'working' blades (as opposed to tourist tat) were being made.
These are still artefacts made to sell to tourists; and you wouldn’t know the difference. Those blade smiths won’t use good steal nor spend good effort on artefacts made for tourists. I have in my family heritage a piece that one could shave curls on steal if one had a strong enough grip.
in melee especially if combatants are at least somewhat armored, and all hell breaks lose i dont think you will care as much of how you hold it, rather of how much damage will you do in shortest amount of time, so some probably held it like that, even tho there is no picture of it. If I held it like that in heat of combat, I would probably not try stab with it primarily, but rather use it like a claw in downwards strokes, and that way i could use it at distance, and at graping range, but certainly blade shape lends itself more to downward stabs as you shown later in video. And to me its more of and execution blade or last ditch blade, rather then combat one. A boot knife
I think it may not be martially practical.I think it may have been a cultural preference.Think that there will be some friction, but that will let them know how well theyve got it in, and Perhaps when or how to pull it out in the most destructive way possible.Think dagger fighting as a bloody last resort and you can see how using slightly curved dagger in the northern and middle eastern regions would be designed to be quite brutual due to grudges, focus on exit damage, intent on suffering, or even demoralizing affect.I think that way dagger holding could allow for a better down or backward pulling motion.Especially in close combat where it would be needed.
I could see it being used in the way you show for delivering push cuts, because as you push in and the blade bends backward it would potentially be deepening the cut, as you once showed with a cavalry cut. Otherwise i don't see it being good for stabbing in that grip for the reasons that you stated
The Chileans have a similar knife called "Corvo". They inherited the design fromthe arabs through the Spaniards. I have seen them fighting with the blade like you showed, you should look them up.
Always thought the old Persian daggers Beautiful. I'm more of a knife guy then a sword guy( although both are cool) I would love to play with one and see how it preformed in my test
The dagger or khanger in the video is definitely native to the Arabian Peninsula. It is believed to had spread to Persia, Caucasus and the rest of MENA after 620 AD.
Put your thumb into the small of the hilt. That counters the resistance that you get and keeps the blade straight. These daggers can be used in all sorts of ways. All you got to do is play around and figure them out. I prefer the longer, straight versions that the Cossacks use, myself. The evidence that they were used that way, is in the ability to use them in that fashion. They are designed that way for a reason, including how the two studs word and why the handles seem small, even though, they are perfect! You are just holding them wrong.
the sickle and the Moon will be at odds with the Sun and cross. Byzantium then Constantinople then Istanbul...changes of the boundary where west meets east. The cockpit of the Old World, so many battles in one main spot, where it must be said cultures clash, even today. It's a crying shame really for us all.
In Yemen it is still legal to carry those daggers in public places.
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Ive seen silat systems teaching the use of the kerambit used blade up, ring on the littlefinger that is, wich would look siilar to what your showing, however, the aplications were mostly cutting (or clawing), as are most kerambit aplications I might ad, seeing as its not a terrific stabbing weapon. Incidently this is one of the main reasons im not a huge fan of it, I prefer regular knives as stabbing gives more bang for your buck so to say.
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Björn Rugstad also most kerambits are single edged
I'm a descendent of a nomad tribe from the Arabian peninsula. To use correctly, after the small penetration with the tip forward the holder makes an outward cut like with a kukri. So it never intended to make a full stab in that way of holding. Btw holding it upward with the tip backward was funny to see because in my culture is a sign of lacking the experience with this dagger :)
Interesting, the moment I saw him switch grip, an image of a kukri popped into my mind. That grip on the jambiya looks like it could do some wicked cutting- maybe it wouldn't be able to lop a limb off the way a kukri would, but it certainly looks the part.
alsyaf111 where ate you from. I'm from Yemen from the yafa tribe and you?
One of my maternal uncles lived around Iraq for a while he gave us a Khanjar dagger, of course it could be an early imitation but I have yet to find a use for this knife.
I collect knives, swords& machetes and use them to do agricultural work
Should I use it for cutting meats , Deboning fish, Gutting animals or as a field knife for cutting brush
I know its a ceremonial combat knife do any of you own it can you tell me what to do with it
I've seen martial artists use it in combat but don't have an Idea for practical use
@Jahn Famous I really hope you're a troll, but I have a sinking feeling you're not...
@Jahn Famous Really? You are extrapolating from your one experience. Meanwhile millions have combat tested their martial arts over millennia of war.... . and 100000s of people butcher pigs, goats, sheep and cows by stabbing in and then ripping through every day, but you know better. Stupid grunt.
Dammit Mat, you let that gun on your wall and now look what happened! There are two baby guns on your wall! People never learn to neuter their guns...
kingpopaul Just store the balls separately, and makes sure to leave them un-cocked so they can't shoot their wad.
lancer D TENOUTTATEN
+lancer D nailed it bruh
They have this shape for throat slicing. It is curved for slicing like most curved weapons. Dagger attacks are more effective when they are a combination of cutting and thrusting because a experienced warrior on the battlefield can easily block a downward thrust but it becomes more difficult if they become nimble and fast slashes.
Hi Matt. I am from Romania were two thousand years ago lived the Dacians. Their traditional short weapon was the sica which is similar to this weapon (the sica has the cutting edge on the ”inside curve"). We have done some tests with the sica and stabbing with a pistol grip like you mentioned during the impact the sica does not penetrate straight but goes down on curve inside the target.making more damage actually. Just test it on a bottle. Talking about the same pistol grip, generally, the edge should be towards the enemy. For any weapon I think, even for the kitchen knife, were the enemy is the bread.
The word "hanger" is thought to have been derived from the Romanian word for this type of dagger.
@@allengordon6929 No. In this case, it is the other way around: the Romanian „hanger” comes from the Turkish word „hancer” (and also arabic/persian with respective variations) that was introduced in Romania (actually in the Balcanic area) during the Ottoman occupation.
I remember seeing a traditional dance where these daggers are used. In that dance the dagger is held with the curve forward and the wielder does a flicking motion. I've tried that exact motion in practice with a Jambiya and it's pretty effective for giving quick cuts. Though it almost certainly wouldn't kill an opponent.
The name khanjar is actually pretty widely used in the Arab world, just depends on where you're from. Here in Kuwait for example, it's widely known as a khanjar, while in Yemen it would be known as a janbiya.
Pretty interesting video as always though!
To think this knife is Lawrence of Arabia’s favorite knife even tho he is a former British soldier he has great tastes in hand held weaponry
The Pre-Edo Japanese Tanto also was held in a handshake pistol grip upside down. Once you stab into the person, on impact the stabber is forced to turn the blade up, guts the opponent, and slices the organs under the ribcage. Keep in mind that this unusual grip is no longer as common and useful as it once was when infantry wore breastplates to protect their abdomen.
scholagladiatoria
With my Koumya I have found that if you curl the first finger over the guard (which doesn't do much for hand protection any way). It's possible to effectively thrust like this. The shape the handle facilitates this though. And Koumya are usually a bit longer and not quite as curved (considering that, it's odd that the scabbards are often a little more curved, than that of a Jambiya).
The impression I get from holding these is to use them with shallow draw-cuts trying to sever arteries and tendons by aiming for joints (specifically wrists, elbows, armpit and neck).
It's just a feeling I get of how they're "supposed" to be used by holding them (not a weapon I'm very familiar with), but disabling your opponent's arm would be a good way to end a knife fight before getting full of stab wounds. (considering the medicine, not a bad gamble to me)
Of course, it just makes sense when most of the swords are curved (shamshirs, tulwars, many sabers, etc) to have a dagger that uses as much of the same kinesthetics as possible for ease of training and synergy. A culture having daggers similar in form to their swords seems to be the norm, if not the rule (gladius&pugio, falx&sica, arming sword&pre-plate medieval daggers, katana&tanto, rapier&main gauche, etc) and I expect that would make it much more intuitive.
I expect this is the dominant factor in most dagger design.
Try wrapping your brain around using a shamshir&main gauche or rapier&jambiya weapon sets. It's possible, but the weapons "want" you to think & move in different ways. I'd rather direct that focus toward my opponent than my own weapons, and that's not even counting the adrenaline-dump of real combat.
DynamicWorlds Very well articulated sir.
Badger0fDeath Cutting arm tendons and delivering killing blows is basically the same thing with how close they are to the arteries. Make a cut to the inside of an arm joint, and you've basically severed the arm at that point as far as the circulatory system's concerned.
Also, while it'd be shallow for a draw cut, the deepest cut you'd need to make would be
*****
Ah, "defanging the snake," thank you!
What does the evidence mention about stabbing? I'm not familiar with any good research on them so I'm curious about any specifics (part of why I watched this video afterall). I see that the point of the one he's holding follows the same arc of his stab, so I can see an ice-pick grip being frighteningly powerful (as if it needed to be more so) in exchange for the grappling uses of later European daggers. What are you seeing?
Kairyu & Mina
Thank you very much!
I try to be so that people have something clear to reply to. (especially when I'm throwing out an idea to see what other people think, so they don't have to start by trying to guess at what I mean)
The kind of move you suggest sounds more like defensive moves,what about offence? Maybe the curved shape of the dagger blade would assist fast drawing like those iaido techniques? So then with this knife,you can catch your opponent by surprise and with the first move/drawing of the blade slash on to their face to stun/discourage/incapacitate and then move to the stabs? Also,would the curved shape makes the blade more prone to be stuck in the body? Like the tiger's claw?
hello, this weapon is very similar to what the horsemen of east Iran and Afghanistan use(d) (now only in traditional dances) it is carried behind the lower back, the S shape allows to carry on horse (point up,left) without causing injury.
The usage is only one movement with right hand, pulling it from the back with your palm facing your body and the target is above the left hip bone of opponent with half circle, not from top or bottom but from side (this is what they teach to young boys).
while on ground, it's put in front of the belt on either side (usually left), and taught as a secondary weapon, meaning for the last strike.
I hope it helps!
Ok a suggestion on your starting theme :
Theorically, it is always good to have a music fade out. It helps the transition between your music, and then your "content". You could do it with the present theme you have. Fading out the last second.
Or you could find a theme that fade out naturally ( like bells or an insert music phrase of 5 secs, etc)
This just suggestions, of course you do whatever you like, it's your channel, but this suggestion is just there to help you in case you wish to do something efficient and not only something you like.
Take care Matt !
A solution to the problem you showed on modern blades with this shape that I've seen, is for the blade angle to be offset slightly, such that the tip remains in-line with the handle, or as neutral as possible.
Col. Walter Lang was in Yemen in the late 70s or early 80s, in his autobiography he described two ways that they were used.
1. Slice across the body to disembowel an opponent. How I recall it was described was as removing the jambiya from its scabbard and slicing in one smooth movement.
2. Slice from high to low to separate the sternum from the ribs of one side, opening up the chest cavity.
It's tip forward, when you stab you "scoop", the tip goes into the vital organs and you can effectively gut and disembowel your opponent. According to all the histories, Europeans thought the wounds caused by these daggers were originally axe wounds, because this dagger was made to disembowel your opponents.
The carambit (kerambit) from Indonesia and similar weapons in the Philippines exhibit fairly similar blade shapes with as a rule single edges on the inside of the curve. They are often employed with stabbing motion like you described.
mate, filipino karambits are dual edged, and there are techniques for using the outside edge to slash the backs of the legs
okay dude I like your style but a lot of your information are kinda wrong, but because I don't want to type to much all I say is this:1- Jambiya was originated from Yemen which is considered the the origin of all arabs. 2- khangar means literally a dagger in Arabic. Also persian daggers are a lot thinner and the lack the central ridge sometimes or it was very small.
On impact, you should consciously pull the hilt upwards while pushing the tip downwards, so as to keep the movement from going in the opposite direction. This will maximise penetration. (Not a traditional technique, but rather my personal approach)
As someone who has no even an entry level of knowledge about ACTUAL historical manuscripts and such, I will assume you are likely correct about the evidence not existing; I will also however, mention that the technique is not implausible just because of the physics and geometry involved but rather is plausible because of the properties of flesh...
It doesn't take a strong stab or cut to damage fatally as you recently pointed out yourself on the spear wings video I believe.
I've seen possibly tens of thousands of Turkish and Iranian miniatures of battle scenes, fighting etc. and have never seen a dagger used that way. I think this misconception comes from "jambiya dance" of Yemen where dancers hold their jambiyas like that, true edge facing themselves. But that is for safety, to prevent accidently cutting other dancers.
rasnac Very interesting insight!
scholagladiatoria And Mr. rasnac is right, also iranian mansucripts tell about different use of the Khanjar.
+scholagladiatoria Hello , this dagger is not used the way you described it .
Usually its aimed in a horizontal way cutting from top to bottom , usually the curved side will be the one cutting with. And used to continuously stab someone in arm to disarm him or neck if you gain distance.
and its used as a secondary weapon and kept by the abdomen or the hips incase its user lost his main weapon.
this was founded in yemen 1000 years ago
+NovalPro (NovalPro) it was used in the revelution of oman
If the Kukri and Falcata are used in that fashion why would it be difficult to imagine a short curved blade used similarly?
That's a neat little dagger. As others have mentioned, it looks like it would be a fairly good all around knife that you could use to chop vegetables, prepare kindling, and do other things you would need to do around a camp. While it probably was used in martial circumstances, my intuition is that it was a bit of a hybrid weapon/tool similar to a fair number of the viking axes we have discovered. As to its use, I would think that it would be held curve out like most other curved weapons throughout history. That outer curve would also aid in cutting with the dagger since you draw more edge along the target.
You have to appreciate people like Matt that actually try to form an objective theory rather than than take their first assumptions and sell them off as facts. Too much of the latter these days.
As has been (briefly) mentioned, the Karambit is something along similar lines, and may have been used in a similar way.
The forward facing curve enables one to 'hook' the opponent's knife, although whether that was ever done with this types of daggers, who knows?
While some people did you 'dual wielding' as has been mentioned....fighting with two weapons is not exactly the most common thing in the world.
Thanks for showing a Kurdish dagger. Believe me you wouldn't want to go to fight with a Kurd who knows how to use this dagger. The most common way to hold the dagger is pointing the tip downwards. The Kurd lifts his hand and stabs his opponent on the shoulder beside the neck. The second way of stabbing is to hold the dagger so that the blade is horizontal and the tip pointing to the opponent, and stab the him in his chest to pass the dagger between the ribs in a circular hit to tear his lung. The third but uncommon way to use this dagger is to hold it pointing upwards. In this way the holder intends usually to hit the opponent under the heart and upward to tear the heart and immediately reduce the opponents blood pressure to zero. This third way is difficult because your hand which is holding the dagger should be positioned in front of the opponents bodys center line.
It is not practical to use the dagger pointing forward as you show because blade gets wide quickly after the tip and if you stab someone in his chest, his ribs will stop the dagger from penetrating. Unless if you intend to target the opponents eyes in this way.
This dagger you show is known as assassin dagger, because it is relatively short. Attack daggers tend to be longer, and defensive daggers shorter. The best daggers are made from an alloy of several metals including Iron, and copper. The handle is usually made of horns, or wood. In Kurdish they call these types of daggers (Khenjar y Deban) pronounced as Khanjary Daban which means Alloy Khanjars. Both sides of the Kurdish dagger are sharpened so that it can cut in both sides of the blade.
The thickened metal in the daggers center has 2 purposes. the first to strengthen it and preventing it from bending. The second use is to provide more surface area when putting poison on the dagger. In old days Kurds used to poison their daggers to make them lethal even if they cause a small injury. The poison they used was a cocktail for amphibian skin poison, snake venom, and sap of a plant which in Kurdish is called poison grass. Luckily we live in a time where Kurds stopped using and wearing the daggers.
they're not "kurdish" they were used there but not completely exclusive to that location. And it's called a jambiya & khangar which are arabic names so it's probably arabian/islamic
@@cat-em3mj it's called DABAN in kurdish and yes this dagger especially is hundred percent kurdish used by magi kurds until the time of saladin the great it's not an accessory like jambiya in Yemen it's a real fighting dagger
Given how widely these things were used, and that, as far as I'm aware, the people using them weren't subjected to very rigorous training in their use, I imagine they just used these things the way they thought was best, and it's statistically improbable that not at least a few people would have used them in the way you describe... Then again, like with all short blades, a lot of them were probably never even used in a fight (because most people don't get in fights), so their most common actual use was probably to chop up onions, or something along those lines.
Robert Faber That design would make for a fairly good all rounder knife.
Robert Faber the jambya is just a curved version of the kinjal, a knife/dagger common across large parts of the world
Jambiya means "side weapon" it's not for cutting onions! it's used as all around knife and till day most popular among sheeperd in most countries in meddle East. It is Located on the front middle of your belt . Or body core to drag it out very quick. This weapon depends allot on Suprise element.
Using a thick blade with a central reinforcement spine would be terrible for chopping food.
You ignorance aside, the janiya is carried with a smaller knife used for simple tasks. The janbiya comes in varying sizes all the way to more than a foot long and they were used often and people trained in them regularly. By the way they are used like a sickle.
A splendid dagger indeed....Where do you think i could purchase such a kurdish dagger, Mr Easton? Is it available online or do you have to go Turkey and Oman, where did you get your Jambiya?
The forward curved thrust motion you describe reminds me of the Filipino hagibis, a sort of combat knife that looks sorta like a tanto with a curved hilt and the point reversed so it is angled away from you. Traditional Filipino Weapons sells one, though I have so far been unable to find any pictures of an original so I can't comment on how accurate it is.
Anyway, it seems that sort of motion would be the only way to stab with the hagibis due to it's design.
I have this exact same knife is the one In the video! Could anyone tell me any information about it? Was it mass produced? If so who was the manufacturer and what country it was produced in? Also around what time period was it created?
انها تصنع في اليمن وعومان ارسلي لي صورة مالديك لاخبرك بمعلومات اكثر
I think I ran into the same source you mentioned about the reverse orientation, never found more info about it anywhere either.
It's used two ways, either stabbing (Blade pointing inwards) or for slashing/disemboweling (blade pointing outwards), you basically dig the tip in a soft spot and you pull outwards. If you survive a slash like that you'd have one hell of a scar that's for sure.
In India, the wider Yemen style daggers are called Jambiya and the slimmer Persian style ones are called Khanjar or Khanjeer.
The Jambia is most commonly worn in the Yemen as a symbol of stature. I believe they are used only in close quarter combat not made for lunging forward although if your familiar with the Yemen culture you know that the most qualified to use this weapon could attack successfully from any angle the more expensive Jambias are both much more decorative usually made from rhino horn and embroidered with gold and sometimes gems and diamonds but most importantly the more expensive Jambia has a very sharp blade from both sides and will slash as well as stab and also thrown. Like I said though its a skill for Yemeni swords men who if you know anything about the culture use a dance to display their skill.
One of the most badass looking blades
would you consider a video on your thoughts on the Sica and Falx? most sica I see made today have a curve but I'm talking about the ones that had a rather severe 'angle' that would be awesome to see!
Do you have a Karambit? Maybe a video on how it's used to in reverse grip to hook and trap limbs, like in wing chun and jeet kune do. It's a good small self defense knife
In modern self defence knife circles many people favour a forward curving blade for cutting. The idea being to rip the tip through the target.
Hi Matt! Big fan ^_^ I was wondering what you think about daggers & knives with twisted blades, like a Kris. Why are they like that, & would they be useful in a fight? Thanks for your videos, they're all really awesome!
I'm a bit late, but the wavy blade means it can inflict a wider wound while being lighter.
I know nothing about these knives but it makes sense to me that it was designed to be used either way because the handle is made to so that is the same in either grip also a curved blade wi the tip pointing in to the cut is most effective in a slash because it forces the tip deeper and the material in to the curve of the blade as well as giving you more reach when thrusting even if it doesn’t align the tip to the handle and wrist I still see this as an advantage
That second sword from the bottom, is that new? It caught my eye for some reason.
Looks similar to a kindjal, perhaps these influenced the design? would be cool if you can do a video on them (i've seen both curved and straight versions).
Love your channel, very insightful.
The Yemeni dagger is ceremonial and is a shorter version of the functional swords that predated it.
My impression was the curved profile of the blade was for a forward thrust up under the sternum to cleave the heart. Form follows function.
It looks so very similar to the Chilean Corvo
Descendant from spanish blades (maybe influenced from arabian/moroccan blades)
That one is used with the point aiming forward in slaching motions, stil used by the military (more traditionally than utilitarian)
Khanjar and janbiya are both Arabic words and they are also used as a sickle or a claw especially the bigger ones that are a foot long or more and the ones that have more of a bend. I assure you in Arabia the bigger ones are used like a sickle but I don't know about the thrust
Kurds also use khanjar
Khanjar is a Farsi word lol
Hi! I love your videos and am very interested in bladed combat. Where/how in the UK can someone get involved in sparring/duelling in a sort of training like environment? Plus, how would someone get involved in tourneys further down the line? At 19 I hope I'm not to old to pick up the skills needed to be a reasonable fencer! Thanks.
mc hunterUK There are lots of clubs all over the UK - the best place currently to locate a local club is on the 'UK HEMA' Facebook page, but the 'British Federation for Historical Swordplay' and 'HEMAC' websites are also useful.
mc hunterUK The Society for Creative Anachronism also does Medieval-style combat (IIRC, the United Kingdom doesn't have its own SCA chapter, but instead is part of the Drachenwald chapter which covers most of Europe). Combat isn't their only focus, but it's a good place to learn the history as well as the techniques.
mc hunterUK I was 21 when I started doing SCA combat, then 30 when I started in HEMA, and 33 when I picked up a rapier. I've met a woman who was 46 when she started and became a real terror. While age & body-type do play in you will find that dedication to study and maintaining the best body you can (with good nutrition) will be the most beneficial.
If you're wondering if I'm any good, well I do have vid on my channel. Good luck! :)
Badger0fDeath Or perhaps as a Hobbit.
You need to b r queen bee. Leik bzZ bZz bzz.. Count de coins on de train..no post code envy..and follow lorde. Seriously dont bother with pension unless you want to end up in China, thats where most Americans probably will end up with their 401k tied into the China economy of cheap things. However, weak stabs would result.
I have found that kind of grip quite useful, especially on karambits.
Just try to whiplash your hand (also flick the wrist) while thrusting instead of going for a stiff straight thrust and you will see the benefits of holding it like that.
It is not very powerful but it's very quick and you can easily add a curve to it to make it even more unpredictable.
It's not very effective at damaging your opponent's internal organs (especially not trough the rib cage or armor) but it is great at attacking the hands, neck and eyes.
Fun fact .. Jambiya traces back to Al-Magar civilization in Arabia 7000-9000 B.C
ty for the fact
Impossible. They were neolithic culture. They didn't have even copper.
Man of the north ignore him, he’s an Arab nationalist I have seen him on every video trying to claim everything going back to this
mythical “al magar civilization.”
ChromeMan04 Far right nationalist are really annoying.
I have a small sized silver jambiya and it's got lots of silver olive leaf work from handle throughtout scabbard.
It is avout half size. Is this like a utility knife size or for kids?
A bigger issue for me would be that holding it that way would seem to make cutting far more difficult or at the very least less efficient.
Q. Can you please do more videos on collecting swords. My main interest is 19th century sabers from England, other parts of Europe, and the U.S
Some tips, things to look for, values of various swords, how much they appreciate, etc. Without giving away too many of your secrets since I know you're an avid collector also. I know it may take some time for you to do this video (If you deem it a worthy video) so if you could just answer one question.
How much does a 19th century sabers value drop when it doesn't come with the scabbard?
I've been looking at some swords. P1897, 1885, and P1821 (I think) and don't know what a fair price would be since they are missing there scabbards. Thanks.
Also I enjoy your videos greatly and appreciate the excellent information.
Hey Matt! Great video. = )
Thought for future videos. Any documentation or possible historical allusions to using one dagger in each hand for close quarters, civilian combat? Just curious.
This kinda reminds me. Is there much material on swordsmen in history, in many areas, holding swords downwards? Would it be used to guard the forearm only, or to attack too?
....no matter the type of knife, (if being on offense) you hold it point down and sharp or curved side out with a downward thrust, any other way and you'll leave yourself open for a kidney strike or get the knife taken from you. This method allows the most power and lets you put both hands up near your face like a boxer, leaving you with the ability to also throw punches without the blade stabbing your face. If fighting off more than one person then you should switch to a defensive grip which is curve side down with an outward thrust.
We kurdish jambiya (khanjar)
Hi Matt, I've got this antique sword at home and I have no idea where it may have come from- do you think you would be able to offer any clues if I was to send in some pictures?
0:33 Indian kings hired Arabs from Yemen and Oman in their militaries. In Hyderabad Deccan there were an overwhelming population of Yemeni soldiers who came and stayed essentially becoming Indian. Many of them brought their own traditional weapons with them.
Gosh you people just won't stop with your obsession with Arabs will ya?
@@GreaterAfghanistanMovement look up Yemeni soldiers Nizam of Hyderabad and General El Edroos.
@@GreaterAfghanistanMovement You're Afghan?
I feel the thrust forward was just a something a guy thought of while looking at this weapon, with no formal knowledge of fighting. It was basically an uneducated and inexperienced assumption created by observation. It's like how a kid would think a fighter pilot's helmet would still be well suited as a infantry helmet role in ground fighting, not knowing that they are made with different material and are designed to protect the head differently for dissimilar dangerous hazards a crew might face than the ground infantry. At least that's what the last military researcher told me as a kid from some fort my school visited one time haha. I think it might have changed by now.
Honestly, these things look like they'd be used in a similar fashion to the karambit, where lots of grappling would be involved.
just wondering, have you done anything involving the caucasian/cossak "kindjal" long knife/short sword? they seem to be in a similar class of blades to these items?
Hi Matt!
Where do you bought the dagger shown in the video? I'd like to buy a Khanjar myself but I didn't find a store where to get good ones. I thought you could help me find a accurate one.
Thanks for all of your great videos!
Lukas
Robb Stark It's an antique - I cannot actually remember where I got it. Probably an antique shop :-)
If you did not find it yet reply to me
This comment comes from a totally different culture but may provide some clue. In Japanese sword (not sport kendo) I was taught never to thrust straight bur turn the blade a quarter turn counterclockwise. In naginata, the thrust is also turned 90 degrees. In both, the twist occurs at the moment of impact. Japanese blades are only rarely used for stabbing, and in battle, confined to a specialized close quarter armor penetrating blade (yoroi doshi) that is thick and straight spined. However, both the khanjar and most Japanese blades, whether sword or naginata (glaive) are curved. Seems possible that the quarter turn strengthens the thrust by crossing the forearms and moves the weapon in an arch that maximizes the thrust's efficiency.
This raises a question I think. What are your thoughts on the performance of curved swords that curve away from the wielder? Sickle swords like the falx and sica come to mind.
The belly/curve on the upper edge of the blade would push the tip downward on the thrust in that manner as there would be less resistance on the bottom of the tip. Like an airplane wing, only in flesh
I got a different problem with the suggested technique:
The blade is perpendicular to the ribs, thus you need more force to penetrate and you might get stuck.
If it was intended to be used the way described I'm pretty sure you'd have an offset tang giving you a 'pistol' grip, but the point would still be in line with the forearm instead of four inches above it. In other words, it would be curved at the base of the blade, not the tip.
It's likely a close quarters standup grappling tool.
As a fighting knife what is your overall impression/opinion of the Jambiya?
I assume that it's popularity speaks to some large partial value but we know popularity isn't all. So...?
This is not arabic this is kurdish jambiya
The chilean "corvo" it's a type of knife used that way :)
General wisdom when it comes to weird shaped weapons- when its shaped like a claw- it's PROBABLY used like one.
Also, the indonesians claim the Kerambit was based on the arabic Jambiya- which leaves me inclined to believe it had some common use pointed tip-down facing forward and used to rake while punching.
This would fall in line with how its commonly worn and therefore drawn.
Dueling treatises often neglect to mention all manner of bladed weapons are in-reality used as brawling weapons when things go wrong. Duels are not representative of reality- and the likelyhood is when you draw your dagger they likely dont have one in hand and you arent going to give them time to do so
You beat me too this comment regarding Karambit
Hey Matt, maybe with that upward curve it's intended to combat "scale mail", lol
This curvature is quite similar to the curved bellies of bowie knives and so called modern fighting knives. I wonder if they have the same thrusting technique in mind?
Badger0fDeath Are they really that different? www.uberti.com/sites/default/files/originals/products/bowie_knife.jpg
They used to have a sharpened falls edge but in this context it doesn't matter that much whether or not they're double edged.
Combat knives can be very similar too.
vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/thehungergamesrp/images/f/fe/Knives-kabar-fighting-knife-serrated-kb1214.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20130617091359
I'm not saying they're identical but they sure have that upswept point profile just like the dagger and thus may have similar mechanics.
Badger0fDeath The point of the bowie is not in a straight line with the handle. Or at least not always. Let's say, it doesn't have to be and often isn't. img08.deviantart.net/4f2c/i/2014/065/7/f/crocodile_dundee_bowie_knife_pic_3_by_hellfireforge-d6u4ycf.jpg
Simon's Discoveries
..I think it's reasonable to assume that BoD is talking those bowies that have actually been competently designed as tactical knives, not arbitrary wall-hangers.
Simon's Discoveries
A curved belly is no part of the definition of a bowie. If you look at the most widely used fighting bowie of all time, the USMC Kabar, the edge is straight right up to the point.
Hi! Could you possibly do a video about khukuri fighting styles and techniques?
tane gurnick Could be. Matt did a video not long ago about khukuri, can't remember the name, he showed a technique like: stab and when he is pulling the knife out, he is actually cutting. Sorry about my bad English, I'm not a native speaker.
tane gurnick
** those Khukuri are some heavy bloody knives.**
No, real combat ones are comparatively light. You've probably been handling trash tourist grade ones. To give an idea of the difference, a real 1970s British issue kukri would be around 550g, but it's very hard to buy a replica that isn't 750-850g. And most of the weight is forward, where the real thing would have been heavily fullered, making it feel like an even bigger difference. Tora are the possibly manufacturer to make weight-correct military kukris.
The khanjar knife blade is always flimsy,despite the rib that goes either side of the blade. I have found few supposedly 'genuine' ones that take a good edge. On my business travels in Arabia felix I found that inside the walled city of Bahla (in Oman) there were still functioning knifesmith's forges where 'working' blades (as opposed to tourist tat) were being made.
These are still artefacts made to sell to tourists; and you wouldn’t know the difference. Those blade smiths won’t use good steal nor spend good effort on artefacts made for tourists. I have in my family heritage a piece that one could shave curls on steal if one had a strong enough grip.
in melee especially if combatants are at least somewhat armored, and all hell breaks lose i dont think you will care as much of how you hold it, rather of how much damage will you do in shortest amount of time, so some probably held it like that, even tho there is no picture of it.
If I held it like that in heat of combat, I would probably not try stab with it primarily, but rather use it like a claw in downwards strokes, and that way i could use it at distance, and at graping range, but certainly blade shape lends itself more to downward stabs as you shown later in video. And to me its more of and execution blade or last ditch blade, rather then combat one. A boot knife
The hilt also looks quite a lot like a qama/kindjal or bebut/quadara.
Are those things double edged?
If it is, maybe it could be used like a kerambit?
Yes it is
I think it may not be martially practical.I think it may have been a cultural preference.Think that there will be some friction, but that will let them know how well theyve got it in, and Perhaps when or how to pull it out in the most destructive way possible.Think dagger fighting as a bloody last resort and you can see how using slightly curved dagger in the northern and middle eastern regions would be designed to be quite brutual due to grudges, focus on exit damage, intent on suffering, or even demoralizing affect.I think that way dagger holding could allow for a better down or backward pulling motion.Especially in close combat where it would be needed.
I could see it being used in the way you show for delivering push cuts, because as you push in and the blade bends backward it would potentially be deepening the cut, as you once showed with a cavalry cut. Otherwise i don't see it being good for stabbing in that grip for the reasons that you stated
I had heard that Lawrence of Arabia used this for cutting and slashing like a saber.
I like the grip on the that, it reminds me of a basilard
I think you should hold the point forward like you had, but the tip down like a Karambit
I also have a Jambiya, were these types of daggers used for slashing as well as stabbing?
@Sun Flower LOL
Why doesn't anyone just ask a Yemeni? They still carry them there. Any Yemenis watching this?
Malgremor yessir im wearing one rn in ny cuz idgaf
The Chileans have a similar knife called "Corvo". They inherited the design fromthe arabs through the Spaniards. I have seen them fighting with the blade like you showed, you should look them up.
Always thought the old Persian daggers Beautiful. I'm more of a knife guy then a sword guy( although both are cool) I would love to play with one and see how it preformed in my test
it's Arabic!
The dagger or khanger in the video is definitely native to the Arabian Peninsula. It is believed to had spread to Persia, Caucasus and the rest of MENA after 620 AD.
Put your thumb into the small of the hilt. That counters the resistance that you get and keeps the blade straight.
These daggers can be used in all sorts of ways. All you got to do is play around and figure them out.
I prefer the longer, straight versions that the Cossacks use, myself.
The evidence that they were used that way, is in the ability to use them in that fashion. They are designed that way for a reason, including how the two studs word and why the handles seem small, even though, they are perfect! You are just holding them wrong.
What about the Roman Sica?
the sickle and the Moon will be at odds with the Sun and cross. Byzantium then Constantinople then Istanbul...changes of the boundary where west meets east. The cockpit of the Old World, so many battles in one main spot, where it must be said cultures clash, even today. It's a crying shame really for us all.
It sure looks like it'd give a wicked cut for a weapon of its size, though. Got an opinion on that?
@Sun Flower
That cut sounds wicked to me.
Where do you buy your swords?
I have one, Kurdish, 9 inch blade with central rib and horn grip. Dead simple, no ornamentation but beautiful Persian wootz blade.
Could they have been used in a similar way to a karambit point down curving away from the body? Divergent evolution in knife design.
I think in this matter is better to do actual test of both tipes of thrusts
In Yemen it is still legal to carry those daggers in public places.
Ive seen silat systems teaching the use of the kerambit used blade up, ring on the littlefinger that is, wich would look siilar to what your showing, however, the aplications were mostly cutting (or clawing), as are most kerambit aplications I might ad, seeing as its not a terrific stabbing weapon. Incidently this is one of the main reasons im not a huge fan of it, I prefer regular knives as stabbing gives more bang for your buck so to say.
Björn Rugstad also most kerambits are single edged
Do u know how to use the jambiya
It’s a slashing weapon but can also be used in stabbing. Watch the Disney movie Aladdin and the king of Theives