It may surprise you but the fact is that you need no real skills or even hours of practice to know how to use a kukri knife. You will need a few techniques. Only to Nepalese natives and ardent survivalists around the world know of them. Surprisingly, the techniques are so simple. Anyone can use them to defend themselves with a Kukri Knife.
Mastering these four techniques early will make the difference in a combat situation. We will learn about everything you need to know. Points of focus include drawing the knife, holding it and employing it in combat. We have laid the information in a stepwise, easy to understand manner.
Step 1: Drawing the Knife Out
In self-defense, the time you take to draw your weapon can hand your opponent an advantage. Furthermore, drawing the knife out in readiness for self-defense can cause accidental injury. Before drawing, hold the handle of the kukri with your dominant hand. Its blade (belly) should face the opposite direction to your body.
Your other hand should hold on the scabbard (if you are using an orthodox belt) at its back encircling it. Yet, your hand should not overlap at the front part of the scabbard. Hold the upper aspect of the scabbard with your palm and fingers to avoid unnecessary injury. Draw the knife out slowly and gently.
Make sure the spine or blade of the knife always touches the inner aspect of the scabbard all the way out. You have to keep this in the back of your mind since you may have to draw the knife out hastily.
Step 2: Holding the Knife
The holding technique of a Kukri knife not only readies the weapon, it determines your safety. Such a large and sharp blade can prove deadly to you the handler if you use the wrong holding technique. There are two common kukri holding techniques. These include the Normal (basic) technique and thumbs up (improvised) technique.
The Normal holding technique is basic and simple. It describes a fist position in which your thumb extends straight forwards on top of your index finger while your closed-tight fist grips around the handle of the knife. It is the best holding position for self-defense and close encounter combat. The improvised technique is not ideal for self-defense and combat.
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Step 3: Swinging the Knife in Combat/Encounter
When it comes to real self-defense with Kukri, your aim, grip and body position are vital. Even in self-defense, targeting a point on your enemy is of absolute importance. A proper body positioning and stance will be lethal and neutralize your attacker.
Try to position yourself on a higher ground than your enemy by standing on your front footโs toe. Take a slight side ward stance with your feet stretched approximately 2 feet apart. This way, your body weight will rest on your back foot before you strike. Before executing a stroke, keep your free hand out aiming at your target. Meanwhile, bend your striking hand parallel to your shoulder level.
To release a stroke, lean your body rapidly towards your target. This will transfer your body weight from your back foot to the kukri-bearing hand. Ensure your striking arm stretches out well. Your wrist joint should be flexible enough to meet your target point at an angle of 45-75 degrees. Your free hand should go aside and back as your striking hand comes at optimal length.
Step 4: Stabbing Action
Sometimes stabbing is the best way to disable and neutralize your attacker. The best stabbing technique involves standing sideward to your target with your feet stretched apart. Your front knee should be bent slightly with your back foot rather straight. Pull back the hand holding the Kukri at about the height of your waist. Stretch your free hand towards the target before thrusting a stroke.
Execute a striking blow by pulling back your pointing free hand to give way as the striking hand makes its way in. Move your front foot further forwards as you lean towards your target. This will generate enormous power and transfer your bodyโs weight from the back foot that rests on the sole. Moving the free hand back will help maintain balance.
Successful stabbing depends on your timing and body movement. Do it perfectly and the stabbing will be swift and effective.
Final Verdict
You now know how to defend yourself with a kukri knife from the information you have learned. As you can see, it does not need rigorous training or special skills. You need to have the right technique at your fingertips. This way you will not worry about any attacker having an edge over you. Take your time and follow these four simple and straightforward steps and you will be a kukri expert in no time.
James Barton
Hi, I'm James. I am the founder and main editor for The Survival Corps. I have been a part of the survival and prepping community since my mid 30's as I downsized and started to prepare to be self sufficient in a time of crisis.
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