knife hand

Martial arts blow

A knife hand is a hand position with fingers extended and held tightly together, thumb tucked, forming a blade-like shape.

In martial arts, it's used for striking with the edge of the hand.

In military contexts, it's a distinctive gesture drill instructors and leaders use while giving emphatic commands or corrections: The sergeant knife-handed the recruits while shouting instructions.

Related

edge · martial · judo · black belt · palm · thrust · slice · combat · dojo · discipline · drill sergeant · precision · block · sparring · technique · muscle memory · fingertips · rigid

Categories
Opposites
hand formation

knife handfist

Tightly closed hand

hammer fist · punch · palm strike · open palm · cupped hand

strike rigidity

knife handslap

Open-handed blow

soft block

gesture intent

knife handopen hand

Unclenched, spread fingers

handshake · prayer hands

Family

knife, hand, knives, knifed, knifing, hands, handed, handing, handy

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Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated PG