Reverse Grip: Difference between revisions

{{trope}}

[[File:shivworks26.jpg|frame|Get the point?]]

 

Basically, holding the grip of a [[Knife Nut|dagger]], a [[Sword Fight|sword]], a [[Katanas Are Just Better|katana]] or [[Weapon of Choice|whatever]] so that the blade points the direction opposite to the thumb. Usually only done with single-edged blades.

In the TV Land, the [[Rule of Cool]] usually is the reason why the reverse grip is used, rather than practical considerations. First, that's how [[ninja]]s hold their katanas in Japanese movies. Not cool enough? Well, that's how the Semper-Fi marines do it with their knives, too. In short, '''Reverse Grip''' indicates a major [[Badass]].

 

 

With full-length swords, '''Reverse Grip''' is most likely to be used while [[Dual-Wielding]], and demonstrates that the character is really proficient with two blades. If the primary sword is held this way, it may also indicate the unwillingness of the wielder to hurt the opponent, since '''Reverse Grip''' is rather a defensive position more suited to block than to attack since it reduces the range of the weapon. On the other hand, it is also somewhat suited for slashing the enemy, especially, at stomach or throat level. This is often used on unaware targets or [[Offhand Backhand|in passing]]. In that case, the message is clear: [[Technical Pacifist|the guy doesn't want to fight you but push him too far and you'll be sorry]]. On the real-life side of the fence, it is occasionally taught in the form of kata for full-length swords and some schools teach it as a last ditch technique if one is surprised while sheathing the sword; in actual practice, however, this grip is very rare and not particularly effective.

See also [[Gangsta Style]], this trope's equivalent with regards to guns.<ref>with the difference that reverse grip can actually be a useful technique</ref>

 

{{examples}}

== Anime and Manga ==

* Many ninja in ''[[Naruto]]'' hold kunai in this position, generally for melee combat.

* Kensei Muguruma of ''[[Bleach]]'' does this, most prominently in the chapters where Ichigo is battling {{spoiler|his inner Hollow}}.

 

== Comic Books ==

* Cutter in ''[[Elf Quest]]'' uses his short curved sword New Moon in a reverse grip to slash his opponents. Panel 5 of this page from #15 of the original series (WARNING: violent battle scene) is [http://www.elfquest.com/gallery/OnlineComics/OQ/OQ15/DisplayOQ15.html?page=27 the first time we see him use this technique].

** Note that the manga ''[[Kamui No Ken]]'' (Dagger of Kamui) was a major influence on the artist, Cutter gets his technique straight from Kamui (which makes him some sort of elf-ninja).

 

== Film ==

* This grip is favored by [[Zatoichi]], which makes sense since it saves him the trouble of changing his grip on his [[Sword Cane|walking stick]].

* John Preston absolutely ''owns'' everyone when he switches his katana(s) to Reverse Grip in ''[[Equilibrium]]''.

 

== Literature ==

* There is a lightsaber combat style based on Reverse Grip in the ''[[Star Wars Expanded Universe]]'' called Shien (not to be confused with the Form V variant of the same name). It is seen, for example, in Stackpole's ''[[Jedi Academy Trilogy|I, Jedi]]'' and used by several EU characters, including Adi Gallia, [[The Force Unleashed|Galen Marek]], and [[Star Wars: The Clone Wars|Ahsoka Tano]]. Vader might also be accomplished in this style, considering that he taught the latter two.

** The style described in ''I, Jedi'' is a two-handed variant, with one hand on the grip and the other grasping the pommel, allowing the wielder to lever the blade around by its end using the grip hand as a fulcrum.

{{quote|"Having seen too many Jim Bowies slash their way through walls of human flesh, they persist in carrying on this inane tradition. Overhead and uppercut slashes are a waste of energy and blade power. The correct method is to hold the knife in a natural, firm grip and jab straight ahead at waist level with the arm extending full length each time. This fencing style allows for the maximum reach of arm and blade. By concentrating the point of the knife directly at the target, you make defense against such an attack difficult."}}

 

* Frequently employed by Duncan McLeod in ''[[Highlander (TV series)|Highlander]]'' with his katana. Used at least once with a regular sword.

* Richard does this quite often in ''[[Legend of the Seeker]]''. In the books, he's occasionally mentioned as doing this with his off-hand dagger.

* In ''[[Supernatural]]'', Sam and Dean often hold electric torches like this, for reasons described in the "Real Life" section of this page.

* In the third episode of ''[[Stargate SG-1]]'', Carter fights the [[Space Romans|Space Mongol]] chieftain with her combat knife in a reverse grip.

 

== Music ==

* Richard and Roland of [[Sonic Syndicate]] occasionally held their ''microphones'' in reverse grip.

 

== Tabletop Games ==

* In ''[[GURPS]]: Martial Arts'' holding a weapon this way makes certain attacks more effective and others more difficult. It's most effective with knives and tonfas.

* The Red Mantis Assassins in [[Pathfinder]] are noted as [[Dual-Wielding]] _both_ their serrated sabers in Reverse Grip, in emulation of mantis claws.

 

== Video Games ==

* Vader's apprentice does it in ''[[The Force Unleashed]]'' and ''[[Soul Calibur]] IV'' with a [[Laser Blade|lightsaber]]. While still not ''wholly'' practical, this is probably one of the best opportunities to use it since it's uni-directional blade.

** It's worth noting that when the apprentice actually attacks, he switches to a standard grip. Guess the lack of range just doesn't work for him.

* Baiken in ''[[Guilty Gear]]'' does this with her katana (which is her main weapon—she doesn't have an offhand weapon because she only has one arm, but she stuffs a lot of weapons in her other sleeve [[Inspector Gadget]] style). In her case, however, it's partly out of practicality and partly out of habit - she lost her right arm, which was most likely her dominant arm. Considering the weapons crammed into her right sleeve, a sheath there might get in the way, and so she wears it on the left, usually drawing it in a reverse grip because that would be the easiest way to draw it when the arm and sheath are on the same side. Of course, some of her fancier [[Rule of Cool]] steps in.

** Can't bring up ''[[Guilty Gear]]'' without mentioning Sol's fighting style, too.

* When playing for the Lotus Clan in ''Battle Realms'', Blade Acolytes dual-wield their swords this way.

* Most classes in ''[[Project Reality]]'' that aren't able to [[Bayonet Ya|mount a bayonet]] on their main weapon will usually still carry a knife, and will often wield it this way when using it.

* Krauser in ''[[Resident Evil 4]]'' holds his knife this way. Justified as he's clearly had military service (U.S. SOCOM).

 

== Web Comics ==

* Kit from ''[[Fey Winds]]'' holds one of her swords with a normal grip, and the other reversed.

 

== Western Animation ==

* Ahsoka Tano from [[Star Wars: The Clone Wars|The Clone Wars]]. Apparently it's better at deflecting blaster bolts. Anakin has been trying to break her of this habit, and she now switched between them.

** Wookieepedia calls this the "Reverse Shien grip", a variation on Form V lightsaber combat.

 

== Real Life ==

* There is a similar distinction in table tennis: the shakehand grip is the "traditional" grip with the racket's "blade" above the thumb, and the penhold grip is the reverse with the racket's grip pointing upwards, as if it were a pen.

* Police and other emergency and security workers are often taught to hold electric torches like this, as if you're suddenly assaulted it makes it easy to hit your assailant with the non-glowing, less easily damaged end (and torches used by such people are often very heavy and robust).

 

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Fight Scene]]

[[Category:Sword Fight]]

[[Category:Weapons and Wielding Tropes]]