Knifehand

Knifehand is a term used in several East Asian martial arts to describe a hand technique in which the edge of the hand is used as a striking or blocking surface. In Japanese karate, the technique is called shuto, often translated as knife hand or knife-edge hand. In Korean martial arts it appears as sonkal, reflecting the same concept. Variants and terminology can differ by style, but the underlying idea is a controlled use of the lateral edge of the hand.

In execution, the knifehand surface is formed by aligning the fingers and creating a straight or slightly flexed wrist so that contact is made along the edge of the hand. The hand is typically extended with the forearm aligned to the target, allowing either a strike or a block to be delivered with stability and weapon-like precision. When used as a strike, targets may include the neck, collarbone, ribs, or solar plexus, depending on style and level of control. When used as a block, the edge helps deflect an attack while keeping the hand compact.

Different schools emphasize variations in grip, edge orientation, and targeting, making the technique highly style-dependent. Proper training stresses body mechanics, alignment, conditioning of the wrist and fingers, and controlled contact to reduce the risk of injury to both practitioner and partner. Knifehand remains a common component in forms (kata or poomsae), drills, and self-defense applications across numerous martial arts.