Karate Essence ‘Reality Check’: ‘Karate Chop/Shuto’
- TD McKinnon
- 2 days ago
- 9 min read
Updated: 19 hours ago
Karate Essence
‘Reality Check’
Photograph and editing by Zoё Lake
Shuto/Knife Hand
This month’s ‘Reality Check’ technique was the first technique that I understood to be a Karate technique; this of course was before I began my own Karate-Do journey. In the early 1960s, as a young teenager, I used to watch a television show on British television called ‘The Avengers’, and this is where I first became aware of the ‘Karate Chop’. Throughout the 1960s I was a boxer, and I must admit that I thought that the ‘Karate Chop’, or at least the way that it was portrayed on film, was a load of nonsense; but was it? Is the ‘Karate Chop’ real, or just nonsense?
Table of Contents
Fighting or Self-defence
Goju Ryu, Shuto Uchi/Uke
Shotokan, Shuto Uchi/Uke
Tae Kwon Do, Sonkal Yop Tareigi/Hachyo Makki
Hapkido, Knife Hand Strikes/Sudo
Wing Chun, Bil Sao/Knife Hand Strikes
Kyokushin Shuto
Torakan Eye View
Conclusion
Fighting or Self-defence
Having looked at and utilised Shuto Uchi, knife hand strike or the ‘Karate Chop’; I conclude that it could be used in a combat fighting situation if the right opportunity arose. In my opinion, though, it would be difficult to utilise – targeting neck and throat areas – during the course of, say, a normal fighting situation. However, Shuto Uke is always a viable defence technique; and, in fact, lends itself to setting up an offensive Shuto Uchi in a Go No Sen or Sen No Sen situation.
All that being said and, just to be clear, in regard to a ‘Fighting or Self-defence’ technique, I believe it can be used for either but I would come down in favour of it being a ‘Self-defence’ technique rather than a fighting technique.
Most of us are aware, I think, that in Kata we have blueprints for the passing along of ‘Self-defence’ combinations, and there are many Kata where the ‘Bunkai’ bares out my theorems on the usage of ‘Shuto’ as a Self-defence’ skill.
Goju Ryu, Uke/Uchi
Just like the original Okinawa Karate principles, Goju Ryu has Self-defence at the forefront of its priorities; and Karate for Self-defence is generally a close quarter affair.
I know that Goju Ryu have a considerable amount of close quarter, technical flow, repetition training with a partner; which is an excellent method of training for ‘Self-defence’ by the way. However, as per usual, I find it extremely difficult to locate YouTube footage of Goju Ryu technique tutorials built around a single technique. So, the following link is to one of those Goju Ryu, close quarter, technical flow, repetition training sessions, which does contain Shuto in that flow.
Shotokan, Shuto Uchi/Uke
Shotokan, quite different from Goju, seems to have a limitless abundance of tutorials on the internet for any individual technique you might be looking for. For Shotokan, Shuto is very much part of their basic techniques, and it is most apparent in their Kata; therefore, it is very much in their Self-defence training too.
Shotokan is so widely practised in the world today; and while the similarities from one organisation to the next are quite marked so too are the differences. As the French writer and Nobel Laureate, Anatole France, once said "Vive la diffèrence!"
Most Shotokan strains learn the basic Shuto technique in a similar fashion, even if they go on to practise and use it in a completely different manner. The following links will show you a variety of approaches and uses; and the differences are so much so that it is sometimes difficult to see that it is all basically the same technique.
1. Shuto Uchi
Tae Kwon Do, Knife Hand
The Tae Kwon Do Knife Hand strike is called a Sonkal Yop Tareigi; and Knife Hand block is called Hechyo Makki. These techniques are in their Forms or Kata which they call ‘Tul’, Poomsae or Hyong, depending on which style of Tae Kwon Do. With Knife hand techniques in the Tae Kwon Do Forms, you would imagine they are also in their self-defence training; though I can find no real evidence of that on video. However, many years ago, I did employ a Tae kwon Do practitioner in my high-risk security business and in his style of Tae Kwon Do, taught to him by a former Korean army instructor, he did utilise, for self-defence, the knife hand strike very effectively.
The Knife Hand technique is certainly not in evidence in either their competition combat, which has two main forms. That is the point sparring, none contact type competition, which is somewhat similar to the WKF Karate tournament style; and their full contact style of combat.
The following two links are of the basic Knife Hand strike and Knife Hand Block.
Hapkido Knife Hands/Sudo
Hapkido call most open handed (not closed fist) techniques ‘Sudo’; roughly translated as ‘Knife Hands’. For most Japanese martial arts stylists, that would be ‘Haito’ and ‘Shuto’; there are a few more techniques that come under this label, which we won’t stray into in this article.
The three following links display various Hapkido ‘Sudo’ applications; the first two are tutorials of a kind, and the third link is from a Billy Jack movie, where Billy Jack uses Hapkido techniques. Actually it is mostly kicking, but keep your eyes open and you will see a ‘Knife Hand’ technique or two.
3. Billy Jack
Wing Chun Bil Sao/ Knife Hand Strikes
Wing Chun is a very practical, right to the point, close quarter Self-defence Kung Fu with very little flash. In previous posts, referencing Kung Fu and particularly Wing Chun Kung Fu, I have stated that Wing Chun practitioners regard attacking and defending to be the same thing… in other words, ‘every technique that you perform is meant to do damage’.
The first of the two links below is a fairly intense situational demonstration of the above explanation; whereas, the second is more a technical tutorial on the Wing Chun technique.
Kyokushin, Shuto
The Kyokushin Shuto Uchi is not used in their competition fighting. Kyokushin practitioners do not punch to the head in their competition kumite or use Jodan Haito Uchi – which, by the way, they also call Shuto Uchi – and so they do not execute Shuto Uchi jodan either. However, both Haito and Shuto Uke can sometimes be seen as they prepare for a counterattack in their style of knock-down Karate competition.
Shuto Uchi and Uke are practiced in their Kata, and therefore also in their self-defence training. As you would expect from a style that calls itself, ‘The Strongest Karate’; with Kyokushin, everything is delivered for maximum effect.
Torakan Eve View
In this part of the article I include the same information every month in regard to the Torakan School of Karate-Do: it is all about ‘Self-defence’. I repeat this information for the benefit of any new readers of my Blog, and who might also wonder why I call the current monthly article the ‘Reality Check’.
At the Torakan School of Karate-Do, after learning the basic moves, it’s primarily back to the reactional repetition training until the techniques, trimmed of all the surplus movement and effort, work effectively 99% of the time. If it doesn’t it’s out!
The ‘Reality Check’ techniques are practised by almost all martial arts in some form or another; which means that the majority of them work. Or at least they work for the purpose that particular styles or arts assign to them.
At almost 75 years of age, I have been a Budōka, almost, since I could walk, and have long since disposed of all the B/S in my life. The ‘Reality Check’ is one of my contributions to the martial arts’ world.
So, back to the ‘Karate Chop’; does it work? Yes, absolutely – just like all the other ‘Reality Check’ techniques we’ve covered so far. Ah… but does it work like it was portrayed in all those old spy movies and TV shows? Absolutely not!
In my personal opinion, it’s just as well that it doesn’t. It is just as well that it takes time and dedication to acquire the skills needed to make it, and all the other ‘Karate tricks’, work. I can’t think of anything scarier than having a whole bunch of half-baked wannabes out there with physical skills, but with no concept of moral or philosophical guidelines.
Below are 10 links to some short clips of the Torakan use of Shuto as effective Knife Hand Blocks and strikes in regard to ‘Self-defence’.
Conclusion
So many different applications; and, as usual, every art or style has its own variations on the theme. As always, it comes down to choice.
The choices are made all along the martial path you chose; and there’s that concept again, ‘choice’. Again, my advice for what it’s worth is to never stop studying, keep your choices open by learning every angle of your craft and when you learn something make sure you learn it well enough to earn a place in your Mushin treasure chest.
Thank You
A big thank you to our demonstrators from the Torakan Dojo; without whose assistance of course the ‘Reality Check’ Blog would be sadly lacking. Assisting me this month were Tyler, Rahul, Addison and Kelly. Also, a special thank you to Kelly, our technical wiz.
Thank You to the Readers
As always, thank you for following the Karate Essence 'Reality Check' Blog post.
Thank you also for continuing to support my latest book, ‘A Budōka Odyssey’. The reviews continue to be excellent!
Top reviews from Australia
Reviewed in Australia on 8 April 2025
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This book is easy to read in short or long sessions - such an inspirational life story of an amazing guy. Well worth the read.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed in Australia on 28 May 2024
Written by a man who has lived the life of a modern warrior. His ability to recognise the lessons and gifts in any situation and the having the humility to seek out those who can help you better yourself are important traits we should all endeavour to achieve not just in our own martial arts’ odyssey but in life.
Top reviews from the United Kingdom
Carl Slee
5.0 out of 5 stars
‘A Fascinating Book’
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 October 2024
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A fascinating book, and not just for those interested in martial arts. Although if you are, this is one of those rare books that will help in not just the development of karate skills but in the facilitation of those psychological states (rarely discussed) of the true karateka.
From early childhood to the present day, Shihan McKinnon shares his adventures as, Truant, Soldier, Nightclub bouncer and Bodyguard as well as Business man but always as a fighter. And in this book he shares with us the ‘gifts’ and ‘Lessons’ that come from such a ‘life worth lived’.
A rare book, in that I found myself re-reading pages, chapters or passages over and over to further understand how such insights related to my own life. And this is the ‘gift’ of this book, I think that each person, whatever gender, age or interest will find something at some point within it, that is very personal and that will reverberate for them, long after reading.
Thank you Shihan
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 July 2024
I have to say that I found this book to be compulsive reading. For someone who was born and raised in the West of Scotland I was immediately drawn to T.D. McKinnon’s Scottish roots. He writes in such a concise and realistic manner. As someone with no knowledge of karate and martial arts, I have nevertheless found the main themes of the book easy to follow and this has made me review experiences drawn from my own life. The concept of ‘gifts and lessons’ applies to all life, not just karate. I would recommend this book to anyone, particularly those who are deeply involved in a sport of any kind, and who is striving to be the best person they can be. Read, learn and enjoy.
Thank you for this book, T.D. McKinnon.
Top review from the United States
Minimal shopper
5.1 out of 5 stars
‘A Fine Man Shares a Life of Budō’
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2024
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At over 500 pages there is a lot of content in this autobiographical journey. A quick overview is as follows:
Author Shihan TD McKinnon has had ALOT of fights in his life; starting under the age of 6! He tells the narrative of his life through all those fights and what he learned about himself and life along the way. I appreciate that he doesn’t make self-defense fighting seem glamorous and one sided. He talks about injuries, dangers, and making alternate choices to physical violence as a reality.
This book emphasizes lessons like ‘never quit’, ‘move on to the next venture’, ‘stay in the moment and learn what you can along the way’. I recommend it for young and old, karate people and non-karate folks. He carries the journey into today with a very relevant subject - training and aging. Take it on your next plane trip, or beach vacation. And if you’re a karate instructor, you can work it into your teaching. This book does not disappoint!
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