MythBusters · Video summary

Should You Really Never Bring A Knife To A Gunfight? | MythBusters

MythBusters Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage test two dueling myths: 'Don't bring a knife to a gunfight' and 'He who moves first loses' in a samurai sword fight.

MythBusters · August 25, 2026 · 23-min episode · 4-min read

Should You Really Never Bring A Knife To A Gunfight? | MythBusters

Key takeaways

🎯The overhead knife throw, while effective for hitting a target, is too slow to be practical in a quick-draw gunfight.02:29
🔫In a static quick-draw scenario, a gun-wielder can typically get a shot off before a knife-wielder can close the distance, but the knife may still connect.06:27
🤸Dodging a thrown knife while simultaneously aiming and firing a gun is extremely difficult and often leads to missed shots.07:27
⚔️In a Kendo duel, the person who initiates the attack first consistently lands the first hit, debunking the myth that 'he who moves first loses.'14:49
🏃When a knife-wielder is actively running towards a gun-wielder, they can cover a surprising amount of ground (up to 24 feet) before the gun can be drawn and fired.17:58
😱The psychological effect of an opponent running and screaming at you with a knife can significantly impact a gun-wielder's ability to react quickly and accurately.21:20

Chapters

0:05Introduction to Dueling Myths
1:55Knife Throwing Practice
4:05Adam Prepares for Gunfight
7:00Knife vs. Gun Showdown
15:17Kendo Training
18:51Kendo Duel: First Mover
25:13Knife vs. Gun Revisited: Running at the Gunfighter
30:28The Knife's Triumph: Close Quarters Combat

The digest

The Cowboy Conundrum: Knife vs. Gun

The MythBusters tackle the age-old adage, "Don't bring a knife to a gunfight." While seemingly obvious, the team delves into the nuances of this cowboy wisdom. The initial thought is that a gun, with its range, would always trump a knife in a 20-foot standoff. However, the introduction of knife throwing, à la The Magnificent Seven, complicates the scenario. Could a thrown knife even the odds against a quick-draw pistol?

To test this, Jamie, as the knife thrower, undergoes training with expert John Labash. Labash demonstrates the overhead throw, emphasizing grip and release. While Labash makes it look effortless with his 10 years of experience, Jamie, a novice, struggles to consistently hit the target. The overhead throw, despite Jamie eventually hitting the bullseye, is deemed too slow to beat a gunslinger in a quick-draw scenario. The Magnificent Seven throw, a lower, quicker blow, proves to be a much tougher throw to master.