Humility

The Japanese sword is the perfection of the sword-makers art, at least according to one forum "expert." In response to the suggestion that maybe, just maybe, there were other swords of merit and other legitimate martial arts that were not Asian he continued on to say, "I’ve been in the martial arts for 25 years, but I suppose you mall ninjas know it all."

This was his abrasive and condescending slam of a fellow member of the forum. This expert might be shocked to know that some of the Asian martial arts are not much more than 25 years old. That is no reason to knock them if they are truly martial. The more important point I would like to make is that because a person has been doing an art for 25 years is no guarantee that he is any good at it.

Here is my take on this squabble. A man who has spent 25 years learning an Asian martial art and has not learned humility has learned nothing! It would have been better if he had spent those 25 years learning how to fight with a tire iron or a beer bottle. That way his ignorance would not reflect on his teachers and his art. This martial artist needs a lesson in Keigo.
(keigo, literally "respectful language"). The more advanced a student is, the more he should naturally refrain from insulting or degrading a fellow student, even those of lesser rank or skill. Unfortunately this example is not an uncommon attitude. Whether it grows out of a belt/ranking/status system, or out of simple arrogance is hard to determine. It doesn’t really matter because it is unwarranted and completely counter to the basic principals of the Tao or Zen based Asian martial arts.

Concerning lessons in humility, I am reminded of the sign said to hang over the sword polisher’s shop visited by Miyamoto Musashi. Supposedly the sign read, "I polish men’s Souls." The cranky shop owner refused to accept Musashi’s sword for rework until Musashi learned the critical difference between a samurai’s duty and gratuitous killing. Even though Musashi was an undefeated swordsman it seems he still had much to learn. This lesson, coming from a local craftsman, must have seriously stung Musashi's pride. I can honestly say I have played with knives for over 50 years and I think I am finally beginning to understand them. As I told my good friend and knifemaker Gary Bradburn, I wish I had started seriously training in knife fighting 30 years ago. I might have become good at it! Anyone know of a job opening for a humble old knife-fighter?

Never Take a Knife to a Gunfight

Never Take a Knife to a Gunfight:

"Never take a knife to a gunfight," how many times have you heard this sage advice? What is the contemporary wisdom concerning Knife vs Gun? Fact: a bullet, shot from any firearm, bores a tiny hole through the air. Less than a half inch in diameter, that hole may extend in a liner fashion for hundreds or thousands of yards. But, if it has missed you, by even the smallest of margins, it has missed you forever. It will not twist sideways or come flying at you from another direction (excluding a ricochet). Compare the bullet’s flight to a knife’s slash. The keen edge of a good fighting knife is infinitely thin but seldom does it travel in one nice straight line. A blade driven in as a thrust may suddenly cut sideways, disemboweling its victim. The blade may extend out in a long slash, and failing to reach you, stop in mid-flight to reverse its direction and stab you through the throat or heart. A knife is not a linear weapon in the same way a bullet is. A knife will cut a curving swath a foot wide and several feet long and then instantly and unexpectedly return along the same path or a completely different path. If you look real close at the photo you can find the bullet. Look at the bullet, look at the knife, and you decide. At 5 yards, seven yards, maybe 25 yards I'd start getting comfortable with the bullet but remember it only travels in a straight line and God help you if you miss. (By the way I’m still working on my trigger pull.)

The skilled knifer will use feints to draw you into his true attack. Try executing a feint with a bullet. Once released, your bullet cannot be redirected or recalled, nor can its impact energy be controlled. A bullet is a mindless killer. In the hands of a skilled practitioner a knife can merely prick or powerfully puncture, it can lightly touch or terminate, all at the discretion of the user. Within its circle of engagement the knife is unexcelled. The uneducated defender may assume that the knifer’s circle of engagement is only a few short feet, but an attacker possessing even moderate skills can quickly extend his reach to a dozen feet or more. That is what our upcoming book is all about, extending your fighting range and expanding your knowledge.

Knife Class

Monday Nights Knife Class:
Since I started this class a few people have already come and gone. Learning to use a knife is not glamorous. It is not a spiritual experience, although you can be a spiritual person and still learn this art. The men who are training with me now have good reason to do so and they have approached it with the right attitude. They understand that it is better to never enter into any confrontation, but when it is absolutely necessary, then it would be best to not jump straight to a firearm. The knife gives them one more tool in their skills set.

The knife art I teach at the White Shadow Dojo is completely eclectic. It is the result of personal training I received from good people like Bob Cook Sensei and Hanshi Bruce Juchnik. My art also comes from studying rapier manuals of the 16th century and small sword manuals from the 18th century, DVDs from Pete Kautz and James Keating. Some of the moves are derived from the fencing instruction I received locally from my good friend Maestro Steve Wilson. There are all sorts of ingredients that went into the stew I teach. The one thing they all have in common is that if they are too contrived or too complicated they get eliminated. If it takes more than three steps to achieve a strike then there is something that needs to be removed.

I try to teach each individual differently, based on their stature, experience, and the knife they intend to carry. Over a period of time I am sure they will select several different EDC knives therefore certain common techniques are taught to everyone. For example, how to enter into range, how to transition safely from inside to outside, and of course the classical angles of slashing and thrusting.

I am very happy with this small band of brothers. We are all learning together. Them, how to use a knife, and myself, how to refine and better teach what I already know. You cannot ask for much more than that. And lest I forget, thanks Gwynne for the many precious hours you invested training with me.

inventory update

Hi folks.

Here is a web inventory update. Almost all of our indonesian knives are gone and we will not be replacing them due to supply problems. If you want something please let us know soon! We have more Cobras coming both blasted and black blade versions. They just keep getting better as Brent refines the design.
The Hogosha is GONE!! Honestly you missed one heck of a knife. If you are interested in a pair of chinese swords contact me for an unbelieveable price break. They are new and I originally bought them for myself but I am still too attached to kenjutsu to spend the time learning Chinese sword. I am also going to list a couple hand-forged primitive bowies that are great quality but not highly polished. Again email me for particulars and get a great price before I put them on the website. We still have a few of the ITAC knives left as well. These are top of the line fighting knives that are attractive and fully tactical. I own two of them myself.

If you want a good investment buy an ITAC or one of our reasonably priced Hanwei swords. I wish my 401K held its value half as well.