From the Left

Well no one emailed me with an answer to my question about how you can gain the same advantage by fighting left handed, with your knife still in your right hand. Maybe the question was too difficult, too simple, or no one cared enough to email. I wonder which? (Right after I posted this I found that a reader had posted a good question, thanks) The photo is self-explanatory. (Holy Crap I look like Fidel Castro in this photo. Gwynnes photo is much nicer but same idea. The photos are from our book The Rhythm of One) Some people will say “Oh that is simple, I figured that out.” Some will say, “If you hold your knife that way your arm can be trapped against your body.” This is true if you insist on moving your knife around your body. Try moving your body around the knife for once. Anyway, what brave soul would like to prove that by trapping me? For those of you who are used to training/defending in the dojo without moving your body, this may be a problem.

The advantage I want you to see is that by placing your knife in this posture you move it closer to your opponent’s weapon hand/side. This alters the time-space continuum of the conflict. It also requires that when he cuts or thrusts that you move, you move your entire body not just your arm. Experiment and see where your body ends up as you expand outward from this posture. By the way Gwynne is standing in a mugamae posture (posture of no posture) here and while it looks lke a poor defense you could be very surprised. Remember knife fighting is not static! Too many schools of knife defense operate on the premise that if you have a knife in your hand you do not need to employ all of the other fancy stuff you learned as an empty-hand stylist: things like mobility, fluidity, circular movement, chords, etc, etc. The other salient point to this posture is your right shoulder. Yeh, it’s a big wide-open target isn’t it. Think about that......Well anyway that’s my answer and its up to you to see how it works, or not. I am working on another technique that I may name the Quasimodo. Got the picture?

Let HIm Who isWithout Sin

Death by Stoning! Let him who is without sin cast the first stone. I hope that the world will stand witness to the "compassion" of one of the most ancient civilizations. I pray that the face of this woman is burned into the souls of her accusers and those standing with stones in hand. May your eternity be haunted with the memory.

The Hand You Were Dealt:

This post is about working left hand versus a right hand attacker. You can put away your pencils and notebooks because I am not going to layout any step by step techniques for you. Instead you will have to pick up your training knives and put on your thinking caps. Working with a skilled lefty opened up a whole new world for me. In addition to being left handed my student is also a lot taller than I am and his longer arms equals greater reach. This all adds up to a teacher’s nightmare where if your technique is not conceptually correct you will never be able to pull it off and your credibility goes down the tubes. I don’t have a photo of us training in knife class but here is one of us during an AGOGE™ tactical pistol class. I am the short guy with a beard. You can probably figure out which one is my lanky knife student. The man to the right as you look at the photo is the instructor and operator of Agoge Training.

At first he worked knife right-handed because that was how I was teaching him. Two things changed our approach to training. One, when I learned he was naturally a lefty I had him start working out that way. Two, a student emailed me a link to a video of a real knife attack where the attacker was left handed and the defender was empty-handed. They asked me to come up with a better solution than in the video where the unlucky defender was stabbed multiple times and quickly died. Sorry to say, there is no infallible empty-hand defense against an aggressive knife attacker. All you can do is move off-line and counter-attack immediately, and as violently and viciously as possible. Using your fists, knees, hands, and feet, keep pummeling the attacker until he is no longer moving. But, if you have a knife there are all sorts of options. Fighting left-handed versus a right-handed opponent reveals some unique possibilities. Why is this?

When one of you is fighting left-handed your knives end up on the same side. This might not seem like a big deal but it drastically alters the distance between the knives and therefore the timing. It suddenly becomes much easier to intercept an incoming attack and preempt it because you have “the time.” As the left-handed fighter this right-to-left relationship can also change the direction you rotate your hips and torso in response to an attack. So begin by picking one of your favorite counter-knife moves, both of you working right-handed as usual, against a simple knife attack. Once you are comfortable with it. Now, one of you maintain a right-handed grip, and the other one switch their knife to their left hand. Perform the same attack and see how radically things have changed. Basically you can respond in one of two ways.
Perform your usual knife block and/or “cut” using your now empty right hand. Then counter attack with your left knife-hand. OR
Use the knife, that is now in your left hand, to perform the block and/or cut. Consciously note the differences in timing, movement, and your ending position compared to your standard right handed counter attack.
Either way, keep your live-hand floating loosely near your solar plexus.

Pick another familiar defense-and-attack scenario and try the same thing again. First work it with both of you right handed and then one of you switch to left hand. You should begin thinking and training left-handed for two reasons. One, if your strong (right) hand becomes injured you may be forced to fight left-handed. Two, if you find yourself up against a right-handed fighter, which is statistically probable, shifting your knife to your left hand gives you a major tactical and mental edge. I cannot but help think of this scene from the movie Princess Bride.

Inigo Montoya: You are wonderful. Man in Black: Thank you; I've worked hard to become so. Inigo Montoya: I admit it, you are better than I am. Man in Black: Then why are you smiling? Inigo Montoya: Because I know something you don't know. Man in Black: And what is that? Inigo Montoya: I... am not left-handed. [Moves his sword to his right hand and gains an advantage] Man in Black: You are amazing. Inigo Montoya: I ought to be, after 20 years. Man in Black: Oh, there's something I ought to tell you. Inigo Montoya: Tell me. Man in Black: I'm not left-handed either. [Moves his sword to his right hand and regains his advantage]

The fighter who is capable of using either hand has an enormous advantage over the man who has only trained to use one hand. Maybe with sufficient practice you could become deadly with two knives, one in each hand, like the late Michael Echanis. I will leave you with one last thought. Is there a way to position your knife on the same side as your attacker’s and still fight right-handed, and if so, what are the advantages? Email me when you figure this one out, or with questions, at: ghdave2@hotmail.com I’ll post a photo in a couple days illustrating the answer.

Link Fixed

The AGOGE link in now working and the website is under construction. Check it out by clicking on the Spartan Helmet. We're proud to be aligned with AGOGE Training.

Blinders

What a difference a few decades make. I used to collect and shoot “antique” single-shot rifles back when life was simpler, and to quote an old song, “The livin was easy.” Who would have ever thought that the 1980s would be considered a period of peace and prosperity? Now that I look back on it, it seems that way. Of course as they say hindsight is 20-20. Music in the 80s wasn’t so hot but jobs were plentiful and we were not enmeshed in wars all over the world, what is now collectively referred to as “The Long War.” Schuetzen style rifles were chambered in now obsolete calibers like 28-30, 32-40, or 25-20SS. To shoot them today requires finding someone to make a bullet mold and some pretty creative loading methods, like using breech-seaters and duplex loads. The pace is relaxed and you can take plenty of time firing a ten round group for score. It is a genteel pastime. Unfortunately, as I mentioned in a past blog I am not shooting these rifles much today. Instead I am practicing with my black rifles.
We had a couple down for supper one night and my wife said “Why don’t you show them your new rifle?” It is a Match Grade Colt AR-15 HBAR. I got it out and laid it on the floor. My friend pointed it out to his wife, and in a rather snotty tone said, “That’s one of those assault rifles I told you about.” He continued on to say, “I don’t know why anyone needs one of those.” You know it really took me by surprise. Black rifles are not for everyone but they are as much a part of our martial heritage as a Kentucky rifle or a Springfield Musket. AR rifles have been around since the Vietnam War and have served a distinguished career for a half century. In fact that basic platform and caliber are now used globally by many NATO nations. What bothered me most about the brief exchange was his insulting opinion being expressed in my own home. Would it have been different if the rifle had been one of my hand-built Pennsylvania long rifles or my Sharps long range express? These were the assault weapons of their day, carried by American soldiers and snipers to kill British troops or Indians. My frosty response was, “I might need one someday for self-defense.” His quick reply was, “Self defense against who?” Maybe he doesn’t watch the news much.

Sometimes we walk through life with blinders on. We’re still friends, but this exchange made me look at him a little differently. It made me think of the day I saw an Amish buggy in the ditch alongside the road. Two kids were standing there looking soberly at their dead horse. A car had come upon them and, because of the blinders, they did not see it in time. The end result was the tragic death of a beautiful horse and two devastated kids. It ruined my day too and I was sick to my stomach sharing the angst they must be feeling for the loss of the animal. I feel the same way today watching the news and wondering how many people, like my friend, or those Amish kids, are going through life with blinders on. Will they end up in a ditch too, over run, blindsided by speeding current events?

Stop the Socialists -Take Back America

Before its too late: Take America back from the Socialists. Health Care, Cap and Tax, Wall Street legislation, Immigration Reform, Illegal alien ammnesty, Afghanistan, Gulf Oil Moratorium, more and more taxes on everything. Congress, where the hell are you in all of this? You have become completely irrelevant.No hope, No change only more corruption Chicago style

Carrying Concealed?

Lest you think I am single focused on knives I decided to post this.

I hate to admit it but there are times when a knife is not the end-all of self defense. For example your attacker is packing a firearm and is standing just out of reach of your best knife technique. Another example is when you are facing multiple attackers. At these times nothing so compliments a fine fighting knife as a fine firearm. Your choice of firearm, as I stated in an earlier posting, must be tailored to your specific needs. What can you carry legally? If you have a concealed carry permit can your weapon of choice be readily concealed? What is your skill level, and familiarity with various weapons? Is it for protection while you are outside your domicile or inside? A shotgun may be the supreme weapon inside your house but too big and attention getting on the streets or flopped on your front car seat.

One of the most important questions is, are you willing to use it if necessary, and do you know the consequences? Do some research and find out the legalities on the use of force for your state or locality. One of the first things I give a new knife student is a copy of the ordinances covering use of force in NYS and the statutes on knives in particular. That way they can never say, “Uh I didn’t know.” If you have a pistol permit odds are you had to take a course on these things during your application process. That’s not true when you walk into a shop or get online and buy a fighting knife.
For years my handgun of choice was a Colt 1911 pistol manufactured in 1918. Recently that pre-eminence has been challenged by a Smith and Wesson 686 Combat Magnum. It’s a big gun, physically, but it tucks in nicely at my waist. The 357 magnum round provides all of the firepower I feel I need and the luxury and economy of shooting low power 38 special rounds. But what made me suddenly switch from a semi-auto to a wheel-gun? In a word, ergonomics. It was love at first holding. This was the first time I ever picked up a handgun and could not lay it down until I convinced myself to put down a deposit. Yeh it was that good. Just like with a fighting knife it either feels right in your hand or it doesn’t. So like as not, if you meet me out and about, the 686 is probably tucked into my waistband. I can legally carry it concealed even when it is illegal to carry my knife.
No that doesn’t make sense but as a Law Enforcement Officer once told me, “It doesn’t have to make sense, it’s the law.” So when I cannot carry a dagger, bowie, or a tactical folder I legally carry my 357 magnum packing over 500 ft/lbs of muzzle energy. Go figure. Oh yeh and for around the house I have my Red Neck Squirrel rifle loaded with frangible ammo.

July 4th

Happy July Fourth to all of you. Reverend Wright you got it wrong. May God Bless our great nation, guide us, and watch over all of our servicemen and women!

Reference Material

I realize that there is only so much that you can learn from books or other media outside of the dojo or training hall. Still they are an invaluable resource. I have not included on this list any of the books pertaining to my studies of the rennaisance or medieval eras, sticking mostly within the 19th century. You may want to copy and paste this into a word doc and print it out.

Anyway, here is a brief list of Books and/or Videos I have bought and read and feel were worth the money and time I spent. The more asterisks the higher rated they are.

Cassidy, William L. Complete Book of Knife-Fighting*. Boulder: Paladin Press, 1975.

Cody, Mark Edward, Filipino Combat Systems: An Introduction to An Ancient Art For Modern Times, AuthorHouse, 2005

Echanis, Michael. Knife Fighting, Throwing for Combat***. Burbank: O’Hara Publishing, 1978.

Echanis, Michael, D. Knife Self-Defense***. Burbank: O’Hara Publishing, 1977.

Fairbairn, William Ewart. Get Tough*. New York: D.Appleton-Century Co., 1942.

Fairbairn, William Ewart. Silent Killing. 1942. Introduction Bradley J. Steiner. Seattle: Bradley J. Steiner. 2001.

Galang, Reynaldo S. Masters of the Blade*. Arjee Enterprises, 2005

Hockheim, Hoch. Unarmed Versus the Knife**. Ft. Oglethorpe: Lauric Press, 2001.

Janich, Michael D. Knife-fighting A Practical Course. Boulder: Paladin Press, 1993.

Janich, Michael D. Street Steel, Choosing & Carrying Self-Defense Knives*. Boulder: Paladin Press, 1996.

LaFond, James, The Logic of Steel***, Paladin Press, 2001, Boulder CO

LaTourrette, John, M. Warriors Guide to Knife-fighting***. Medford: Sports Psychology Publications, 1988.

McLemore, Dwight, C. Paradoxes of a Deadly Myth**. Yorktown: Dwight C. McLemore, 2000. (This has been published under a new title, “Bowie and Big Knife Fighting”, by Paladin Press)

McLemore, Dwight C. Advanced Bowie Techniques, the Finer Points of Fighting with a Large Knife*** Paladin Press, 2006

Ryan, Richard. Master of the Blade*. Boulder: Paladin Press, 1999.

Sanchez, John. Blade Master*. Boulder: Paladin Press, 1983.

Sanchez, John. Slash and Thrust*. Boulder: Paladin Press, 1980.

Steyer, John. Cold Steel**. Boulder: Paladin Press, 1974.

Tarani, Steve. The Naked Edge, The Complete Guide to Edged Weapons Defense. Burbank: Unique Publications, 2002.*

Walker, Greg. Battle Blades, A Professionals Guide to Combat/Fighting Knives*. Boulder: Paladin Press, 1993.

Training Videos-DVDs

Dan Gum Sul, High Art of Knife Fighting: Michael de Alba, de Alba Productions

Hwarang Do Weapons: Michael de Alba, de Alba Productions

Kosho Blade: Vol 1& Vol 2: Hanshi Bruce Juchnik, SKSK International Productions

Weaponry #1: Hanshi Bruce Juchnik, SKSK International Productions

Unarmed and Dangerous: Vols.1 & 2: James Keating, Comtech, Paladin Press

Comtech Drawpoint Vol. 1: James Keating, Comtech, Paladin Press

Reverse Knife Fighting Techniques: James Keating, Comtech, Paladin Press

Legacy of Steel Vol 1 & 2**: James Keating, Comtech, Paladin Press

Hockheim Journeyman series: Hoch Hockheim, Scientific Fighting Congress

Junsado Knife Defenses:
Fundamentals: Master Hanho, Turtle Video
Advanced: Master Hanho, Turtle Video
Expert: Master Hanho, Turtle Video

Lameco Knife Fighting: Vols. 1 & 2: Threat Response Systems Co. Felix Valencia

Modern Knife Volume 1-8**, Kautz, Pete

Comtech ***: Keating, James, A, Volume 1-3

Crossada ***: Keating, James, A,

Crossing the Bridge ***: Keating, James, A,

Secrets of Silat; Knife Fighting Techniques of Silat and Kuntao:**** by Steve Gartin