Blade Component of Saavatilda Eskrima

Although we're mainly focused on the single stick we do have a sub-component or module covering largo mano and blade work (baraw sugbo). As you may have noticed in the title, I've decided to list Atillo Balintawak blade component under Saavatilda Eskrima, as I've researched, modified and added to its principles, techniques and instruction - essentially making it my own. Of course, I'm still ever learning - this is a journey that I'm now embarking on.

I've been asked a few questions about how we teach this component and here are my answers:

Q: What grip do you use?
A: We utilize the RGEI and FGEU (that's reverse grip, edge in and forward grip, edge up).

Q: Why those grips?
A: Because our range is medio-corto to extreme corto, these grips serve well in getting any limbs out of the way by hooking and shearing and inflicting maximum damage in minimal time and with minimal effort.

Q: Is there some sort of numbering system?
A: Yes, we still use a 10 count but we're focused on certain vital areas, so some movements are oriented and changed somewhat to target those areas for RGEI as well as FGEU. There are two "templates" if you will. One completely using RGEI and the other combining RGEI and FGEU.

Q: Are the same techniques used with the stick, applicable to the blade work like trapping or blocking?
A: Yes, but with some modifications. There is more zoning out and in with the blade work. There are still feints/lansis involved, there are pikal knife jabs and counters to them, and more.

Q: Are students taught only techniques?
A: No, techniques are only a part of it. A proper mindset, street smarts, and a healthy respect for what kind of damage a knife can do is important as well. The latter reason is why I'm quite selective with who I teach. There's some opinion that few knife instructors are out there pushing the cool/cult factor of their organization with their students touting the supremacy of their style and starting all the political "my dick is bigger than your dick" hoopla - all this is bullsh*t and meaningless under the sun and shines a not-so-impressive light on the FMA. No student is perfect, there were even a few in GM Atillo's group that needed to be talked to, so we were just as guilty. The point is that as much as possible, instructors should be monitoring student behavior and students should be monitoring each other's behavior. We don't need another student breaking the law and causing untold grief to everyone and their neighbor...again.

I'm not a knife cult leader and don't need to be one - it's utter rubbish anyway. Any serious knife instructor will read Color Atlas of Forensic Pathology and share this knowledge with their students. While cutting up meat like pig heads, chicken and ribs can serve as some kind of indicator of a blades performance, it really only serves to desensitize people in terms of actual human casualty and damage. Serious students will stay serious and not f*&$k around after seeing the cutting and stabbing pictures in the Color Atlas of Forensic Pathology, and realize the kind of force needed to use a blade in self defense and the mindset needed to survive the encounter and live another day. You MUST respect the blade.

Q: Do you need a knife specifically designed for pikal (RGEI) use to benefit from the blade work?
A: No, you do not. In the Philippines we never had these special designs for close quarter battle. It's either a dagger, a balisong, or some type of hunting/bushcraft knife.

There are a few wave knives, like the one I like - Spyderco P'kal, that are well designed and functional, but I don't need it. Unless of course I'm an LEO/Undercover Agent/Military and in harms way all the time. But even still, I'd go with a concealed fixed blade with easy access if I was able to. I play around with a waved Delica but rarely EDC it. I bought it more as a study tool. One thing I've realized is that with all these cool tools floating around and of course, DVDs to accompany said tools, it's highly possible that criminal elements, thugs, hoodlums are purchasing and studying them as well - okay well not highly possible, but you never know right? My waved Delica allows me to experiment and counter the counter. When you purchase and study these DVDs, I think it's good to keep in mind that criminal elements might be doing the same. Put yourselves in their shoes, imagine the scenarios and how they might counter, go through them, experiment, and counter their counter.

As a practical civilian, going with a good bushcraft knife like an RC-4 from Rat Cutlery or a folder like an Al Mar SERE 2000, are both great for my uses, and in a pinch I'm confident that it will hold up to any defensive applications/situations. It will still stab, it will definitely still hook, shear and do some decent damage. Again, it all boils down to - Are you practicing often with the tool you use and carry often?

As an aside, I do love me some karambits - both fixed and folding. It has unparalleled design and function - very formidable in self-defense applications for even unskilled users. For skilled users, it's a horror story waiting to happen - just run very fast and very far away. There are some makers out there who custom produce karambits that are truly works of art in my opinion.

If you're questioned by an LEO about your wave folder he/she might give you a hard time - your mileage may vary. Unfortunately, in today's litigious society, the courtroom drama may not sway in your favor with a waved folder. So if you can hang with all that headache, fine. If you'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by six, that's between you, your morality, and your God.

If you feel the need to have to deploy your knife blade quickly, you may need to brush up on your empty hand skills - don't neglect your empty hand game. Notice I said 'knife blade'. We teach you to deploy your folder quickly but to initially use it as an impact weapon or fist load to obtain a superior position. Once in the superior position you can decide to flick out the blade to negotiate or escalate the situation depending on other factors (ie. other attackers). Of course, you may not even get a chance to put a finger on your folder, so like I said at the top and I'll bold it this time - don't forget your empty hand game. Heck, you may not even need to deploy your wares.

If you still feel the need to get a wave type folder because you think its action and manipulating it in front of your attacker (like some punk-ass kid with a balisong from an 80s movie) will be some kind of a deterrent - well, you're just being stupid. To each his own, but if you're going to gamble and be stupid, at least make sure to practice with it, so you have the fine motor skills down and mastered to use it under pressure. And this includes when the wave doesn't deploy 100% too. Your attacker may piss his pants and run off after watching you deploy your wave folder cleanly and into the fighting stance with an ornery look on your face. Or, he may get pissed off and pull out a gun. Sorry, we don't teach "knife-fu" like that. There are special awareness and psychological factors you will have to recognize and absorb into your gray matter to deal with different situations - and I'm still learning. Don't get me wrong, you still have to master the deployment, there's just the timing that has to be thought out too.

And sure, I've heard that the common assailant would have no tactical gun training and in that case, a person skilled in the blade could close and wreak havoc before the attacker draws his gun - in this case people will say, don't bring a gun to a knife fight. But I still stand by the adage - don't bring a knife to a gun fight. While highly trained pistoleros are few and far between, it's still a gamble and crapshoot - who says thugs don't practice with their guns tactically? Is it impossible or improbable? Is it possible that said thugs have prior military training? Are you willing to wager your life on that? Unless you can't, running and increasing the range would be ideal. Your training (physically and mentally) will hopefully prepare you to discern proper/improper action and opportunity - and as always, it's situational.

So, get a good pair of running shoes and practice sprinting - you're safest bet, if you're able to. Call it street smarts, we call it staying the f%#k alive. Remember, winners drip, losers gush.

What to Keep in Mind When Switching Hands

The general rule of thumb in the FMA, especially the ones that work a lot of knife, is to avoid switching hands. It may look flashy and cool but practically speaking, you're asking to be stuck. Unless you're superbly coordinated and well mastered, switching hands should be used only when necessary, like when you and your opponent are in a bind or you can foresee that a bind is inevitable - but even then, you're gambling. Otherwise, you're opponent may easily knock your weapon out of the air or prevent the other hand from catching the weapon all together, and maybe even simultaneously control the now empty lead hand and slash and thrust before you know it.

I've seen switching hands for sticks too, like the clip below. The drill may be great for hand-eye coordination and timing, but you should also critique its use combatively. Not saying the teacher in the clip doesn't, but I just want expound on that here. I make it a rule to always critique clips with my teacher and students. That is how you will grow. If your teacher doesn't do this then do it on your own. You should always be questioning and seeking the truth in any application. Learning to recognize is key - recognition should be a part of coordination and timing. If you watch the clip closely, you will recognize how smoothly the transition goes from one hand to the other. But can you see where you might break the flow - practically and combatively speaking? I would say just as the stick makes the transition you will find a tiny opening. Do not let the now free lead empty hand parry. Why? Because you "will miss all the heavenly glory" - just kidding. Because you will recognize that by his abandoning the front guard, you can now thrust to the eye (the moon) before he gets a chance to counter with the stick in his left hand. Because you are now controlling the lead hand, you have the added safety net of using it (his own hand/arm) to block his left hand strikes.



This is just one of many possibilities. Seek for yourself all other avenues and see if you will reach the same goal - and counter any obstacles along the way.