Bruce LudlowKnife Fighters
October 10th 2011 23:10
Throughout history, knife fighting has developed, from different cultures, in various ways. Most seem to be distinguished by the part of the country in which they originated.
The Italian born "Stiletto", was primarily fashioned to be an offensive weapon. Over time, experience and mastery of the weapon,gave way to it later being considered more of a fighting knife for close combat. It's popularity in Italy, led to creation of "La Scherma di Stiletto Siciliano" or the Sicilian school of Stiletto fighting.The knife was designed to be a thrusting weapon, and so movement was taught to avoid the blade, which was termed "Scanso".Techniques included, bending to the ground "Sbasso" Tacking to the left or right, "In Quarto Tagliata", ( Tacking is defined as, "the movement of a vessel with frequent changes in course, to evade certain obstacles.) and "Blazo" leaping out of the way. A person skilled with the use of a Stiletto, would jab it deep into their opponent, and twist sharply in mixed directions, causing internal damage, not intelligible to the naked eye.
In Spain, the "Navaja" which is a large folding knife, has been prominent among the people in that region. Since the 17th century it has been passed down from father to son, as a necessary skill, and a rite of passage. In the 18th and 19th centuries, "Esgrima de Navaja", fencing or knife fighting schools, were formed in the cities of Andalucia, Cordoba, Magala, and Seville. In time, the traditional techniques and practices, gave way to more practical, realistic attack and self defense techniques, by way of distraction, deception, and counter attack. The gamblers of Seville were said to be the most proficient in the use of the weapon.
The " Esgrima de Criolla" the creole school of knife fighting, is the style of the South American "Gaucho" loosely compared to the North American cowboy.The "Facon" was the knife of choice for these natives. The Facon sported a large heavy blade, the knives often had ornate, elaborately decorated metal handles.It is still widely used as a utility knife and a weapon in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. The most common placement of the weapon is at the back, tucked into the Gaucho's belt,for a quick right handed draw. When the Facon drawn to fight , a poncho is normally wrapped on the opposite arm to fend off cuts and stabs. Concerning the Gaucho and their Facons, Charles Darwin once wrote; "Many quarrels arose,which from the general manner of fighting with the knife often proved fatal".
Eskrima, also known as Kali or Arnis, Is the traditional Filipino martial art, and is comprised of either two sticks, knives, or other bladed weapons.It also features hand to hand combat, and weapon disarming techniques.The Filipino commoners were banned from carrying full sized swords, by the "Maharlika" (an ancient nobility Class)So the people practiced their art with sticks made of rattan and small knives. Some of the earliest written documentation of the art, came from the Spanish Conquistadors, who fought the native tribesmen,and found they were well armed with sticks and knives.The story has it that in 1521 Ferdinand Megellan, was killed at the "Battle of Mactan" by the tribal chief, Lapu-Lapu.This event was chronicled by an eyewitness named, Antonio Pigafetta,who spoke of multiple attackers, weilding sticks and knives. Ferdinands troops were driven back to their ships by the Filipinos and forced to use firearms to defeat them.
It is theorized that there were "Jusuit Warrior-Priests" who taught the Filipino people the art of Eskrima. "Saint Ignatius" of Loyola, was a seasoned knight and soldier and was the founder of the order of the Jusuit Holy Warriors. The were often sent into the most treacherous battles there were by the pope himself.
These are just a few of the knife fighting methods in our worlds history, still being taught and practiced today throughout North America and elsewhere in the world. My sister-in-law is lethally proficient in the art of "Kali" or Eskrima, from what I understand.
The Italian born "Stiletto", was primarily fashioned to be an offensive weapon. Over time, experience and mastery of the weapon,gave way to it later being considered more of a fighting knife for close combat. It's popularity in Italy, led to creation of "La Scherma di Stiletto Siciliano" or the Sicilian school of Stiletto fighting.The knife was designed to be a thrusting weapon, and so movement was taught to avoid the blade, which was termed "Scanso".Techniques included, bending to the ground "Sbasso" Tacking to the left or right, "In Quarto Tagliata", ( Tacking is defined as, "the movement of a vessel with frequent changes in course, to evade certain obstacles.) and "Blazo" leaping out of the way. A person skilled with the use of a Stiletto, would jab it deep into their opponent, and twist sharply in mixed directions, causing internal damage, not intelligible to the naked eye.
The " Esgrima de Criolla" the creole school of knife fighting, is the style of the South American "Gaucho" loosely compared to the North American cowboy.The "Facon" was the knife of choice for these natives. The Facon sported a large heavy blade, the knives often had ornate, elaborately decorated metal handles.It is still widely used as a utility knife and a weapon in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. The most common placement of the weapon is at the back, tucked into the Gaucho's belt,for a quick right handed draw. When the Facon drawn to fight , a poncho is normally wrapped on the opposite arm to fend off cuts and stabs. Concerning the Gaucho and their Facons, Charles Darwin once wrote; "Many quarrels arose,which from the general manner of fighting with the knife often proved fatal".
It is theorized that there were "Jusuit Warrior-Priests" who taught the Filipino people the art of Eskrima. "Saint Ignatius" of Loyola, was a seasoned knight and soldier and was the founder of the order of the Jusuit Holy Warriors. The were often sent into the most treacherous battles there were by the pope himself.
These are just a few of the knife fighting methods in our worlds history, still being taught and practiced today throughout North America and elsewhere in the world. My sister-in-law is lethally proficient in the art of "Kali" or Eskrima, from what I understand.
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