21st century Espada y Daga tools

[dayuhan13]

OK, here's another.

Espada y Daga is a part of just about every FMA cirriculum that exists. It's an excellent technique but is it applicable to the urban 21st century sprawl? The days of carrying sword, deuling, and the romance of it all has long gone, replaced by the AK, high cap autos, and high tech ammo. So why even continue to train EyD when the only time the sword gets any excitement are in private, away from the scrutinizing eyes of the "sheeple". The reason; the daga is the folder in your pocket or fixed blade on your hip but the espada is now. . .a collapsible baton!

My current ODC (Ocassional Day Carry) EyD sandata (weapons) are:

A 16", 21" and 26" ASP Airweight baton carried in ASP Sidebreak or Bianchi Accumold sheaths.

A 16" ASP Tactical steel baton

A CRKT kasper Polkowski Companion in custom IWB kydex sheath.

A custom Tom Barminski fighter and....

Whatever EDC knife is in the rotation

C'mon guys! What are your ODC EyD weapons? Post them or show them!

A quick pic of mine!

 

[szorn]

Althought the modern application of this concept sounds good in theory, an in-depth study and analysis leaves alot to be desired. IF, under the chaos of a real combative altercation, we had the opportunity to deploy two weapons then it represents a great concept but unfortunately things don't always work out like we want them to. I have heard multiple stories of combative practitioners carrying knives for personal protection, only to find that under the clash of combat they were unable to deploy their chosen tools given the speed and chaos of the situation.

Does that mean that we shouldn't train with weapons, especially double weapons? No, it doesn't mean that all. What it does mean is that we should place emphasis on the most likely scenarios and then work on other less-likely scenarios only periodically. Double weapon work falls into the latter. Although double weapon work builds excellent attributes, it's direct carry over to actual combat is minimal. That being said, what are some viable options for double weapon application from espada y daga work? How about these- large flashlight & ball-point pen, large flashlight & tactical folder, tire iron & pen light, tree limb & kubotan, large flashlight & broken bottle, etc.

Steve
Integrated Self-Defense Systems
http://www.geocities.com/combatives

 

[dayuhan13]

Szorn/Steve,

I agree with you. It's rare to find a situation where deployment of double weapons was possible when under duress. I no longer train double stick, double sword, sinawali for the simple fact that the chances of having two sticks or swords of equal length and size in close proximity at initial contact are worse that winning the lottery. I still train double knife since I EDC a knife for both sides, and mirror train EyD if for some reason my WS hand ends up with the longer weapon.

During "below the radar" training get togethers, my motley crew of friends, colleagues, and acquaintances would often go for strolls, day and night, rain or shine, all over San Francisco to get a better sense of improvised weapons and to train the eye to find them. The best weapon will always be the one in your hand whether or not it was made for that purpose or something more benign. I.e. The 1911 on your hip and the blade in your pocket are worthless because the BG's got you wrapped up around the waist. That's a great time to find out that the chrome Cross pen Uncle Billy gave you for graduation makes really neat .22 cal sized holes on human tissue. Great point Steve.

Dayuhan

 

[Benjamin Liu]

For stick weapons, either for use as a baston or hanbo, I carry a hanbo, bokken, and a Livesay WA-1 in my trunk. That is mostly for training but if I need it I'll use it. I also keep a bolo and an SRK there as survival tools.