Dirk basics

[Howard Wallace]

I put together this short video to catalog some very basic techniques with a dirk or bowie for a few family members and friends. Since the back cut is not widely known outside of the sabre schools, I thought some here might find it of interest. The back cut is part of the tradition of the bowie knife, the dirk, as well as numerous other blades with sharpened back edges.

[video=facebook;4275314755614]https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=4275314755614&l=8332963047523405952[/video]

This is just a little sharing of my understanding of the potentials of movement. I don't have anything to say other than what is evident from watching. To some of high skill, the only thing evident may be the stumblings of a foolish fellow.

 

[kronckew]

argh! it's on faceplant! i'd get cooties if i touch it. it needs to be on somewhere safer like youtube

 

[Howard Wallace]

For those more comfortable with YouTube, here are a couple additional videos of interest. There are more if you know what you're looking for and use the search function. The important thing is to understand such things exist. Only then can one begin to develop them.

The late Maestro Charles Selberg on the back cut with the sabre.

[video=youtube;cw-yNdbXE8Q]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw-yNdbXE8Q[/video]

An individual who has obviously studied the shorter knife and learned very well.

[video=youtube;TtHJ4u4XP_g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtHJ4u4XP_g[/video]

 

[bric]

Nice moves in the 1st and 3rd videos (except at 0:37 in the 3rd where he unsheathes the second knife). The second video must be watched on youtube, the link here doesn't work. I'll watch the Maestro tomorrow. Thanks for the info Howard, but really I must put my German Longsword book to use before starting on Dirks and Sabers :torn:

 

[kronckew]

i notice in both videos the moves are all chest high or higher. the bowie guy in the leather hat is flashy, but i see much too much of the flat of the blade in his moves, that flat doesn't cut.

sabre fencers forget that their opponents have vulnerable bits below that. i was an epee fencer in my youth, and won a lot of matches against opponents by scoring on their legs and feet. those who had also fought in sabre matches were especially vulnerable. the inner thigh is deadly as it contains the vena cava, which if nicked can bleed your opponent out in short order. the old geezer exposed another target presented by the inexperienced fencer, the forearm. another classic epee target. a cut or thrust to the forearm and he's disarmed. a cut to the inner elbow severs a major artery. the arm pit is also a treasure trove of vulnerability. the abdomen and groin are also good targets.

my coach, bela csajaghy (below), was a hungarian , an old school sabre champion, he'd coached hungarian olympic teams before coming to the states when he retired. if you exposed your arm, he'd give you a sharp whack with his fencing sabre where it would hurt most. he was in his 70's and 5' 4" of iron muscle.
View attachment 337801

 

[teclis22]

low targets are dangerous
as high attacks have a longer reach. its the principal of "überlaufen"
i read a lot on historic western martial arts and thats where that statement comes from.

furthermore from my little knife fighting drills, i have come to the conclusion that parries are extremly difficult to achieve. it might be easier with a larger blade even though i still doubt it.

 

[Howard Wallace]

i notice in both videos the moves are all chest high or higher...

Astute observation. My short video is a very basic catalog of some techniques. A study involves consideration of combinations, application on various lines and at various ranges, timing, etc.