Originally posted by DPD
I've used the Hobbit trainer in FMA classes for a couple years now. I really love it for reverse grip, edge out. For me, it doesn't feel quite right for the reverse grip, edge in (Pekiti Tirsia) material. In addition, my index finger doesn't fit the first finger groove when I hold the trainer in forward grip.
DPD.
I don't quite understand this. The whole purpose of using edge-in icepick [reverse] is so you cut on first contact with any incoming limb. A methodology that I happen to agree with 100%.
Often times, you will see someone demonstrate reverse grip crescent cutting, say someone comes in with a straight thrust anywhere into your torso, chest or abdomen; you will see the Defender in reverse grip [edge out advocates] come
up to get a slash on the inside of the incoming arm [vertical crescent], then
hook down to get the hooking and control, boost the arm at the elbow or slightly above it to get the control and either cut [horizontal crescent] to the torso and/or thrust into the torso from that point.
Now to me, this looks very cool and very "Expert," but if you look at this, it has an incredible, if not fatal flaw, a fatal assumption.
The retraction of the thrust is going to be fast anyway, but if you add the fact that you might have just cut the person, they are really going to pull back quickly. Therefore, the chances in that arm being there in that same general area for you to hook down on is just about as close to zero as you can get.
In other words, it looks great being demonstrated and not so great in real life at anything resembling speed.
It took a long time for me to accept the reality of the icepick grip edge-in. The more I worked it, the more I realized the simple brilliance of it.
I understand the reluctance of some who want their edge facing out so they can slash with a single-edged knife. I just don't agree with it if you are basically using any method that uses hooking.
This is the real reason that a double edged knife is more of a fighting knife, especially in reverse grip. Because then, you can cut either way, no matter what you do, everything becomes instantly viable.
But if you have a single edge knife, you have to play a certain way if you want to get real-life results.
Also, when you hook down on a limb, this is more of a tearing movement with the edge than a slashing movement. Plus, there is always the chance that you will drive the point through the flesh and it will tear out...disabling the attacker.
The reason I went over this again and typed all of this out, is to explain what my position is on this quote from DPD and why I don't understand it...
The Hobbit has serrations on the back of the blade to do this, therefore, there is no need to use the knife edge in as there is something on the back of blade with which to damage someone. Those serrations are not like Spyderco serrations, but they are still going to damage someone and control them as well, to a degree.
Also, there have been versions of this knife with the small backside of the tip area, that have been sharpened. As well as fully double edged [no serrations] versions.
Personally, I think it is one of the finest fighting knives made.
So, in closing, I don't see why you would have to hold that knife Primary Edge-in to use it effectively.
