Filipino sword sources?

G

Grey_Knight

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Oct 22, 2006
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Hi, I have been practicing FMA for quite some time, and have learned a lot about sticks, and knives in the system, but have found very little in what is geared towards the use of the short swords coming out of the Philippines. I know I know, a lot of people are going to say that stick work translates directly over to blade work. However, after working with a bit with both, I am not a believer in that saying in the least. So, I am looking for sources similar to this one to help expand my knowledge and skill set in Filipino swordsmanship.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Classic-Arnis/Reynaldo-S-Galang/e/9780972767903/?itm=1

Any help and assistance in this matter, whether it be book or video will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
 
You might want to check out Maestro Norman Suanico at the Kali Academy of Martial Arts.
He's a very good knife and small blade instructor.
http://www.kaliacademy.net/

On a different note the picture on the book cover in your link, is the same picture of GM Galang
that is on my Bakbakan tournament t-shirt.
More information on Bakbakan can be found at www.bakbakan.com

You might also want to check out Prof Dan Anderson http://www.danandersonkarate.com/
He is one of the senior students of Prof Remy Presas of Modern Arnis. His insights on the
difference between stick and blade training are very interesting.

Cheers
Dave
 
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One way to begin the transition from stick to blade is to practice cutting rolled mats with each of your basic angles of attack. A single rolled tatami like one used in tameshigiri practice is a good place to start. Since you'll probably be cutting single-handed, it's useful to know how to cock your wrist (make a 45 degree angle between the radius and the thumb) so that more of the blade is alligned with the cutting surface as you pull through.

Careful on the follow-through....

Best,

Steve
 
there's a difference between hacking and cutting. Once you've realized this and what makes a strike a cut and not a hack and vice versa, you'll be well on your way to discovering the difference between stick and blade.
 
with the blade work (sword) you can cut, chop, hack, slash, and saw. i hope this makes sense.

the tatami idea is a good start. bamboo or sugar cane is good to try the other types of blade or edge work.

just be safe and have fun.
 
Thanks to everyone who replied. However, does anybody know of any similar sources to the one I had listed? I have been doing some blade work for a few years now, I am just trying to broaden my horizons with different material and different drills that are out there.

Thanks again everybody.
 
I've enjoyed watching the Atienza Kali sword stuff online. Any of you guys around here still?

G-Knight, why don't you just ask your instructor? Maybe he could give you some material to work on.
 
Grey_Knight said:
Thanks to everyone who replied. However, does anybody know of any similar sources to the one I had listed? I have been doing some blade work for a few years now, I am just trying to broaden my horizons with different material and different drills that are out there.

Thanks again everybody.
Click to expand...

The Atienza material is great.

You may still be able to get the Bakbakan material from Unique Videos. Take a look at Cold Steel's "Fighting with Cutlass and Sabre" and "The Fighting Machete" DVD series. Rene Latosa also has a machete DVD out.

Wes Tasker and I also put out a DVD that compares the espada y daga techniques of San Miguel Eskrima and Pekiti Tirsia Kali; although most techniques are shown with wooden weapons it's really intended for bladed weapons. Following is a clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9Cz8N1sarg

Some people find this clip a little confusing: just keep in mind that Wes is describing how different weapon types lead to different kinds of drills, and that most of the drills are shown with the wrong weapon types to make the point that weapon type should dictate technique.

Best,

Steve
 
Grey Knight, I'm not sure how good it is since I have not seen it, but Blaise Loong has a DVD on double sword available on the boneheadllc.com website, it's called Dos Labahas.
It goes for 39.95 +shipping.

Also, the DVD slamade speaks of is excellent. It's a 2 DVD set, lot of real good stuff on it.

Also, though you may already be familiar with some of this type of stuff:

James A. Keating has a 2 DVD set on Sword and Dagger which is excellent, and Kelly Worden has some on the Water & Steel that Paladin Press sells, as well as some on Water & Steel 2004 (not a lot, just a few minutes); and he also shows some machete
work on Water & Steel 2006, but that's basic Filipino stuff you're probably familiar with.
Worden also has out a DVD called Special Forces Machete which may be useful.

That's about all I'm aware of for Filipino sword material at the moment, good luck in your search.

nighthawk86
 
I figured I would post in here instead of making a new thread (sorry to thread-jack ya GK). I have a similar question however I have narrowed it down a little bit more.

I am simply looking for sources (preferably video) on pekiti tirsia kali. I know many people would advocate going to a school however there is not a school which features this particular style in my area. I have been practicing modern arnis for about 11 years so I have a fairly good base to build further FMA skills. I am simply looking for sources to help me understand this particular style and the techniques and drills that are based around it. I apologize for brining this up, however, I can’t seem to locate any sources over the net.

I am looking for drills and techniques based around the ginunting as well. Pekiti tirsia kali or otherwise.

Thanks.
 
VICIOUS said:
I figured I would post in here instead of making a new thread (sorry to thread-jack ya GK). I have a similar question however I have narrowed it down a little bit more.

I am simply looking for sources (preferably video) on pekiti tirsia kali. I know many people would advocate going to a school however there is not a school which features this particular style in my area. I have been practicing modern arnis for about 11 years so I have a fairly good base to build further FMA skills. I am simply looking for sources to help me understand this particular style and the techniques and drills that are based around it. I apologize for brining this up, however, I can’t seem to locate any sources over the net.

I am looking for drills and techniques based around the ginunting as well. Pekiti tirsia kali or otherwise.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

There is (regretably) not enought Pekiti material is available on the net to get a complete sense of the style. There is intro material available through Tuhon William McGrath's organizaton, and if you join PTI and attend seminars you get DVD's that correspond to the material taught at that seminar. These are invaluable for people like me who can't read their notes weeks after the seminar! There was a seminar in May in Chicago so I would look in this direction if you are interested.

For material related to the short sword, I would look at the Atienza Kali DVD material - it's great stuff.

Best,

Steve
 
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