From: eskrima-digest-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com To: eskrima-digest@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Subject: Inayan_Eskrima/FMA-Digest V6 #141 Reply-To: eskrima@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Errors-To: eskrima-digest-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Precedence: Inayan_Eskrima/FMA-Digest Wed, 7 April 1999 Vol 06 : Num 141 In this issue: eskrima: From Tuhon Bill eskrima: Sumo eskrima: Re: carry knife opinion eskrima: Kukri Company eskrima: Re: Spyderco Endura eskrima: The Combat Continum eskrima: Idols, Gurkhas n stuff eskrima: Re: Favorite Knives eskrima: Re: [Inayan_Eskrima/FMA-Digest V6 #140] Re: eskrima: Re: Spyderco Endura eskrima: . .......................................................................... Eskrima-Digest, serving the Internet since June 1994. 1050 members strong! Copyright 1994-99: Ray Terry, Inayan System of Eskrima, Martial Arts Resource Replying to this message will NOT unsubscribe you. To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe eskrima-digest" (no quotes) in the body of an e-mail (top line, left justified) addressed to majordomo@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com To send e-mail to this list use eskrima@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com See the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) FAQ and online search the last two years worth of digest issues at http://www.MartialArtsResource.com Mabuhay ang eskrima! Ray Terry, PO Box 110841, Campbell, CA 95011 FMA@MartialArtsResource.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "BILL MCGRATH" Date: Mon, 5 Apr 1999 23:48:45 -0700 Subject: eskrima: From Tuhon Bill Hi to all, The Pekiti-Tirsia web site email address will be down until the 12th of April. If anyone needs to contact me between now and then I have a temporary address available: TUHON@email.msn.com Regards, Tuhon Bill McGrath ------------------------------ From: Michael Koblic Date: Mon, 22 Feb 1999 10:19:42 -0800 Subject: eskrima: Sumo >I got hooked on Sumo a couple of years ago. The action is brief >(usually; there was a former world champion from Mongolia who liked to lock >up his opponents in a standing grapple and wait for them to tire. This guy >was the smallest looking 300-pounder I've ever seen! Next to Americans at >the same weight, he looked more like 200 ...); if you watch carefully, >there's a lot going on. > If the commentator were to be believed, his longest fight lasted *11 hours*! >the guy from south Africa won , but he was only about 325 >lbs, isn't this light for a sumo? I thought they went around 400 lbs to >500 lbs. I thought the critical factor was that his 325 lb looked like mainly muscle, unlike most of the other competitors. In comparison Yarbrough (?sp) weighed 700lb and looked like there were two people fighting in the same skin already. Not surprisingly, he lost. I wonder if Robinson is the shape of things to come in Sumo. Mike Koblic, Quesnel BC ------------------------------ From: "Jesse & Anne Greenawalt" Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1999 19:59:29 -0400 Subject: eskrima: Re: carry knife opinion Dave wrote: >So, out of curiosity, I'd like to know what attributes other list members >(as FMA'ers) look for in a knife that they plan to carry everyday for >defensive purposes and why. For example, one of my criteria was price. I >didn't want a crappy knife, but I didn't want an expensive one either, in >case I ever had to leave it behind in a speedy escape. What else (other >than firearms) do people carry as their primary defensive weapon? And what >about home defense (again no guns)? My goal is to see what other FMA'ers >look for when assessing a weapon's attributes. I used to carry an Endura. Nice knife. But after I got my wife the small Benchmade Ascent (it was called something else, but they changed the name - I guess they stepped on someone's property rights) I bought myself the medium size. It has a more solid feel, just seems more well made. And it has a metal clip that is reversible - it comes on the opposite side as the zytel endura's, but you can move it if you prefer to fit your draw. All because my lady wanted the knife "with the butterfly on it"! Also, the pin can easily be loosened enough so the knife can be opened by wrist motion alone, if you so desire (blade still feels stable). And the steel is ATS-34, supposedly a higher grade, although I didn't notice a difference in my light usage. I think the handle is slightly longer as well, but I'm working from memory so don't quote me on that. They run about $5 more than the Endura. All IMO, of course, and not to knock the Spydercos - as I said, they're also nice tools. jester ------------------------------ From: Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1999 21:34:54 EDT Subject: eskrima: Kukri Company The company that Cecil mentioned is called Himalayan Imports. http://members.aol.com/himimp/index.html#HIMALAYAN IMPORTS HOME PAGE Cold Steel(www.coldsteel.com) also makes Kukris. _____________________ Kelvin Williams kel620@aol.com Modern Arnis Student ------------------------------ From: Mike Casto Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1999 19:10:56 -0700 (PDT) Subject: eskrima: Re: Spyderco Endura << I was doing some solo drills with my Spyderco Endura the other day that got me thinking again about the knife itself. In general I like the knife a lot and it suits my needs well except for two things. First, the handle is too short, even though my hands are relatively small, for an effective punyo strike. >> OK ... I'm baffled. I have very large hands (often referred to as hams). I have no problem getting a good punyo strike with the knife. I can't imagine someone with, as you say, small hands having trouble with it. Perhaps it's in your definition of "effective" punyo strike. What do you consider effective? Why do you not consider the strike ineffective with your knife? << Second, I'd rather have a metal clip than the synthetic one. These "flaws" (for lack of a better word) didn't occur to me at the time of purchase. >> This, I'll grant. However, I believe that on the new models, they have a metal clip. I, however, personally prefer the synthetic clip. I find that knives with metal clips are too troublesome for me to pull smoothly ... and they often make an annoying little "click" when they do come free of the pants. Granted, I've never had to pull my knife in a fight, but if I ever do, I don't want to fumble around for it. I'll also grant, though, that this could be gotten around with practice. << So, out of curiosity, I'd like to know what attributes other list members (as FMA'ers) look for in a knife that they plan to carry everyday for defensive purposes and why. For example, one of my criteria was price. I didn't want a crappy knife, but I didn't want an expensive one either, in case I ever had to leave it behind in a speedy escape. >> I think you've hit the primary attributes squarely on the noggin :-) << What else (other than firearms) do people carry as their primary defensive weapon? >> Actually, my "primary" defensive weapon is a ring that I wear. It's a silver plated pewter dragon. I got it because I liked the way it looked. However, after wearing it for a while (and catching the dragon's pointy head on various objects) I realized that it would be vicious to get hit with. Since it's a pinky ring (as I said earlier, I have big hands ... my pinky ring is a size 12), if it turns sideways I have a ready-made punyo. If it turns all the way down, I can do an open-hand slap. Of course, if it doesn't turn down, then a good right hook is going to employ the nasty little lizard. Also, this is much easier to defend in court ... it's not a "weapon" ... it's jewelry. << And what about home defense (again no guns)? >> Since my step-son has mental problems (high functioning autistic) and occasionally becomes violent (in fact, he once pulled a knife on his Dad), or suicidal, we don't have any ordinary weapons in the house (except for my spyderco which stay on me or hidden) consequently, at this stage of my life, my knife (and whatever else I can get hold of ... maybe an extension cord, my computer mouse, my ... well, you get the idea) is my home defense. << My goal is to see what other FMA'ers look for when assessing a weapon's attributes. >> I think that, given the (comparitively) inordinate amount of time we FMA'ers spend holding various weapons, we tend to think along the same general lines you outlined earlier ... but on the flip side, we'll take any "weapon" that's available when in a fight. Mike === Mike Casto Assistant Instructor Asian Fighting Arts Filipino Kali/ 5099 Springboro Pike Indonesian Pentjak Silat Dayton, OH 45439 Phone: (937) 293-5520 URL: http://www.guild-hall.com/afa/ _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ From: Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1999 22:17:24 EDT Subject: eskrima: The Combat Continum Hello all, I havent posted in a long long time, but Ive been meditating (sp?) on a subject for a while and thought Id bounce it off you folks. Im currently preparing for a deployment to Bosnia. As a Military Policeman and a sergeant, I have been thinking carefully about the continum of combat. As an MP I have force options ranging from verbal communication to calling in a fire mission. And situations ranging from directing traffic, to fighting enemy special forces that have infiltrated into the rear area. The thing that I have been contemplating lately is how weapons and techniques and their actual use are only the foundation of combat skill. The real skill, the actual "art" of war (at my level as a small unit leader) if you will, is in being able to seamlessly flow from one tool or skill to another without conscious thought. The weapons become an extension of your will so that you can go from talking to a subject to engaging multiple targets with your rifle to plastering a building face with 40 mm grenades to calling in arty. on a bunker without stopping to think "shit, what do I do now". The tools should be automatic, its the "what do I have to get done?" question that is important, not the what tool should I use question. Yes some situations will need to be analyzed and the proper approach planned and determined. But Im talking about that "no-mind" state that martial artists experience in a fight, where the techniques just happen with no conscious thought. I believe that that state can be reached regardless of the situation or weapon being used. If its there and you know how to use it, you should be able to react. Now, I am far from close to that level of skill, but I have been wondering, what will get a person to that level? Is it just plain experience? is it the achievement of absolute expertise in every skill, weapon and technique involved in combat? is it just plain old attitude and aggressiveness coupled with whatever skills and tool you have on hand? Is it spiritual? Physical? Mental? I think that the thread on pistol y daga is a good one, it sort of addresses what I have been thinking about. I also believe that just training in hand to hand and stick fighting alone will not get you there. I personally believe that if a person is to be a "warrior", for lack of a less loaded term, everything he does or learns should be viewed as "how can I use this in combat?" For example, if you rock climb, how can those climbing and rope skills be used in combat? Easy. What about car repair. If your HMMWV breaks down youll wish you knew some. Ham radio? Camping? Hunting? Cooking? EMT qualification? Basketweaving? Spanish Classes? Philosophy? Religon? War is just an intense, violent, horrible but real cross-section of life, and every skill and subject can be found in it. The "Warrior" realizes this and analyzes his strengths and weaknesses on various topics and constantly hones himself. Martial arts are just another subject. I think that this is a large part of what Im looking for. Does anybody else have any insight on this topic? Tom Gerace ------------------------------ From: tenrec Date: Wed, 07 Apr 1999 05:09:24 +0100 Subject: eskrima: Idols, Gurkhas n stuff On Mr. Rocky's Idolatry: I think Jewel said it best when she was glad her music inspired people to do good things: "Not idolize--Inspire" (But Mr. Rocky--what do we do with that busload of voluptuous cheerleaders who've been dying to shower you with lotus petals and praise? Oh well...) Mr. Eke and others on the Gurkhas: hey >use the kukri all the time (building field fortifications, chopping firewood, >clearing landing fields, even gardening!). Not to mention sharpening it. I can't find my books on them, but I do recall the the author(s) mentioned that the kukri is considered an all-around tool, somewhat like the bolo to Filipinos...isn't there a similar belief about drawing the katana? My question is: when were Burmese Gurkha Rifles created? Mr. Terry wrote: >The art shouldn't end with your instructor, but it should start with you... (snif) Gee O grand poobah...when you write things like that you make me wanna, I don't know, idolize you... :) tenrec tenrec@avcorner.com /*Its amazing how many trees you can fit in a really small room once you've converted them into books...*/ ------------------------------ From: Date: Wed, 7 Apr 1999 03:46:28 EDT Subject: eskrima: Re: Favorite Knives In a message dated 4/6/99 7:09:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time, eskrima-digest-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com writes: > Hey! > > I was doing some solo drills with my Spyderco Endura the other day that got > me thinking again about the knife itself. > > In general I like the knife a lot and it suits my needs well except for two > things. First, the handle is too short, even though my hands are relatively > small, for an effective punyo strike. Second, I'd rather have a metal clip > than the synthetic one. These "flaws" (for lack of a better word) didn't > occur to me at the time of purchase. > > So, out of curiosity, I'd like to know what attributes other list members > (as FMA'ers) look for in a knife that they plan to carry everyday for > defensive purposes and why. For example, one of my criteria was price. I > didn't want a crappy knife, but I didn't want an expensive one either, in > case I ever had to leave it behind in a speedy escape. What else (other > than firearms) do people carry as their primary defensive weapon? And what > about home defense (again no guns)? My goal is to see what other FMA'ers > look for when assessing a weapon's attributes. > > TIA. > > Dave I have enjoyed Spyderco for years and have quite a collection. The best feature is the hole on the blade in flicking them open in a hurry. I also like big knives like "Cold Steel's " Voyager and Vaquero Grande. Another great knife I took a fancy to is the Camillus Cuda. Especially, the serrated Tanto. Its easy to open and almost as quick as a switch blade with all the good qualities of a lock blade for an auto tends to make sacrifices for the spring. Has a nice heavy blade which you can snap open to a secure lock in either hand (for lefties you really don't need to use the opening device). Its big, sharp has a metal clip and falls within legal limits in my state before being considered a dangerous knife: its nice they don't have a clue. I'm not a person that carry a knife too often because I'm fortunate to live in a low crime area but when I travel to one you bet I'm packing a knife. I don't like the gun too much for out of the home defense because of complications of explaining the reasons for having one on ya. You don't whittle, cut out coupons, and fillet fish with a gun ; ) Mallen ------------------------------ From: paul martin Date: 7 Apr 99 06:08:31 PDT Subject: eskrima: Re: [Inayan_Eskrima/FMA-Digest V6 #140] Good comment about the weight going to ammo and supply over steel. I dis= agree with the idea that hand to hand is rare on the modern battle field. It i= s not preferable, but consider the history of Vietnam and the Republic of Korea= troops that have reportedly killed VC and NVA offensive troops with their= bare hands. There are many instances in the modern battle arena that don't in= volve American forces that go to CQB range rather quickly. Like I said it is n= ot preferable, but it is also not out dated as a reality. Consider too, the idea that American military doctrine is changing gears = to prepare for more urban combat environments over open field combat. This = is because of the effectiveness of manuever warfare which focuses on taking = out key targets instead of going toe to toe in a "stand up" fight. This kind = of battle environment means very close contact and rapid engagements. Check= out Richard Marcinko's S.O.S. Temporaries advertising video and you will see = the CQB training incorporated into the room entries and close contact. Paul ____________________________________________________________________ Get your own FREE, personal Netscape WebMail account today at http://webm= ail.netscape.com. ------------------------------ From: Date: Wed, 7 Apr 1999 08:36:58 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: eskrima: Re: Spyderco Endura Re Spydercos, I used to only carry Enduras and Delicas. However now I try to carry only liner lock knives (or roller lock). If you grip a Delica or Endura hard enough and just right you will unlock the blade. After it happened to me once I never carried my Endura again... Ray Terry raymail@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com ------------------------------ From: Date: Wed, 7 Apr 1999 09:13:17 -0700 (PDT) Subject: eskrima: . ------------------------------ End of Inayan_Eskrima/FMA-Digest V6 #141 **************************************** To unsubscribe from this digest, eskrima-digest, send the command: unsubscribe eskrima-digest -or- unsubscribe eskrima-digest your.old@address in the BODY of email (top line, left justified) addressed to majordomo@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com. Old digest issues are available via ftp://ftp.martialartsresource.com, directory pub/eskrima/digests. All digest files have the suffix '.txt' Copyright 1994-99: Ray Terry, Inayan System of Eskrima, Martial Arts Resource Standard disclaimers apply.