Martial Arts Experiences Discussion Thread

[Naperville]

Here is a place that I got a lot of info from:

https://www.qigonginstitute.org/

They seem to have a pretty well balanced veiw of the art, but they do have info from all over. I can't remember what particular sources we liked so you will probably want to do a bit of perusing on this site, see what things you may like or dislike, and look more deeply at the specific topics that seem to suit you. Qigong has many flavors, and different practitioners have different focuses and theories, but it is very easy to jump around and sample different styles in my experience because they all have the same foundations. After trying a few different things me and my brother kind of developed our own mentality that mixes what we liked from all of our favorite sources. Part of the journey is developing your own system as you learn.

Thank you.

I added the link to my notes.

For the 3 to 4 destinations that I am looking at, they all have Tai Chi and Qigong.

[James Y]

Back in the early 2000s, I trained in Qigong under Master Mingtong Gu (AKA Gu Mingtong), when he would come down to Southern California from his base in Oregon to hold workshops. He is very knowledgeable. I didn't continue with it because in 2007, I got into another form of energy healing, which I still practice today. But I highly recommend him as an excellent Qigong teacher. As far as I recall, I don't believe that Master Gu practiced Tai Chi (AKA Taiji), or any martial art, only Qigong for health.

Jim

[James Y]

“Are Push Daggers the Secret Weapon for Self-Defense Success?”



Jim

[James Y]

“Is 3 Inches Enough?”

*Blade length; get your minds out of the gutter!*



Jim

[Naperville]

As far as these last 2 videos go.

Never having even slashed or thrust a knife at anyone, I cannot imagine where/when I would ever stab someone in the eye. This is a pure military move. The courts in some of these states will not even allow you to have a knife, or present a knife when attacked by 4 to 5 people. But I do find the guy covers topics thoroughly. If it was a time of war and I was drafted, I could do it, but other than that it seems kind of "out there" doesn't it? As he said, in a prison, anything goes, so do not end up there.

The Professor is correct. 3 inches may be enough. Based on what I have learned in training, wide blades and extra long blades and handles may present a target for a potential disarm that short blades do not. Short blades to not have the access to disarm. I was taught a disarm for short blades and all that I can say is GOOD LUCK.

I've thought quite a bit about this and I think the sweet spot is a 4 to 5 inch double edged dagger if you can legally carry one. The double edges make it more dangerous to disarm. The longer the blade, the more leverage to disarm but you have to risk quite a bit getting inside the blade of an opponent to do a disarm.

I've had many hundreds of hours of training yet I am not sure what to do if attacked with a knife. Everything that I have learned has been debunked. Every situation is unique. Use your head is #1. Remain calm, but become a total savage to get out of the situation because they are about to take your life. Not sure why I like to study edged weapons, because he's correct, a few YouTube videos and anyone can take you out. I watch a lot of videos so that I am aware, but that may not save me.

[James Y]

As far as these last 2 videos go.

Never having even slashed or thrust a knife at anyone, I cannot imagine where/when I would ever stab someone in the eye. This is a pure military move. The courts in some of these states will not even allow you to have a knife, or present a knife when attacked by 4 to 5 people. But I do find the guy covers topics thoroughly. If it was a time of war and I was drafted, I could do it, but other than that it seems kind of "out there" doesn't it? As he said, in a prison, anything goes, so do not end up there.

The Professor is correct. 3 inches may be enough. Based on what I have learned in training, wide blades and extra long blades and handles may present a target for a potential disarm that short blades do not. Short blades to not have the access to disarm. I was taught a disarm for short blades and all that I can say is GOOD LUCK.

I've thought quite a bit about this and I think the sweet spot is a 4 to 5 inch double edged dagger if you can legally carry one. The double edges make it more dangerous to disarm. The longer the blade, the more leverage to disarm but you have to risk quite a bit getting inside the blade of an opponent to do a disarm.

I've had many hundreds of hours of training yet I am not sure what to do if attacked with a knife. Everything that I have learned has been debunked. Every situation is unique. Use your head is #1. Remain calm, but become a total savage to get out of the situation because they are about to take your life. Not sure why I like to study edged weapons, because he's correct, a few YouTube videos and anyone can take you out. I watch a lot of videos so that I am aware, but that may not save me.

Thanks for sharing.

A couple other things about shorter blades, like around the 3" mark that weren't mentioned in the video are:

* If the person knows what they're doing and have real intent to actually use it, the knife will most likely never even be seen.

* A blade, including a short blade of 3" can actually penetrate much deeper into soft tissue than its actual length, due to soft tissue compression.

I wouldn't really know how to defend empty-handed against a knife, either. I NEVER liked practicing the knife defenses in the couple of martial arts I trained in that had some. I never liked them, because even when I was younger, I knew enough to know they weren't realistic.

I've related the story about the time that a 3rd-degree black belt Tae Kwon Do teacher, who was an acquaintance of mine, asked me to 'realistically' attack him with a rubber training knife in a freestyle manner, so he could test how effective his knife defenses were. The only rule was not to attack his neck or face, for safety reasons. Although I've never formally trained in knife fighting, I instinctively knew how to use the rubber knife to attack his vital areas, and we ended the session with him having welts and bruises all over his body from that hard rubber training knife. He was never able to strike me, kick me, effectively block the knife, nor ever grab me or disarm the rubber knife from me.

IMO, the best defense against a knife, if avoidance or fleeing are not possible, and if you don't have a firearm or bear spray, is a good walking stick. IF you know how to use it. I've never had to defend against a knife attack either, but I know how to use a walking stick as a weapon, and I have used my 51" hickory walking stick to defend against aggressive stray dogs before. And aggressive dogs move very fast, faster than most people can. And by using a walking stick, I don't mean twirling or swinging it around in big, fancy, circular motions, or holding it one-handed, like you see in a lot of YouTube videos showing self-defense with a walking stick or a cane.

Jim

[James Y]

Defendu: The Self-Defense System So Effective the Nazis Feared It (History and Breakdown)



Jim

[Naperville]

As far as these last 2 videos go.

Never having even slashed or thrust a knife at anyone, I cannot imagine where/when I would ever stab someone in the eye. This is a pure military move. The courts in some of these states will not even allow you to have a knife, or present a knife when attacked by 4 to 5 people. But I do find the guy covers topics thoroughly. If it was a time of war and I was drafted, I could do it, but other than that it seems kind of "out there" doesn't it? As he said, in a prison, anything goes, so do not end up there.

The Professor is correct. 3 inches may be enough. Based on what I have learned in training, wide blades and extra long blades and handles may present a target for a potential disarm that short blades do not. Short blades to not have the access to disarm. I was taught a disarm for short blades and all that I can say is GOOD LUCK.

I've thought quite a bit about this and I think the sweet spot is a 4 to 5 inch double edged dagger if you can legally carry one. The double edges make it more dangerous to disarm. The longer the blade, the more leverage to disarm but you have to risk quite a bit getting inside the blade of an opponent to do a disarm.

I've had many hundreds of hours of training yet I am not sure what to do if attacked with a knife. Everything that I have learned has been debunked. Every situation is unique. Use your head is #1. Remain calm, but become a total savage to get out of the situation because they are about to take your life. Not sure why I like to study edged weapons, because he's correct, a few YouTube videos and anyone can take you out. I watch a lot of videos so that I am aware, but that may not save me.

Thanks for sharing.

A couple other things about shorter blades, like around the 3" mark that weren't mentioned in the video are:

* If the person knows what they're doing and have real intent to actually use it, the knife will most likely never even be seen.

* A blade, including a short blade of 3" can actually penetrate much deeper into soft tissue than its actual length, due to soft tissue compression.

I wouldn't really know how to defend empty-handed against a knife, either. I NEVER liked practicing the knife defenses in the couple of martial arts I trained in that had some. I never liked them, because even when I was younger, I knew enough to know they weren't realistic.

I've related the story about the time that a 3rd-degree black belt Tae Kwon Do teacher, who was an acquaintance of mine, asked me to 'realistically' attack him with a rubber training knife in a freestyle manner, so he could test how effective his knife defenses were. The only rule was not to attack his neck or face, for safety reasons. Although I've never formally trained in knife fighting, I instinctively knew how to use the rubber knife to attack his vital areas, and we ended the session with him having welts and bruises all over his body from that hard rubber training knife. He was never able to strike me, kick me, effectively block the knife, nor ever grab me or disarm the rubber knife from me.

IMO, the best defense against a knife, if avoidance or fleeing are not possible, and if you don't have a firearm or bear spray, is a good walking stick. IF you know how to use it. I've never had to defend against a knife attack either, but I know how to use a walking stick as a weapon, and I have used my 51" hickory walking stick to defend against aggressive stray dogs before. And aggressive dogs move very fast, faster than most people can. And by using a walking stick, I don't mean twirling or swinging it around in big, fancy, circular motions, or holding it one-handed, like you see in a lot of YouTube videos showing self-defense with a walking stick or a cane.

Jim

Yes, true, skin and organs may compress. I mostly just want to escape the situation, not harm. That is why I never slashed or thrust the knife in my hand, even under duress of being kicked and struck at. I kept thinking and did not lose it. I feel good about myself for that.

In a real hand to hand combat situation I may be squeamish or incompetent and not follow through on strikes, and will not force the blade, but that is what you must do. You do not want to think about your arraignment and prosecution during the contest or you will never defend yourself. I do not want to be THERE when it happens, I want to be somewhere else, perhaps thinking about my training. Thinking beforehand that you have to finish strikes (slash or thrust) so that they are effective, is a training issue.

I know that I cannot run that fast or that far. Not at all.

I think almost everything falls into an "80 - 20" rule. 80% of the people can be stopped with training. 20% cannot be stopped because they do not act like a training partner, are more advanced, or have a drive that keeps them going after the first few blocks or strikes upon you.

Someone that is homicidal will need to not just be disarmed, but 100% dispatched because they have it in them to do you in.

Trying to figure out how far you have to go and what you must do to secure your own safety during a hand to hand combat situation is an interesting problem and it has to be resolved in seconds.

[James Y]

As far as these last 2 videos go.

Never having even slashed or thrust a knife at anyone, I cannot imagine where/when I would ever stab someone in the eye. This is a pure military move. The courts in some of these states will not even allow you to have a knife, or present a knife when attacked by 4 to 5 people. But I do find the guy covers topics thoroughly. If it was a time of war and I was drafted, I could do it, but other than that it seems kind of "out there" doesn't it? As he said, in a prison, anything goes, so do not end up there.

The Professor is correct. 3 inches may be enough. Based on what I have learned in training, wide blades and extra long blades and handles may present a target for a potential disarm that short blades do not. Short blades to not have the access to disarm. I was taught a disarm for short blades and all that I can say is GOOD LUCK.

I've thought quite a bit about this and I think the sweet spot is a 4 to 5 inch double edged dagger if you can legally carry one. The double edges make it more dangerous to disarm. The longer the blade, the more leverage to disarm but you have to risk quite a bit getting inside the blade of an opponent to do a disarm.

I've had many hundreds of hours of training yet I am not sure what to do if attacked with a knife. Everything that I have learned has been debunked. Every situation is unique. Use your head is #1. Remain calm, but become a total savage to get out of the situation because they are about to take your life. Not sure why I like to study edged weapons, because he's correct, a few YouTube videos and anyone can take you out. I watch a lot of videos so that I am aware, but that may not save me.

Thanks for sharing.

A couple other things about shorter blades, like around the 3" mark that weren't mentioned in the video are:

* If the person knows what they're doing and have real intent to actually use it, the knife will most likely never even be seen.

* A blade, including a short blade of 3" can actually penetrate much deeper into soft tissue than its actual length, due to soft tissue compression.

I wouldn't really know how to defend empty-handed against a knife, either. I NEVER liked practicing the knife defenses in the couple of martial arts I trained in that had some. I never liked them, because even when I was younger, I knew enough to know they weren't realistic.

I've related the story about the time that a 3rd-degree black belt Tae Kwon Do teacher, who was an acquaintance of mine, asked me to 'realistically' attack him with a rubber training knife in a freestyle manner, so he could test how effective his knife defenses were. The only rule was not to attack his neck or face, for safety reasons. Although I've never formally trained in knife fighting, I instinctively knew how to use the rubber knife to attack his vital areas, and we ended the session with him having welts and bruises all over his body from that hard rubber training knife. He was never able to strike me, kick me, effectively block the knife, nor ever grab me or disarm the rubber knife from me.

IMO, the best defense against a knife, if avoidance or fleeing are not possible, and if you don't have a firearm or bear spray, is a good walking stick. IF you know how to use it. I've never had to defend against a knife attack either, but I know how to use a walking stick as a weapon, and I have used my 51" hickory walking stick to defend against aggressive stray dogs before. And aggressive dogs move very fast, faster than most people can. And by using a walking stick, I don't mean twirling or swinging it around in big, fancy, circular motions, or holding it one-handed, like you see in a lot of YouTube videos showing self-defense with a walking stick or a cane.

Jim

Yes, true, skin and organs may compress. I mostly just want to escape the situation, not harm. That is why I never slashed or thrust the knife in my hand, even under duress of being kicked and struck at. I kept thinking and did not lose it. I feel good about myself for that.

In a real hand to hand combat situation I may be squeamish or incompetent and not follow through on strikes, and will not force the blade, but that is what you must do. You do not want to think about your arraignment and prosecution during the contest or you will never defend yourself. I do not want to be THERE when it happens, I want to be somewhere else, perhaps thinking about my training. Thinking beforehand that you have to finish strikes (slash or thrust) so that they are effective, is a training issue.

I know that I cannot run that fast or that far. Not at all.

I think almost everything falls into an "80 - 20" rule. 80% of the people can be stopped with training. 20% cannot be stopped because they do not act like a training partner, are more advanced, or have a drive that keeps them going after the first few blocks or strikes upon you.

Someone that is homicidal will need to not just be disarmed, but 100% dispatched because they have it in them to do you in.

Trying to figure out how far you have to go and what you must do to secure your own safety during a hand to hand combat situation is an interesting problem and it has to be resolved in seconds.

That is the big issue. The criminal, if he’s a hardened criminal (or even just a young and/or reckless individual), has no qualms about committing violence. Whereas, the conscious, law-abiding citizen, must always be concerned not only for themselves and/or their loved ones, but also for the welfare of the criminal, who is trying to seriously injure or kill them. Because the “law” will hold you to it. That is the unfortunate quandary. Criminals are given the benefit of the doubt; the people who want to live their lives in the right way and just mind their own business are not given the benefit of the doubt. The onus is always on the defender to prove that they had a right to protect him/herself, and/or their loved ones. Up is down and down is up.

None of us really knows if we would have it in us to use a knife on another human being in self-defense, unless we have actually had to do it. To be sure, it would be extremely traumatic. However, people who, on the surface you would never expect, have done just that. OTOH, there are some people who are highly skilled at knife-related martial arts who may or may not be able to do it for real, if it really came down to it. Similar to many people who train in empty-handed martial arts fighting systems. There are some people who cannot bring themselves to strike another human being for real, with malicious intent, with their bare hand, let alone with a weapon, and even if a situation deemed it necessary for survival. It all depends on the individual(s) and the situation/circumstance(s).

Jim

[James Y]

“Men, Women … Wise Up! It’s a New Day”



Jim