Sifu Brian Kuttel
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in every moment a lesson

From Stabs to Stitches - A Hands-on Experience

12/16/2020

1 Comment

 
One of my favorite concepts when it comes to knife fighting is “De-fanging the snake,” which like it sounds means you don’t need to fear the bite if it ain’t got fangs. How it translates into knife fighting is, take away the opponent's knife and you gain the advantage.

The basic way of De-fanging the snake is to attack the knife hand. Infact, most people will go as far to say that the fight is pretty much won once the hand has been hit. So after last Mondays visit to the ER and a handful of stitches later (get it?), I would like to revisit this concept with a bit more experience in the field.

*Now I have to put a disclaimer out as this was only my experience and each situation presents a completely different set of variables so it could go any which way depending on the severity of the cut/s. I took a direct and full force stab to the hand that went clean to the bone, though no tendons, ligaments or major veins were severed so I came out of it very lucky… 5 hours later…


I recall hearing about how once the hand is cut, it will bleed out quite fast and the body will go into shock, there’s a good chance that the tendons and nerves will be damaged and the knife will no longer be able to be held resulting in a quick shifting of advantage. For me that was not the case, I was able to put my knives away, step out of class, clean up the wound (which wouldn’t stop bleeding), change out of my uniform and walk home to try to super glue it up (which didn’t work) before feeling any signs of going into shock. Infact, I never lost any dexterity throughout the situation, and shock made me feel a little queasy at its worst. I ended up using a rubber band as a makeshift tourniquet, wrapped it with a paper towel and drove myself over to the ER, pissed off at the whole situation. Now as the ER is famous for, I spent the next 5 hours waiting on stitches so I had plenty of time to think this over. And here’s what I concluded:

The Lesson:

Yes, the concept of de-fanging the snake is sound. However, you cannot treat your training like point sparring or tag with the first strike automatically winning. You must keep the long term of the exchange in mind and continue to follow through in combinations rather than single movements. Use caution as if it could end with one strike, but should you make contact, continue your advance until victory is certain. Do not waste the effort it took to close in by withdrawing prematurely, rather use your advance to your advantage. If you are not for or competing in a point match, move cautiously and in combinations and keep my experience in mind… and never misjudge your distance.


*This is a repost from my Tumblr originally posted October 2015

1 Comment
Carol A. hathaway
1/3/2021 02:35:02 pm

Hi Sifu Kuttel~Happy New Year! I found your site because you were recommended to me by Sensei Ando Mierzwa. This is what I asked him, followed by what he answered:

Hi~ Happy New Year! I had a personal trainer for awhile. He was great. He used to teach martial arts and I asked him if he would teach me Bo. (Bo staff) He said he would and he started teaching me a couple times a week. I loved it. He taught me some moves and drills, but I loved it most when he taught me forms. Later I had to stop training and now he is not around. I really want to learn Bo again. I couldn't find anyone to teach me. The only place that teaches it only teaches it to their own advanced students of martial art, and I'd have to start back at white belt. I don't want to take a martial art, I just want to learn Bo. Actually, bo forms. I'm not really into competition. That's not the only odd thing. The other thing that makes it hard to find a teacher is that I'm 72. So I was thinking maybe I could find someone who could teach me online. If you know this art, and would teach me, that would be great. I'm impressed with your videos and attitude. If not, do you know anyone who would? Starting over would be o.k., I didn't get very far. Have a great week, and stay safe. My friends call me Lee.
Hi Lee!

Thanks for saying hello!

Wow! Let me tell you how many 72-year-old women have emailed me about learning bo forms.... NONE! You’re one of a kind! :D

Sadly, even though I swing a staff around regularly, I don’t follow a formal form... and I certainly don’t do anything fancy with it. You probably know more moves than I do!

Sifu Brian Kuttel may be able to show you a few new tricks, though. I know he has many videos that you might like as well. Tell him Ando sent you!

https://www.sifukuttel.com/

Aside from that, you’re always welcome to join my weekly workouts on YouTube. No bo yet, but better than nothing. :)

http://www.senseiando.com/martial-arts-home-workout/

Happy new year!
Ando

Shifu~I was delighted to find your site with all those videos. I got to first dan in TaeKwonDo years ago, but as I was in the military and moved a lot, I'd always be required to start over as a white belt. Finally I got a private teacher, and that's how I got first dan. But that was decades ago. I remember very little, but I'm not really interested in taking a martial art at a studio, mostly because of my age. I would like to talk with you about private or video lessons in Bo Staff, but first I will spend time with your current videos. Probably lots of time. Good to meet you. Stay safe, there's almost a vaccine. ~Lee

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  • Home
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    • Sifu Kuttel
    • Choy Li Fut 蔡 李 佛
    • Tai Chi Chuan 太 極 拳
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