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Phillosoph

Commanding the Blade (or Brolly!) : Umbrella Fighting Part 3

Some olden fencing masters called it “Commanding the blade”. This was the action of grabbing a sword blade to control it. In a recent blog I mentioned that rapier and smallsword blades were not particularly sharp. The need for a rigid, light thrusting blade precluded a blade shape that allowed a very sharp cutting edge. Such blades were sharpened enough to facilitate penetration and deter the blade being grabbed. We know that some blades had some edge since there are accounts of duels being halted due to cuts to the hands.

The wearing of gloves was quite common in duels. A gauntlet cuff prevented a point entering down the swordsman’s sleeve. Naturally enough the free hand was also gloved and some styles of swordplay would use the free hand defensively (”battre de main”). A leather glove would provide ample protection against the modest edge of a rapier or smallsword. Specially designed grasping gloves (guanto di presa) are known to have been used and included such features as palms covered in chainmail or backward facing scales that a tip could not get under. Contemporary instructors tell us that even a bare hand could safely grasp a blade, providing it was gripped securely so that no cutting action could be made.

If we look back to Medieval instruction manuals we see that gripping the blade did not start with rapiers. Cut and thrust broadswords are often shown with the blade being gripped. As well as being held by an adversary the blade was also gripped by the user to execute the “Murderstroke” which involved hammering an enemy with the hilt and guard. Illustrations also show blades being grabbed so the sword can be used two-handed like a rifle with bayonet. (Both are shown in the illustration below). Blades likely to be used against metal armour were not generally sharpened to a fine edge, since it would rapidly become blunted or damaged. Hence such blades could be gripped with reasonable safety.

Most modern assailants would not think of grabbing a blade and I’d not recommend it. Blunt weapons such as batons, staffs and umbrellas stand a good chance of a grab being attempted. Recent discussions on this blog have been about umbrellas so I will continue that thread, although the techniques that will be discussed apply to other weapons too.
1) Weapon grabbed at the end by either one or both hands. If not already doing so, grab the umbrella with both hands. Breaking such a grip used the counters to wrist grabs detailed in my book, so I will not go into great detail here. Basically you apply force against the attacker’s thumb or go under and to the outside of his hand. The length of the umbrella and your two handed grip allows you to apply considerable force.
2) Umbrella grabbed in the middle with one hand. If not already done, grab the umbrella with both hands so his hand is between yours. Rotate the umbrella inwards like it was a sailing ship’s wheel. This motion will take you onto the attacker’s outside gate, avoiding any attack he was attempting with this free hand. The motion should break his grip or pull him off balance. If you block his advance with your inner leg this can be turned into a throwing action. From his side you may be able to strike him using the butt or point.
3) Umbrella grabbed in the middle with both hands. The counter for this is the same as given for the single handed grab to the middle. If the attacker is using both hands to grab your umbrella he cannot use them to defend himself so another option is to step in and use a hand to smash your palm into his nose or chin. If less force is warranted use “Eagle’s Alien” as described in the book. If more force is needed follow the palm strike with a face rake.
4) Umbrella grabbed two-handed with one or both hands outside yours. This is difficult since potentially the attacker has equal or greater leverage, so it is important to gain the initiative by acting rapidly. Rotate your umbrella inwards as described already. If you encounter too much resistance release your upper hand and hammer strike his face or head. Another technique is to step your nearer leg across the front of both of his. If your right is nearer step it over to the outside of his right foot. Sitting down with on your rear heel will apply all of your weight to the umbrella and pull him forward. Your leg prevents him stepping forward so if he keeps his grip he will be pitched forward head first. If he releases the umbrella when you descend ram one end up into his groin or solar plexus. Or hug his legs with both your arms and roll away to bring him down.
Part One Fencing Parries with an Umbrella.
Part One and a bit An Interlude.
Part Two Swagger Stick Techniques.
Part Four Offensive Techniques.
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Phillosoph

Swagger Stick and Umbrella Fighting: Umbrella Fighting Part 2

Today I am going to continue on the thread of umbrella self-defence techniques. In the previous blog we considered rapier-related parrying actions. Later blogs will consider offensive actions and counters to your weapon being grabbed. Today I am briefly going to consider what I call “Swagger-stick” techniques. I cover these in more detail in my book, mainly on the section of bumper guards. The blog allows me to reproduce some of W.E Fairbairn’s original artwork on the techniques.
Fig 86 and 87 show how a stick or umbrella can be quickly brought up to the ready position. Simply swing the end up to contact the open palm of your other hand.

Fig 91 shows a swinging strike with the point of the stick, while Fig 92 shows a swinging strike with the butt, which would be the handle of an umbrella. These two figures could just as easily illustrate parrying actions with the stick/umbrella. When used this way the strongest part of the stick is between the hands and that is the section used for parrying.
Fig 93 could be interpreted as a block to a downward strike to the head. Readers of my book will know that I’d prefer the stick to be angled for this so the defence has an element of deflection rather than strength against strength obstruction. Fig 93 is in fact illustrating a strike to the Adam’s Apple region using the section between the hands. While this can be attempted with an umbrella this section is effectively padded by the ribs and canopy so effects will be limited. Be prepared to follow-up on any momentary advantage gained with the point or butt.
For more information on these and other defensive techniques, please see my book.
Function often influences form so I was interested to come across this. Fairbairn’s teachings obviously influenced several officers to create “Assault Sticks” to replace their traditional swagger sticks.

“The description is as follows; The whole stick is 22 1/2" long, handle resembles an F-S knife handle, it is a brass pommel cap on the top 1" long, on the other end it is a brass and 2 1/2" steel pointed end. The stacked leather washers are on a steel core. The leather is in perfect condition and brown in colour. It is a leather lanyard that is 7" long. These are extremely hard to find, British and Canadian Officers carried these. This is a WW2 vintage assault stick”
Part One Fencing Parries with an Umbrella.
Part One and a Bit An Interlude.
Part Three Commanding the Blade or Brolly.
Part Four Offensive Techniques.
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Phillosoph

The Handbag Survival Kit

Today’s blog takes us somewhere dark, mysterious and to some of you a little bit frightening.
Following yesterday’s blog I have been beginning to wonder just what women do have in their handbags. According to this article a woman’s handbag contains 40 to 63 items! I think I have travelled halfway across the world with less items than that in my rucksac!
This weekend’s unpleasant experiences have led me to conclude that handbags need to be smaller and that many ladies need to have a pragmatic look at what they are actually carrying and how much they need it.
Below is a list of common handbag contents and items recommended as essentials on some other webpages, with my observations and comments.
Hand Sanitizer
Unless you work in healthcare, carrying around hand sanitizer does seem a little neurotic to me. A little bit of grime is good for your immune system.
Safety pins/ Sewing kit
I can see the merit in this, but keep it to the minimum. A single needle already threaded with a couple of feet of “invisible thread” should suffice for most emergency repairs. Stick the point into a short piece of matchstick and place in a small ziplock bag with a few buttons and safety pins.
Nail File/Emery Board.
Some metal nail files can serve as emergency self-defence weapons, providing you can actually find them in the depths of your handbag.
Painkillers
A few aspirin are a useful thing to have. Carry a reasonable amount, not a whole box. The same applies to levels of other medication that you may need.
Plasters
The nature of women’s shoes means that a few of these are a useful addition to a woman’s bag. As above, a reasonable amount should be carried.
Money/ Cards
You are not going to get far in the modern world without these. As described in yesterday’s  blog, keep a written note of your IMEI number and the account numbers and hotline numbers you will need to cancel your cards in the event of loss or theft. It is prudent to not have all of your money/cards in your bag if possible. Having an emergency £20 on you is a good tip, but logically this perhaps should be carried somewhere other than your bag.
Travelcard
Vital for getting around in some cities. My lady and myself often play a game where she loses hers and searches frantically until it turns out in a random pocket, her boot or some such. Get into the habit of always keeping important things in the same place.
Sunglasses and/or Glasses
While I am recommending small handbags, they need to be large enough to comfortably accommodate such items.
Phone
Oddly most lists I have seen did not include a phone. Presumably this is because most modern women never let go of their phones long enough to put them in their bags?
iPod/ Mp3 Player
Or if you use your phone to listen to music, the associated earphones.
Feminine Products
A reasonable number of tampons or pads. Devices such as the “Mooncup” may be worth considering.
Spare Underwear
Some ladies like a change of underwear in their bags. Hopefully you will not need more than one pair.
Tissues/ Toilet Roll
I can see that this would be useful. Carry a handbag pack of tissues rather than an entire roll.
Hair Bands and Pins
Makes sense. Could be carried in the same little plastic bag used for the safety pins and sewing kit.
Lighter/ Matches
Handy even if you are not a smoker.
Diary/ Address Book/ Notebook and Pen
Many of the functions of these items can be taken by modern phones but the desire for actual paper and pen often came up. Our modern computer world often generates a lot of scrap paper and it is a simple thing to recycle this to create a notebook of ideal size to fit in your bag. A single A4 sheet can be easily folded to create eight 4 x 3" pages.
Make-Up.
How much make-up different women will carry in a handbag is probably going to vary considerablly and is thus one of the areas where weight and bulk can be cut down. Some women get by with just a lipstick/ gloss. If prudently selected some foundation and a mascara will take up little extra room.
Compact/ Mirror/ Brush
A mirror will be handy for touching up your lipstick and other purposes too. I brought my girlfriend a little folding mirror that also incorporated a hairbrush, which I thought was pretty neat.
Mints
A few mints are worth carrying if you have room. Avoid chewing gum. It makes you look like a moron, is a waste of money and is made from such things as latex and petroleum products.
Snacks/ Emergency Food/ Chocolate
A couple of webpages mention these as “essentials”. A snack can be defined as an unnecessary meal, eaten for entertainment rather than sustenance so given the prevalent weight problems in our society I have my reservations as to how essential this is. If you have a medical condition such as diabetes then emergency food is a prudent edition to your handbag, however.
Keys
I am in two minds about the carrying of keys in handbags. If you do, ensure there is no way a thief who may steal your bag can find out your home address from the other contents.
Penknife
This is an item not mentioned on any lists of handbag essentials, but highly recommended. A little knife such as the Swiss Army Classic makes a useful addition to a keychain and includes a nail file and scissors.
Length of Chain with Screw Gate Clips or Combination Locks.
If you do not know what this is for, read yesterday’s blog!
Flashlight.
Some self-defence instructors advocate carrying a compact flashlight that can be used to illuminate dark corners an attacker might hide. Some designs can also be used as kongos.
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Phillosoph

Handbag Theft.

Today’s blog subject is rather annoying. Yesterday was supposed to be a fun day out for my girlfriend’s son, who is visiting, and his two cousins. We were going to look around the Science Museum but got diverted looking around the Natural History Museum. My lady ruled that the kids needed to eat something before we moved down the road to the Science Museum. We ended up at a place called “Billy’s Steak and Grill” by the station. The food was good, although as you might expect in South Ken it was rather overpriced.
During the meal I felt someone touch me. Ever the suspicious one I looked over my shoulder and just see the common sight of some jerk so engrossed in his phone call he is apparently oblivious to the rest of the world. Dealing with the food and three kids meant I wasn’t even aware when this guy left. When we get up to pay my girlfriend cannot find her bag.
The night I first met my lady I was amazed at how she would leave her bag over the back of the barstool when she went off to the toilets. Being with me has caused her to be a little more security conscious and she has improved a lot in that respect. She still regards me a little over the top and that very morning had joked with the kids about my being paranoid about people losing things. Her bag had been across the back of the chair and she had even moved it to a position between us for added security. The bag was never unattended and the only one of us that left the table had been myself for a brief visit to the toilets. Still the dirtbag managed to get the bag. Perhaps he cut the strap or made his move while I was away. The kids later told me that when he was using his phone he had had his other hand behind his back and reaching down, an unusual position for someone seated. When he had left he had picked something up off the floor and had it under his jacket. Being kids they had not registered the significance of these behaviours until afterwards.
Trying to cancel her bank cards proved problematic, the Barclays call centre trying to insist there was no customer of her name. My girlfriend is upset, agitated, Latin, and English is not her first language, so call centre personnel that do not have a decent grasp of English and hang up on customers are not a help! Her phone had lots of important information on it, and because the screen was cracked the fancy gesture password system had had to be disabled. She also had some important documents in her bag.
The restaurant staff made the not particularly inspiring comment that “this happens here” and claimed the nearest police station was all the way over at Fulham Broadway. Rather than exploring the Science Museum the kids got to sit in a police station for an hour. We at least got a crime incident number, which can be used to dispute any unauthorised withdrawals. The police also gave us an alternate number for Barclays which proved a little more sympathetic and helpful.
All in all, a shitty time that is going to have repercussions. My girlfriend cannot access the money she was going to use for the emergency dental treatment she needs this week, but I can help her with that. She is worried that her phone can be used to access her son’s electronic airline ticket and other worries, such as stolen house keys.
So I am now asking myself, what can be done to avoid this?
One thing that occurs to me is not to have your eggs all in one basket. I carry my credit cards in a different place to my cash or the debit cards I usually use.
Make sure the pockets you carry valuable items in are deep and tight. Too often do I see wallets peeking out of the top of pockets, prime for a bump and lift. Carry items in pockets that have zips or button down flaps, and keep them closed!
Don’t carry your keys with anything that has your address. That includes your phone, which can be hacked and unlocked.
Don’t carry important documents with you unless you have to. If a document is that important have a photocopy or scan at home as a back-up.
Carry the phone numbers and account numbers you need to cancel your cards. These should be the direct hotline numbers that some banks provide rather than general help desks. Program these into your phone but also carry written copies elsewhere on your person. Also make a note of the IMEI number of your phone with the written copy of these numbers.
Most of the advice I have come across about keeping your handbag safe is stuff like “don’t leave it unattended”, which is not much use in this case. The policewoman gave the impression that bags over the back of chairs were often vulnerable. The most workable solution I can see is to keep your bag in your lap, but most bags are too bulky for this to be convenient. Many years ago I knew a girl who used a bumbag as a handbag, usually just hanging it over her shoulder like a conventional bag. It occurs to me that the fastex buckle would allow the strap to be passed around a post or similar feature making surreptitious removal a little less likely. More importantly, a bag of such size could be kept in the lap while in public places and is less likely to be placed out of sight.

I am going to suggest to my girlfriend and all other handbag using readers to have a good look at what they carry in their bags, have a think about what you really need and endeavour to go smaller. A smaller bag is easier to protect. Keep your bag in your lap when seated. If you must put it down on the floor or over a chair back secure it somehow. If it has a conventional strap tie it around a table leg or such with a knot such as a clove or slippery hitch. Some bags have snap-links or clips that let you detach and reattach the strap so it can be passed through and aperture. A screw-gate  or combination lock that takes a couple of seconds to open may be prudent. Look into ways to slash-proof straps too. Bike chains and steel cables may be incorporated into the strap, possibly even as a decorative feature. A few years ago wallets attached to their owner were in vogue. You chain up a bike to prevent theft, why not something as valuable as a handbag and its contents?

Can you carry some items elsewhere? I realise female clothing is often short on pockets so try to work around this. A safety pin and a snaplink can be used to pin your keys to a jacket lining, for example.
Let us stop making things easy for the dirtbags.