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Category: Phillosoph

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Phillosoph

Games Are Bad! They Make You Mad!

How many video gamers are there in the world? Hundreds of millions, certainly. Yet despite this, video games continue to be used as a scapegoat for those who sell newspapers and those that want to appear in them.
How often do we still see a headline such as “Killer liked violent video games!!!” Most games can, by some definition or another, be classed as violent. A notable case occurred several years back. Two teenage boys murder a third boy and the press had a frenzy that these boys played a certain video game. Why I remember this is that I recall the young mother of one of the boys being interviewed and saying “They were always playing that game”. I have a copy of the same game and it is very clearly labelled “18” and “Suitable only for persons of 18 years or older”. Perhaps if the same young mother had actually paid some attention to her child and his interests he might not have grown in to an immoral little dirtbag? I’ve that game myself and other than some uncharitable thoughts about programmers that don’t include enough save-points, it has not inspired me to any violent behaviour.
Let us put things in perspective with a quick thought experiment. Look at the cases of many of the great mass murderers and serial killers of the past century and what do many of them have in common? Most of them were church-goers or read the Bible! Some were even religious leaders, and some claim that their actions were inspired or even condoned by the Bible. If we follow the logic of the anti-video game lobby we should be banning Bibles and closing churches. I am not suggesting that, of course. Christianity may have inspired some terrible acts but it also inspires a lot of good things too. I am illustrating the point that a much better case can be made for banning the Bible for inspiring violence than for banning video games.
Such stupidity and scaremongering is not limited to our age. A recent broadcast of “QI” had an item on how the violence in Grimm Fairy Tales was blamed for Nazism!
Next time you read a headline blaming a video game, Heavy Metal, the Internet, martial arts, gun ownership or any of the other common scapegoats that get pushed at us just remember the tens or hundreds of millions of other people who did the very same things and manage not to hurt anyone.
I suggest you then vote with your wallet and leave any publications that indulge in witch-hunts and scaremongering on the newsstand.
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Phillosoph

"but I know it to be true in my heart…"

The recent death of the actor Paul Walker has thrown up an interesting event.
The post below has been doing the rounds on facebook. Funny but also very illuminating.
Whether this is genuine or not is irrelevant since the attitude being displayed is regrettably all too common.

A friend of mine recently complained that too many of the reviews and critiques boil down to “uhhh, I didn’t like this” with no rationale for such a conclusion.
I theorised that the reason may be the deterioration in scientific education.
The inability to logically structure your argument and to process and prioritise relevant evidence is obviously a hindrance.
An even greater fault is confusing belief or desire with reality. In a previous post I have commented on the apparent inability of many individuals to distinguish between their wants and desires and what is actually needed or available.
Movies and other entertainments constantly tell us “You must have faith”, “You have to believe in something” and so on.
A few months back I finally got to watch the movie “Prometheus” and I found it a huge disappointment, mainly because of the stupid dialogue.
Most of the characters (some of them supposedly scientists!) constantly make statements that can be paraphrased as “It will be there because I believe it will” ; “They must be able to do this because I want them to”.
Can you really be a billionaire industrialist in the future without any grounding in reality?
Will people really commit to two-year deep space expeditions on no other justification than “I want this to be true!”
Let us look at the statements above again.
Saying “I don’t trust Google” is like saying “I don’t trust libraries”.
Google (or any other search engine) will bring you a broad range of information, some of which may be false, erroneous or misleading.
Plagiarism on the internet does sometimes mean false information propagates further than actual fact.
If a score of hits tell you this is a picture of Vin Diesel and searches for Paul Walker consistently throw up pictures of the same other individual, that is an indication that something may be amiss and that you might be advised to check a more authoritative and reliable source such as IMDB or reading the cast list of your DVD.
I recently googled “Harvey Keitel Duelists” and “Peter Cushing” and got these images. I don’t think that is them. Perhaps they are the two individuals in the other hundred pictures?

“I know it in my heart” does not make anything true, ever! Yet too often we hear this statement used as a “proof”.
If we are going to progress both as a civilisation and as individuals, we must learn to distinguish between what we want to believe and what is true, between our desires and what is attainable.

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Phillosoph

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

Latest version of this article is available here.
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

Latest version of this article is available here.
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.
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Phillosoph

The Umbrella from Hunter/ Victim: Umbrella Fighting Part 1a

Latest version of this article is available here.
As promised in the previous blog, an excerpt from Robert Sheckley’s entertaining novel “Hunter/ Victim”. In this scene Blackwell is being trained as an assassin before being sent to liquidate a drug dealer.
“For close-in work, you’ll use a hand-gun, or one of those lethal toys out Development Section is always coming up with. But to my way of thinking, a walking-stick is better than any hand-gun made, and an umbrella is better yet.”
McNab was an expert in umbrella fighting.
“I’m not talking about a sword-umbrella, mind. Too risky if you get caught. Too specialized. What I’m discussing here is a plain umbrella with a wood or bamboo shaft, though we have a model made of surgical steel that’s the best of the lot. You can sharpen the point. And if the handle is rounded and weighted with lead, you’ve got a murder weapon at either end.”
McNab demonstrated the basic moves: the feint in which you pretend to open the umbrella, the lunge for the target, the first riposte, the second riposte, the follow-up with the weighted handle. Blackwell practised faithfully several times a day. He became proficient, though never got as good as McNab, who had spent a lifetime in rainy climates practising his trade.
Part One Fencing Parries with an Umbrella.
Part Two Swagger Stick Techniques.
Part Three Commanding the Blade or Brolly.
Part Four Offensive Techniques.
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Phillosoph

Fencing Parries: Umbrella Fighting Part 1

Latest version of this article is available here.
Many years ago someone tried to mug a friend of mine. My friend stabbed at the mugger’s throat with his umbrella and with his other hand attempted to “drive his nose up into his brain”. Those of you with some knowledge of anatomy or martial arts, such as those who have read my book will know that you cannot drive the nose into the brain. It is, however, a very good defensive strike and my friend’s spirit and tenacity was correct even if he did learn his fighting moves from novels.
The umbrella can be a viable weapon. In Robert Sheckley’s “Hunter/ Victim” there is a diverting passage where the protagonist is trained to use an umbrella. I don’t have an electronic version so I will have to find time to type that in for a later blog. Two ways immediately suggest themselves to use an umbrella defensively. One is to use it two-handed like a swagger stick as described by Fairbairn and also in my book. The other is to use it like a fencing sword.
An umbrella and a fencing sword have several things in common. Both primarily use the point and both are of little use for swung strikes. The umbrella is padded and the foil or epee is unsharpened. Even “sharp” fencing swords such as the rapier and smallsword were only sharp enough to deter the blade being grabbed and lacked the weight and bevel to produce a deep cut. With a cane or umbrella your opponent will be more aware that the weapon may be grabbed. The umbrella lacks a guard, so your hand is more vulnerable.It may be more prudent to make your opening moves with the umbrella not presented forwards. Shown below are a rear-guard and a hanging guard position used with a walking cane.

When looking at fencing swords as an inspiration for real word defensive moves a few caveats must be kept in mind. The first is that rapiers, smallswords and their derived fencing weapons were used a little differently to other swords. For most swords a parry is taken on the flat or sometimes the back of the blade. With the rapier and smallsword the parry is more commonly taken on the main edge or the outside of the blade. Modern fencing is a sport, and the weapons used are much lighter than their real weapon equivalents. Moves that can be executed with finger and wrist movements will be slower and require more strength with heavier or bulkier weapons. Sport fencing involves limited target areas. For the foil hits can only be made on the torso. For the sabre only above the waist. The defensive moves taught for these weapons concentrate on defending these targets. Epee uses the whole body as a legitimate target but the fencer will have little experience against heavier or longer weapons.
Fencing is, of course, a broad topic so today’s blog will just consider some of the parries possible with a fencing sword or an object such as an umbrella. In my book I describe how defensive techniques can be considered to involve four quadrants: High Outside, Low Outside, High Inside and Low Inside. This can be seen to hold true for fencing. The characteristic feature is that since the fencing weapon (or brolly!) attacks with the point all of these defensive moves are made “in-line”, with the point directed towards the attacker for a quick counter attack.
The different parries are numbered in French and at first glance this seems to have no logic or order. The four most useful parries are:

Sixte/ Tierce : High Outside
Quarte/ Carte : High Inside
Septime : Low Inside
Octave : Low Outside

Just to confuse things further, the positions are in some instances different for foil, epee and sabre, depending on the target areas to be defended and the differing characteristics of the weapons.
The numbering system becomes a little more logical if you consider the whole sequence in order.
The first parry is prime (below) and it is sometimes described as the parry you would be most likely to adopt if in the act of drawing your sword. Prime can defend the head on the inside line and uses the hand in pronation (palm down, knuckles up). It is sometimes called “looking at your watch” parry which is helpful in remembering it.

Seconde is a low outside parry with the hand in pronation. The point is directed downwards, relative to the guard but still points towards your foe. If you imagine that the act of drawing your sword was continued you can imagine that your sword that passed through prime might end up down and to your outside.
If you raise your point, you move into tierce and can defend your high outside. Your hand is still in pronation. Hand should be at breast height, in-line with your shoulder and point directed towards the foe's eyes. Tierce is one of the primary sabre parries and is used for all weapons that parry with the flat of the blade. It is the recommended high outside parry for umbrellas since it is strong and the hand in pronation with the weight of the handle pushing up on it is less fatiguing
If you bring your sword from tierce across your body to parry on the high inside you will have moved into quarte (aka carte). This is the first of the parries that uses the hand supinated. (palm up, knuckles down) or part supinated.

Now you must imagine your foe tries to strike at your head on the outside and you raise your sword up to parry and defend your head. This is the St.George’s parry or quinte. Strictly speaking the point is a little higher than the guard. If slightly lower it becomes a hanging guard parry. Ideally the point should still be directed towards your foe when parrying. This parry is so called because St.George is so often shown in paintings with his sword raised above his head. The actual parry of quinte varies considerably between foil/epee and sabre. For our purposes its variation as a head defence is most useful to us.
Sixte resembles tierce but has the hand in supination. Like tierce it is a high outside defence. Sixte was one of the last fencing parries to be formally named and it reflects that a different part of the blade is used to parry with a rapier/smallsword/foil/epee than with other swords. Switching from sixte to quarte or the reverse is probably a fraction quicker since the hand does not change position.
Septine is the low inside parry and can be thought of as quarte with the point dropped. The hand is in supination.
Move your hand across from septine to the low outside and you have the parry of octave. This is a supinated version of seconde.
There is also a parry of neuvieme, which resembles a high septine. Neuvieme also gets described as a variant of octive with the blade behind the back. Other fencers describe the “ninth parry” as distance, which is a useful reminder that evasion and avoidance are often the best defence.

While the above list seems extensive it is worth remembering that in his proposed manual for the battlefield use of the broadsword Sir Richard Burton concentrated on just the tierce and quarte (“carte”) parries for this weapon. Low attacks were met by a low tierce or quarte, attacks to the head by a high version of tierce or quarte. If practicing to defend yourself with an umbrella I would build your technique around these two parries first.
With a sword, umbrella or any similar one-handed weapon it should be remembered that the section nearest the hand is the strongest and this is where attacks should be parried with.
Unlike sport fencing, the free hand should be positioned over the chest to defend it. This can be seen being done by Harvey Keitel (the moustached cavalryman) in the clip below.
Part One and a Bit An Interlude.
Part Two Swagger Stick Techniques.
Part Three Commanding the Blade or Brolly.
Part Four Offensive Techniques.
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Phillosoph

Christmas Creep: Enough is Enough!

It is called “Christmas Creep”. This is not a character in a film by Tim Burton. It is an unwelcome phenomenon that has become even more apparent this year from last year.
At the start of October I went for a walk and ended up shopping in a supermarket I do not usually use. As I am approaching the check-out I notice signs for mulled wine and a few other traditional Christmas foodstuffs. I have no problem with this. Stocking up early is just prudent, and some years I have got most of my Christmas present shopping done in the previous January. The reason this day sticks in mind is that when I returned home I noticed a Christmas film in the TV listings.

A few days later things gather momentum. Certain TV channels are proudly announcing that they are now showing Christmas movies 24 hours a day. Decorations are going up. Christmas Carols are being played in stores. I don’t listen to the radio often these days but I suspect that certain of them have already switched to their Christmas playlists. Constant adverts for supermarkets urge me to buy food for a meal that is still two months away! It is only October! my brain protests. We had not even had Halloween yet.
Acquaintances on facebook make posts about Christmas. “It is only October/ November” I protest. I get accused of being a Scrooge or a humbug! Complaining about Christmas in December is being a humbug. Not celebrating it in October and November is not being a little corporate bitch-puppet.
Looking at my blog from last year I did note that Christmas was beginning to be promoted in October but things seem way worse this year. Having Christmas items in the shops early is one thing, but trying to start Christmas three months in advance is not. It is not just the stores, but also the TV channels who switched to their Christmas programming in October. One supermarket chain apparently opened their Santa’s Grotto in August!
Christmas does not become more fun if you start it early. Actually one of the best Christmases I ever had was just one day, but that is another story. It is too late this year, but next year let’s keep Christmas in December. If anyone even mentions Christmas before December 1st firmly tell them “It is only October/ November” ; although I suspect next year I will be saying this in September!
Next year I will also adopt a policy of whenever possible boycotting companies that try to promote Christmas before December. I suggest you do the same.
Categories
Phillosoph

Hair, Phones and Attention

Usually I walk my girlfriend to the station, even though it is only a block or so.
For various reasons the other night this was not possible.
As she was leaving she mentioned that she had to text her sister.
“Don’t use your phone on the street” I lectured. “I mean it. Wait until you are somewhere safe.”
The next day a friend of mine coincidentally posted this link up on his page.
The technique shown is an extension of that given against hair grabs in my book.
Using both hands so the elbows shield the face is a good modification, as is ducking under the arm to twist it.
It probably doesn’t matter if you go outside-in or inside-out initially so long as the arm ends up twisted and you on the outside gate.
What is glossed over in this article is that a woman is easier to attack if she is not aware.
Yes, that means that you should not be focusing all your attention on your phone.
Just because you want to do something, does not mean that you should do it or that it is safe to do so.
The big, bad universe cares little for personal desires!