Mastering_The_Knife.pdf

Mastering the Knife

Introduction

I began my training in the martial arts over fourteen years ago in the little town of

Alexandria, Louisiana. From the first I was interested in weapons, but I had great difficulty in

finding any but a handful of people who knew anything about weapons. For many years I was

only able to acquire little bits of weapons training from various teachers here and there. I tried

to learn all that I could from books, but found that the number of books on weapons is almost as

short in supply as the number of instructors with a knowledge of weapons. I also found that

most of the books about weapons were written by the same man and were incomplete in their

depth, for no books were available on the tonfa or the yawara, and only a few were available on

the staff, the bo, and the knife. There seemed to be numerous books on the nunchaku, most

poorly done, and a few books on the sai; but all in all the books available for the martial art

student who was interested in weapons were few and far between.

So I decided to write my own books. I spent the last four years doing research and

training with weapons, learning their use and applications. I was able to achieve a fourth degree

black belt in weapons (kubojitsu), I had already written four other books and a movie script,

"The Leopard," so I was familiar with what was necessary to write a good book. I wanted my

book to have techniques that a beginner could learn, but that a teacher could also benefit from.

I wanted to make the book easy to follow by avoiding any overuse of photos or confusing text.

I wanted to include a basic practice Kata for each weapon, as well as techniques for the weapon's

offensive and defensive use. Finally, I wanted to write a book that would serve as a manual on

weapons for years to come-a book that a student or a teacher would be proud to own and would

refer to whenever they had a question on weapons or wanted a new technique.

I feel that I have accomplished all of these goals in this book, The Complete Book of

Karate Weapons. It is a book that I am proud of and one that you can be proud to have in your

library. If you will read this book with an open mind and follow the techniques and exercises

described herein, you can make yourself one of the few experts with weapons in the worldtoday.

I could never have written this book without the help of many friends and fellow martial

artists who appear with me in the instructional photos, both as technique partners and tech-

nical advisers. These men, some of the most outstanding black belts in the South, include:

Keith Yates: fourth degree black belt. Winner of many kata championships and weapons kata

championships at the top tournaments of the South. A master artist who also designed the cover

of the book.

James Toney: fifth degree black belt. Teacher extraordinaire and tournament champion for

many years. One of the most respected teachers in Texas.

continued…

Mastering the Knife by Dr. Ted Gambordella, 5th Dan

www.MartialArtsBooks.com

Mastering the Knife

Barry Guimbellot: third degree black belt. Probably the most successful teacher in

Dallas, an outstanding example of character and leadership in karate.

Steve Weiss: second degree black belt. A modern jiu-jitsu expert who is also an expert

in karate.

Ross Comerski: first degree black belt. A giant of a man and a giant of a teacher.

Finally, I must thank all of my teachers through my years of training for their help and

knowledge, such great men as: Soke R. Sacharnoski, Soke A. Church, Soke K. Marx, Master

HeYoung Kimm, Shihan B. Pearson, Dr. J. Marler, and Sensi B. Hathorn. These great men and

excellent teachers gave the knowledge and training that enabled me to get to where I am today.

I am forever grateful to them and their arts.

Last, let me take a moment to thank the most important force in my life, my Lord and

Savior, Jesus Christ, Who gives me the strength and ability necessary to write this book and to

share my knowledge with my fellow martial artists.

Dedication To Keith Yates, Jim Toney, Barry Guimbellot, Steve Weiss, Russ Comerski,

and Steve Rich, without whom this book would never have been written.

Photos by Steve Rich

Mastering the Knife by Dr. Ted Gambordella, 5th Dan

www.MartialArtsBooks.com

Mastering the Knife

The knife is probably the most common weapon in the world today, because it also

serves as a tool for eating and work. It has been used by men from ancient times for

defense and attack and still remains the favorite weapon of defense today.

The karate knife is a little different from a regular knife because of its construc-

tion. There should be a blade guard for protecting the hand of the user from the blade, as

well as for gripping purposes, and a finger spot which the little finger wraps around when

holding the knife for defense. This finger spot is on the blade, but is smooth and will not

cut the hand. The handle should be very hard, for it is also used for striking, and the blade

should be double bladed at the end, for cutting and slashing forward or backwards, but

not double all the way down, for the protection of the user and for blocks.

The knife is the most dangerous weapon available for the beginner, because it is not just

effective for defense, but can kill you when practicing if you handle it sloppily or

carelessly.Therefore, I suggest that you practice your techniques with a rubber knife until

such time as you are very proficient and a margin of safety is assured. Never joke with the

knife or be foolish. The knife is a deadly weapon and must always be treated with respect.

Mastering the Knife by Dr. Ted Gambordella, 5th Dan

www.MartialArtsBooks.com

Mastering the Knife

Holding Positions

The basic grip: hold the knife in the hand

with the little finger wrapped around the guard

and in the finger groove provided there.

Now wrap the rest of the fingers around the

handle and extend the thumb down the top with

the fore finger down to the end of the handle.

The blade should be pointed down and extended flat against the side of the forearm.

Side view

Front view

Mastering the Knife by Dr. Ted Gambordella, 5th Dan

www.MartialArtsBooks.com

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