Thread: tantojutsu training

I tend to make up my own drills. I just envision an opponent and I design my drill around a specific skill that I want to practice. The trick to knife work is drills. This expediates muscle-memory and speed.

When you make your drill, have a plan. Where do you want to go? Do you want to go inside? Outside? How are you holding the knife? Do you want to work hooking or slashing? How do you want to attack the man, arms first? Ribs? Face? Legs? Do you want to kill him? Maim? Subdue? Are you going to take the man down with a joint lock? How are you going to finish him? Dream up a scenario and how you would fight your way out of it. Keep it short.

Every drill needs these questions answered. It seems like a lot at first, but after you do a few, you see that answers to some questions answer others and it no time you'll be thinking of your own. That's the whole trick to MA as a whole, learning to think on your own and create your own techniques.

Kata's are good to teach you the proper angles and body movement, but don't rely on them to teach you anything about combat. Knife fighting is very serious. Imagine if you and I are going to fight, and if I touch you with my right hand, you die. Do the drills slow and first and increase speed when you can guaruntee 100% control over the knife, your body, and your opponent. Also, from time to time use a knife that is heavier than your usual knife. Often I'll use an old spear head. Using a heavier knife will help you do develop strength in your fingers and wrists.

-Hikage

Originally Posted by LoneWolf1

When you train with a liveblade what is your favorite blade to use, I personally like to use my 13'' homemade shinogi zukuri O-tanto , it has a 5'' tsuka wrapped in doe skin. I really like the feal of the blade, it's got some good weight to it and makes quick work of tameshigiri, double roll. The nice thing about tantojutsu is that u can adapt it to all different types of blades.

I have two that I use. I have a little combat blade that I picked up cheap from a local store. I'm not a fan of expensive things. The knife only needs to hold up for one fight, which are rare. I just use a simple serated blade that flips out and unlocks with one hand. I like it because it's small and I can loosen how easily the blade comes out. Also, it has a firm butt so I can use it w/o having to unsheath the blade.

The other I use is just rambo style knife. I want to be able to use a larger knife if I ever come across one.

I'm contenplating running a key across a sharpener. Just the very edges. I know it's never going to be razor sharp, but I think it would be an easily concealable knife that would cut when I need it and be always available. It can even go on airplanes. Anyone ever try this or know if it can be done?

-Hikage

Originally Posted by LoneWolf1

I don't know about sharpening a key, a pen is longer and just as legal to carry, but then again I guess it could be done.

Pen ---> true. Not as cool. Gets ink all over the grinder.

-Hikage

Pen ---> true. Not as cool. Gets ink all over the grinder.

ha

I am a fan of knives and daggers. Have been since as long as I can remember. I always carry a locking straight razor for utility purposes, so I practice with this out of convenience. But my favorite knife is a large bowie knife or arkansas toothpick. I have used machettes but could never find one with a handle that I liked well enough, and they're not as good at clearing brush. I also have Ghurka knives that are well balance, but a good bowie wins everytime.

In this guys right hand is a bowie, in his left is a toothpick.