I’ve always been fascinated by the knife. Yes, as an object. And apparently it’s not just me because there are so many knife aficionados out there buying artisan knives that cost $500 and up.
Admittedly, I’ve made some investments in purchasing good folding knives and combat knives (which I leave at home due to laws here in the Philippines regarding carrying a knife). I personally have a high preference for Zero Tolerance (ZT) Knives and Benchmade knives. My EDCs are ZT knives except when going out of town.
This led me to the journey of learning about how to use a knife for self defense. Where else to go but Youtube?
Learning more about knife fighting from Youtube videos and blogs out there led me to the insight that the Philippines is one of the best countries to be in – to study, practice and master knife fighting.
So I looked around the web for knife fighters in Metro Manila and where to start. As it turns out, there is one place very near the office – Forge.
Forge is located at 3F CFB Building Aguirre Avenue BF Homes, 1750 Parañaque. Knife fighting classes are every Thursday 7:30pm – 9:30pm under Libre Knife Fighting and Carlos Hermanos Kali certified trainer, Alfred Gealogo (+63977 826 8531).
The discipline of knife fighting is as all martial arts disciplines – practice. Slow but correct movements of each style. Until muscle memory takes over and you can do it even with your eyes closed. Then quickness and strength comes into play.
Not a lot of people will train with the knife for certain reasons:
- It’s a deadly weapon
- When you get into a knife fight, expect to get cut – whether you win or lose
- People generally don’t want to picture themselves stabbing someone or slitting their throats
- If you kill someone here in the Philippines (especially with a knife), you get persecuted by the law
- Some people are just afraid of sharp objects
For me, it’s simply a matter of knowing how to handle a knife NOW so when the time of need comes and I have nothing but a knife with me (no gun) I can use it well. Hopefully way better than my opponent(s).
I guess I’m writing this now because it wasn’t really a streamlined effort for me in finding a really good ‘guro’ or ‘master’ to teach me about the knife. I hope this article will be able to help people like me to have an easier time in learning knife fighting.
At the same time, I hope it helps my ‘guro’ to get more students. After all, if I want these masters of knife fighting to continue on teaching, they are much better off having enough monetary reason to do so. This is one simple way of showing my support to them.