Putting It Back Together

I had a couple a great fencing lessons over the last few weeks; Coach Rob is starting to press me beyond the mechanical basics, into developing an actual approach to the game. While this tends to expose (again and again) how much work I still have to do, it is fun and I can see some growth. At least conceptually; it's always the application that's the hang-up, aye?

I actually coached my first group fencing class yesterday, filling-in for Rob who had a BJJ event. We did some stretching, cals, played some games, and did some free fencing. I don't feel like I totally messed up the class, so I guess that's pretty good, and it was kind of fun.

I went back to Judo class Friday night after a long absence (probably six weeks?). Injury, Mom's passing, financial issues and working second shift messed me up, but it was great to get back in and get to work. I'm looking forward to spending more time there, and eventually advancing beyond white belt in at least one art!

In the battle of the bulge, things are still moving forward (but still a lot more slowly than I'd like). Last night was Carb Night, but I didn't have as much time to enjoy it as I should have-- my van broke down and it took about four hours to wait for AAA to come and get me and get the van dropped-off at the mechanic's (and get a ride home). I squeezed some good eating into the short time I had, but it was a bit of a bummer. Back on the austerity eating plan today, of course.

General workouts are still tough to manage, but i'm finding a way to jam a crowbar into my schedule and at least get some weight-lifting in, if not as much cardio as I'd like (or feel that I should be doing). With the weather getting better, maybe I'll be able to get outside more to do some of those activities. I know that if I can combine the Carb Night Solution with the level of exercise I was getting before my knee and shoulder issues popped-up, I will drop the rest of the weight I need off like an old blanket (or hot soup, or something).

Speaking of bummers, guess which "fight of the century" I'm going to miss? I've only got to work one Saturday night for the next several months, but yup, you guessed it, I'm working on the night of Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. Unbelievable. I briefly (for a few insane seconds) considered asking the couple to move their wedding date (because, you know, it's Mayweather vs. Pacquiao!!! C'mon)... But no, I guess I'll have to watch the news, because there's no way I'll be able to protect myself from hearing the outcome long enough to actually watch a recording of the fight before someone spills the beans. Arrrgghh! Fight of the century. I was actually thinking of ordering the pay-per-view and having a fight party somewhere...

I should have some new blade pix to post pretty soon; in the meantime...

White Belt Out

So here's that "Blade Enthusiast or Knife Nut?" update one time...

OK, straight to the edged weapons this blog is becoming slightly kind of a tiny bit famous for, a little, sort of...


Warming-up with some fine traditional pocket knives; a Schatt & Morgan/Queen Cutlery special edition, and an old Atlas from Japan. Both with jigged bone handles.


A French pocket folder called (apparently?) a "Leonard," by a manufacturer called Laguoile (pronounced "la-yoll" I'm told). The pattern is typical of many Euro-folders, though pretty understated compared to the Spanish-style folding knives.


A butterfly knife from Pakistan; I don't know if it has a name, but it's cool.


A Timber Rattler (TR107), also made in Pakistan. Nice looking knife, but it's more of a "wall hanger" than a "work horse."


Four views of a fairly decent reproduction of the famous World War II Fairbairn-Sykes British Commando Fighting Knife. Again, this one is more of a presentation piece than a field knife, but it gives one a visceral reminder of why you wouldn't want to be a Nazi sentry when the Commandos arrived in-theater...


I need to do a little more research, but apparently this is also from WWII (and a legit piece, at that). This is most likely a Japanese shirisaya tanto that was made by cutting down a larger sword, and was probably issued to a field officer or NCO (but possibly a kamikaze pilot, although that is much less likely). The way it was manufactured, and the inscription indicate a late date (near the end of the war; again, so far as I can tell from research available at this time). I don't read Japanese; I've been told that it is likely some type of patriotic motto, rather than the signature of the maker, but I need to find someone that can translate the characters for me. Pretty cool though!


A scimitar-type sword called a Talwar in India (where I believe this is from), or a Shamshir in various parts of the Middle East. Even if this is a reproduction (I don't know where the collector I got it from originally acquired it), it's pretty sweet. This one, and the Japanese tanto had some heavy black rust spots (I cleaned some of them, before reading some commentators that said I shouldn't), which I found out is a pretty good indicator of age (rather than cheapness), while red rust spots generally mean the blade is being eaten and should be cleaned and oiled asap!

That's it for now, but I got some good deals on some sweet knives and I'm pretty jazzed...

White Belt Out

Update...

...Because I can't think of a better title right now (and don't want to try)...

I had a good fencing lesson on Friday. We covered a lot of movement/footwork/parry applications (as opposed to just footwork drills or simple free-fencing without much guidance). Having some parameters and restrictions can really help focus the mental aspect. It's getting the brain to respond fast enough, and the body to respond to the brain, that I'm dealing with. So many possibilities with just three or four parries and a few attacks. I'm looking forward to getting back to Judo (and BJJ, Systema, and Escrima). I like to see what techniques and mindset I can apply across martial disciplines. Sometimes one thing at a time is best though, I suppose...

This past week's Carb Night was postponed until Sunday due to the Easter holiday. Good eatin'; my wife made mac & cheese with bread crumbs (to go along with the ham, lamb, and a host of other Easter staples), and I must say I fully participated. Later we ordered a pizza, had some colas, and man that was good. Back on the wagon this week, of course.

I picked-up a few cool new pieces for the blade collection this week (I found a collector that is liquidating a lot of his stuff), but I will save that for a separate "Knife Nut..." post, coming to this blog shortly, so check back soon.

Until then, White Belt Out