Combative Stickwork vs Sport Stickfighting - By Brad Steiner

Combat Stickwork Vs. Popular "Stickfighting" in the Martial Arts

by Bradley J. Steiner

Many people are engaged in training in such arts as Filipino "escrima" or "kali", and Japanese "jo jutsu" and "bo jutsu". While all of these classical/traditional stick arts are beautiful and worthwhile studying, they are not necessarily the best choice when it comes to practical combat and personal self-defense needs. As martial arts (emphasis upon the "arts") no one can fault traditional methods. But as martial arts (emphasis upon the "martial") there is a lot of room for improvement.

Get hold of a copy of Fairbairn's GET TOUGH!. Study the description Fairbairn gives of his excellent stick technique. Now THAT'S how we use a stick in combat. Or, pick up COLD STEEL, by John Styers. His well illustrated instruction in the Marine Corps' "Kengla Technique" also provides a glimpse of how — in real, honest-to-goodness hand-to-hand combat — we use a stick against an enemy.
For combat the stick is used with extreme aggression, and it capitalizes upon the element of surprise. There is no twirling, and there is no two-stick style. Nor is there competition. One ATTACKS.

Both the Fairbairn and the Kengla techniques are taught in their complete forms in American Combato (Jen•Do•Tao)™, and we include dozens of other excellent techniques and stick tactics — all combat-worthy. At Black Belt, 1st degree, we teach a syllabus of thirty(30) super-destructive stickwork maneuvers. But you don't need to study with us to acquire all that you might have need for in an emergency. Just remember: Keep it simple. Attack by surprise. Use every ounce of ferocity and determination you can generate. Move in! Keep on attacking! Go for the enemy's most vulnerable, vital points. And, for heaven's sake do not forget to first acquire basic unarmed combat skill. The stick, like any other hand held weapon, should be utilized as an adjunct and an extension of your body's natural weapons, and your combative mindset.


Selecting A Suitable Stick For Personal Defense

Anything that can be done with a baton sized stick (ie approximately 18" to 24-36") can be done, and done better!, with a walking stick. And a walking stick is not classified as a "weapon" per se.

We have always liked the English or the Irish Blackthorns. However, any stout hardwood walking stick (not a hiking stick, but a cane-length walking stick) will do admirably. Skill is demanded, of course, in order to fully exploit the weapon's potential, — but assuming that the reader understands this and is prepared and willing to train and to practice, he should obtain a plain, hardwood walking stick, or a good, stout Blackthorn.

Question" "How about a ‘cane'? Wouldn't the crook on the end permit some excellent additional techniques to be employed?"

Answer: We would strongly advise that a cane per se not be chosen. The cute tricks of catching an enemy's wrist or ankle when he kicks or punches, or hooking him behind the neck and throwing, etc. look great in demonstrations and in dramatic photographs that have been carefully taken for martial arts magazines. However, such techniques are nearly impossible to use for real, and the crook-necked cane is much less versatile than the plain walking stick. Locking up with an attacker (when utilizing a cane, just as when utilizing bare hands) is suicide if and when multiple attackers are encountered. The cane is also poorly balanced for speedy combative skills manipulation. Go with a hardwood walking stick, or a good, stout Blackthorn.

© COPYRIGHT 2008 BY BRADLEY J. STEINER - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Stickwork - An Article by Brad Steiner

Another article by Brad Steiner on the use of a stick for Self Defense. Originally published in Guns and Ammo Magazine (I believe it was in the Personal Defense Column) sometime back in the 1980's. I also believe a slightly altered version appeared in one of the old Cold Steel Printed Catalogs in the early 2000's. © COPYRIGHT 2008 BY BRADLEY J. STEINER - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

 Stickwork 

by Bradley J. Steiner

The stick is a marvelous weapon. Back in the 80's we wrote an installment of our (then) monthly feature article in a major firearms publication entirely devoted to the stick — the walking stick — as a weapon of self-defense. The article was well received, and in it we were concerned to emphasize all of the great virtues of the walking stick as a self-defense weapon. Among these virtues are —

Legality

The walking stick is, even in such oppressive environments as Red China and Russia, completely legal. It would be difficult to imagine "outlawing" the walking stick, since it is a utilitarian item that many people need and carry for medical reasons.


Handiness

Unlike a firearm or a fighting knife that is carried in a holster, or a folding knife that is carried in a pocket, a walking stick is carried, properly, in the hand at all times. This makes it immediately usable against anyone whose attack is perceived to be in its formative stage.

Effectiveness

While the stick is not normally employed with lethal intent, it certainly can — in trained hands — speedily enable its possessor to drop the most dangerous individual, lethally, in a life or death encounter. The stick allows the user to inflict crippling or/and extremely painful and debilitating injuries, and to do so rather simply, and with only marginal physical strength.


Confidence

"Speak softly and carry a big stick." Teddy Roosevelt's advice, taken literally, makes excellent sense. For with a stout walking stick in hand, and the ability to use it well as a weapon, anyone may be confident of his ability to handle trouble, and may thus "speak softly", indeed.

Deterrence

A man who is in possession of a walking stick, and who does not appear to actually need it in order to assist him in locomotion, sends a clear and unmistakable message to any potential physical attacker: "Not this particular individual! This one's got a weapon!"

Tactical Advantages

If you do carry a concealed firearm legally, then you also might give some serious thought to carrying a walking stick. The stick may be the means by which you secure the opportunity to access your pistol, or — it may enable you to stop an assailant without having to access your pistol, at all.

Versatility

The stick can punish, damage, or kill. It extends the reach of its user, and it bolsters all unarmed combatives. It never runs out of ammo, makes noise, jams, or is awkward to keep near at hand — conspicuously. The stick delivers hard, destructive jabs as well as smashing blows. When using certain techniques it can cut and slash, and it does not represent a danger to the user or to innocent people in the vicinity, when it is correctly employed. It would be very unlikely that a normal walking stick would be banned for carrying onto an airline.

Carryover Value

Learn how to use the stick in combat, and you will almost never be in a position where some stick, or stick-like implement, cannot be found, made, or improvised.

Practical Stickfighting by Brad Steiner

From the November 2020 Issue of 'Sword and Pen', The monthly Newsletter of Brad Steiner's American Combato System (aka: Jen Do Tao).© COPYRIGHT 2008 BY BRADLEY J. STEINER - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

A Practical Tip For Stick Fighting 

by Bradley J. Steiner

THIS is not for stick “artists” who train intensely and for many months on end to become jo-jitsu or bo or nun-chuck experts. We are addressing the following to those solely concerned with practical self-defense and hand-to-hand combat. For the person who will be focusing solely on the basic, most practical skills, and who will be consuming perhaps ten hours on technical practice, and integrating his stick-work with unarmed combatives, knifework, use of firearms, etc. The type of stick we are referencing is either the walking stick or a hardwood stick roughly approximating the length of a 26-28” baton. Improvisation with an umbrella may be practical in many instances.

Almost anyone who has neither experience nor training in using a stick in combat will, upon being handed a stick and asked to demonstrate how he’d hit someone with it, hold the stick at one end and swing it in a smashing, clubbing blow so that his target will be struck by the end and upper-quarter or so of the weapon. No doubt, in its place a very destructive and potent strike. However, nearly all club or stick-swing defenses have been developed and taught against this more-or-less conventional club swing. There are a few exceptions here, but they are unusual, far between, and by no means universally taught. In fact the action of merely swinging one’s arm up to shield one’s head is natural and reflexive, and often may be speedy enough (even without training) to protect the from being struck.

One of the best ways to attack someone with a stick is to hold it in two hands (something like one might hold a bayonetted rifle for the thrust) and thrust the end powerfully into the groin, solar plexus, sternum, or throat/facial/mouth area. The thrust must be delivered very rapidly, by surprise, with a powerful double grip, and accompanied by a sharp yell and one’s bodyweight behind the blow. Followup after that blow will be easy, since anyone solidly struck in that manner will be totally disoriented for a second or two, at least.

Sometimes in a self-defense situation, that thrusting action alone may be more than enough to deter one’s attacker and provide one the opportunity to escape the scene. But if it doesn’t . . . Followup after the thrust lands may now be a swinging smash with the end of the stick . . . executed either with a one-hand or a two-hand grip . . . this time two hands will hold the stick like a baseball bat, at one end. The followup smash may be across the neck or head. Or it may be across the back (kidney area). Or perhaps across the knees or shins. Alternatively, bringing the center of the stick (while still gripping it in two hands after the thrust) snap the center of the stick upward and catch the attacker’s throat, mouth or facial area with a strong blow. Following the above, take the stick and jam the end (still holding it n the two-hand thrusting grip) into the attacker’s face, throat, sternum, etc.

The main point we wish to make here is that the simplest and most foolproof way for the average individual to land a solid, reliable first strike with a stick is by jabbing and ramming the end viciously into an exposed vulnerable area of the assailant. One of the great advantages of a walking stick is that it is always right there in your hand. This is not true of a handgun or a knife, and so speed into action with minimal delay is a great advantage of the stick as a weapon (or a stick substitute, like an umbrella). 

Many years ago we pointed this out in a column we had in a popular gun magazine. It drew a sarcastic comment by a well-publicized handgun “instructor”. Apparently this individual made the same mistake that most unschooled novices make: He believed that with a gun on his hip and the ability to employ it he needed nothing else for self-defense. A commentary on the person’s very limited perspective on self-defense. Aside from being a very formidable weapon by itself in trained hands we strongly recommend a walking stick if you have a license to carry a concealed weapon, and routinely go armed with a pistol.

First, because skilled employment of your walking stick may make accessing your firearm unnecessary (as a stout hardwood baton often made police patrol officers of past decades not need to draw their sidearms). Second, because possession of a stick and the skill with which to use it may enable you to get to you holstered handgun, by enabling you to clear the distance, time, and space enabling you to effectively do so. Only a poorly informed defender would, for example, attempt to quickly draw his concealed handgun when confronted by two or three punks within a couple of feet of himself. The chances of them jumping him and getting his weapon would be too great. But, that situation would be ideal for a trained person to employ a stout walking stick which he was holding in his hand! After some deft employment of his stick, access to his handgun would be easy. And, since he would be able to cover his attacker(s), it might not be necessary to fire; and that would be a blessing. If you haven’t already done so, make simple, basic stick work a part of your training!

And In The End, We're Just Going To Do Ourselves In

 And in this current Election Cycle, Most of the Disinformation  is not coming from Russia, China or Iran. It's from right here, the USA . 

https://www.msn.com/en-sg/news/world/in-2020-homegrown-us-disinformation-surpasses-russian-effort/ar-BB1anZiq

Iconic (But Unknown) American Lawman Profile 4

Bass Reeves, the "Invincible Marshal". A runaway black slave who fled Arkansas, lived with the Indians of the 5 Nations in Oklahoma Territory. Eventually returned to Arkansas after emancipation and became a U.S. Marshal for "Hanging Judge" Roy Parker.

What a career.

 

https://www.skillsetmag.com/2019/11/02/bass-reeves/

The Marines Are Going Back To What They Did Best In WW2

 Island hopping, the prime strategy of the USMC in WW2 is back in an updated, modernized format.

The old saying about "everything old is new again"  remains as relevant as ever. 

  

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8872631/US-Marines-running-island-hopping-exercises-fears-future-war-China.html

Recognition For Merrill's Marauders

 Better late than never for the remaining members of this unbelievable unit.

General Frank D. Merrill (Center)

http://www.marauder.org/merrill.htm

https://www.mail.com/news/politics/10244828-wwii-jungle-fighting-unit-approved-congressional-m.html#.7518-stage-hero1-1

The Ultimate Fate Of Politicians

 While walking down a street one day a "Corrupt Senator" (that may be redundant) was hit by a car and died. His soul arrived in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

"Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, we have a problem. We seldom see high officials in heaven so we're not sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," says the Senator.

"Well, I'd like to, but orders from the higher ups tell me we must have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."

"Really? I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the Senator.

"I'm sorry, but we have our rules."

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him. Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They played a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and the finest wine and champagne. Also present is the devil, who was a very friendly guy and having a good time dancing and telling jokes. They all were having such a good time that before the Senator realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises.

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens in heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him, "Now it's time to visit heaven...

So, 24 hours passes with the Senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time    and before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

"Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now you must choose your eternity."

The Senator reflects for a minute, then answers: "Well, I would never have said this before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell."

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls to the ground. The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulders.

"I don't understand," stammers the Senator. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?"

The devil smiles at him and says,

"Yesterday we were campaigning, Today, you voted.."

Need An Improvised Weapon? Ask A Woman

 From the Chicago Tribune, September 1900

Talk about going Combative Old School Style

More A-10 Warthog Goodness

 Approaching the 50 year mark since design with all aircraft being built between 1972 and 1984, it looks like one of my favorite USAF airframes will continue to see service well into the late 2030's. The link below goes to an article about the re-winging and modernization of this venerable workhorse.

When you need either close ground support, or have an enemy tank that absolutely, positively, must be destroyed immediately, call for the Ugliest Aircraft ever fielded by the USAF, the A-10 Warthog.

Accept NO Substitutes!

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2019/08/13/a-10-re-winging-completed-will-keep-warthog-in-the-air-until-late-2030s/ 

Rex Applegate Article by Michael Janich

 Originally published in the June 2020 issue of Knives Illustrated, this article provides some history about Col. Applegate and his place in the development of Close Combat in WW2. The main focus though is on the factors that went into the design of several knives that were developed during the war itself, and their influence on further designs that continued well after the war.

It's an interesting read which I hope people here will find worthwhile.

https://www.knivesillustrated.com/close-combat-knives-by-colonel-rex-applegate/

How ANTIFA Operates

 Well written article by, of all things, a Transgender Conservative Republican. This is an in depth description of their tactics from a person who actually infiltrated them in the streets of Portland. What is described matches other research into ANTIFA methodology that I've seen.

https://reason.com/2020/10/02/the-conservative-trans-woman-who-went-undercover-with-antifa-in-portland/

Iconic American Lawman Profile 3

Manuel "Lone Wolf" Gonzaullas, another Texas Ranger whose methods, while decidedly no longer acceptable in today's society, were without doubt totally effective and in many cases extremely permanent. Another example of Law Enforcement methods that were a product of another time. 

As Jeff Cooper once put it, "The Past Is Another Country".

https://www.aoghs.org/oil-almanac/lone-wolf-gonzaullas-texas-ranger/

Iconic American Lawman Profile 2

 

Delf Augustus Bryce, aka: "Jelly" Bryce,  made his mark in Law Enforcement by way of his shooting skills. Using his own version of Point Shooting, his method became the standard for the FBI that lasted for decades. The article linked below from American Rifleman gives a good overview of the life, times, and career of this Iconic American Lawman.

 https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2017/10/30/profile-jelly-bryce-oklahoma-gunfighter/

This next link is to a PDF copy of his original application to join the FBI in 1934. 

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54dc6b0be4b0d364a5ee20e0/54dc6cb3e4b0658f0cbac23e/54dc6cb3e4b0658f0cbac241/1302835050147/BRYCEAPP.pdf 

For anyone more interested the career of Jelly Bryce, I highly recommend the book "Legendary Lawman - The Story of Quick Draw Jelly Bryce" by Ron Owens.