WELCOME TO MASTERS OF THE BLADE
Since the late 1970s, when martial arts magazines began publishing articles on the Filipino arnis, eskrima, and kali, mainstream martial artists have developed a heretofore unheard of interest in blade combat systems. What is remarkable about the popularity of bladed systems is that a vast majority of those attracted to them were individuals who a few decades or so earlier would have had nothing to do with the edged weapon arts. Those individuals were mainstream practitioners of karate, jujutsu, and kung-fu, and defensive tactics instructors from law enforcement! Today, edged weapons are not only accepted, but everyone and his brother has some level of training with knivesregardless of the primary martial art they train in. From smug, self-satisfied rejection to whole-hearted acceptance, the legitimacy of the knife has come full circle! Unfortunately, however, edged weapons instruction has now become redundantly availableand predictably diluted. The old adage about, “Too many cooks...” comes to mind. The raison d'etre of this page is to serve as a sanctuary for accomplished edged weapons instructorsthat is, instructors who do not refer to themselves as “masters” but are, by dint of their experience, intellect, and skill. Here they will find refuge from the tedious, redundant, and uninspired information found elsewhere and, instead, encounter meaningful, skillful, and hopefully inspirational example of edge weapons use. All levels of edged weapons proficiency are welcome to join, but be warnedwe will not explain, clarify, or otherwise dumb down basic concepts that practitioners should be familiar with. Nor will we endorse or perpetuate any content that is aimed solely at beginners. That said, please participate and enjoy ideas, instruction, and insights worthy of yourselves as masters of the blade.
