Italian Knife Fencing: The Art, The Tradition, The Technique

By Giovanni Ricco

From the cobbled streets of Southern Italy to the trenches of World War I, the book offers an in-depth exploration of the rich and sometimes brutal history of Italian knife fencing. It provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of this lethal but graceful martial art, steeped in history, social context, and tradition.

The book begins by detailing the political and societal circumstances of Southern Italy that nurtured the development of knife fencing. It uncovers the rituals and subtle nuances of duelling, the elegance of fencing styles, and the often fatal aftermath of these contests of skill and bravery. The narrative then explores the legacy of Italian knife fencing and its enduring significance in modern Italian culture.

An extensive examination of the art of duelling follows, unveiling the intricacies of this martial tradition. The author discusses the key elements of traditional Italian knife fencing, highlighting the skills and techniques that distinguish it from other combat styles. This section also includes a fascinating look at different 20th-century duelling knives, each with their unique design and tactical implications.

Building on these foundations, the book then turns to the didactic purpose of knife fighting, emphasizing its potential for personal growth and development. It comprehensively covers various stances or guards, each suited for different offensive or defensive strategies. It further explains the lethality of wounds and provides an age-related guide for adapting fencing techniques.

To help readers practice and master these techniques, the book proposes various exercises designed to develop specific skills. It also distinguishes between aggressive and defensive types of fighters, providing insights into their unique strategies.

An entire section is dedicated to the peculiarities of jacket-assisted techniques, dual knife fencing, and the integration of various techniques. The book also differentiates between using a knife and a dagger in traditional fencing, enhancing the reader's knowledge and understanding.

The book offers a glimpse into Italian knife fencing tournaments and recreates historical duels from 19th-century Italy, adding further depth and colour to the reader's understanding. The famed Arditi, Italian assault troops from WWI, are also given spotlight, detailing their unique knife techniques.

The book also delves into practical aspects of knife fencing, discussing safety measures, protective gear, and training environments. It suggests adaptations of knife fencing skills to other fighting styles and outlines the challenges of knife self-defence in real-world scenarios. Lastly, it suggests supplemental training regimens to improve overall fitness and performance.

The book serves as a comprehensive guide for anyone interested in the martial tradition of Italian knife fencing – from historical enthusiasts and scholars to martial artists and self-defence practitioners.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Giovanni Ricco
• Release date: Jun 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215216927

Giovanni Ricco

Giovanni is an instructor at the Culham Historical Fencing and Mixed Martial Arts Club (CSSA) in the UK with a diverse martial arts background. He began his martial arts training in 1991 with Japanese Karate (kumite) and later moved on to Kickboxing for six years and then Muay Thai for four years, participating in amateur competitions. In 1999, he was introduced to Medieval and Renaissance fencing by his master of Italian historical fencing and started training in the manual of Fiore de Liberi and Marozzo. He also joined a group that trained in ancient Olympic boxing (Pygmachia), wrestling (Pale), the ancient mixed martial art of Pankration, and gladiatura in an experimental archaeology style (Arsdimicandi).In 2000, Giovanni received his first qualification as an Instructor of Medieval Fencing, followed by a second one in Renaissance Fencing (IRSAST). He taught his first class in southern Italy before receiving his qualification. He also received a qualification as an instructor of modern Pankration (Athlima) and taught his first class of bare-hand fighting in northern Italy (Venice). Along with his students in both northern and southern Italy, Giovanni participated in historical tournaments and battles. He later moved to South Milan and opened two classes in bare-hand fighting and fencing. In 2013, he received a qualification as a mixed martial arts instructor (FIGMMA).Giovanni further broadened his skills by joining a local club of defensive and dynamic shooting with firearms, participating in competitions. In 2018, he moved to China for work and continued to have students in all of his disciplines, including boxing. After moving to England, he joined a local historical fencing school in Wiltshire and then the Hema Fencing school in Oxford (OSS) and a Brazilian Ju Jitsu school to improve his wrestling skills. In 2022, Giovanni had his martial arts qualifications validated by the British Martial Arts and Boxing Association (BMABA).

Book preview

Italian Knife Fencing

The Art, the Tradition, The Technique

Published by Giovanni Ricco

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© Copyright 2023 Giovanni Ricco

[e-mail]

Content

Introduction

The South Italian Context and the Tradition of Knife Fencing

1.1 Limited Government Influence in the South

1.2 Duelling as a Social Ritual

1.3 The Elegance and Deception of Knife Fencing Styles

1.4 The Fatal Consequences of the Duel

1.5 The Legacy of Italian Knife Fencing

The Art and Tradition of Italian Knife Duels: Honouring Bravery and Skill in the Face of Mortal Danger

Key Elements of Traditional Italian Knife Fencing

A Look at 20th Century Italian Duelling Knives

Solid Blade Knife

Foldable Knife

Switchblade Knife

The Didactic Purpose of Italian Traditional Knife Fighting: Developing a Solid Foundation for Personal Growth in Short Blade Fencing

The Offensive Guard: Right Foot Forward and Right Arm Forward

The Defensive Guard: Left Leg Forward and Left Arm Forward

The Hybrid Guard: Right Foot Forward and Left-Hand Forward

Mastering the Art of Short Blade Fencing: Techniques for Maximizing Reach, Mobility, and Speed

Understanding Lethal and Significant Wounds

The Age of the Knife Fencer: Adapting Techniques and Strategies with Age

Types of Fighters in Knife Fencing: Aggressive and Defensive

Mastering the Art of Short Blade Fencing: Techniques for Maximizing Reach, Mobility, and Speed

The following list describes six possible ways to hold a knife with the tip pointed upward

The following list describes two possible ways to hold a knife with the tip pointed downward

Maximizing Reach, Mobility, and Speed through Stance and Movement

Exploring Three Main Guards

The First Guard - Focus on the Armed Hand

The Second Guard - Focus on the Unarmed Hand

The Third Guard - Versatility and Adaptability

Jacket-Assisted Techniques in Italian Traditional Knife Fencing

The Arditi Guard

Dual Knife Fencing

Integrating Various Techniques

Understanding the Differences Between Knife and Dagger in Italian Traditional Knife Fencing

Complementary Exercises for Developing Specific Skills

Exercise 1: Unarmed Hand Engagement and Elbow Défense

Exercise 2: Rope-Tied Close Combat Training

Tournament Types in Traditional Italian Knife Fencing

Type 1: Lethal Hit Focused Tournament

Type 2: Points-Based Tournament with Lethal Hit Priority

Five Knife Fencing Duels in 19th Century Italy: Techniques and Context

The Arditi: Italian Assault Troops of the First World War and their Knife Techniques

Adapting and Confusing the Opponent in Italian Traditional Knife Fencing

Adaptive Techniques for Confusion

Handling Aggressive Opponents

Targeting Limbs

Maintaining Focus on Lethal Wounds

The Challenges of Knife Self-Defence in Real-Life Scenarios

Adapting Knife Fencing Skills to Other Fighting Styles

Safety

Protective Gear

Training Environment

Communication and Conduct

Additional Safety Considerations

Environment

Open

Controlled

Constrained

Other useful Trainings

Workout Plan

Running

Inline Skating

Kayaking

Climbing

Appendix

Giovanni’s Martial Arts background

Martial Arts Injuries

Introduction

In the annals of martial arts history, the story of Italian traditional knife fencing is a captivating tale of skill, honour, and cultural heritage. This book aims to delve into the rich world of this fascinating martial art, shedding light on its historical context, general rules and environment, techniques, exercises, and the real-life duels that took place in the past. Furthermore, it will explore the influence of these knife fencing styles on the World War I knife combat techniques employed by the special Italian forces on the Alps. By the end of this book, the reader will gain a comprehensive understanding of Italian traditional knife fencing and, with proper practice, be able to enjoy this martial art safely.

While the primary focus of this book is on the art of Italian traditional knife fencing, it is essential to clarify that the techniques discussed herein are not meant for self-defence. The origin of this martial art lies in regulated duels between common people who sought to resolve disputes in a controlled, honourable manner. These duels were conducted with a certain code of conduct and were as much a display of skill and sportsmanship as they were a means to settle conflicts.

In these duels, the participants had ample space and time to showcase their prowess, making the outcome of the fight as fair as possible. Actions such as striking an opponent from behind or resorting to any unfair tactics were considered dishonourable and worse than losing the fight itself. It is within this unique framework that Italian traditional knife fencing evolved and flourished, producing a wealth of techniques, strategies, and stories that have been passed down through generations.

The historical context of Italian traditional knife fencing is crucial to understanding its development and unique characteristics. In this book, we will delve into the social, political, and cultural factors that contributed to the emergence of this martial art, exploring the role it played in the everyday lives of those who practiced it. By examining the historical roots of Italian traditional knife fencing, we can better appreciate the values and principles that underpin its practice.

The rules and environment of Italian traditional knife fencing form the backbone of its practice, establishing a framework within which practitioners can hone their skills and engage in duels with honour and sportsmanship. In this book, we will discuss the general rules that governed these duels, including the types of weapons used, the attire of the participants, and the protocols that ensured a fair and honourable contest. We will also provide insights into the unique environments in which these duels took place, from urban settings to the rugged landscapes of the Italian countryside.

Techniques and exercises are the lifeblood of any martial art, and Italian traditional knife fencing is no exception. This book will provide a detailed exploration of the various techniques that make up this martial art, from basic strikes and parries to more advanced manoeuvres