The Pommel- For those smartasses who want to get close

Weaponry is not the main focus of my training, but I do enough practice with weapons to know their limitations.

Most weapons we know- like sticks, swords and those weapons related to them can be used to deliver straight thrusting attacks, but we are used to swinging these weapons to strike.

That is all well when we have the room to do so.

I sword for instance creates a lot of safety for the one holding the hilt while the ones facing the blade have much to worry about.

Well- those who know their unarmed combat techniques will be quick to tell you that they love deling with attackers swinging weapons at them because they know a lot of responses that involve just stepping into the arc of the attack and then attack the user while he is virtually powerless at close range.

This is where the pommel of the weapon comes into play. The pommel is that part at the bottom of the hilt. In the photo of my sai here it can be seen really clearly. If you don't want to puncture your opponent, but still want to hurt him, the grip shown below can be used to thrust the pommel, instead of the sharp end into the target.

Holding the sai in a normal grip I can still strike downwards with the pommel in some instances. While the head may seem an obvious target I find that the wrist is most likely to receive blows from this side with this grip.

The tonfa has two pommels in some designs. With this modern-day plastic pair I am able to adapt a dual fist strike under the ears which I have learnt in Taijiquan to an armed blow to the same area.

The sketches I have made depict two scenarios in which the pommel of a weapon is used defensively.

In the first scenario with the katana we see an unarmed opponent intercepting the sword strike with a rising block/ arm bar. This move may or may not be followed up with a grab. Hooking the unarmed opponent's forearm with the pommel, sinking body weight and stepping back- while also turning the body to get clear from the opponent's free hand- the swordsman prepares for his counterattack.

After having made enough space with another step back he can use his blade.

The sai user here is getting his wrist grabbed by someone who wants to come in to stab with a knife. This attack is from the side. Turning from natural position to cat stance the sai user sinks his body weight and pushes down on the opponent's wrist with the pommel. With the hip-turn the sai user also closes off the opponent's free hand by putting the grabbing arm in the way. From there the opponent is open to a counterattack, which I happened to choose to be a whack against the head, just so you know that the sai is not just a stabbing weapon.


I think one can tell that somebody is trained in the use of a weapon if he is not at a disadvantage at close range. Sure- one may not be able to land hard swinging blows at close range, but one can still control the opponent.

I also know some joint locks with weapons, but really don't practice them a lot because I honestly have not seen the opportunity for them arise in any fights or tests that I have seen.

That's it about weapons from me for now.

Stay well and train hard! :)