Baguazhang Deer Horn
Knives
By Erle Montaigue
2003-01-16
Photo No. A. The Weapon.
Probably
the most deadly of all of the short weapons, the ‘Deerhorn Knives’ from Baguazhang
are normally used against longer weapons such as spear, sword, broadsword etc.
It would be a bit of over-kill using them against an empty hand attack.
These
knives are so deadly, that there is the slight chance that one might even stab
oneself! So it is imperative that one learns the Deer Horn Form set in order to
learn exactly how to wield these beautiful knives.
During the
form we not only learn the postures of the form, but also at a sub-conscious
level, how to move the body in perfect harmony with the hands and wrists and
arms so that we do not do ourselves any damage as there are five cutting edges
and four points to use in attack and defence!
There are
many names for these knives, ‘Deerhorn’ being the most common. However, ‘double
moon shape knives’ is also used normally when the cutting knives are of equal
length. The more classical of the knives has one half of the knives longer than
the others and when one puts them together, they resemble deer horns. Another
name when only 3 points are present is ‘Mandarin Duck’ knives. ‘Sun and Moon’
knives is another name.
In modern
times as with much of the classical Baguazhang forms, the Deerhorn form has
changed to represent the tournaments so that the form will adhere to the rules
of these Wushu tournaments. Hence, you will see forms whereby the practitioner
will move out of the circle or even not use a Bagua circle for the form. The
form that I have been taught still makes use of the Bagua circle and movements
and postures are all done with reference to that circle as in the Classical
Bagua empty hand form.
‘Slashing’
‘cutting’ ‘slicing’ ‘de-boning’ ‘rising’ ‘dropping’ ‘leaping’ ‘axe’ ‘ice-pick’ ‘stabbing’
to name only a few are all attacking methods used in this form.
Unlike the
Bagua empty hand circular form, the Deerhorn form will often move to the centre
of the circle, or even cut across the circle to the other side. These movements
were a way of combining both circular and linear movements rather than having
separate forms as for the empty hand forms.
Blocking
weapons using the weapon is a joy, a quick block and a flick of the wrist and
his weapon is out of his hands with the other knife killing as this is
happening. You can use single handed methods or use both knives together when
fighting against perhaps a very strong attacker with a broadsword or spear.
On a health
note, this form is excellent as it works every acupuncture meridian in the
body, twists the waist and gives great flexibility as well as an excellent
total body work out. In other words, you really know that you have practiced a
form! Some of the movements are not
perhaps for those who for instance have damaged hips or knees or if the new
student is perhaps not that young. However, when these movements arise,
alternative movements are always given so that damage is not done. I remember
when I learnt this form when I wore a much younger man’s clothes, I could not
walk then next day and going to the toilet was not a happy occasion as it
became very difficult to even sit down. But then I do tend to over-do things
that I become passionate about.
Photo No. 1 shows the classic ‘Duck Lands on Water’ posture.
The ‘Sleeves Dancing’ posture which goes into ‘Examining the Tree’s Roots’ is one that I personally love doing, however, it is not advisable to do this straight away without warming up when you are just beginning. It involves a leap into the air turning in mid-air and landing in the classic ‘snake creeps down’ posture (I have used a Taijiquan posture name here as most people are aware of this posture). See Photos No. 3, 4, and 5.
Just to give you an idea of an application, an attacker perhaps attacks using a straight lunge with a long edged weapon, you might take his weapon away using the front end of your left hand knife as you step behind and cut his neck with your right weapon.. Photo No. 6.
Then, as Bagua is the ‘art of over-kill’ you would spin around with great force cut his head off from behind! Photo No. 7.
As with the
Classical Bagua Circular form, the Deer Horn form also has 8 parts beginning
with some relatively simple knife changes and building to one of the most
complicated changes of all with the 8th Knife change. Most people,
who have no difficulty in learning the empty hand forms, will always say that
learning this form is difficult. However, the rewards both in health and self
defence are great, as it not only teaches you to use these weapons, but also
will enhance your empty hand forms greatly. Unfortunately in most civilized countries,
it is illegal to carry this weapon. And in my country