Bowie Knife and Boarding Actions in Edinburgh

[pmel018]

Hi Guys
a few weeks ago I had the opportunity to sign up for the above seminar hosted by my friend Paul Macdonald. I've never had a bad trip to Endinburgh so was really keen to make the trip even though it meant about seven hours in the car Eventually the details were worked out and away we went .Those of you who read Swordforums may have seen the notice http://forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?t=89099[/url]
On to training, well the hall was just off the Royal Mile and provided ample room for the course participants, who had come from all over the UK and Scandinavia. The primary instuctor was John Lennox assisted by the ever dapper Mark Donnelly


Lto R: Paul Macdonald, Mark Donnelly, John Lennox

The first morning was spent developing a sense ofthe distance and timing required to use the Bowie knife effectively, this was followed by adding the tomahawk to the mix. A weapon in each hand and changing from left to right. It all worked out quite well and some defensive work was introduced as well. Sorry no pictures of this as my photographer was off sight seeing
Before the window lickers get going, I know there is no documented method for thse weapons. and yes I asked about source materials. John was kind enough explain that he collaborates with Dwight McLemore on research and development of bowie techniques in their historical context. Dwight, as some of you may know, has written extensively about the bowie and its companion weapons.
Back to training
The afternoon and all of Sunday were taken up with an examination of techniques and weapons specially adapted to fighting on board a wooden warship. We covered cutlass, bayonet, boarding axe, half-pike and a few improvised weapons(belaying pin and slungshot)


Your truely working with Hawk and Cutlass

Practise in a confined space

Cutlass on cutlass

I might be old and fat but I can still get the job done

Working with the slungshot trainer

All in all a great weekend of training with 2 very talented guys. It was all capped off with a formal dinner on Saturday night comemorating the last duel fought by Donald McBane which took place at Holyrood Palace, about 200m from where we were training. Much haggis and many drams were consumed Followed by much IRN-BRU the next morning

Well that about it, off to Fightcamp 2008 tomorrow so will have something to say about that in due course. Will also have a weekend with the Gurkhas in about three weeks so watch this space
Still in exile
Phil Melhop

[conal]

Holy crap.

Fanatastic.

[conal]

Thank again Phil.

I think its one of the central ironies of Naval History that the ship the Victory engaged in the French Line at Trafalgar was the one that had been practising boarding for the duration of the English Blockade.

[pmel018]

Hi Conal
I am just about to leave for Fightcamp2008, 3 days of mayhem
Perhaps the French would have been better practising their gunnery
Have been down to the Victory and Mary Rose at Portsmouth, an excellent day out. Need to go again and take pics I guess
Regards
Phil