wallersteindaggerhandout.pdf

Dagger in

Codex Wallerstein

by Bart Walczak

Dijon, May 2003

Codex Wallerstein as a source of seemingly ran-

dom dagger techniques represents quite a broad

range of them, several of which are not present in

any other source known to me. I believe it is the

only one which names the thrusts with the dag-

ger and which uses the so-called French thrust.

There are 14 techniques total, 13 defensive and

1 strictly offensive (describing how to attack the

opponent).

Combatants in the Codex use long daggers

(roughly about 30-40 cm total length) with edges.

Several techniques are possible only with a long-

er dagger, which is mentioned in the text.

Dagger is held in two ways: a classic “ice-

pick”grip, where the dagger is held in a ist like

a hammer, with a point downwards, and the so-

called “sword” grip, where the dagger is held

used like the sword.

Codex relies on feints, instinctive “panic” reac-

tions of the opponent, pressure he gives with his

weapon, the way he attacks and his target.

There are three basic stances in Codex:

From the spectrum of quite advanced techniques

several basics can be extrapolated: grips and

stances, attacks and targets, defenses used. A

brief analysis of those should hopefully interest

the reader in the dagger section of the source.

1. Dagger in the ice-pick grip, both hands high,

close to the face, either leg forward. This is a

very good defensive stance. Variation of left

hand low is also possible.

2. Dagger in the ice-pick grip, laid on the right

forearm, so the blade is not visible to the op-

ponent. Both hands low. This is a provocative

stance and shows the upper openings. Right

leg forward.

3. Dagger in the “sword” grip, both hands low,

either leg forward. Sometimes the left hand is

near the face and protects the upper openings.

I would like to thank Marlon Höß-Böttger, Colin

Richards, and Robert Kostrzewa for valuable

insights, Damien Dyon for showing me what

the French thrust can be. And all with whom I

worked with in Dijon 2003.

Attacks are made to the nearest opening, and to

the foremost extensions of the body. Codex does

not target the hands, but always the initial posi-

tion of the defender dictates where the attack is

made - if the right leg is forward, then the strike is

aimed at the right side of the body, since it is the

closest part. Attacks are made with a simple step

or with a passing step.

Codex Wallerstein utilises a wide range of de-

fenses, both with left hand, and with the dagger

hand. It also shows several techniques for using

both hands together. The following material has

been rearranged, and is grouped by the defenses

used:

1. Left hand – used for interception and set-aside.

Left-hand interception is the most instinctive

defense for protecting one’s face and several

techniques make extensive use of this instinc-

tive and sometimes “panic” reaction.

2. Dagger hand – there is a defense made with

upturned dagger hand (classic “scissor lock”)

and interception of the opponent’s dagger arm

on the dagger lying on the forearm.

3. Both hands - upper and lower shield, where the

dagger is held in the “sword” grip, and the left

hand grabs the blade. Upper shield protects

against stabs, lower shield against thrusts.

There are three kinds of attacks in Codex:

1. Stab – dagger held in the “ice-pick” grip, at-

tack made with a downwards move, either

from the right diagonal, vertical, left diagonal

or even left horizontal. Targets typically in-

clude face, shoulders and breast.

2. Italian thrust – typical thrust made from below

with a sword grip. Targets usually stomach

and breast.

3. French thrust – similar to Italian thrust but

made with the long edge up. Has more reach

than the Italian one, targets usually breast or

face.

Dagger in Codex Wallerstein by Bart Walczak

Plate 43. This technique involves catching your

opponent’s right hand with your left and feinting

a stab into his face. If the opponent reacts instinc-

tively and covers his face, you should stab him

over his right arm and apply the lock on his right

armpit.

Plate 55. This technique again uses the left hand

to intercept your opponent’s strike, but this time

you strike underneath his knee and unbalance him

by pushing his hand and pulling your dagger.

Plate 52. In this technique you should redirect

your opponent’s stab with your left hand so he

stabs himself in the groin, while you can easily

stab him in the face.

Plate 56. This is quite complex technique, usable

against the opponent armed in a longer dagger. It

uses the “French Thrust” You should set aside his

attack with the outside of your left hand and then

catch his blade, turn it and apply pressure with

your own dagger on his wrist.

Dagger in Codex Wallerstein by Bart Walczak

Plate 51. This is one of the very few (if not the

only one) dagger technique which clearly tells

you only how to attack your opponent. You

should irst feint your stab to his face, and if he

moves to defend it, turn sideways to him and stab

him in his groin.

Plate 44. Here a very interested method of de-

fense is applied. It involves intercepting your op-

ponent’s stab with you dagger hand but with your

dagger lying along your arm. Then you move to

a common elbow lock. Notice the position of at-

tacker’s left leg.

Plate 45. This is again the dagger interception as

described before. Here you disarm your opponent

by turning the point of your dagger over his hand

and pulling towards yourself.

Plate 50. This simple technique involves the

dagger interception, elbow push and ankle stab

to destabilize and preferably to throw your op-

ponent.

Dagger in Codex Wallerstein by Bart Walczak

Plate 46. This is a technique commonly known

as “the scissors”. The defender intercepts oppo-

nent’s stab with upturned dagger hand and imme-

diately goes with his left hand over (or under) his

right and applies a strong pressure on the oppo-

nent’s wrist. A counter described involves letting

go the dagger and grabbing it with the left hand.

Plate 47. This technique is the irst to utilize the

“upper shield” defense against a stab. Here the

defender turns his dagger over the opponent’s

forearm which causes the attacker’s weapon to

hit his own face.

Plate 48. Again the upper shield, this time the

defender pushes his dagger behind the attacker’s

neck and drags him to the ground. Very effective

with long daggers.

Plate 49. This technique can only be done at

speed, and looks very awkward at best. After ap-

plying the upper shield, the defender is advised

to push his opponent’s arm downwards and thrust

over his arm to apply leverage.

Dagger in Codex Wallerstein by Bart Walczak

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