Schedule Page

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Fundamentals of the Navaja Sevillana

Master Class

ROOM:  TBA

INSTRUCTOR:  James Loriega

 

(Special Note:  To accommodate demand, this class will be offered twice.  Please check the schedule for details.)

 

DESCRIPTION: 

Intro to Navaja Sevillana

The instructional objective of the Basic Navaja Sevillana workshop is to provide participants with a practical overview of the cultural knife arts of Andalusian Spain. The weapon that will be focused on is the navaja sevillana, a folding clasp-knife whose blade is believed to be the inspiration for the bowie knife that evolved in the American Southwest (a region originally populated by Spanish colonists). Participants will be exposed to a hands-on familiarity with a dozen variations of Spanish fighting knives, including navajas (clasp-knives), puņales (stiletti), and salvavirgo (chastity knives). They will also learn the tactical rudiments of tirar la navaja, the methods of knife-play that evolved in Spain, including grips, guards, basic attacks, basic counter, and dexterity drills. 

NOTE: Practice navajas will be provided for the class.  There will also be wooden trainers and navaja books available for purchase.

 

Workshop Breakdown

1. Introduction to the Navaja
A. Original dimensions
B. Qualities:
     i. Combat versatility
    ii. Portability
C. Modern navajas
D. Comparison of the navaja to the Bowie

 

2. Nomenclature and Weapons Familiarization
A. Navaja (clasp-knife)
B. Sevillana (fighting clasp-knife)
C. Puņal (stiletto)
D. Salvavirgo (chastity knife)

 

3. Grips
A. Saber
B. Foil
C. Mediterranean
D. Inverted

 

4. Guard Positions
A. Traditional Guard
B. Open Guard
C. Closed Guard
     Drill: Open to Closed Guard

5. Basic Slashing Techniques
A. Jabeque
B. San Andres
C. Plumada
D. Reves
E. Puntazo
    Drills: Five Slashes; Sevillian Star

 

6. Basic Thrusting Techniques
A. Viaje
B. Punta Mandritta
C. Punta Reversa
D. Matador's Thrust
     Drill: Counters to Viaje

 

7. Basic Counter-Thrusting Techniques
A. Estocada
B. Cuadrada
C. Floretazao
     Drills: Applications against Thrust to Throat

 

8. Basic Footwork and Applications
A. Jiro
B. Contrajiro
     Drills: Applications against Thrust to Throat

 

 

 

Advanced Navaja Sevillana

Description: 

The instructional objective of the Advanced Navaja Sevillana workshop is to build dexterity in the use of the navaja, and to develop the skills needed to counter a similarly-armed opponent.

The workshop will focus on navaja handling methods, responding properly to threats, and unarmed counters to the navaja.  A final topic will present some of the dueling methods used with the navaja, including the well-known gypsy style.

 

NOTE: Participants should bring a medium-sized bath towel for the Capa y Daga portion of the workshop.  Practice navajas will be provided for the class.  There will also be wooden trainers and navaja books available for purchase.

 

Workshop Breakdown

1. Knife Dexterity Drills

A. Grip changes
B. Edge orientation changes

 

2. Cambios de Mano (Foisting the Knife)
A. Slash to thrust
C. Thrust to slash

 

3. Mano Siniestra (Training the Off Hand)
A. Countering a viaje

B. Countering an atravesada

C. Countering a metisaca

 

4. Capa y Daga (Basic Cloak and Navaja Techniques)
A. Guard positions
B. Strategies

C. Tactics

 

5. A Mano Limpia (Defenses against Edged Weapons)
A. Jacket

B. Kicking
C. Empty hands

 

6. Dueling with Navajas
A. Baratero style

B. Gypsy style

C. Formal style

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