The Ving Chun Kuen "Baat Jaam Dou" (Eight Cutting Broadswords)

Today there are few if any opportunities that warrant knowledge of weapons like the Baat Jaam Dou, but training with this weapon also serves the dual purpose of refining empty hand abilities. If and when a student is ready to learn the Eight Cutting Broadswords, it is not taught principally to develop a fighting ability with the weapon, but rather to heighten already seasoned open hand skills. Traditionally the Baat Jaam Dou was reserved only for students close to completing their formal training; this is due to the fact that skill with the double knives is directly linked to an advanced ability in the empty hand techniques. It is said that if the open hand techniques are good then the knives will also be good. If a student trains before he/she is ready then the knives will not be properly learned, and consequentially advancement of open hand usage will be adversely influenced. What is true though is that if you train correctly, the Baat Cham Dou will greatly improve the students closing style abilities and the over all timing of open hand actions. The Eight Cutting Broadswords movements and usage is nearly identical to open hand moves, without a through background in the Ving Chun hand techniques there would be little purpose in learning this deceptively complicated weapon.

Baat Jaam Dou training begins with learning the eight basic movements; these are further combined and trained as moving lines. Thus the eight individual techniques are combined into separate combinations. At this stage correct structure and timing are emphasized. Free style lines of techniques are also practiced, further engendering natural execution of all the basic techniques.

These eight basic techniques are:

1. Stabbing
2. Chopping
3. Block and cut
4. Double block
5. Deflection
6. Deflection forward
7. Stopping
8. Deflect out and stab

The eight basic actions serve to introduce the fundamental form, usage and fighting concepts of the Baat Jaam Dou. Also practiced here are arm strengthening exercises done with heavy weight Baat Jaam Dou. The training is conducted slowly, building a strong foundation over long months of practicing only the basic movements.

Baat Jaam Dou is about timing, speed and courage. It is meant to swiftly kill the enemy with a two handed simultaneous action. The target is the opponents weapon hand and there bodies vital regions. Hand to hand fighting is considered gambling; fighting with Baat Jaam Dou is a kind of suicide, you must become like someone unafraid to die. To succeed you cannot fear for your life, this is a special attitude, a killing mind, a mind of war.

The Baat Jaam Dou are almost entirely dependent on the sharpened edge of the blade for power. What matters here is not the body’s physical power but instead technique and position, the structure of the Baat Jaam Dou is concerned with maintaining and attacking with the knife-edge and point. Footwork is also modified in knife training, using a special way of stepping forward and moving sideways. This is of course done in conjunction with a standard simultaneous attack and defense knife action. This places the body safely behind our knife actions, providing maximum protection from being cut or stabbed by the enemy.

Knife training with a partner begins by defending and initiating attacks against the Luk Dim Boon Kwan, this includes single and double-sided pole attacks. Each of the basic techniques are brought into play, the student must rely on correct footwork and knife holding structure to respond effectively against full power pole attacks. This style of training also develops double to single knife fighting, always conscious of not being on the facing angle of the enemy’s weapon. The double knife vs. double knife training is reserved for the advanced level training, here courage, timing and speed are all important. Techniques here are almost exclusively on the opponents outside line. The safest method of training this is to use rolled up magazines as mock Baat Jaam Dou, this prevented serious injury but not serious bruising.

As with all martial arts the highest levels of skill are measured by the practitioner’s natural, instinctive ability. On this lofty level of mastery what can appear to be a simple action, is in reality founded on decades of training and experience. With the Baat Jaam Dou it is no different. The knife techniques are a specialized way of using the open hand actions, without that background there is no Baat Jaam Dou.