An instruction book for the non-specialist general reader in the basic techniques of fighting with knives

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	• Manual Of The Baratero: The Art of Handling the Navaja, the Knife, and the Scissors of the Gypsies Paladin Press, 2005 - 176 pages average customer review:based on 6 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

An instruction book for the non-specialist general reader in the basic techniques of fighting with knives

James Loriega is a master at the arts of fighting with a steel blade. His translation from the original Spanish of the Manual Of The Baratero Or The Art Of Handling The Navaja, The Knife, And The Scissors Of The Gypsies is an instruction book for the non-specialist general reader in the basic techniques of fighting with knives which was originally published in Madrid, Spain, in 1849. There are occasional woodblock illustrations but they are decorative, not instructional. It is the text itself that provides an informed and informative "how to" manual for defending against attackers or robbers with a blade in your hand. A long recognized and appreciated contribution to Spain's historic martial arts culture, Manual Of The Baratero has never before been available to English readers. Here is an invaluable and enduringly impressive addition to personal and professional reference collections for historians, edged-weapons enthusiasts, and students of diverse martial arts legacies from around the world.

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A True Gem of a Book

Once in a blue moon a true gem of a knife-fighting book appears on the market, and James Loriega's translation of this cult classic certainly fits that bill. For years, I've heard of the Manual Del Baratero in hushed tones as if it contained the "Holy Grail" of knife-fighting secrets. (Usually by knife instructors who not only could not read Spanish but certainly had no clue as to the idioms of the language 150 years ago. ) The fact that the author chose to attach only his initials-M.d. R.-to this work added yet another level of mystery.

Loriega spent 20 years searching for this book and finally obtained a copy from a navaja collector in Madrid. Being fluent in modern Spanish, he began researching the nuances of that language in mid-19th century Spain before producing his translation. In doing so, he has dispelled the mystery.

The bottom line: Baratero itself contains both useful and nonsensical information. Many of the techniques described by M.d. R. (Mariano de Rementeria y Fica -- a prolific manual-writer of the era but not a knife-fighter himself) are sound while others are downright silly. You might compare it to our own Wild West dime novelists who wrote about Wyatt Earp or Wild Bill Hickock. They got some of it right and some of it wrong, and were at the mercy of their subjects when it came to separating the truth from tall tales.

So why do I call Loriega's translation a true gem? Because he is a knife-fighter, and he has added footnotes and Translator's Comments to each chapter in order to point out "the good, the bad, and the ugly." The overall package is true gold, and I suspect I'll reread it many times, high-lighting parts and adding notes to the margin, like I did Loriega's earlier navaja book, Sevillian Steel.

And lest I forget, the Foreword is by Maestro Ramon Martinez, another true blademaster who understands the difference between reality, sport and downright foolishness.

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An Essential Reference for the Scholar of Arms

For the student of Western martial arts and the scholar of arms, the "Manual of the Baratero" is an essential reference. Originally published in 1849, this is an English translation of that manual - the first half of the book being the translation, and the last half of the book containing the original Spanish text.

Manual of the Baratero is not a beginner's book designed for those looking to learn a couple of knife fighting tricks. It is a manual for the true scholar of arms, for one who already has a strong foundation in the basic techniques. Having a practical understanding of such things as the Spanish Circle is essential to understanding the secrets hidden in the Manual of the Baratero.

There are four main sections to the book, followed by the Spanish version and appendices:

Section 1 - Instruction on the Navaja
Section 2 - Various Tactics Performed When Fighting with the Navaja
Section 3 - The Proper Way to Handle the Cuchillo
Section 4 - The Way the Gypsies Handle the Scissors

In this text are hidden gems to be found by the scholar of arms.

Highly Recommended!

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Mandatory read for all knife enthusiasts

Any serious scholar of the knife has undoubtedly heard of the "Manual del Baratero." However, while many have heard of it, few details have been available in regard to what exactly is contained within those ancient pages. Every once in a while whispers in the wind could be heard, hinting at its content. It was said to be a mid-19th century text written by the mysterious M.d.R. The techniques and tactics were supposed to be based on the use of the navaja, a large Spanish folding knife. Partial manuscripts and even rough (and not highly regarded) translations would occasionally appear, yet always the "Manual del Baratero" was shrouded in mystery from the English speaking world.

Thankfully, author and martial arts expert James Loriega has removed the veil of secrecy and published the first official translation of the manual in English. Upon reviewing Mr. Loriega's credentials, it is quite clear that he is the right man for the job. A fluent Spanish speaker, Loriega is also a scholar of old Spanish dialect and literature. Translations are never an easy task, and this is all the more true when dealing with centuries old texts. Loriega spent years translating, proofreading, and critiquing his work before he was satisfied enough to take the finished product to the publisher. Continuing with the theme of scholastic honesty, a transcription of the original Spanish is included for anyone who wishes to check the translation themselves. However, the most impressive aspect of Loriega's background is his martial arts training. An expert in Filipino and Japanese bladed arts, Loriega also had the unique privilege to train with one of the few surviving and authentic teachers of the knife in Spain. Throughout the 1990's Loriega traveled to Seville, Spain, to train under Don Santiago Rivera, an instructor in the use of the navaja and other traditional Spanish weaponry. It is this expertise that Loriega brought with him when he set out to complete his translation of the "Manual del Baratero."

Starting with some brief background information on the navaja and the regions of Spain where the navaja and all its variants may be found, the manual then presents thirty short lessons on various aspects of knife fighting. As with all Western knife arts, much of the navaja techniques were adapted from European fencing. A few techniques found within the book will be very familiar to students of the sword, including the passata baja, a low thrust found in both Spanish and Italian fencing. Throughout the manual, the author often compares knife fighting to the art of fencing, though as the author disparagingly points out, by this time the sword was mostly restricted for use as a tool in duels between gentlemen. The navaja, however, was a weapon intended for street survival and therefore was not restricted to gentlemanly notions of honor and etiquette. As such, the knife was not the weapon of the gentleman, but rather the commoner.

As the word baratero implies, the knife was also the preferred weapon of the street thug; one whose martial education would have been learned under the harsh tutelage of the street rather than an actual Maestro de Armas. Therefore, the manual is not structured quite as well as many of the surviving European fencing treatises. Also, while most of the tactical advice found in the manual is quite practical, some of the advice that author of the manual gives makes you wonder if he had ever actually seen combat. Loriega acknowledges this fact and discusses this in detail in the footnotes found throughout his translation. These footnotes are absolutely priceless, where Loriega covers a variety of topics, including technique analysis, alternate techniques, historical context, and more. This is where Loriega's knowledge of Spanish fighting techniques really makes the manual come alive and adds to the book's overall value.

While the knife has played a pivotal roll in European fencing going back to Medieval times, of all the known historical treatises, the "Manual del Baratero" is the only one dedicated solely to the knife. It is a fantastic, and even mandatory, resource for anyone interested in Western knife fighting. The time and effort Loriega put into this book is quite evident and the finished product is fantastic. Loriega has truly done a great service to students of the blade everywhere and I do not hesitate in recommending this book.

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An instruction book for the non-specialist general reader in the basic techniques of fighting with knives

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reviews: page 1, 2

First published anonymously in 1849 in Madrid, it has the distinction of being the oldest manual on the art of Spanish knife fighting ever published and is the only known historical text on the subject.

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