THE SICILIAN BLADE book Summary (By Vito Quatrochi) [1993]

The Sicilian Blade: The Art of Sicilian Stiletto Fighting by Vito Quattrocchi, published in 1993 is a compact yet intense manual on traditional Sicilian knife combat. 

The book delves into the philosophy, techniques, and cultural roots of stiletto fighting, emphasizing both physical skill and mental discipline.

History : (Pg #12-18)

# Stiletto fighting is the embodiment of Sicilian masculinity. It takes eyeball-to eyeball contact (en Quattrochi) total commitment to the task at hand to kill your enemy.

That takes courage, skill and an understanding of your enemy's weakness.

# The "art of the Mulletos" is the Sicilian knife fighting.

# The Old world traditions are taught the boys, the Code of Honor & Manhood-- never to accept any insult to one's self or one's family. For to do so would bring dishonor to your manhood and shame to your family.

# The Stiletto is a long blade with a cross-guard for finger protection. It is an offspring to the Rapier sword which was used in Italy and most of the Europe in the 1600's.

# The 1700-1800's era saw a short dagger, called Muletto, also called Stiletto.

# By the end of WW-I (1914-18), it changed to pocket-sized.

# The Sicilian masculine code holds that a man must protect himself and his possessions by his own personal influence and courage regardless of the law's authority. Other qualities necessary are ruthless courage, self-assertive exhibitionism, rugged individualism, deeply religious, extremely conservative.

# The Sicilian man must be respected and revered, dresses with care, generous to his close ones. As a public figure, he must stand for order. When forced with a real insult or strong opposition outside family, he resorts to the Stilleto duel, which must be done with style and panache.

This duel always had a function of prestige, authority and power.

The Sicilian Stiletto : (Pg #19)

Tot. length -- 9"

Blade length-- 5"

Stiletto Fighting : (Pg #25-40)

# 2 types-- Honorable duel, self defense.

# Kill targets-- hands, chest cavity, neck, lower stomach, under the arms, face.

Strategy : (Pg #42-57)

# When facing enemy, be sure to straight into his eyes. It intimidates him and through peripheral vision, you are able to catch all of their movements.

# Sparring to develop speed and understanding of movements. Sparring with nail-files to imitae dagger, develop aggression.

# Cloak-and-Dagger technique to catch opponent's knife in coat and then stabbing him.

# Snap-out the knife from pocket, already opened, by keeping the tip already protruding.

Defensive Objects : (Pg #58-69)

# Bar stool, broomstick, garbage can lid, rolled mags, kicks (straight, side, spinning back kick), improvised body armor (magazines).

# Most vulnerable areas of body--

Throat, wrist, stomach and kidneys, groin, heart and lungs, hands.

Indraga Mano/ Hidden-hand Techniques : (Pg #70-75)

Stiletto hidden up the back of hand, up the rolled-up mags

Mental Strategy : (Pg #76-82)

# Believe in yourself and your skill with Stiletto

# Show strong fighting stance with confidence, to attack

# Start taunting, insulting and goading the attacker, hold your ground. It deters the attacker.

# If still the attacker attacks, see eyeball-to-eyeball, hold your stance and attack him with the purpose of killing

# Don't hesitate and initiate the violence immediately , to direct the flow of fight

# Attack with vigor, think of your honor, call your inner strength and have no fear.

# The best defense is to stay away from shady areas, try to avoid confrontation.

 
Thank you for Reading !!