Learn Cool Sword Spins with World Champion Jewelianna Ramos Ortiz
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Slash Cut·Oss TV
Have you ever wanted to learn cool sword spins?? Jewelianna Ramos-Ortiz is a World Champion Sword Woman and she loves to…
Slash Cut
Genusスラッシュ斬り(Surasshu Kiri)
HybridTranslation: slash cut
Overview
The Slash Cut is a broad, sweeping knife action that draws the blade edge across the target in a horizontal or diagonal arc, maximising the length of the cutting surface in contact with the target. [1] Unlike a chop, which relies on impact force, the slash uses a pulling or pushing motion to let the blade's edge do the work, making it effective even with moderate force. [1],[2] In Filipino martial arts the slash is a primary offensive tool, often targeting the forearm, hand, or neck. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Slashing techniques are among the most intuitive knife actions and have been documented in Filipino martial arts, European dagger manuscripts, and modern combatives curricula. [1] The slash's effectiveness against unarmoured targets made it a staple of street and battlefield knife use across cultures. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
The slash cut is a fast, sweeping cut that prioritises speed over power, useful for targeting exposed areas quickly. [1]
Lineage
Slashing cuts were part of classical kenjutsu technique, with different schools emphasising different cutting mechanics. [1]
Competition Record
Slash cuts are demonstrated in koryū embu and performed in tameshigiri competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Cutting, thrusting, or striking with a bladed weapon — edge alignment and trajectory determine cutting effectiveness
Joints Involved — Wrists (edge alignment and rotation), elbows (extension for thrusts, chambering for cuts), shoulders (arc of the cut), hips (power generation)
Force Vector — Varies — downward diagonal cut (kesa-giri), horizontal cut (yoko-giri), thrust (tsuki), or rising cut (kiri-age)
Weapon Mechanic — Edge alignment (hasuji) is critical — the blade must travel along its cutting plane for effective cuts
Position & Entry
From ready stance (chudan-no-kamae or equivalent) — Assume guard position, establish distance (ma-ai), execute the cut or thrust when an opening appears
From engagement distance — Use footwork to close to striking range, execute the technique with proper edge alignment (hasuji)
As counter — Wait for the opponent's attack, deflect or avoid, and counter-cut to the exposed target
Variants
Standard cut — primary cutting angle from the ready stance
Thrust (tsuki) — straight thrust targeting the throat, chest, or face
Rising cut (kiri-age) — upward diagonal cut from low to high
Diagonal cut (kesa-giri) — downward diagonal cut following the kimono line
Videos
16.2 Drill your Thrust & Slash movements (Pakal) | Filipino Martial Arts Flow Part 4
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Slash Cut·iKali TV
Work on your thrust and slash! Learn the concept of thrust and slash with Apolo Ladra, founder of iKali, Wika Sports,…
How to Cut With a Rapier - Learning Sword Fighting
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Slash Cut·Blood and Iron HEMA
Cutting with a rapier is quite different than say a longsword or a broadsword. It requires a slicing component, which re…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The slash cut is a fundamental striking technique taught across multiple weapon systems, with instructors emphasizing different contexts and mechanics. Oss TV (Jewelianna Ramos Ortiz) demonstrates slash cuts as part of sword spinning combinations, teaching the technique as a chambered finishing movement after spinning low and overhead blocks, executed by hinging the hips forward while driving the blade diagonally across the target. iKali TV presents slash cuts within Filipino martial arts drills, establishing the slash as a complementary counterpart to thrusts—when a thrust cannot be executed from a given body position, the practitioner shifts mechanics to generate a slash instead, with hand positioning (palm side or thumb contact against the body) determining the cut's path and preventing rigidity in flow. Blood and Iron HEMA (Nicole Smith, Jillian Schutze) contextualizes rapier cuts as tactical alternatives when the point is driven offline and disengagement would be inefficient, emphasizing that cuts function as slicing motions rather than percussive hacks, requiring closer measure than thrusts and demanding consistent edge alignment through the blade's travel. All three instructors agree on the importance of proper body mechanics—hip rotation for power generation—and follow-through for effective cutting. Where they diverge is in weapon type and primary application: Oss TV emphasizes spinning transitions and chamber positioning, iKali TV stresses positional adaptability and continuous flow, and Blood and Iron HEMA prioritizes tactical decision-making and slicing mechanics over percussive strikes.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Oss TV — Learn Cool Sword Spins with World Champion Jewelianna Ramos Ortiz: Demonstrates slash cut as a finishing movement in spinning combinations, emphasizing hip hinge, blade rotation, and diagonal trajectory following spinning blocks.
- iKali TV — 16.2 Drill your Thrust & Slash movements (Pakal) | Filipino Martial Arts Flow Part 4: Teaches slash cuts as alternates to thrusts when body position prevents thrusting, stressing hand placement mechanics and maintaining continuous flow without rigidity during transitions.
- Blood and Iron HEMA — How to Cut With a Rapier - Learning Sword Fighting: Explains rapier slash cuts as tactical slicing techniques (not percussive hacks) used when the point is offline, requiring closer measure, edge alignment maintenance, and practiced follow-through for effectiveness.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
9
Extreme9/10
Knives and short blades are the most common weapon in real-world assaults; high lethality
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
WEKAF — Legal in padded stick competition {srcHEMA — Legal in applicable weapon categories {src
Training Notes
✓The slash cut delivers the blade edge in a forehand diagonal or horizontal arc — the most natural and powerful knife cutting technique (Amberger, The Secret History of the Sword, 1999)
✓The slash uses the same mechanics as a forehand strike in boxing — the body rotates, the arm extends, and the wrist snaps the blade through the target
✓The slash targets the forearm, bicep, neck, and thigh — areas where tendons and blood vessels are close to the surface
✓Proper slash technique pulls the blade through the target rather than simply hitting with the edge — this 'draw' effect maximises cutting damage
✓The forehand slash is typically delivered from the outside angle — stepping to the opponent's weapon side while cutting across their centre line
✓The slash can be delivered at multiple heights: high (neck), middle (arm), and low (thigh) — varying the level prevents the opponent from anticipating
✓The slash integrates naturally with boxing combinations — it can follow a jab or cross, adding the blade to an existing striking pattern
Common Mistakes
!Hitting with the edge rather than drawing through — the slash must have a pulling component to cut effectively
!Swinging too wide — a wide slash telegraphs the attack and leaves the defender open to counter-thrusts
!Not using body rotation — the slash derives power from hip rotation; arm-only slashes are slow and weak
!Cutting at only one level — vary between high, middle, and low slashes to prevent the opponent from defending a single level
!Over-extending on the slash — maintain balance; the cutting arm must be able to retract quickly
!Not following up — the slash should be part of a combination, not a single isolated technique
!Ignoring the retraction — the arm must come back after the slash to protect against counter-attacks
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Ready Position — assume the guard stance appropriate for the weapon
2Distance Control — manage spacing relative to the opponent
3Execute Technique — perform the offensive or defensive action with correct form
4Return to Guard — recover to a defensive ready position
Sources & References
Primary Source
Bubishi: The Classic Manual of Combat (Patrick McCarthy, 2008)
1BookFilipino Martial Arts (Inosanto, 1980)
Alias sources — [1] Filipino Martial Arts (Wiley, 1994) [2] Hoplology (Burton, 1884) [3] Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Draeger & Smith, 1969)
2BookThe Complete Book of Knife Fighting (Cassidy, 1997)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Classical Bujutsu (Draeger, 1973)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology
Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords
4CitationFilipino Martial Arts (Inosanto, 1980)
Alias sources — [1] Filipino Martial Arts (Wiley, 1994) [2] Hoplology (Burton, 1884) [3] Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Draeger & Smith, 1969)
5CitationThe Complete Book of Knife Fighting (Cassidy, 1997)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Classical Bujutsu (Draeger, 1973)
Community
Athletics
Requires
wrist control for edge alignment, grip endurance, footwork precision
Favours
quick wrists, strong forearms, good posture
Key muscles
forearm extensors/flexors, deltoids, core, calves
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are false edge cuts weaker than true edge cuts?
False edge cuts are inherently weaker because it's harder to keep consistent pressure throughout the cut. However, if you have enough percussive force on the blade and enough travel time, you can still make them effective.
Should I step forward or pivot when executing a slash cut?
Pivoting around your opponent's leg and drawing through is more effective than stepping forward and pulling back, which creates awkward positioning and compromises edge alignment.
How do I maintain continuous flow between thrust and slash movements?
Keep moving through your technique instead of stopping between movements—thrust, slash, thrust, slash—so you don't become rigid and break your flow.
How does the Slash Cut work?
The Slash Cut is a broad, sweeping knife action that draws the blade edge across the target in a horizontal or diagonal arc, maximising the length of the cutting surface in contact with the target. Unlike a chop, which relies on impact force, the slash uses a pulling or pushing motion to let the blade's edge do the work, making it effective even with moderate force.
Where does the Slash Cut come from?
Slashing techniques are among the most intuitive knife actions and have been documented in Filipino martial arts, European dagger manuscripts, and modern combatives curricula. The slash's effectiveness against unarmoured targets made it a staple of street and battlefield knife use across cultures.
Is the Slash Cut legal in competition?
WEKAF: legal — Legal in padded stick competition; HEMA: legal — Legal in applicable weapon categories
How dangerous is the Slash Cut?
Danger rating 9/10. Extreme — knives and short blades are the most common weapon in real-world assaults; high lethality
How do I set up the Slash Cut?
The standard setup chain: Ready Position → Distance Control → Execute Technique → Return to Guard.
How do I defend against the Slash Cut?
Standard counters include: Parry (Absetzen) — deflect the incoming blade with a counter-displacement / Void (Step Back) — withdraw from measure to avoid the cutting arc / Counter-Cut (Nachreisen) — strike into the opponent's opening during their attack.
What are the variants of the Slash Cut?
Common variants: Standard cut (primary cutting angle from the ready stance); Thrust (tsuki) (straight thrust targeting the throat, chest, or face); Rising cut (kiri-age) (upward diagonal cut from low to high); Diagonal cut (kesa-giri) (downward diagonal cut following the kimono line).
How effective is the Slash Cut in competition?
Slash cuts are demonstrated in koryū embu and performed in tameshigiri competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Slash Cut?
Top errors to watch for: Hitting with the edge rather than drawing through — the slash must have a pulling component to cut effectively / Swinging too wide — a wide slash telegraphs the attack and leaves the defender open to counter-thrusts / Not using body rotation — the slash derives power from hip rotation; arm-only slashes are slow and weak / Cutting at only one level — vary between high, middle, and low slashes to prevent the opponent from defending a singl….
What are other names for the Slash Cut?
The Slash Cut is also known as Surasshu Kiri, Taga Pahilis, Diagonal Slash, Forehand Knife Cut.