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Hello and welcome to the Piper System web site. For updates on what’s new here check the What’s New page. Video clips in .AVI format are available on the Media page, and our blog is updated regularly [ http://blog.pipersystem.com ]. Our new Forum is at http://forum.pipersystem.com. We invite you to sign up and start talking. The general content starts below. Regards, the Piper guys.

What is the Piper System^©?

It begins with a group of martial artists training in a garage one night. I had been doing a lengthy study of criminal psychology and strategy, however I lacked a cohesive understanding of the physical tactics and weapons (knives, clubs and machetes) involved. A chance question to Nigel elicited a response which has caused something of a controversy around the world. We have studied the way criminals in our country have used knives in the commission of crimes (to mug, murder, rape and intimidate). This is the opposite side of the coin to what and why martial artists study knives. What we learned about how criminals use knives conflicted with the way martial artists view, utilise and are taught knife skills.

Many have searched for the holy grail in the blade arts, for that elusive ‘truth’ in edged weapons combat. Some feel they have found it in the training hall, they call themselves ‘knife fighters’. Others have found their truth - and are grateful to merely label themselves survivors. Then there are those who have found a deeper truth in blade combat - we call them murderers, thugs, muggers, rapists, gangsters and convicts.

We’ve codified the various seemingly unrelated, random methods that our proficient criminal elements employ into a system, a system which Nigel named Piper. For a description of the origin behind the name, please see his blog post “Piper - the origin of a name”.

The method that we call Piper sends people to morgues and emergency wards as we speak - it teaches the truth of edged weapons combat as we experience it in our corner of the globe, a place where knives are a daily threat, where communities have lived with fear for years. The system with a style of movement, a deceptiveness, a viciousness and an application that is radically different to anything in “Martial Arts” - its origin is not based on stylistic imperatives, but on criminal requirements.

We are willing to teach this truth of bladed combat and assault, if you can open your mind to it. Are you prepared to be challenged, to question what you may have been taught about bladed combat?

You can know the truth, and the truth will make you fear

What makes Piper different?

1. The Piper System^© is based on current combative methods. It is a means of utilising and surviving knives and other improvised weapons. It is real. It kills people. It is almost completely focused on offense. There are defensive strategies, but even those use the same offensive techniques.
    
2. Piper is chaos, with a blade. Unpredictable constant motion means your enemy has trouble pinning you down. Being difficult to pin you down visually, it becomes extremely difficult to do so physically.
    
3. Piper is a knife system that is not adapted from a sword, machete or stick system. Piper movement is far more versatile than typical Western/Filipino knife methods and it does not employ easily intercepted and parried techniques.
    
4. Piper is a South African knife system, thus it possesses an African movement flavour. The audio/visual/tactile fakes and distractions (clicks, stomps, clapping, slapping your body) redirect attention in often fatal ways. Being an expression of primal, raw emotion through its body mechanics, there is no detectable rhythm.
    
5. Piper is highly individualised. No two exponents look the same in motion, even though using the same core movements.
    
6. Due to its evolutionary, battle-tested nature, what didn’t work has been quite literally killed off. The knife is a primary weapon, not an adjunct to other weapons.
    
7. Piper is all about your INTENT. In certain S.E. Asian systems such as Silat and Kuntao, students are taught to visualise themselves as a ferocious animal. The gang member who uses Cape Town knife fighting is already highly predatory. The knife is not to make a him a cool “Martial Arts Knife Fighter”, it is a tool - it produces money, status, women, respect - and kills his enemies. It hurts those he hates and despises and saves his life. His knife is used to threaten, to intimidate and to perforate. He starts off with a mindset that “martial artists” will never reach (which is as it should be, martial artists are not violent criminals). It is necessary that martial artists realise that this IS Piper.
    
8. The knife is not an extension of your hand. It is an extension of your will. The knife is a means to express your INTENT to enforce your desire or cause harm regardless of laws or civilisation. Due to this element, fear and a proper respect for the blade as a lethal weapon is present amongst those who study Piper.
    
9. Piper practice is done with real knives. The knives most commonly used are the Okapi and the Sable, cheap locally made blades. Sparring is done with these blades, stopping just short of targets. This keeps it real and reminds you of the intent, the fear and harm that would be present in a real-life confrontation. Real criminals don’t practice with rubber knives.
    
10. Piper is not taught to non-Martial Artists. It is, however, taught regardless of race, colour or creed. It is a bona-fide vicious, deadly, brutal system. Knowing only a few of the methods and strategies will supercharge your combative arsenal. However, remember that you have neither the viciousness or deadly intent of the criminal who kills and maims with a blade; nor the formative experiences of seeing people knifed. Making it into a Martial Art does cage the beast, but doesn’t quite tame it.

These 10 points were originally contributed by Erik Petermann
(Erik, a German-born South African, holds the rank of Master Guardian in Piper)

This web site is Copyright © 2004 Lloyd De Jongh (Urban Shield cc)
‘The Piper System©’ is an original name chosen by Nigel February for the system he created
Please E-mail Lloyd on lloyd at pipersystem.com with questions or comments