The Ginunting is one of the most recognizable bladed weapons in Filipino martial heritage. With its distinctive curved blade and single edge, it sits at the intersection of battlefield history and living martial tradition, still trained today by practitioners of Arnis, Eskrima, and Kali worldwide, and famously carried by the Philippine Scout Rangers as their service blade.
What Is the Ginunting?
The Ginunting (sometimes spelled Ginunting or referred to as a Filipino cutlass) is a single-edged, curved short sword originating from the southern Philippines, particularly associated with the Visayas and Mindanao regions. Its name derives from the Tagalog word gunting, meaning scissors, a reference to the shearing, hooking cutting action the curved blade produces.
The blade typically measures between 40 and 55 cm, with a pronounced curve that concentrates cutting power toward the tip. The spine is thick for durability, while the edge is thin and aggressive. This geometry makes it exceptionally effective for slashing, hooking, and trapping, all core mechanics in FMA bladework.
The Ginunting in Filipino Martial Arts
In FMA systems, the Ginunting is trained both as a standalone weapon and as the long weapon in Espada y Daga combinations. Its curved profile changes the dynamics of striking and blocking compared to a straight sword or stick, the hook of the blade can catch and redirect an opponent's weapon, creating trapping and disarming opportunities that straight weapons cannot replicate.
Key techniques associated with Ginunting training include:
- Witik: A snapping, whipping strike that uses the curve to generate speed and cutting power with minimal arm movement.
- Abaniko: A fanning strike where the blade pivots rapidly at the wrist, delivering forehand and backhand cuts in quick succession.
- Hooking & trapping: Using the curve of the blade to catch an opponent's weapon arm or weapon, setting up a disarm or counter.
- Thrusting: Despite its curve, the Ginunting is effective at close range thrusting, particularly in the Corto (close) range of FMA.
Why Train with a Bamboo Ginunting Trainer?
Before working with a live blade, all serious FMA practitioners train extensively with a safe training weapon. Bamboo trainers replicate the weight, length, and profile of the real weapon while allowing full-speed partner drilling without the risk of injury.
Our Bamboo Ginunting Trainer is purpose-built for FMA practice. The curved profile faithfully replicates the geometry of the real blade, so the hooking, trapping, and abaniko mechanics you develop in training transfer directly when you eventually work with a live or aluminum trainer.
It pairs naturally with our Bamboo Daga Trainer for Espada y Daga practice, or with the complete Bamboo Espada y Daga Training Set if you want both weapons together.
Getting Started: A Simple Ginunting Solo Drill
If you are new to curved blade training, start with this foundational solo drill to get comfortable with the weapon's geometry:
- Hold the Ginunting trainer in your dominant hand in a natural grip, blade edge facing away from you.
- Perform five slow forehand diagonal cuts (high to low, outside to inside). Feel how the curve pulls the cut through the target line.
- Perform five backhand diagonal cuts in the opposite direction.
- Practice the Abaniko: pivot the blade at the wrist, alternating forehand and backhand without moving the elbow. Start at 20% speed.
- Add a step forward on each forehand cut and a step back on each backhand. This is the foundation of Largo range Ginunting work.
Repeat this sequence for 10 minutes daily. Within two weeks, the curved blade will feel natural in your hand.
The Ginunting & Filipino Identity
Beyond its martial application, the Ginunting carries deep cultural significance. It is a symbol of Filipino warrior heritage, a weapon that survived colonization, was carried into modern military service, and is now being preserved and transmitted through FMA schools worldwide. Training with it is not just a physical practice; it is a connection to a living tradition.
At Sinawali, everything we make is rooted in that same tradition, gear built for practitioners who take their art seriously and want equipment that honors the culture it comes from.
Ready to add the Ginunting to your training? Start with our Bamboo Ginunting Trainer and explore the full range of Sinawali training weapons.