One question regarding the maneuvers that trap the opponents arm.
Can you do it with a weapon in your own hand?

I see a lot of martial arts techniques that trap the weapon arm of the opponent while you are still holding your own weapon (trap the arm into your armpit for example.)
If this is allowed how about the counterattack, can it be done with the weapon that is in the trapping hand, like you grab the arm into armpit and stab the side of the opponent for example. If so, is there a penalty associated with the attack?
Or do you have to drop one of your weapons to trap?

"Trapping" as I refer to it in the book, only requires the use of the arms and occassionally the hands. I would allow someone with a dagger in their off-hand to perform it (although just killing them would be better...).

Grappling requires at least one free hand.

Jake