Chapter 14 Knives & Knife Fighting PUT 'EM DOWN, TAKE 'EM OUT! - Knife Fighting Techniques from Folsom Prison by Don Pentecost. You may think you know knife fighting theory through books, magazines and martial arts training, but unless you've actually been assaulted with a knife, it's ALL theory. The knife fighting techniques in this book were developed in one of the most violent environments on Earth - inside Folsom Prison. These techniques go far beyond what you will encounter on the streets. Learn the difference between knife fighting fantasy and knife fighting reality. The author exposes the ludicrous techniques perpetuated on TV and in the movies, as well as the absurd (and even dangerous) methods taught by martial arts instructors. He then outlines REALISTIC aspects of knife defense and attack unknown to those who have never been in a knife fight. You never know when you can be the subject of a knife attack. Maximize your chances of survival in one of the deadliest encounters you may eventually face. 5.5 X 8.5, softcover, 50 photos, 64 pp, $8 (PUT)(754) BLOODY IRON, by Jenks and Brown. This book was written by ex-cons who learned their edged-weapons techniques in prison and on the streets. It begins with an informal discussion of the blades and fighting methods used by history's greatest knife fighters, from King David's son Absalom to Jim Bowie and others. It then goes on to explain in detail proper stance, style, choice of weapons and unarmed defensive maneuvers, and a lot more. 5.5 X 8.5, softcover, photos, 120 pp, $10 (BL.IRON)(22) KNIVES, KNIFE FIGHTING, AND RELATED HASSLES - How to Survive a REAL Knife Fight - by Marc "Animal" MacYoung. Finding yourself in the middle of a knife fight is no time to discover that you don't know what you're doing. You can forget the useless crap you've seen in the movies or learned in the dojo: if you don't, you'll probably wind up in the morgue. Let Marc "Animal" MacYoung show you the down and dirty reality of knife fighting. How do you avoid a knife fight? How do you deal with someone who's pulled a knife WITHOUT pulling your own? How do you handle witnesses? When does a knife fight escalate into full combat? The author covers these and related topics in explicit detail. Learn how to choose a good fighting knife; the best (and worst) grips, draws and stances; dealing with the police; devious street tricks that people will use to slip a knife into your kidney; and a lot more. In a knife fight, you have to rely on your wits, mobility, speed and knowledge in order to survive. This book shows you just how serious and complicated knife fighting can be and will provide you with the necessary skills to come out on top. 5.5 X 8.5, softcover, photos, illust., 128 pp, $12 (HAS)(850) COLD STEEL, by John Styers; text by Karl Schuon. A classic, originally published by LEATHERNECK magazine, this is a reprint of what was the Marine "bible" of unarmed combat. Emphasizing the practice aspect of bayonet, knife and stick fighting, COLD STEEL also provides short courses in unarmed combat and knife throwing. This rare volume is a valuable addition to any personal-defense, knife-fighter's library. 5.5 X 8.5, hardcover, illustr., 178 pp, $17 (C.ST)(35) SWITCHBLADE - The Ace of Blades, by Ragnar Benson. SNAP. For most people the click of a switchblade knife is an ominous sound. Once considered the symbol of black-jacketed street hoodlums, switchblades have been feared by the public, scorned by the mainstream knife dealers and outlawed by misguided federal and local laws. Yet the switchblade is experiencing renewed interest from sportsmen, adventurers and others who know the value of a good one-handed knife. Because of their unfortunate reputation, solid information on switchblades is hard to come by. This book tells you everything you need to know: types of switchblades and their operating mechanisms; how to use a switchblade, butterfly and gravity knives; unusual collector's models; assembling a knife from a kit; federal and state laws; and care and maintenance. Discover what Ragnar Benson already knows: once you have come to rely on a switchblade, you will wonder how you ever managed to get by without one. 5.5 X 8.5, softcover, photos, illust., 104 pp, $10 (SWITCH)(781) FIELD KNIFE EVALUATIONS - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Hard-Use Knives, by Jerry Younkins. How does that blade you've had your eye on measure up when put to the test? Finally, here's a source that will tell you BEFORE you part with your hard- earned cash. If you haven't recently priced top quality combat knives, you'll be shocked by how much they cost. It's even more of a shock when you find it doesn't hold up to combat use! Spending a few bucks to become as knowledgeable as you can before you buy, makes sense and saves dollars. In the first book of its kind, the author reviews a range of commercially available knives based on materials, design, appearance, availability and reputation. With category of use in mind, he evaluates each one according to how it sliced, cut, chopped and chiseled in the field, where performance counts the most. Also highlighted are technical specifications, including blade shape, Rockwell rating, edge grind, length, weight and more. This book is an introduction to some of the better knife designs and a valuable reference for outdoorsmen and collectors alike. Read and compare - the good, the bad and the ugly of some of the finest examples of modern hard-use cutlery. 5.5 X 8.5, softcover, photos, illust., 304 pp, $25 (FIELD)(942) MODERN COMBAT BLADES - The Best in Edged Weaponry, by Duncan Long. Attend any knife show or visit any cutlery shop and you'll be faced with a bewildering number of choices regarding knives and other bladed weapons suitable for personal defense. Let Duncan Long help you sort through the maze with this practical analysis of the myriad of edged weapons available to the modern soldier and civilian alike. Besides the most popular fighting knives crafted by today's leading makers, Long discusses the pros and cons of bowies, bayonets, commando daggers, KUKRIS, switchblades, butterfly knives, machetes, samurai swords, battle axes, razors, screwdrivers, meat cleavers, belt-buckle blades, and many more. Find out which are best suited for home defense, concealment, battlefield conditions and other self defense scenarios. Also learn the best fighting techniques, the worst fighting myths, and the all-important but little-discussed legalities of knives and their use. This book can save you time and money - and perhaps even your life. 8.5 X 11, hardcover, photos, illust., 128 pp, $25 (BLADES)(1027) SURVIVAL FIGHTING KNIVES, by Leroy Thompson. From the combat-tested, slash-and-thrust blade to the no-nonsense, general- purpose survival knife, this book shows you WHICH type of blade best suits your needs. Having taught hand-to-hand combat to various special operations units, the author knows from experience which knives are of good quality and design - and which perform well when you need them. For the man who really uses his knife, the author covers utility blades, hollow-handled survival knives, survival kits, folding knives, combat and streetfighting knives, and knife specifications and evaluations. 8.5 X 11, softcover, 78 photos, 104 pp, $14 (KNIVES)(547) THE WARRIOR'S GUIDE TO KNIFE FIGHTING, by Dr. John La Tourette. Knife fighting is one of the most feared forms of combat known. In this book, the author guides you through the lethal business of a knife attack and defense. Covered in this book: choosing the best fighting knife, how to increase your chances of surviving a knife fight tenfold, six knife attack positions that can save your life, how to choose the best target, and a lot more. La Tourette shares the secrets and skills that will transform you from a man with a good fighting knife to a good fighter with a knife. There's a world of difference! A knife fight is a deadly serious situation - you either win or die. This book will hone your fighting and survival skills to a razor's edge. It will increase the odds in your favor. 5.5 X 8.5, softcover, 172 photos, illust., 134 pp, $15 (WAR)(3018) SLASH AND THRUST, by John Sanchez. Until this book, there weren't any complete, totally practical knife fighter's training program. This book tells the novice knife fighter how to train himself to be an EXPERT! The author also presents many little-known sophisticated techniques. Covered are such topics as choosing the martial knife, slashing and thrusting, quick-kill strikes, footwork, deceptive movements, and much more. SLASH AND THRUST also tells how to use exotic edged weapons you might encounter, such as the shuriken, shaken, Irish dart, chakram, Chinese cloth dart and hand quarrels. Illustrated with many line drawings. 5.5 X 8.5, softcover, illust., 72 pp, $8 (SLASH)(179) BLADE MASTER - Advanced Survival Skills for the Knife Fighter, by John Sanchez. The fighting secrets of knife masters the world over can now be yours. Learn the Samurai art of iaijutsu, the knife combat style of the ancient Chinese, solo training techniques and how to become a knife master to be reckoned with. Topics include the snap-cut, power slash, reverse grip and knife-shifting techniques for gaining the fighting edge over your opponent. 5.5 X 8.5, softcover, illust., 96 pp, $12 (BLADE)(365) FOR DO-IT-YOURSELFERS THE COMPLETE BLADESMITH - Forging Your Way to Perfection, by Jim Hrisoulas. This book will show you how to take a bar of steel and forge it into the blade of your dreams. Novice as well as experienced bladesmiths will benefit from this comprehensive guide to smithing world-class blades. Build your own forge, equip your workshop, choose your materials and get to work. You'll jump at the chance to heat the steel, bending, twisting, folding, cutting and stretching it. Finally, you'll put the perfect grind on the new blade, make your own scrimshaw decoration, fit the softest, hardest or more exotic wood to the grip, and slip you blade into your handmade sheath. Whether you want a survival blade, commando dagger, medieval broadsword or just a utility knife, it's all here in this book. 8.5 X 11, hardcover, 58 photos, 101 illust., 192 pp, $25 (SMITH)(652) THE MASTER BLADESMITH - Advanced Studies in Steel, by Jim Hrisoulas. Most of the information about blade making being written today is for the novice bladesmith. Little is intended for the advanced student of the forge. In answer to this need, the author has written a sequel to his previous book "The Master Bladesmith". In this advanced study of steel, the author reveals forging secrets that for centuries have been protected by trade guilds. Never-before-seen instructions, diagrams and photos explain the tricks behind using Japanese mokume gane, differential heat treating, power hammers and other previously unrevealed techniques to make Ghurka KUKRIS, Viking broadswords, wavy blades, and Damascus steel that will take your breath away and much, much more. Find out the simple steps you can take to eliminate virtually all cracking, breaking and warping. With this book leading you step-to-step, you too can learn how to adapt ancient secrets with modern technology so your blades will bear the mark of the master. 8.5 X 11, hardcover, photos, illus, 296 pp, $45 (MB)(938) VIDEOS (VHS and U.S. format only.) THE LOVELESS LEGEND - How to Make Custom Knives, by R.W. Loveless and Jim Merritt. Finally, the inside secrets and tips of the knife trade, as they've evolved in the shop of R.W. Loveless, are revealed for the first time in this groundbreaking documentary. Loveless, considered the father of custom knife-making in America, has served as a consultant to many major manufacturers in the U.S. and Japan. His design for the Dropped Hunter has been copied by virtually every knife maker in the world. Here, he walks you, the viewer, through the process of creating a benchmade knife using the stock-removal method. Each step, including preparing the steel, scribing a pattern, rough grinding, hollow grinding the blade, heat treating, polishing and soldering the guard, is demonstrated clearly and examined in complete detail. Here is your opportunity to learn the rare art form of custom knifemaking from the true master as he shares his expertise and talks in-depth about his philosophy of design and his total commitment to making the finest knife possible. Color, approx. 95 min., $60 (LOVEL)(1013) FORGING DAMASCUS - How to Create Pattern-Welded Blades, with Jim Hrisoulas. In this fantastic two-tape video, Jim Hrisoulas brings to life information from both of his best-selling books. Step by step, the author of "The Complete Bladesmith" and "The Master Bladesmith", takes you through the process of creating one of his signature blades - a ten-inch Viking-style dagger - from scratch. By following his hands-on guidance, you can learn things that simply cannot be taught in books, including how to: * Recognize problems when they arise and correct them on the spot * See when a heat is blue-white or red-orange * Recognize a proper welding heat * Design one-of-a-kind patterns * Fit tangs the way it's been done for centuries by artisans and traditionalists. This is the only tape on the market that guarantees that ANYONE with basic forging skills, access to inexpensive materials, common smithing tools, patience and an afternoon to spare, can turn out a blade of priceless beauty and legendary strength and cutting ability. Color, over 3 hours, two-tape set $80 (FORG)(1033) DEFENDING AGAINST THE BLADE When a video on knife defense opens up with the narrator showing his scars from knife attacks, you KNOW the information in it comes from firsthand experience. And the narrator - Peyton Quinn, author of the tremendously popular book "A Bouncer's Guide to Barroom Brawling" - has plenty of that too. Unlike the majority of self-defense instructors, Quinn has actually been assaulted with knives, yet he successfully defended himself each time. In this extraordinary video, he explains the reality of knife attacks and explicitly shows how he prevailed. Quinn says, "If I had to rely on my dojo training alone, I'd likely be dead now." Color, approx. 60 min., $30 (DEF)(3019) F9 for Next Chapter