Customer Reviews

The Complete Book Of Knife Fighting

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

First off, I recommend that you buy this book if you are at all interested in knife fighting. This is one of the first and one of the classical American books on knife fighting. It covers all of the basic techniques that American forces have used for many, many years. At the same time, this book is a little short on techniques, and it is entirely absent the escrima techniques that have become very popular over the past couple of decades. If you don't look at this book as everything for everybody, you will find it a very good buy and not be disappointed. On the other hand, if you're looking for the snappiest way to open and close your balisong, you're going to have to look elsewhere, as this book was written before that time.

On page 69 of this book, Cassidy makes it clear that, "Knife fighting is not a glamourous face- to- face duel..." And yet the bulk of the book seems devoted to just that- two guys duelling it out with knives.

The problem is that unlike certain areas that are known for their knife arts, modern day Americans do not usually run around openly carrying knives or swords. The chances of a knife on knife duel are somewhat slim in this case. But the techniques taught in this book, based as they are on fencing, almost all depend on both guys being armed with knives and nothing else. Passata Sotto, In- Quartata and Stoccatta all are pretty much the teeth of what is taught in this book, and all depend on both guys being armed with something pointy.

The idea of taking fencing stuff and applying it to knives is quite obvious if you know what to look for. There seems to be no use of the free hand at all except for one technique. And the idea that the other guy might grab your hand is not explored at all.

Many of the techniques make me pause. As the thrust and such are demonstrated in the photos you can see how the demonstrators are seriously off balance and would not be able to dodge quickly should they be attacked in this position. Many of the counter moves they show work because the attacker is using these types of off balanced thrusts.

Some things also make my jaw drop. For example, a kick to the crotch is shown. But you can easily reach the same area with your hand and can guess how easy it would be to slice the kicking leg with the extra length of a knife. And when thrusting in passata sotto and the like the person is open to a counter strike by the wounded adversary before he can get out of range. All in all, this book seems to be a collection of those techniqes that street fighters giggle about and tell you not to do in a real fight.

There is some good history in this book about some of the big names in knife fighting instruction. Some myths about Jim Bowie are laid to rest. But it is all too little to make up for the technique section. And the section of different types of knives does not deal with popular modern knives like the ballisong. And some of the knives shown are no longer made. Worse, the author takes up a good deal of space touting his own design, which probably is also not made anymore.

In short, if you want to round out your knowedge of knife fighting history you might want to pick up this book. If you are looking for a first book on how to use one, get something else.

This is just an outstanding reference on knife fighting. It is a historical overview and technical look at employment of all the classic methods as developed by Fairbairn, Applegate, Sykes and others. This book does a good job in balancing the critical and relevant matter of the techniques with the historical information, making this the ideal book for the novice and expert in bladecraft. This book covers the famous and influential blade masters of the time, their techniques, tools of the trade and finally tactics for the knife fighter. This book is by no means the best "how-to" book on the market but it was never meant to be strictly a "how-to" book. It is clearly and intelligently written, as well as clearly illustrated. Overall for historical study this book is highly recommended. I personally do not agree with many of the methods depicted in this book, but this does not make this book any less worth studying for the professional combatives enthusiast.

I did not like this book, and of all the books I've acquired pertaining to this subject, it is one of the few I've actually discarded. Sure, it'd be cool to have a title like "The Complete Book of Knife Fighting" on my shelf, if just to round out my collection . . . but I have limited shelf space, and this text is not only substandard, but it failed to amuse me.

On Mr Cassidy's behalf, I will allow that the original printing was from the 70's, making this one of the very first books on the subject (barring WWII combatives manuals, which it borrows heavilly from). If you're a collector, this is an essential text; but if you want to LEARN, you really need to look elsewhere. Much has been written on the subject since.

The original publication in 1975 was ahead of its time on publications relating to this topic. To date there are many books written on "knife fighting" most of them junk, by authors who's only knowledge about edged weapon training is from some time spent in a dojo or reading some other uninformed author. This book outlines the forefathers of close quarter combat with knives and writes about their contributions to this warrior art. The book gives an above average curriculum for training with knives for defense as well as offense. It will serve well as a primer on the topic. As of yet, I can not recommend any one book as the best on this topic...

THIS BOOK HAS A COOL LITTLE DIAGRAM FROM WWII THAT SHOW VITAL TARGETS AND TIME OF DEATH. OTHER THAN THAT THIS BOOK IS USELESS. IT'S JUST A HISTORY OF KNIFE FIGHTING. IT'S ABOUT 90 PAGES OF SOMEONE TELLING YOU THAT SOMEONE ATTACKING SOMEONE ELSE WITH THE KNIFE IS ONE OF THE OLDEST WAYS TO ATTACK SOMEBODY AND IT STILL WORKS TODAY.

The best book I've ever read on the subject. The author really understands the reallity of a knife fight, and the technics involved.

The ones posing for the pictures are no others than Loveless and Randall!! This should be enough to show how "real thing" this book is.

If you have to buy only one book on the subject, buy this one. It's the best.

This book is dated and about two thirds of the book provides a historical perspective on knife fighting as well as showing various types of edged weapons. The final section covers the basic knife grips, stance, thrusting, slashing techniques and mental discipline.

In conclusion, the real value of this text is its historical aspects.

Rating: 3 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Tanto-Jutsu & Wakizashi-Jutsu Manuals).

When I first read this book over a quarter century ago I felt something wasn't quite right. After studying with people who had either once been street fighters or who had studied under street fighters my initial impression was validated. Some of Cassidy's ideas, such as knife hand forward, are accepted - provided you practice hard with a qualified teacher. Other techniques shown are the sort of maneuver that could get you maimed or killed if tried against someone who's experienced. Most knife attacks seem to be "blitzes" where you only have a split second to react. Fumbling in your pocket or belt to release and bring into action whatever knife you're carrying may be fatal. There are legal objects you can already have in your hand which - if you've been alert & aware - may save you or loved ones depending on you.
Jim LaLond's book - "The logic of steel" - is a compilation of knife encounters over a period of years in the Baltimore area & provides an interesting perspective on what often happens out on the street. The best advice reinforced by this book shows is, if possible, to avoid dangerous areas, bad people & places where first alcohol flows, closely followed by blood. Against a real fighter, especially one who has no regard for his own life - let alone yours -it's hard to find schools who train properly to help you deal with these psychopaths. Increasingly rate Japanese Jujitsu academies may be your best bet. Mine ("Miyama Ryu Jujitsu) is located deep in the South Bronx. Any knife of your own which has the length and strength to help you defend your life could wind up getting you arrested in our increasingly blade-phobic society. You'll note Cassidy is wielding a good-sized sheath knife on his book's cover. Try carrying that in San Franciso where anything blade over two inches is outlawed. Be alert, be smart, be smart but don't be macho. It won't pay.

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