Everybody's Knife Bible: Green Beret Methods and Knife Mannerisms [Paperback]

Don Paul (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 150 pages
• Publisher: Pathfinder Publications; 2nd edition (May 1988)
• ISBN-10: 9999276830
• ISBN-13: 978-9999276832
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,898,905 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Don does the writing, but in addition to what he knows, he gathers information and updates from long term friends with whom he shared years as a Green Beret. Some technical information (knife sharpening) comes from other experts.

Don has never been employed in a steady, nine-to-five job. In his twenties, he lived and worked in both Europe (Spain, France, and Germany for which he speaks the languages fluently). He then moved to Southeast Asia, where he headquartered in Thailand while traveling to Laos and Cambodia. Upon his return to the US, he carpentered, worked as a USPTA tennis professional, was a volunteer San Diego cop, and speculated in real estate.

In early 1976, Sgt Don Paul was called to active duty as a Green Beret. While jumping into the Panama Jungle at night from 1,000 ft. both parachutes failed---which brought his Special Forces career to a sudden halt. He became a Christian and continues to work for various fundamental churches.

While recuperating in the hospital, he started writing and never stopped. He has traveled all over the world with a computer and frequently works in libraries while waiting to hop. He's visited New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Guam, Okinawa and Korea. He went to Puerto Rico to live and sail on a 30 ft Trimaran but returned due to high crime in the Virgin Islands and piracy at sea. He also lived in Costa Rica.

His how-to books have sold consistently for almost 20 years and he has appeared on over 250 radio and TV shows all over the country.

During the last three years, he has studied acting in Hollywood and appeared in several commercials. He writes and occasionally performs stand-up comedy. He asks young children, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Not that he cares so much about the kids' futures . . . Really, he's looking for suggestions.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars MacGyver-esque!, April 5, 2000

By 

Steven Wagner (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Everybody's Knife Bible: Green Beret Methods and Knife Mannerisms (Paperback)

This is a great book for anyone who regularly uses or carries any type of fixed blade knife. Don Paul teaches the reader to truly look at his or her knife not only as a tool to make other tools with, but as a multi-purpose tool in and of itself. In this age of Multi-Pliers and the like, Paul shows us ways to use a simple fixed blade knife to accomplish a great variety of useful tasks. Moreover, he shows us modifications that can be made to the fixed blade to improve its performance and expand its utility.

He writes in a way that is both easy to comprehend and, perhaps more importantly, easy to remember. Concepts like K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid) remind us that in times of high stress, the more foundational a particular technique is in nature the greater the chance you will remember it and apply it correctly. Also, in regards to hardware, the more simple the mechanism the less chance it will fail when called upon. These ideas and others included in this book appeal to a man's common sense and to me the real beauty of this book is in it's simplicity. Do not be led to believe, however, that the content is shallow, as Paul introduces a sizable amount of technical information when dealing with using the modified fixed blade to perform such charges as telling time and measuring distances and angles.

In my opinion, this book is a sort of inspiration. After reading I felt as if a door had been opened. For the first time, I actually looked at my knife as a real tool, rather than something thats' finish I was afraid to scratch. It motivated me to think of new ways of using my fixed blade to perhaps reduce the number of tools I had to carry in my rig.

All in all, this is an excellent find for any knife-lover and I highly recommend it. The only thing I would liked to have seen more of was this kind of improvisational information, as the book itself is somewhat slim. But as they say, good things come in small packages. Also check out other titles by Paul including an orienteering book, a book on 100 (1000?) ways to use an everyday hammock, and "Great Livin' In Grubby Times". I would love to see more from this author.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, December 17, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Everybody's Knife Bible: Green Beret Methods and Knife Mannerisms (Paperback)

I think that this book has changed titles a couple of times but it is definently worth picking up. Lots of good info.