Logic of Steel: A Fighter's View of Blade and Shank Encounters [Paperback]

James Lafond (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2001

The Logic of Steel is not about the art of knife fighting. Its sole purpose is to capture the cold, hard, logical nature of edged-weapon encounters as experienced by author James LaFond and more than 90 other people. This analysis of more than 250 knife fights is told from the perspective of the attackers, eyewitnesses and victims. The action is broken down by weapon type and use patterns. The circumstances, motivations and mechanics of real-world blade and shank encounters are illuminated through the use of gripping (and sometimes comical) first-person accounts, photographs and hard statistics. The author also examines the psychology, injury patterns and legal ramifications of knife fighting, as well as providing invaluable tips on preventing clinches and groundfighting from escalating into a knife fight, surviving unarmed against a blade-armed assailant, "dressing for success" against a knife fight, spotting a knifer and predicting his behavior before it's too late, assessing when it is in your best interest to run for your life instead of fighting a knife-wielding opponent and much more.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James LaFond works as a night laborer in Baltimore, where he has been documenting the violent underside of the human population and the relationship of ordinary aggression to contemporary martial arts studies since 1966.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Paladin Press (March 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581601301
• ISBN-13: 978-1581601305
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #419,042 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

James LaFond is the author of the seven-volume non-fiction series A Fighter's View:
Including The Logic of Steel [2001, 2011 PDF]; Modern Agonistics [2011 PDF]; The Logic of Force [2012]; The First Boxers [2012]; The Gods of Boxing [2012]; All-Power-Fighting [2012]; and When You're Food [2013].

James is currently writing the seven-volume science-fiction series The Sunset Saga:
Including Of the Sunset World [2011 PDF]; Pillagers of Time [2012 PDF]; and Cities of Dust [2012 PDF]. The second trilogy is expected to begin publication with the 2013 PDF release of Tears of Earth.

James writes two monthly on-line columns: Inside the Ropes and Harm City.

For a complete biography & bibliographies, free content, and information on the PDF releases noted above go to www.jameslafond.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "No, this is a big knife"---C. Dundee, April 12, 2001

By 

E. Cooper "SCooper" (Baltimore, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Logic of Steel: A Fighter's View of Blade and Shank Encounters (Paperback)

The Logic of Steel is the second book that I have read from Mr. LaFond. Like his first book, "The Fighting Edge", I was taught techniques of self-defense. As I was transported into the seedy world of knife encounters, I realized that I need to purchase a gun. I definitely would be on the losing end of a shank attack, especially if I can't tell I'm being stabbed! I really enjoy his style of writing. The information flows easily and the author does not write above your head. The dialogue was hilarious. I can't believe what people will do and say. The chapter headings and quotes are the best, particularly his use of the actual words from ancient Greek and Roman soliders. The Logic of Steel will give you the knowledge of how to handle yourself if in a knife attack and what you can do to get out of the situation. However, I must say that the Ebonic language was a little confusing to follow. Thanks for the glossary. I will end with my two favorite lines from the book.

Tatto Rick -- "There is no objective truth. Life is a subjective mess...Chaos is the rule. Order is a mathematical fantasy."

James La Fond -- "The true study of fighters is the study of the fighter's character, not his technique."

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Knife fighting, March 12, 2005

By 

M. Paes (SP, Brazil) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Logic of Steel: A Fighter's View of Blade and Shank Encounters (Paperback)

If you read what's told in this book, and compares with your own experience (if any), and then go and browse several books on the subject, you'll probably get to the same conclusion I did: many writers have no idea of what's a real confrontation involving a knife, neither have any understanding of the dynamics in such situations.
This, obviously, is not the case with "Logic of Steel". Each anecdote or case is full of information that will add knowledge to your point of view, and it deals with more than knife fightings. Worth every penny.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars STATISTICS AND ANECDOTES . . ., March 28, 2003

By 

Tyr Shadowblade (TM) (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Logic of Steel: A Fighter's View of Blade and Shank Encounters (Paperback)

Honestly, I expected a book about knifefighting, but this was more like "what happens when someone gets stabbed with a knife." It was an excellent book, nonetheless. Highly detailed as to demographics, weapon preferences, and skell tactics. The only thing missing was graphs! Interesting data on not one, but SEVERAL methods of using your jacket as a shield (incidentally, that's where the term "Cloak and Dagger" originated). More criminology than cutlery here, but still an outstanding read.