Customer Reviews

Put 'Em Down, Take 'Em Out!: Knife Fighting Techniques From Folsom Prison

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

As many previous reviewers stated, this book is pretty short (54 pages of information), but it's probably the best crash-course in knife fighting I've ever seen. A lot of martial arts today that specialize in the knife actually speciallize in what Marc MacYoung calls "knife dueling"; they don't realize how knives are most often used in American culture: for assasination. Whatever you call it, in the US, and I'm sure most of the western world, if a guy pulls a knife on you, he intends to kill you because he sees you as a victim, not an equal. This book is all about one guy with a knife, and one guy without. The techniques are simplistic, but effective, and incorperate empty-hand stragegies and tactics in harmony with the knife. Things compatable with unarmed combat are stance, footwork, trapping, and grappling. This book is about agression and simplicity, and in my oppinion ought to be the foundational book for any knife-fighting or -defense program. The five chapters are "Basics of Knife Fighting", "Knife Fighting Myths", "Knife Attack", "Knife Defense", and "Training". Among the things that are covered are grips, group attacks, set-ups, mental tactics and training, and the stance-footwork-etc. stuff I mentioned earlier. One thing that rubbed me a little wrong was how the guy basically said, "Only my style works, forget anything else." While I would recomend anyone interested in knife fighting get this book, I'd say to not make it your only source of information.

The book is about knife fighting defense and offense, written by a REAL knife fighter who has fought "for real" inside Folsom Prison. Fortunately, the (fighter) author does not waste ink, paper, or time describing his heroic/cowardly actions inside the prison. He portrays an almost pragmatic, mostly a one on one offensive and defensive, knife fighting techniques. He presents everything practically, in my opinion. He also points out why the movie heroes come victorious in a knife fight. He also talks (writes) about the mental factor in a fight. The techniques are uncomplicated and thus easy to grasp. The authors tone is direct and brutal.

The only reason this book earned a five minus one star is because he raped eastern-origin based martial arts. I somewhat agree with the author that predetermined movements, as taught in eastern-origin martial arts, may not save your life. And the assurances of the martial art expert may go down the drain in real (street, alley) fights. The author almost wasted two pages raping martial arts. Taken granted that martial arts alone is not the ultimate savior, did he not realize martial arts helps you with your flexibility, strength, and self-confidence. All these elements must be in the armory of a real fighter.

Some of the lessons learnt from the book: be brutal, don't panic, trash martial arts skills (?), don't follow movie stunts, first hit then stab, assassinate fear and hesitance, mind is the most lethal weapon and vulnerable part of you (my modifications of the author's view)...

Basically one form of attack, with two ways to execute it. Maybe with this you will be successful in 80% of your combat encounters. Maybe it's too simple to rely on. Unfortunately, my knowledge is based on theory only.

From the theoretical standpoint, I think this book is lacking alternate strategies. If there is any transferability from the left jab / right cross in boxing to the left lead / right stab espoused in this book, then, theoretically, one would be setting oneself up for a counter if one ONLY used the technique recommended by this book.

But what do I know? I have not been in a knife fight. My only experience can be based on unarmed combat (street and dojo), supplemented by theory. If you can rely on your right cross to get you through your unarmed fights pretty much of the time, then you probably will like this book, and you may very well be effective pretty much of the time because it's based on the "right cross" / "big gun" principle ... set 'em up with the lead hand, and attack with the rear power hand.

BOTTOM LINE: I'd probably resort to this approach since it is based on realistic experience, the technique is VERY BASIC, and I believe in the author's experience. BASICS are usually the most effective, and it would take a very extremely trained and experienced "sophisticated" fighter to beat a very extremely trained and experienced BUT BASIC fighter.

I gave it three stars because it was average as a book, but as another thing to add to my arsenal, I would give it a 4

When Don wrote this book he was just out and not a polished writer. However, the guy coming at you in a dark parking lot ain't no Shakespear either. Despite the current craze of so-called knife fighting experts in the martial arts, don't forget that America has it's own knife fighting culture - prisons. This is not a book on art, it a book on the realities of knife fighting. While it may anger many self-proclaimed "knife-fighters", Don is the one with the scars. To tell you the truth I would rather mess with them than Don. Marc Animal MacYoung

Wow. This book was like a slap in the face. Short & sweet, very intense, and gets right to the point (no pun intended). Pentecost really knows what he's ranting about when he derides the effectiveness of the "saber" and "commando" grips -- these work great if you've got a sword (or a short sword, like a Bowie), but if you strike bone with force (and don't have a protective hilt) your fingers are gonna be sliding up and over the cutting edge if you haven't got a rock hard grip! Those fancy grips work well in practice (especially for accurate jabs at small targets), but when it comes down to the real deal you'll just end up either cutting yourself or dropping your knife (one reason why you should wear a fingerless glove and carry an extra blade). The pictures of him stabbing his wrasslin' partner in the kidney were painful to look at! Although I disagree with much of what is presented in this book, it is good to look at what other stylists are doing -- even if it happens to be "shank-fu."

Knife fighting in reality is not a duel. No matter what your black belt master told you. The punk won't help your wristlock to work. Nor should you give an adversary a chance to defend himself, if you are in a life or death scenario, and all you have is a shank. A contemporary classic.

"Put `em down and take `em out" is an excellent book on knife fighting. As a Law Enforcement professional, I've used several of Don's suggestions and techniques to disarm knife-wielding subjects. In 15 years of Law Enforcement I've been threatened more times with knifes than any other weapon. Prior to reading Don's book, I used techniques taught in State Police Academies. Using those techniques got me cut in two situations. After reading Don's book, I realized the mistakes I made in those two incidents. Many people have asked me: "Why didn't you just shoot them"? Well in those two situations, shooting wasn't an option due to bystanders, and pepper spray hadn't been introduced. As a Law Enforcement professional I recommend Don's book to all Police Officers, and I feel Law Enforcement Trainers could enhance Defensive Tactics curriculum by incorporating some of Don's techniques into training. The information he imparts can save a cop's life. Likewise I suggest his book to civilians who might come in contact with a knife-wielding punk. However, reading this book (or any self-defense book) isn't enough - you must practice the techniques presented. The best technique is to avoid places or situations where violence is commonplace.

This concise tome is an important wake-up call for all the wanna be duelists out there, an important reality check that blows through the dangerous myths typically associated with knife fighting. The term fight implies a rule-based contest yet the reality is that there is no fight, at least not in the traditional sense. Assassination attempt might be a better description. I've survived a couple of knife encounters over the years and can tell you first hand that they are nothing like you see in the movies or on TV. The author provides a direct, no-nonsense explanation of the mindset, tactics, and simple techniques to use in an edged-weapons confrontation. Contents include the basics of knife fighting, knife fighting myths, knife attack, knife defense, and training. The information imparts some critical information for your survival but is way too short to be considered complete. Regardless, if you want to know the reality of knives this is a great place to start.

Lawrence Kane
Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, The Way of Kata, and Martial Arts Instruction

The tactics one needs to survive a knife fight are shockingly basic. Don Pentecost did a fine job of explaining that fact. If you have had formal knife training, I suggest you discard the fancy techniques, and "get back to basics." Additionally, I further submit that you should avoid knife-fighting altogether. You will certainly live a longer life.

Mr. Pentecost points out that the chances of two people, armed with knives, both being engaged in mortal combat are slim. It is usually a very one-sided affair, and the unarmed man is at an absurdly severe disadvantage. The author is a very intelligent man. His book should be given the credit it is due.

A word of warning: think before you pull that blade. In fact, unless you are simply looking for trouble, don't carry one on you. My Grandfather told me that doing so invites compulsive action, which results in prison, dismemberment, or death (or any combination of the three).

If I could, I'd give this book 10 stars.

Proverbs 16:25

That fact that this book is short should not be considered a negative. This book gives you some cold hard facts about knife fighting. The author tells how it's not the knife you have to fear but the MAN with the knife. Great practical advice on awareness and avoidance. Despite what "other" reviews say, the author does not talk about how tough or how good he is. Development of mental toughness is highly stressed. Something more "martial artists" should try to understand. I highly recommend this book!