Knife Self-Defense for Combat (Special Forces/Ranger-Udt/Seal Hand-To-Hand Combat/Special Weapons/Special Tactics) [Paperback]

Michael D. Echanis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0897500229 | ISBN-13: 978-0897500227 | Publication Date: July 1, 1977 | Edition: First Edition

In the study of unconventional warfare, few names carry as much weight as Michael D. Echanis. The shadowy hand-to-hand combat pioneer died under mysterious circumstances, but before meeting a violent, fiery death in an unexplained plane crash in Nicaragua, he penned "Knife Self-Defence for Combat", the definitive guide to controlling and disarming a knife attacker and a must-have for any paramilitary operative. Previously unavailable to the general public on the open market, this modern mercenary's favorite contains more than 30 fully illustrated techniques.

Product Details

• Paperback: 104 pages
• Publisher: Black Belt Communications; First Edition edition (July 1, 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897500229
• ISBN-13: 978-0897500227
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #902,558 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Waste of paper, November 2, 2005

By 

Matthew J. Schafer (Mt. Pleasant, Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Knife Self-Defense for Combat (Special Forces/Ranger-Udt/Seal Hand-To-Hand Combat/Special Weapons/Special Tactics) (Paperback)

As a former military hand-to-hand combat instructor I can say that while this book contains horribly ineffective information, it contains things that are commonly taught in the military.

Regardless of what some say, the military teaches hand-to-hand combat to primarily teach aggressiveness, not effectiveness. There are things that the military teaches that are quite asinine. However, the main goal for 99% of the military is to teach aggressiveness.

For example, the US Army Rangers teach Gracie Jujitsu for Christ sake. They go out to the wrestling mats and roll around. Why? To teach you to be aggressive. If you think you can wrestle wearing 70 pounds of gear, carrying a rifle, and after marching 20 miles through rough terrain, then you should be able to qualify for handicapped plates.

Does this book contain information that is commonly taught to the US Special Forces? Yes it does. Does it work effectively when faced by criminal violence? It's not really supposed to.

23 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The book is junk and Echanis was a boob, October 14, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Knife Self-Defense for Combat (Special Forces/Ranger-Udt/Seal Hand-To-Hand Combat/Special Weapons/Special Tactics) (Paperback)

Following what is taught in this book is a great way to get killed. People who say this book is effective may have dojo training, but have NEVER encountered a real knife attack.

Personally I could overlook Echanis's personal history if the book were OK - but it just isn't.

Ice pick grip decreases your distance by about 2 inches. Someone with a saber grip and 3 or 4 arnis classes will slice open the arteries in your arms in short fashion. Sacrificing your lead hand is great if you want to bleed to death. An arterial cut to the wrist can kill you in 30 seconds to a couple of minutes.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Skip this one., June 23, 1999

By 

Dennis Main (Sacramento) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Knife Self-Defense for Combat (Special Forces/Ranger-Udt/Seal Hand-To-Hand Combat/Special Weapons/Special Tactics) (Paperback)

My first impression of this book was "If these are Special Forces knife skills, then I seriously hope they never run out of ammo." Too much using your various body parts to block cuts, and no consideration of the your apponent's left hand might be doing while you tango with him. Get something else.