Bowie and Big Knife Fighting System (Paperback)

~ Dwight McLemore (Author) "If we could move back trough time and travel the major waterways that opened up so much of the United States to colonization, we might..." (more)
Key Phrases: Jim Bowie, Sandbar Fight, Flow Diagram (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This valuable training guide provides insight into Jim Bowie, the "Bowie knife" and the fighting systems associated with both. Reminiscent of art found in early fencing manuals, the 200+ pen-and-ink drawings in this book are so skillfully executed that they vividly convey the movement of the training sequences. Whether you want to learn to fight with a big blade or just want to find out more about Bowie, this book is for you.

About the Author

Dwight C. McLemore is a retired combat arms officer with the U.S. Army and is an accomplished bladesman and instructor. He is renowned for his vast knowledge of Bowie and big-knife fighting and has more than 18 years of experience in self-defense and martial arts. The owner of the School of Two Swords, McLemore is rated expert level with the American Knife Congress, is certified in kung fu and holds 1st dan in kendo.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Paladin Press, Boulder, CO; illustrated edition edition (March 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581603894
• ISBN-13: 978-1581603897
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #185,925 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book for the Best Knife- the Bowie Still Reigns!, August 2, 2003

By	C. F. Leffen "OldArcher" (New England, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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"Bowie and Big-Knife Fighting System," by Dwight C. McLemore is a true jewel. What is seen by others as theory, impossible, or something unexplainable, is now reality, available to all, and easily understood. Although the Bowie is shrouded in the mists of time and myth, McLemore has stripped both away, and shows us a weapon of amazing design, versatility, and ferocious power. The Bowie is examined in the features of its design, history, techniques, and application. All of the "bases" are covered. With consumate skill, he teaches and enlightens the reader in the usage of what many consider to be the greatest fighting knife of all time. His illustrations are first rate, bringing to life the things he has put into print. The combination of illustration and writing is superb, for nothing is left to chance, nor is there anything left to a wrong interpretation. Of all my knife books, this holds first place in being most studied- I carry it everywhere. If you own, or are considering the acquisition of a Bowie Knife, congratulations. To get the most out of this work of art, you need to learn all you can about it. Study and practice are things that McLemore encourages. Get this book- fast! Following this magnificent work, I'd reccomend "Bowies, Big Knives, and the Best of Battle Blades" by Bill Bagwell, and "Slash and Thrust" by John Sanchez. All books are available through AMAZON.COM, and are published by Paladin Press. If you want great videos on knife fighting, I suggest James Keating's "Legacy of Steel." With any of these titles and authors, you cannot go wrong- and what you learn, may keep you alive... I gave McLemore's book Five Stars- only because Six Stars weren't an option! Get it, study it, learn it, love it, and if necessary, use the wisdom and knowledge McLemore's imparted to you! A "Must" for all lovers of the blade...

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb, March 6, 2005

By	magellan (Santa Clara, CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

Knives are almost ubiquitous weapons these days, and many kinds of high-performance, combat folders are very popular as carry knives. Hence, it behooves the student of martial arts, peace officer, and even private citizen to familiarize himself with their use and their defense. Granted, one can't learn to really defend oneself against a knife-wielding attacker from a book, or even in many months of training with an expert, but a book like this is a great way to begin your knowledge and training. In the Filipino bladed arts, there is the concept of knife-familiarization known as "encounter with the blade" (I forget the Tagalog term) wherein one begins for the first time to learn the basic techniques and becomes at least familiar with the blade. If you're already a student of the bladed arts, this book will be a valuable addition to your martial arts library.

Before I get into the discussion of the book, I'd like to mention something of my own background.

I am a karate and kali/escrima instructor of more than 30 years and specialize in close quarters combat and weapons training with the knife. This includes adapting classical Asian styles to knife fighting as well as researching and teaching the more specifically knife-oriented Filipino arts.

I have also, although I haven't been able to formally study it (although I've been to a few seminars) intensively researched Pentjak-Silat through purchasing many videos on over two dozen different styles, which many of you will already know is another knife oriented art. Silat has become almost popular in the U.S. over the last ten years in some venues, a development I was very pleased to see, since Silat is a formidable bladed art itself.

I have a number of books on knife-fighting and over 70 videos on kali/escrima/arnis, and over 40 on Indonesian Pentjak Silat. I used this material to research the different knife-fighting styles of the Pacific Rim arts, in addition to my own training under several gurus, in order to develop my own approach to knife-fighting. Basically, I've seen almost every video or book by every bladed weapons expert of any note, and this is one of my favorite books on knife fighting, and specifically large knife fighting. Anyway, that was all by way of saying this is a field I know my way around pretty well, and I know good research and information when I see it.

Col. McLemore spent years researching the book and it shows. Well written and beautifully illustrated (just as the originally 18th and 19th century training manuals were), the book provides a wonderfully organized and detailed course on Bowie knife fighting. Taking the student step-by-step through the various technique and practice drills, McLemore gives the student a thorough grounding in the basics, as well as the more advanced techniques.

Blocks, parries, traps, stabbing, thrusting and slashing techniques, footwork, combinations, and countering methods are all covered in detail. The normal saber grip versus the reverse grip is also covered, since the methods and capabilities of each style are distinctly different. The skilled student of the blade should be familiar with both styles even if he prefers to use only one in his training, in order to know how to defend against either one when he encounters it.

In knife fighting footwork is critical, and it is said there are no great knife fighters without great footwork. Footwork skills and drills are covered as well. Furthermore, I would add that once one has gained proficiency in the basic footwork and parrying skills, that one add body shifting methods such as dodging, ducking, dipping, rolling to the inside and outside, and so on, to one's repertory of defensive skills. When it comes to potentially serious or lethal encounters with the blade, it's all about giving yourself options, and thus increasing your chances of winning and or survival.

Another thing to remember in such an situation (and that I explain to my own students), is that in a deadly or weapons based encounter, your goal is not really to win, but not to lose and to escape with your life, because winning might require using more risky techniques and thereby expose yourself to a deadly counter. Your goal is simply to survive the first few seconds and then disengage and run if at all possible.

If you liked this book and want something further, James Keating's videos on both the Asian blade and American and European knife-fighting are excellent as well as Kelly Worden's videos. In his 10 volume video series on Natural Spirit Kuntau, there are two videos done by him and Keating that specifically deal with the blade. I also highly recommend the four volume series by Rey Galang and Christopher Ricketts on Kali Ilustrisimo. In addition, I like the four volume set by Jim Mahan and Roger Lewis on American Wagi Kali Silat, which contains a very detailed and well organized and logical training progression that I had adopted to organize the enormous amount of information and training drills I've accumulated during my own studies and for my own students.

But getting back to the present book, overall, a great contribution to the field and a must have for any serious student of the art or enthusiast in the area of historical combat techniques.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent training guide, offering insight into American fighting knives and knife fighting concepts., October 14, 2006

By	Michael Chesbro (Rainier, Washington USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Bowie and Big-knife Fighting System begins with a brief history of the Bowie knife, and offers a bit of insight into the life of Jim Bowie himself.

While the Bowie knife is perhaps not commonly carried in today's society, skill with this weapon can still serve one well. And... it should be noted that while a Bowie knife may not be a common sight on a man's belt any more, it is still quite possible for a man to have his Bowie knife close at hand.

Bowie and Big-knife Fighting System shows the grips, holds, stances, guards, and presenting of the large knife. Then there is an excellent and detailed discussion of the proper application of both the thrust and the cut when using the Bowie knife in combat.

Bowie and Big-knife Fighting System is well-illustrated with numerous drawings, demonstrating the proper application of the knife, and helping one visualize the instructions in the printed text.

I found this book to be an excellent training guide, as well as offering an enjoyable insight into early American history and American fighting knives and knife fighting concepts.

Highly Recommended!