[Lucky]

Anyone here have favorites? The 'star & review' system on Amazon isn't good enough. Along the same lines, what type of schools would teach good skills?

[Matt_W]

Knives, Knife Fighting and related hassles, Marc McYoung.

[Lucky]

Thank-you.

[1911JMB]

I don't know what your level of martial arts or fighting knoledge is, but no matter what you do, you should know something about unarmed combat to go with your knife. Just reading won't do jack s*** as far as real skills go, because reading about how to do fancy maneuvers is useless without your body having the muscle memory required to do such moves efficiently and effectively.

As for good books, Rex Applegate wrote a couple. Theres one which I can't think of the title which is solely about knife fighting, and another book which I own called Kill Or Get Killed. The later is in use by the Marines, and contains all sorts of real world tested techniques for all forms of close quarters combat likely to be incountered by police, military, and civilians. I highly reccomend it. Given Rex's reputation, I would think his knife fighting specific book would be real good too.

[hso]

Those are 2 good suggestions, but why are you looking for books instead of schools?

[carebear]

He did ask about schools (unless there's an "edit" I didn't see).

As far as asking for books rather than schools...

For myself, I prefer to learn about something in general before I actually do it. In the case of knife fighting, I'd want to learn what the various styles are, their objective strengths and weaknesses, the types and nomenclature of the various knives etc. That way I can make an informed choice of a style and weapon that fits my mindset/temperment and previous experience AND when I walk in the door I won't be completely ignorant.

Just going door to door to schools right off and spending time and possibly money to learn A) it's a lousy school/teacher/style for me or B) it's a flat out shyster ripoff, is a low-percentage move.

My time is more valuble than that. I can read a variety of opinions, at night, pick a good style and weapon for myself and then come back in a week or month and ask "What are the best kali/fencing/Apache Knife schools near me?" and streamline the learning process.

"Measure twice, "cut" once", so to speak. :evil:

[Boom-stick]

"All in fighting" it's a title from Paladin Press. It's a reissue of a W E fairbaine book from WW2 based on combatives.

I'm seriously considering buying a second copy to keep as a spare.


and it is great.:evil:

[geim druth]

Rex Applegate is good. I also like Dwight McLemore's system. He has books available through Paladin Press and I believe he has a school in Virginia.

[Lucky]

Great stuff, thanks!

For books - books is where I always start, it's a trained habit, my father calls it 'due-dilligence'.

[Steel Talon]

Hello Lucky,

Learning from a book is OK to develop history etc. What is truly needed is physical training there is s a whole lot more involved in learning to "Knife" fight.

I would suggest that you start researching Filipino Martial Arts history. Escrima/Arnis/ Silat*. Then after you do your diligence seek out a reputable school in your area. FMA is the way to go.

* Silat is a very effective if not the best knife fighting platform there is .as far as I'm concerned.

Peace,
Steel Talon:cool:

[Sunray]

'Cold Steel' by John Styers. It has a chapter on bayonet fighting too. $13.96 at Amazon. Or used from $9.