( 7 reviews )
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Posted: Nov 23 2008
This book and the follow-up volume on advanced Bowie techniques are superb technical resources on the use of big fighting knives. The author gives a little historical background which teases us, making us want to know more. The techniques are described in clear text and with a series of terriffic drawings. The drawings themselves are worth the price of the books. I highly recommend Mr. McLemore's books for their graphics and his explanation of how to fight and defend with the famous American icon, Bowie knives.
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( 1 of 1 found this review helpful ) Posted: Nov 21 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007 Weapons of Modest Destruction Weapons of Modest Destruction Stop me if you've heard this one. Two lawyers, a bear, and a duck walk into a bar... Wait, the legal department has just handed me a memo. It seems that jokes about lawyers are out. Lawyers don't think they're funny, and no one else thinks they're jokes. I'm also required to write the following before getting to the meat of the column: Misuse of the weapons featured in this column could result in serious injury or death. The author, publisher, and distributor of this column disclaims any liability from damage or injuries of any nature that a reader or user of the information may incur. Moreover, it is the reader's responsibility to comply with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations pertaining to possession, carrying, and/or use of said weapons. This column is for academic study only. Highland Knife Fighting by Christopher Scott Thompson: This book traces the historical roots of the dirk and provides step-by-step instructions and photos to show how the Highlanders used the knife. Also included are exercises and drills, including the advanced quick draw drill. Remember, there can be only one... Tomahawks, Traditional to Tactical by David Grant: Soldiers and woodsmen have armed themselves with the tomahawk. Its design is simple and extremely effective at both close range and throwing ranges. It doubles as a field tool, is durable, easily repaired, and available without a permit or license. The book includes an instructive chapter on choosing the best tomahawk for your needs. You say you have an axe to grind??? The Sling, for Sport and Survival by Cliff Savage: The sling is the ultimate lightweight weapon. It is silent, compact, inexpensive, and ammunition is free. This handy book shows how to make and use slings, and is great for survivalists and weapon enthusiasts. Now, I wonder what Goliath is doing today??? Blowguns, the Breath of Death by Michael D. Janich: The blowgun may be the perfect weapon, capable of delivering a variety of projectiles accurately and silently in an inexpensive package. This book includes how to make your own, where to acquire modern blowguns and projectiles; how to shoot a blowgun; how to maintain and store your blowgun. And everyone said I was just full of hot air??? Bowie And Big-Knife Fighting System by Dwight C. McLemore: This well-known fighting arts instructor, bladesman, and Bowie aficionado provides insight into Jim Bowie, the Bowie knife, and the fighting systems associated historically with both. Contains great illustrations and practical training drills. I say walk softly and carry a large knife... The New Bullwhip Book by Andrew Conway: Ever want to run away and join the circus? This book introduces you to whip basics, parts of the whip, the different types available, as well as the three basic cracks, and step-by-step instructions on how to master them. I say whip it. Whip it good... Flashlight Fighting by Phil Elmore: A simple flashlight can be a potent weapon if wielded properly, and it's still legal to own one. You might think you are in trouble if the only weapon in a self-defense scenario is a flashlight, but a short length of rigid material can target soft body parts, joints, and other vital areas. Martial artist Phil Elmore shows how to choose a suitable flashlight, deploy it quickly, and use it to disable an attacker who thought you were unarmed. Better be sure those batteries are ever ready... From the dawn of humanity, weapons and tools have been a crucial part of human development. A weapon is a tool used to injure, incapacitate or even kill, but it is just that, a tool. Tools shape both our physical and mental worlds. The knife is the most ancient weapon in our arsenal, and a versatile tool. Extend it, and it's a sword, extend and curve the blade, and it's a sickle. Tools help feed us, shelter us, defend us and assure our survival. Mankind has always relied upon his wits, the opposable thumb, and the mastery of tools. Mmmm, perhaps our greatest tool is really knowledge... author of "Hobo Finds A Home" and editor "Of A Predatory Heart"
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( 2 of 2 found this review helpful ) Posted: Mar 17 2007
In an age where the single shot pistol gave you at most one chance to dispatch your assailant, a reliable backup weapon was critical. The common man's choice was not the gentleman's small sword, but the big knife--the Bowie. BBKFS is a fascinating historical reconstruction of what big knife fighting of the early 19th century may have been like. McLemore has successfully documented the dynamics of the bout using a combination of still images (line drawings) and continuations (vectors) for feet, blade and hand. He also explores the possible history/origin of the big knife fighting technique--an adaptation of small sword fighting to an even shorter length weapon. His illustration skills are excellent. He is a very effective communicator in this medium. Even so, this material cries out for a companion dvd. The drawings and labeling are generally accurate, but there are a few mistakes which better editing would have caught. o p.73 (Timetable for death) "Subclavian" should be "Femoral"; on the Brachial Artery diagram, loss of consciousness should be 14 seconds (not 5 seconds), death 1 1/2 minutes (not 12 seconds); on the Radial Artery diagram, loss of consciousness should be 30 seconds (not 30 minutes). [This information is a restatement from Fairbairn's "Get Tough"] o p.94, p.95, p.121 (Angles of attack). Which drawing is correct? I had to conclude p.95, since most of the labeling on subsequent drawings is consistent with this figure. o p.101 (View of Angle 5 on the opponent) The leftmost drawing mistakenly labels this as angle 6. o p.102 (View of Angle 6 on the opponent) The leftmost drawing mistakenly labels this as angle 5. Grip, stance, guard, presentation, thrust, cut, parry, legwork--this book reads like a fencing manual. Add to that Mr. McLemore's skill with the conte crayon. Agrippa meets Bridgman.
