Rating: 
Summary: Straightforward and simple techniques and training.
Review: Michael Janich is one of the biggest names in this field. He teaches schools that lots of people pay a lot of money to attend. This book provides an introductory overview of his teaching. The methods shown in this book are straightforward and simple. There's not a lot of earth-shattering information in this book but the book does provide a solid and well rounded overview of the topic. I've read several of the older books on knife fighting (W. Cassidy, M. Echanis, etc.) but none have been as useful as this book. The photos are clear and provide a lot of information. The book is formatted well for training. The large 8.5x11 format can lay open so can have the book out for reference use during training. The print is large with lots of white space on each page for easy reading.
Rating:
Summary: Straightforward and simple techniques and training.
Review: Michael Janich is one of the biggest names in this field. He teaches schools that lots of people pay a lot of money to attend. This book provides an introductory overview of his teaching. The methods shown in this book are straightforward and simple. There's not a lot of earth-shattering information in this book but the book does provide a solid and well rounded overview of the topic. I've read several of the older books on knife fighting (W. Cassidy, M. Echanis, etc.) but none have been as useful as this book. The photos are clear and provide a lot of information. The book is formatted well for training. The large 8.5x11 format can lay open so can have the book out for reference use during training. The print is large with lots of white space on each page for easy reading.
Rating:
Summary: excellent
Review: Michael Janich knows knife fighting. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Janich recently and I was instantly impressed with his unassuming manner. But don't be fooled by it. He knows the fighting arts and he is a true master of the blade. I am also a big fan of his Fighting Folder video series. Unlike many martial artists who use the video format to show off their skill, Mr. Janich refrains from such childish behavior and gives the viewer a solid presentation on how to choose a blade, carry it, and draw it as quickly as possible. I saw him draw his knife in person and I can tell you that his skill and his speed are incredible.
As an author of 13 books on the martial arts, I highly recommend anything by Michael Janich.
Rating:
Summary: Practical, informative, and basic
Review: Mr. Janich writes a very informative book on techniques. There is no flair or BS. It's pretty much straightforward and simple. On top of demonstrating very effective techniques, his best advice is to avoid a knife fight at all costs.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent basic training manual
Review: Reading this book and practicing the lessons, you will not become a master in knife fighting art, but this knowledge will can save your life.
Rating: 
Summary: Quite a good book!
Review: Slashing and thrusting on nearly every page. A lot of techniques shown here, but in my opinion this books lacks about the grips, since the one he shows are all based on the knife he is using most of the time, a heavy bladed Bowie. Also, again, the emotional aspects of a knife fight are neglected here. But the rest is just great, a very good base for realistic training.
Rating:
Summary: Great system; very practical
Review: This book is well written, realistic, and easy to follow. Janich has trained with Special Forces vets, police, and street fighters. He really knows his stuff, cutting through the machismo bovine excrement many authors blather to provide a down to earth, effective approach.
For example, his first piece of advice is to avoid knife fights altogether. As the survivor of a couple such encounters I wholeheartedly agree. Further, he reminds practitioners not to forget other weapons (e.g., hands, feet) and focus solely on the knife. He talks about moral/legal considerations as well as the appropriate defensive mindset. This excellent tome covers all the basics: stance, grip, footwork/mobility, zones of attack/defense, cuts/thrusts, defensive responses, defensive strategies, targets, counter-defenses, and more.
Unfortunately Janich, like many self-defense experts, casually throws out the phrase, "it's better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6." It's only one sentence in an otherwise outstanding tome but I feel obliged to point out that I'm not personally an advocate of that sentiment. I feel that it can trivialize the seriousness of violent confrontations. Never forget that if you are found guilty in a jury trial you will be spending a whole lot of quality time in a confined environment with unpredictable, dangerous neighbors who may be less than friendly as you interact with them. You will also suffer other personal and professional challenges upon release. Janich's point, which I sincerely agree with, is that under no circumstances must you let fear of legal consequences keep you from surviving a violent encounter.
Overall, this really is a great book. I heartily recommend it.
Lawrence Kane
Author of Martial Arts Instruction: Applying Educational Theory and Communication Techniques in the Dojo
Rating:
Summary: read this one before you read the classics
Review: This book will make it easy for you to understand many of the priciples outlined in the classics titles on the subject. Though this one is based in filipino knife fighting, is not too hard to see how the techniques apply to the western methods commonly refered, and provides a reasonable aproach to formalized training, wich is only outlined, sometimes forgotten, in classic books.
Rating:
Summary: Rule #1 take a gun to a Knife Fight!
Review: This is an excellent manual for the novice and a good manual for the intermediate student. It is full of practical and effective techniques. Janich maintains a healthy realistic view of knife encounters; especially one of his last photos in the book. RUN away from the knife attacker, that is your best defense. Janich demonstrates some practical and effective techniques.The book is based on effective concepts and principles of self-defense, unlike so many of the alleged knife fighting "masters" write about. My advice and what I teach my students about encounters against knife wielding assh-les is first, if your going to be involved in a situation in which you have the probability of facing a knife, carry a gun! If you can not avoid the circumstances of facing an edged weapon, and a true self-defense expert should be able to avoid that probablity, then be prepared to get cut and see your own blood. ...
Rating: 
Summary: NEEDLESSLY COMPLEX
Review: This was an okay book, but due to the esteemed Mister Janich's formidable reputation I expected more. He obviously put a lot of time and effort into compiling this book, and there are lots of photographs to illustrate his concepts, but the text was far too wordy and needlessly complicated. It was tiresome to read. Another thing that really got under my skin was his repeated reference to "the comma cut." Basically, all this "move" entails is the time honored tradition of simply sticking the blade in and twisting it -- but to hear Janich go on, you'd think this was a new technique of his own invention! Some good concepts here, but overall it's as dry as an economics textbook! Like I said -- tiresome.
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