Balisong : the lethal art of Filipino knife fighting

This is a good book on the basics of Filipino knife fighting which covers very basic information. The illustrations are adequate but at times confusing. The 4 basic attacks of the slash, rake, gouge and rip are discussed, and although I already knew the principles, there was still a hearty discussion. There are a few important key points such as the "Visayan Knife Cutting Do's and Don'ts" and the "17 Slashes of Death". These 17 "Slashes" are the main vascular pathways that, if attacked, will lead to incapacitation. Defensive and Offensive drills are illustrated but author/photographer do not make it clear on who the actual person is that we are supposed to emulate (both wear black shirts). It's a decent book but there are far better titles than this one. It's worth a read but more detail is covered in other texts, such as The Balisong Manual and Advanced Balisong Manual by Jeff Imada.

follow The Path Of The Filipino Knife Fighter And The Blinding Blur Of The Deadly Balisong In Motion--its Whirlwind Lethality--can Be Yours. Three Experts, Having Combined Their Knowledge Of The Balisong, Martial Arts And Self-defense, Show You The Basics Of Techniques Perfected In The Philippines Over The Course Of 400: Concealing, Drawing, Flipping And Gripping The Balisong; Checking And Rolling; And The Four Main Phases Of Training.

The individual who has pursued an avocation in the empty-hand combative sciences tends to believe that a knife or any hand implement, other than a firearm, is an extension of himself.