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The Balisong Manual
Jeff Imada, one of the most respected balisong practitioners in the world, presents the definitive work on the balisong knife. Everything you always wanted to know about the balisong is featured in this book, with concise text and hundreds of detailed photos showing: carrying, drawing and flipping manipulation techniques; self-defense techniques; the knife and the law; knife-fighting philosophy; care and maintenance; and striking areas.
- GenresMartial Arts
Paperback
First published June 1, 1984
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
December 13, 2016
I read this years ago, and decided to go over it again.
The book, as a medium, is obsolete. All of the manipulations of the knife that Imada performs have been shown on video far more clearly for twenty years. One can get all of them off youtube currently. This is true for many other martial arts styles. Books, while useful, are a limited resource given their lack of information density.
The knife itself is also, to my mind, a tad obsolete. Imada says this is the only legal folder that can be opened with one hand...this isn't true, though it probably was at the time he wrote it. There are hundreds of variations of clip-it knives that can easily be opened with one hand. The Balisong takes longer to employ than a standard clip-it, all training being equal.
Imada seems to be heavily advertising for Pacific Cutlery--now known as Benchmade. Note these are great knives, and I wouldn't doubt that they make the best Balisongs. They also make a number of standard folders that I mentioned above. I love their Griptilian line.
Some of the palm stick applications he shows are interesting, but from a legal perspective one has to ask what a prosecutor would do if it were known one used a knife in a fist fight, even though it were closed. Having a knife in one's hand, closed,or not, ups the stakes considerably.
Early in the book Imada writes the following:
"If you are anticipating an inescapable attack, preparatory arrange- ments can be made to conceal the balisong. Ed Parker, the Father of American Karate, has often said, "One who is truly prepared appears as if he is not prepared at all." To look unprepared builds false confidence in your assailant. By contrast, looking prepared, obviously armed, and knowledgeable places your opponent doubly on guard."
Later he writes:
"Attacks take place when the attacker assumes you are unable or unwilling to defend yourself. Attackers choose those who they expect to behave as a helpless or passive victim or who they want to intimidate. Bullies who attack and find they don't have a willing or helpless victim are often discouraged."
This is contradictory advice.
All that aside, it's a good book. Not great. When taken along with it's sequel it might be even better. That's up next on my list.
The book, as a medium, is obsolete. All of the manipulations of the knife that Imada performs have been shown on video far more clearly for twenty years. One can get all of them off youtube currently. This is true for many other martial arts styles. Books, while useful, are a limited resource given their lack of information density.
The knife itself is also, to my mind, a tad obsolete. Imada says this is the only legal folder that can be opened with one hand...this isn't true, though it probably was at the time he wrote it. There are hundreds of variations of clip-it knives that can easily be opened with one hand. The Balisong takes longer to employ than a standard clip-it, all training being equal.
Imada seems to be heavily advertising for Pacific Cutlery--now known as Benchmade. Note these are great knives, and I wouldn't doubt that they make the best Balisongs. They also make a number of standard folders that I mentioned above. I love their Griptilian line.
Some of the palm stick applications he shows are interesting, but from a legal perspective one has to ask what a prosecutor would do if it were known one used a knife in a fist fight, even though it were closed. Having a knife in one's hand, closed,or not, ups the stakes considerably.
Early in the book Imada writes the following:
"If you are anticipating an inescapable attack, preparatory arrange- ments can be made to conceal the balisong. Ed Parker, the Father of American Karate, has often said, "One who is truly prepared appears as if he is not prepared at all." To look unprepared builds false confidence in your assailant. By contrast, looking prepared, obviously armed, and knowledgeable places your opponent doubly on guard."
Later he writes:
"Attacks take place when the attacker assumes you are unable or unwilling to defend yourself. Attackers choose those who they expect to behave as a helpless or passive victim or who they want to intimidate. Bullies who attack and find they don't have a willing or helpless victim are often discouraged."
This is contradictory advice.
All that aside, it's a good book. Not great. When taken along with it's sequel it might be even better. That's up next on my list.
Displaying 1 of 1 review