Put 'Em Down, Take 'Em Out: Knife fighting techniques from Folsom Prison
 | Put 'Em Down, Take 'Em Out!: Knife Fighting Techniques From Folsom Prison author: Don Pentecost rating:  asin: 0873644840 binding: Paperback list price: $14.00 USD amazon price: $14.00 |
This shocking little book, (54 of the toughest pages you can find), was an eye opener in the late eighties when it came out. Designed to teach the truth about knife attacks and defenses, it is just as relevant now as it was back in the day as martial arts systems keep their focus upon what can be done in the dojo rather than what should be done on the street.
Called the How to Murder with a Knife book by its detractors, (Gee, now who would they be and why would they think like that, hmmm?), Mr. Pentecost has tried to shed light on this ugly topic.
His introduction contends:
In brief and simple language, this book explains the difference between knife fighting fantasy and knife fighting reality.
…
The prerequisite to engaging in a knife fight is that you must first know the facts of a realistic attack. The simple explanation of a realistic attack destroys 99.9% of all existing knife fighting theories.
…
The object in a knife fight will always be to kill the enemy as quickly as possible, with as little risk to you as possible.
Remember this and apply it to your training.
Chapter One: The Basics of Knife Fighting
- the deadliest weapons (is not in your hand)
- emphasis on technique (bad)
- mental tactics
- adrenaline and fear
Chapter Two: Knife Fighting Myths
- leading with the knife
- face-off
- commando takedowns
- martial arts myths
Chapter Three: Knife Attack
- knife fighting grips
- ice pick grip
- fighting grip
- hit grip
- knife fighting stance
- one-two attack
- lead (empty ) hand strikes
- three-step attack
- control of opponent’s left side
- and effective attack combination
- targets, object jab and inserting the knife
- other weapon attacks
Chapter Four: Knife Defense
- knife defense stance
- defense against arm grabs
- grappling and knives
- principles of trapping
- counter attack angles
- group attacks
Chapter Five: Training
- mental training
- basic training
- movement and footwork
- breath control
- eye training
- practice drill
My only problem with this book is that it is a bit outdated as to which preferred target the knife is used against.
Darren Laur, serving LEO, researcher and combat skills instructor, states in his essay, Edged Weapon Tactics and Counter Tactics, that:
the most popular assault technique utilized by the attacker was found to be the hammer strike - either straight down or diagonally.
In Gladiator School, Darren asked “Bob”, (involved in approximately 130-150 violent confrontations while inside some of the toughest maximum-security federal penitentiaries in Canada), what the prefered target for a shanking was, Bob replied, the armpit, since it was a fight ender but seldom killed the target, thus sending a message to him. If death was desired, it was easily achieved after he went down from the armpit stab.
This seems to indicate that the general North American populace prefers the hammer strike to the multiple plunges to the gut that Mr. Pentecost mentions as to the main method of American prisons, as well as to the armpit method of Canadian prisons.
Since Put ’em Down is not technique based but refers to common principles, it is not seriously affected by these observations.
If you have a need to understand the dynamics of prison or ethnic knife culture, don’t hesitate to put out some cash for this intense little book.