First, let me say that I do not claim to be a knife expert in any way. I've always been interested in knife fighting, I've attended knife fighting seminars, and I do a bit in my training, but there are many, many others far more qualified than I am. Tom Furman can answer more questions than I can on this subject so let me defer to him as our local forum expert. Also, my personal knife fighting plan is to run like hell or shoot them if I can. I have zero interest in every being caught in a knife fight. The truth, however, is that even if I was armed with a gun someone under 20 feet away can probably close the distance and stab me before I can draw. (especially from a concealed position) I can draw pretty quick, but most people in that distance will get stabbed before they get off a shot - even TRAINED folks. (See the Tueller Drill as an example of this. . . . ) Also - See Gabe Suarez and Marc Denny (Dog Brothers guy) for empty hand to knife to gun transition work . . . . ) So the point is that having a gun will not always help so you need to know what to do. "The Essential Ray Floro" is the best Knife Fighting DVD I've ever seen. It is beautifully simple but brutally effective. I really like what I've seen from the Sayoc guys and the Atienza guys, but there is a depth and complexity there that I do not have the time to pursue given my other training priorities. Floro's stuff is extremely well thought out, very easy to understand, and most importantly, it's something that a lot of people can grasp and practice AND reproduce. That is the key here. THIS is something I can incorporate into my existing training routine. (and that is part of why its so very good) To put it into perspective, this is something I feel like I could teach my 60 year old Dad. The techniques are simple, but flexible, and if I could teach the basic stabs and cuts, defense, and footwork, he'd have a nice foundation to work from. Do not think that because this stuff is simple that it has limited effectiveness. Ray has created a wonderful simplicity that has more than enough flexibility to scale up to more complex fighting scenarios. Ray's resume includes: Okinawan Karate Italian Fencing to National Level Modern Arnis Balintawak Eskrima Lameco Eskrima (3rd Degree) Kalis Illustrismo (Master Teacher) BJJ with John Will and Michael Jenn (Thanks Tom for this background info) Some of his fencing footwork is scary as hell. Ray is so fast and he can reach out and touch you from much further away than you'd imagine. Absolutely awesome stuff . . . . I'll buy anything else Ray puts out for sure. This DVD is going into my 'never get rid of' stack. I can't say enough good things about it

• You will learn how to take a handful of defensive moves that are easily integrated into your particular style to create a system that works for you against various methods of edged weapon attack.
• You will be shown how to use longer weapons of opportunity like magazines, walking canes and umbrellas for devastating defensive moves against an armed assailant.
• You will be taught methods and principles that have a universal tactical quality and are applicable to all manner of improvised, impact and edged weapons.
• You be shown step-by-step instructions on how to deal with an opponent who is aggressively charging and pressing a rapid piston like edged weapon attack.
• You will be taught real world simple methods that are applicable to all manner of scenarios, of defending yourself unarmed against an armed attack.