Street Sword: Practical Use of the Long Blade for Self-Defense Paperback – January 1, 2007

> Phil has become widely known in the self-defense and martial arts communities.. as a total hack. Don't waste your money on this garbage.

It covers a few Japan type stances, a few words of caution, and that about it. Knowing what I now know, I probably would not buy it.

I had hoped for a more detailed program but Mr. Elmore's book does give some very practical advice on choice of sword and how to use it.HB

As someone with 30 years of varied martial arts background, including teaching, weapons, tournament fighting, extensive kata experience, it is refreshing to find book that cuts through so much of the ever-present B.S. that permeates the martial arts community. Grounded in basic, simple, and practical information, it shows how just about anyone can effectively use a blade longer than a knife in basic self defense, and provides some much needed advice on choosing a weapon for actual use (NOT a "wall hanger"), for those that don't have experience with steel outside of fiction, catalogs, or the kitchen. If you want some advice on kitchen knives, this book might help there as well - good steel is hardly ever stainless.While my personal choice for inside the home would be a sword under 2 feet long due to hallway size, I can easily see where a full length blade will have it's merits, particularly if elbow room was suddenly no longer a consideration. Providing, of course, that I don't have my shotgun already out.Finally, Phil takes a number of well-aimed swipes at basement ninja crowd. This is appropriate considering the sheer number of frauds, idiots, crazies, and sword romantics that clog the internet, invent their own "system", and make the evening news with a $50 "combat ninjatsu" they picked up off of eBay. I've even seen this behavior from legitimate black belts, who are competent enough to present a real danger should they decide to go off the rails.

I received this book after i was trying to find a way to conceal carry my Gladius. This book not only taught me how to wear it so that it appears as nothing but a scarf, it also taught me how to use it to the greatest effect. I now call myself Sksen Maximus. It is my adopted name as I roam the streets of Salt Lake City Utah. I have stopped no less than a quarter of an attack with my Gladius and I am willing to bet that if that man had stayed around and not run away while dialing 911 he would have thanked me for rushing in and pommel punching that Catholic priest in the heart of Mormon country. Why was a Catholic priest there? Suspicious! I learned to trust my instincts and size up my opponent just like this book tells you to do. I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to carry a sword.

This author needs to do add more meat, not enough here to satisfy.Who is the target audience? Experts or noobs... I say noob.I fence some. This is lolAlso I'm fairly sure the reviews 4 star and above where written by the author.

The legalities and practical concerns of carrying any kind of sword aside, I'm struck by the publication date. Has anyone else noted this was put on April Fools Day? I hope this isn't an oversight, and this is actually a brilliant avant-garde piece of satire. Otherwise, I'm assuming it's the work of a crazy person.

Mr. Elmore fully understands that Street Sword's bold premise will be dismissed and the messenger personally thrashed. Such is the animus our modern western culture possesses toward the blade as a defensive weapon, be it long or short--too gruesome for our delicate sensibilities. Furthermore it's a hard argument to make, especially in this age of easily concealed distance weapons (handgun). Yet, the author pushes ahead with his polemic.The writing style is engaging and entertaining. It reads like his articles do from the blogzine "The Martialist" where one can explore concept papers (e.g."Be a Martialist") and product reviews. The b/w photographic stills reproduced well. However, they do not depict a "street" environment. They are shot in a snow covered forest. Further the illustrations are missing vital sequences (the draw from concealment--"excuse me while I whip this out") as well as intermediate states showing the complete blade movement. But a proper treatment would have increased production costs well beyond the target goal for works in this category ($15).As fascinating as some of this material is (combining sword and pistol), it's hard to resist reality. Carrying three feet of steel concealed is problematic--if your illegal handgun doesn't print, you kat will. If one wants a stealthy blade, there are better choices than a katana or hand-and-half sword. A wakizashi or bowie readily come to mind. But instead of a sword as a companion to an HG, one might want to consider a non-lethal force alternative--a cane or walking stick. I can think of many scenarios where such a socially accepted prop could render invaluable service.3.0 stars for a provocative premise but ultimately unconvincing argument. 0.4 stars for style. (P.S. In a review of another Mr. Elmore's works "Shorthand Empty Hand", the reviewer believed that Mr. Elmore was engaging in satire. I've not read SHEH, but I detected no hint of satire in this work, nor in his "Flashlight Fighting". All of his little works are principally concept papers and not training manuals. It's your job to adapt the idea to work with your existing skills or get additional training.)AddendumI am at a loss at the response to this review. Who is unhappy? Those who want to indulge in Elmore's fantasy of carrying 42" or more of sharpened carbon steel? Or those who disagree with my marginal praise of his presentation skills?