Company: ESPY-TV
Tape Name: Combat Knife Defense Techniques: Tape 2
Tape Cost: $29.95
Length of Tape/Time: 40 minutes
Number of Moves/Techniques: 14
Return Policy: Return On Defective Or Damaged Merchandise Only
Experiences in dealing with this company: Excellent
The Instructor: Robert B. MacEwen Jr,
Company's Address: 611 Broadway, N.Y., N.Y., 10012
Company's Phone Number: 212-673-0899
Web Page: http://www.espytv.com
E-Mail: order@espytv.com

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Primary Grading Criteria:

1. Production/Tape Quality: 9
2. Instructors demonstrated skill level: 9
3. Comprehension Score/Immediate Understanding: 9
4. Degree to which this will make someone a better Martial Artist: 9
5. Score on delivery vs hype: 9
6. Degree to which we would recommend this product: 9
7. Wasted Time ( The higher the number, the less " fluff" /repetition ): 9
8. Playback Score/Watching if over-and-over again: 9
9. Would I purchase more of this company's products:10
10. Overall grade based on cost vs. Value: 9

Grand Total: 91 % ( Good = 2.75 Stars ) Original Grade = 94%

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Secondary Grading Criteria:

1. Beginners benefit: Good
2. Intermediate benefit: Good
3. Advanced benefit: Good
4. Time to benefit: Immediate
5. The need to buy additional tapes to understand this one: None

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Written Summary:

This is the second video in this series on combat Aikido and deals exclusively with empty hand defenses against various knife attacks. We are shown 14 different techniques against various types of knife attacks including stabs, slashes, and thrusts. Mr. MacEwen does a good job explaining the fine points of these techniques which is not always done on other videos that deal with the aiki based arts. The techniques are shown slowly at first, with much explanation, and then later at a more realistic combat speed. We are treated to several well known throws from the aiki arts such as kotegaeshi, shionage, sankyo, and others. This tape is what I would call "no nonsense aikido" since it deals primarily with the combat speed execution of some very devastating techniques and does not deal with the religious or philosophical components that are so prevalent in other videos dealing with aikido.

If you are an experienced aikidoist, then the material on this video is probably mostly a review. However, if you want to learn some devastating knife defenses from this art and are looking for a video that gives a good in depth discussion of the finer points of these techniques, then this would make an interesting addition to your video library.

CJ