Company: Paladin Press
Tape Name: Defending Against the Blade
Tape Cost: $19.95
Length of Tape/Time: Approximately 1 hour
Number of Moves/Techniques: Concepts plus Training Drills
Return Policy: Refund on damaged or defective tapes only
Experiences in dealing with this company: Fantastic
The Instructor: Peyton Quinn
Company’s Address: P.O. Box 1307, Boulder, CO., 80306
Company’s Phone Number: 1-800-392-2400
Web Page: http://www.paladin-press.com
E-Mail: sales@paladin-press.com

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Primary Grading Criteria:

1. Production/Tape Quality: 9
2. Instructors demonstrated skill level: 9
3. Comprehension Score/Immediate Understanding: 10
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 ): 10
8. Playback Score/Watching if over-and-over again: 9
9. Would I purchase more of this company’s products:9
10. Overall grade based on cost vs. Value: 9

Grand Total: 92% (3 Stars = Good)

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Secondary Grading Criteria:

1. Beginners benefit: Very Good
2. Intermediate benefit: Very 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:

Paladin is always among the best when it comes to producing practical, no nonsense self defense videos. This is another in a long line of practical videos from Paladin. Peyton Quinn opens this video by showing the viewer the various scars on his hands and arms that he has incurred while defending himself against knife attacks. According to Mr. Quinn, the typical martial arts instructor has never had to defend himself against a knife attack and does not teach from experience. The techniques shown on this video were the techniques that Mr. Quinn actually used against determined knifers.

The advice on this video is as important as the actual self defense techniques. Mr. Quinn points out many dojo fantasies concerning knife attacks. He goes into great detail to show what is unrealistic about many dojo style knife defenses. He gives us a look at what the experienced knifer will do versus a novice knifer. Observation skills are stressed by Mr. Quinn for knife fight avoidance and he gives several cardinal rules for saving your life in a knife attack. The techniques shown are not fancy and are based on having good reaction skills, sensitivity, and the willingness to counterattack ruthlessly.

This video is a great bang for the buck. No, this video is not about attaining belt rank or memorizing 1000 different knife defenses. It is about saving your life however. I have watched hundreds of videos, and I have not seen a knife defense video that surpasses this one ( from a practical standpoint ). This video is the knife equivalent Mr. Quinn’s other excellent video, “ Defending Against The Sucker Punch “. Mr. Quinn’s low key but realistic teaching style is entertaining and informative. This video will help anyone who is interested in learning to defend against knife attacks.

CJ