This is my 3rd of 4 reviews of the ShivWorks DVD series. I previously reviewed the Practical Unarmed Combat DVD and the Fighting Handgun Volume 1 DVD.

The intent of this DVD is to provide an introduction to ShivWorks’ reverse-edge knife skills, for use in extreme close quarters combat situations.

The first impression of this DVD, especially having viewed 2 other more recent DVD’s, is the production quality. This DVD is certainly not of the same high quality production standards of the other 2 DVD’s. From the camera work, to the lighting, editing, DVD mastering, and some audio-video sync issues in the last segment of the DVD. This isn’t to say it’s poor or crappy quality — far from it. Merely it’s evident this was the first DVD ShivWorks produced and the later DVD’s show how much they learned in terms of production quality. Do not let any notions of production quality influence your decisions on this particular DVD: it may not be big-budget Hollywood, but it’s certainly good enough to allow the material to be presented.

As for material.

The material is actually fairly simple, which is good. That doesn’t mean it’s easy or without a need to practice it, but that the technique isn’t something overly complicated. It’s techniques for using the reverse edge of the knife in a ECQC situation. There’s nothing flashy, nothing fancy, but it’s nasty. Using a backhand grip, a forehand grip, either way the use of the reverse edge to thrust and hook. I must admit, as I watched the application of the techniques (and having seen the results of a knife fight and the damage a knife can do), I would wince. It’s some nasty stuff.

The DVD lays out the material in a logical fashion, from the draw stroke to the basic movements, to application. Then the application is taken a bit further with SouthNarc working with partner, showing the thrusting and hooking motions along with other strikes and movement towards effective application of the technique.

Techniques are shown from a variety of angles and demonstrated numerous times, helping you to understand what’s going on.

I can’t really go into too much detail about the actual technique. You just have to see it. A couple of SouthNarc’s PSP’s on ECQ Knife and Expression of P’Kal can give you some idea of the material. Of course, the DVD gives you the benefit of seeing it in action instead of just static pictures and descriptions. Even better would be taking direct training and instruction from SouthNarc, such as his In-Extremis Knife course (I have yet to take it).

There are two things I wish SouthNarc would have discussed, especially in this introductory video.

First, knife selection. There’s no specific talk about knife selection. Some discussion is given about placement of the knife for draw, and that the knife edge is reversed, but not enough “why” on the specifics of knife construction — why this knife over some other knife. If you’ve looked around a knife catalog (check out the Spyderco or Benchmade online catalogs), you’ll see there are many different types of knives, materials, blade styles, points, edges. Some knives are better made for thrusting, some are better made for cutting. The reason for the different blade styles, points, materials, handles, etc. are because of different tasks. It would have been useful to have a discussion of this so that one could ensure they had a blade that was proper for this sort of fighting.

Of course, knives like ShivWorks’ own Disciple and Clinch Pick are purpose-built for this style of fighting. There is a section at the end of the DVD that discusses these particular knives, but still not enough discussion as to the theory behind the knives. For instance, the advantage of how the tip is curved. Why only a single edge blade instead of a double-edged blade. Point being, help people understand something about knives and knife construction/design to help them pick a knife that’s right for them. They may not be able to acquire a Disciple, so helping them understand the theory helps them pick the right blade from whatever selection they may have available to them.

As well, the primary knives used in this were fixed blade knives, tho you could see SouthNarc had a folder in his right front pocket. I believe it was his Spyderco P’Kal, but it was barely made reference to throughout the video (not sure why, maybe it was still under development at the time the video was produced?? I don’t know). It would have been useful for him to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of fixed blades vs. folders. From watching the material, my guess is fixed blades are the way to go because they deploy quickly and are instantly in action. The draw is gross motion, no need for fingers to manipulate and open a folder, which could be difficult in an ECQC/FUT situation (it’d be easy to fumble and drop the folder, to move it into the right position). The exception would be something like his P’Kal folder, which is quickly deployed due to the use of the wave/Emerson opener, but I suspect even that is second to a fixed blade knife. Note that what I write here is merely my own interpretation of things; as this paragraph starts, my desire is for SouthNarc to have discussed this issue of folder vs. fixed.

Second, whenever SouthNarc thrusts with his right hand, you’ll watch him bring his left hand up under his right armpit. I’m curious why he does this. In my Kuk Sool training we did something similar with this sort of cover motion. It would have been good if SouthNarc explained this motion, not just for those that have no idea why you’d do such a thing, but I’d also be curious why he does it.

All in all, a good DVD. This is not dueling, this is not ritual, this is not sport or anything glamorous. This is simple, effective, and ugly knife-based self-defense techniques. One thing I greatly appreciate about SouthNarc’s material is simplicity and effectiveness, and this certainly has both.