Following on from last years Individual Close Combat Vols 1 & 2, Paladin Press have chosen to release the latest of Bob Kasper’s posthumous combative writings.

 

And for aficionados of the blade arts (and I include myself in this category) THIS is the book that we have been waiting for! It is a comprehensive rundown of his thoughts, experiences and techniques in relation to his knife combative program, KNI-COM.

 

The title “Sting of the Scorpion” refers to the name of an Indian assassins knife – The Bichwa (which literally translates as “the sting of the scorpion”) and was also the name given to Bob Kasper’s favourite blade design – The Scorpion.

 

The books begins with a forward by Kelly McCann, Kasper’s long time friend, training partner and colleague. And once again gives a personal insight into the man and his methodology. There is also a fantastic array of pictures (donated by McCann) of Bob Kasper and the Gung Ho Chuan Association members training in various forms of close combat, including knife combat.

 

Now onto the book proper!

 

Bob takes us through the whole compendium of knife related tactics from the various types of knives available for the citizen concerned with personal protection, to carry options, concealment, draw, grip and up and onto the basics of knife combat such as thrusts, slashes and combinations.

 

This culminates in a variety of “real world” scenario applications of when and how to use an edged weapon for protective purposes. We are also given a rudimentary look at the unarmed combative techniques and how they can be applied.

 

The book ends with reminiscences from several knife craftsmen who worked closely with Bob Kasper on his series of weapons, as well as original drawings of the designs themselves.

 

I have been a keen follower of Bob Kasper’s work for many years, first from his informative articles in his “Street Smarts” column of Tactical Knives Magazine, then through a brief correspondence with him via some colleagues in the USA, and finally through acquiring and utilising his superbly crafted series of edged weapons and implementing with tactics and techniques from his combative systems.

 

Bob Kasper’s work has been one of the core strengths for the Modern Combative Group’s edged weapon training, and he is undoubtedly one of the “Father’s” of modern day combatives.

 

Sting of the Scorpion is an excellent book, not only for people who already have an in-depth knowledge of the subject matter, but also provides an excellent starting point for those who wish to add knife combatives to their close combat repertoire.

 

I look forward to reading more of Mr. Kasper’s work in the near future.

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright – Modern Combatives Group - 2009.