I should preface this with the following statement, in case Phil accuses me of being biased or putting words/thoughts into his mouth/head.
This is my interpretation of the following work. It in no way portrays the author's, Phil Elmore, intentions, thought process or beliefs. Everything that follows are my thoughts and mine alone.
Oh yeah, Phil, don't copy this to your site as I don't trust that you would leave it in it's original form since you seem to rewrite history when it is convenient.
Street Sword by Phil Elmore.
I just received my copy in the mail today. Its a thin book of 83 pages. A very quick read. The cover photo and all photos contained within are of very good quality. The photographer, who Phil credits in the book, did a great job.
The book is broken into four chapters with an appendix. Chapter 1 is an introduction. Chapter 2 is about the mechanics of the sword. Chapter 3 is about fighting theory. Chapter 4 is about the Swordsmans path. The appendix gives seven lessons from Musashi.
Chapter 1: Introduction
Phil starts with a humorous look at the stereotypical JSA practitioner and the inherent elitism of the group. He points out that he will not be getting bogged down in terminology or nit-picking the finer points that would be required in a highly unlikely sword duel. He describes three basic sword types and what a sword does. He is very succinct in his descriptions, and maintains a lightly humorous tone throughout not only this chapter but the entire book. He also answers the question, why a sword. He points out that not everyone can own or wants to own a firearm. He points out basic requirements for a usable sword. He even finds time to poke fun at the Highlander wannabes.
Chapter 2: Mechanics of the Sword
At the very beginning, Phil points out that he is not worried about exact terminology used as this makes no difference when you are confronted with real life. He provides a section on selecting a sword with a few companies listed which provide user swords.
He briefly goes over the grips used on a sword, both the two-handed baseball grip and the single handed reverse grip. One fault I find with the brief discussion of grip that isnt explained here or anywhere else is the inherent difficulty in single handed cuts with a long blade. There is no information about edge control and its effect on cutting. That being said, his grip requirement is pretty simple, hold in a way that it wont come out of your hands.
Now we get into basic sword techniques. This is where Phils apparent lack of qualified training can be most noticed. Most of his stances seem awkward and binding. His cuts are overcommitted, reminiscent of an action film. Most of the cuts are wide and telegraphed, allowing for the possibility of avoidance and then entrance due to the ending positions of the cut and sword placement.
He covers draw cutting, which in some instances are appropriate, but never touches push-cuts. He follows up with a story about cutting a box in a class.
Phil covers overhand/underhand arcs, thrusts, 5 angles of attack and attacking from the low line. He does a good job describing the path of the sword in the various angles of attack and also covers footwork and its integration into the sword use. He follows with photos of the various angles of attacks which once again show awkward, front hand attacks that are over-committed and use very little body behind the cuts. Think of a hitter at home plate with his bat swung up and over his LEAD shoulder, hips and shoulders square to the pitcher.
Chapter 3: Fighting Theory
Phil briefly discusses a number of items in this chapter, the first of which is blocking, or the angle parity theory. He basically says that if someone is using an angle 1 attack on you, you use and angle 1 attack to defend/block the attack, preferably striking either the person or his attacking limb.
He points out the absurdity in thinking you will be able to draw and cut down your opponent like some modern day samurai.
Phil covers a little more footwork, to include some simple steps and loading/unloading of the joints and the pulley principal. Think of coiling and uncoiling to generate power and movement. (At least that is my take on it)
Phil has a section on drawing and attacks and vulnerabilities in stances. A few of the stances I seem to recall from the previously derided Highlander series.
The most ridiculous, in my opinion, section of this book was the use of the gun and sword together. His explanation for this is the practicality of a ballistic weapon and edged weapon for multiple attacker scenarios. While he rightly points out that a sword will not run out of ammo and can provide a shield of steel to hide behind. However, the photos display a firearm being swung around as a sword is being used with the statement that when one is forward the other should be back. It has more of the look and feel of a street samurai living out a fantasy. His muzzle is sweeping any number of people standing behind him, quite possibly loved ones being protected.
Chapter 4: The Swordsmans Path
Phil focuses on the legal ramifications of using a sword in this section, transporting and carrying, safety and first aid. In his own forum and on others, Ive read that the sword is most useful for home defense; however, Phil devotes one very short paragraph to this subject. It mainly consists of his recommendation to use a reverse grip, a shorter sword and watch out for low ceilings and furniture.
Based on the one little section discussing home use, I would have to assume that Phils idea behind this book is the use of a sword for everyday defense out in the big bad world. If this was truly a book devoted to realistic use of a large blade in todays world, there should have been more space devoted to use in tight confines, or where innocents may be nearby.
Appendix A: Seven Lessons from Miyomoto Musashi
Phil covers some main points that he and some others have gleaned from the Sword Saints book. On of which is Be a Skeptic. He quotes Musashi in the text, The field of martial arts is rife with flamboyant showmanship, with commercial popularization and profiteering on the part of both those who teach the science and those who study it. Phil follows this up with comments about fear no man schemes and desperate but ridiculous attempts to be different which seem to describe Phil himself.
In all fairness, Phil has produced an enjoyably easy to read book on the very basics of sword use. He isnt claiming to be a master of the sword; however, his lack of knowledge is evident and could lead to issues for anyone that actually tries to learn from this book. Ive spent more money on worse books, so Im not too upset about my $15. With that being said though, dont waste YOUR money on this book. It doesnt teach you anything an idiot with a sharp piece of metal couldnt figure out on his own in an afternoon.
Josh Reis
This is my interpretation of the following work. It in no way portrays the author's, Phil Elmore, intentions, thought process or beliefs. Everything that follows are my thoughts and mine alone.
Oh yeah, Phil, don't copy this to your site as I don't trust that you would leave it in it's original form since you seem to rewrite history when it is convenient.
Street Sword by Phil Elmore.
I just received my copy in the mail today. Its a thin book of 83 pages. A very quick read. The cover photo and all photos contained within are of very good quality. The photographer, who Phil credits in the book, did a great job.
The book is broken into four chapters with an appendix. Chapter 1 is an introduction. Chapter 2 is about the mechanics of the sword. Chapter 3 is about fighting theory. Chapter 4 is about the Swordsmans path. The appendix gives seven lessons from Musashi.
Chapter 1: Introduction
Phil starts with a humorous look at the stereotypical JSA practitioner and the inherent elitism of the group. He points out that he will not be getting bogged down in terminology or nit-picking the finer points that would be required in a highly unlikely sword duel. He describes three basic sword types and what a sword does. He is very succinct in his descriptions, and maintains a lightly humorous tone throughout not only this chapter but the entire book. He also answers the question, why a sword. He points out that not everyone can own or wants to own a firearm. He points out basic requirements for a usable sword. He even finds time to poke fun at the Highlander wannabes.
Chapter 2: Mechanics of the Sword
At the very beginning, Phil points out that he is not worried about exact terminology used as this makes no difference when you are confronted with real life. He provides a section on selecting a sword with a few companies listed which provide user swords.
He briefly goes over the grips used on a sword, both the two-handed baseball grip and the single handed reverse grip. One fault I find with the brief discussion of grip that isnt explained here or anywhere else is the inherent difficulty in single handed cuts with a long blade. There is no information about edge control and its effect on cutting. That being said, his grip requirement is pretty simple, hold in a way that it wont come out of your hands.
Now we get into basic sword techniques. This is where Phils apparent lack of qualified training can be most noticed. Most of his stances seem awkward and binding. His cuts are overcommitted, reminiscent of an action film. Most of the cuts are wide and telegraphed, allowing for the possibility of avoidance and then entrance due to the ending positions of the cut and sword placement.
He covers draw cutting, which in some instances are appropriate, but never touches push-cuts. He follows up with a story about cutting a box in a class.
Phil covers overhand/underhand arcs, thrusts, 5 angles of attack and attacking from the low line. He does a good job describing the path of the sword in the various angles of attack and also covers footwork and its integration into the sword use. He follows with photos of the various angles of attacks which once again show awkward, front hand attacks that are over-committed and use very little body behind the cuts. Think of a hitter at home plate with his bat swung up and over his LEAD shoulder, hips and shoulders square to the pitcher.
Chapter 3: Fighting Theory
Phil briefly discusses a number of items in this chapter, the first of which is blocking, or the angle parity theory. He basically says that if someone is using an angle 1 attack on you, you use and angle 1 attack to defend/block the attack, preferably striking either the person or his attacking limb.
He points out the absurdity in thinking you will be able to draw and cut down your opponent like some modern day samurai.
Phil covers a little more footwork, to include some simple steps and loading/unloading of the joints and the pulley principal. Think of coiling and uncoiling to generate power and movement. (At least that is my take on it)
Phil has a section on drawing and attacks and vulnerabilities in stances. A few of the stances I seem to recall from the previously derided Highlander series.
The most ridiculous, in my opinion, section of this book was the use of the gun and sword together. His explanation for this is the practicality of a ballistic weapon and edged weapon for multiple attacker scenarios. While he rightly points out that a sword will not run out of ammo and can provide a shield of steel to hide behind. However, the photos display a firearm being swung around as a sword is being used with the statement that when one is forward the other should be back. It has more of the look and feel of a street samurai living out a fantasy. His muzzle is sweeping any number of people standing behind him, quite possibly loved ones being protected.
Chapter 4: The Swordsmans Path
Phil focuses on the legal ramifications of using a sword in this section, transporting and carrying, safety and first aid. In his own forum and on others, Ive read that the sword is most useful for home defense; however, Phil devotes one very short paragraph to this subject. It mainly consists of his recommendation to use a reverse grip, a shorter sword and watch out for low ceilings and furniture.
Based on the one little section discussing home use, I would have to assume that Phils idea behind this book is the use of a sword for everyday defense out in the big bad world. If this was truly a book devoted to realistic use of a large blade in todays world, there should have been more space devoted to use in tight confines, or where innocents may be nearby.
Appendix A: Seven Lessons from Miyomoto Musashi
Phil covers some main points that he and some others have gleaned from the Sword Saints book. On of which is Be a Skeptic. He quotes Musashi in the text, The field of martial arts is rife with flamboyant showmanship, with commercial popularization and profiteering on the part of both those who teach the science and those who study it. Phil follows this up with comments about fear no man schemes and desperate but ridiculous attempts to be different which seem to describe Phil himself.
In all fairness, Phil has produced an enjoyably easy to read book on the very basics of sword use. He isnt claiming to be a master of the sword; however, his lack of knowledge is evident and could lead to issues for anyone that actually tries to learn from this book. Ive spent more money on worse books, so Im not too upset about my $15. With that being said though, dont waste YOUR money on this book. It doesnt teach you anything an idiot with a sharp piece of metal couldnt figure out on his own in an afternoon.
Josh Reis
