by Vladimir Vasiliev & Scott Meredith
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This book is one-of-a-kind. Standard knife books tell you “There is no defense. Just run.” or “First hit the back of your opponent’s hand…” But what if you panic and your hands are shaky, get scared and freeze, misjudge the distance and get stabbed or a family member is with you and you cannot run. The problem is always deeper than techniques and easy slogans.
The 3 sections in this book: Knife in Your Hand, At Knife Point, and Signs of Danger, complete all that is needed to develop intuition, awareness, swift dexterity, smooth evasions, and invincible freedom of movement.
Vladimir Vasiliev, one of the founding masters of Systema, teaches you how to disarm a blade at any stage of attack. His unique training program triggers the perceptual revolution for you to sense the threat long before your life is on
the line and gives you the only real chance to survive.
Cut through your fear and gain the sharpest edge of awareness and skill.
208 pages
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Pete Rogers –
A truly comprehensive guide to the reality of the blade! Edge is a combination of years of practical experience and knowledge, presented in terms and skill development methods that will prepare you for dangerous events. An excellent addition to any library on combatives and fighting, this will enhance skills for not only professionals but the average person as well!
George –
Amazing book. Anybody that has tried to take on Vladimir in the gym probably wondered as to where the limit of his skill lies. It seems that there’s no end to it. In this amazing book, Vladimir gives a clear understanding of the dangers of a street confrontation where combatants may be armed and also gives ideas, drills, anecdotes and strategies to maximize your ability to survive. I’ve been waiting for the information in this book ever since I met Vladimir.
Robert Burke –
Very powerful book. Amazing insights. Much to think about. Much respect. Thank you.
Kai –
“Edge” does an excellent job illuminating the essence and profundity of Systema. It treats us with wisdoms, drills, and stories in equal measures, shows us a facade (or shall I say, an “edge”) of this great art. Pick up a book, read it, and get working on it!
Massimo Di Giovanni –
The book is awesome! I found it very interesting and look forward to seeing the EDGE videos.
Adam Zettler –
I just picked up Vladimir’s EDGE to read again. What an amazing book! It’s one of the most needed books in today’s world. There is so much to learn about street safety, effective knife work, relaxation and understanding yourself. It is not just a book for those who study martial arts – everyone could advance from Vladimir’s teaching. My wife just started reading it and she is benefiting from it as well!
Gene Smithson –
I was surprised to find that this book contained so much more than knife defense. Edge presents information that I have never seen in print. In a simple, straightforward, easy to follow way, Vladimir Vasiliev leads you in the direction of true mastery of your environment. In the real world, profound awareness trumps complicated knife disarms every single time. Working with or against knives, cuts through our civilized mask and reveals the true nature of ourselves; this book utilizes this primal scenario to deliver simple, easy to follow instructions for expanding your awareness in every facet of life. I could not believe how clearly Mr. Vasiliev was able to describe and teach a subject that here to for was only mentioned in murky metaphor. Vladimir is quite simply a genius and part of his genius is his ability to communicate complex and ephemeral concepts in very easily understood language. I LOVE this book. You will too.
Systema Student –
When I got this book, I thought,it just going to be average a Martial art knife fighting or self defense book with a lot technical explanations and very dry text. However, when I started to read it, I couldn’t stop it. I red it on the one breath. I felt like this book got deep thoughts and techniques and also a humor and interesting stories. I can open this book on any page and I got drawn to text right the way. I always could find something new there. I found the chapter “Signs of the Danger” to be very useful in our modern life and I use suggestions from it very often when I travel. Thank you Vladimir for sharing your experience and different look at the edge weapons.
Alexander Shostko –
Luckily we have another book that provides the spirit and guidelines for serious martial art study. The books does an excellent job conveying the message of Systema philosophy and psychology with regards to knife work. The ultimate purpose of martial art is to honestly express yourself. The book convey these principles with the knife in your hand and or against the knife. This narrative does a great job of teaching freedom of expression with the regards to knife survival on both ends, attack and defense. In Systema things are studied by not accumulating techniques but on the contrary by removing the unnecessary. Unnecessary prohibitions, moves, tensions, stereotypes which often linked to fear and pride. The principles covered in the book include: –Perception and Sensitivity. The lack of sensitivity to possible danger will not lead to survival. The story from Walter Scott novel well illustrates the point what happens when one can not read the signs of danger. –Mental Training. The tiger does not train and he is a tiger 100% of the time. The martial mindset is a good helper in any life situation. Do what is necessary not any more with light heart and cheerful spirit. –Methodology. Knife has its own ‘science and temper’. The science means technical skills, knowledge of the situation and technical opportunities. –Mastery: Knife can be a tool for overall refinement of mobility, emotional control, sensitivity, responsibility and higher order of perception. –Drill Mechanics. Such as taking the knife out, rolling the knife over your hand, taking the knife and stabbing as one motion … –Levels of Fear. To understand the parasitic tension in your body. –Freedom of mind and motion. For example the concept of continuity comes from freedom. The end of one move should be the beginning of another. Therefore there is no stoppage and return to some fixed position. In knife attack or defense there is no stoppage, the move continues in space and in psyche. Here immediately we get the work with the emotional state transfer. From continuity followed the concept of blending. Blending naturally flows into the concept of preemptive defense. The psychological side of preemptive defense is preemption on the level of intention. Here we go to perception issue: in real Systema the speed of reaction is much greater than the speed of the attack, which also is covered in the book. For me the most important aspect of this book is the spirit. From page 1, reading of the book is a martial art training. It empowers, humbles and elevates the reader. What is important, it makes you better as a human being. The book is a reflection of the author life motto: always seeking a greater power and deeper learning to get to the edge to create new ways of fighting, teaching and understanding the life.
Jaro Wanders –
This book gives you an edge. Not only did I find the concepts explained in it useful for knife fighting. They can be applied to so many variants of work, to sharpen once work and awareness. For anyone with an interest in Systema this book is a must read.
Tom Fox –
Vladimir and Scott have once again produced a wonderful piece of work!
Robert –
Excellent Book on Knife Fighting Since knife attacks are on the rise (at least in the city where I live), I gained interest on how the blade is used and how to defend against it. “Edge” is a profound work on many aspects of knife work. It contains very practical advice and great training tips/drills. It also contains invaluable and incredible important philosophical and psychological views on real-life fighting (one of my favorite quotes from the book: “Beating someone down is a big responsibility. Some are not able to live defeated. They have to kill the offender or die themselves.”). Such profound insights will definite help to get an adequate mindset on real street fighting and may save your life one day. Because of Vladimir Vasilievs vast experience, comprehensive knowledge and deep understanding on the topic, I would consider this book as one of the best and most helpful on the subject of knife fighting.