The Martialist: The Magazine For Those Who Fight Unfairly

The Martialist thanks
its paid sponsors, whose products you need!

“Stay ‘unreasonable.’ If you
don’t like the solutions [available to you], come up with your
own.”
Dan Webre

The Martialist does not
constitute legal advice. It is for ENTERTAINMENT
PURPOSES ONLY.

Shivworks: Why You Need It

A Product Review by Phil Elmore

Shivworks,
“a collective mind trust for alleyway solutions,” is the brainchild of
a narcotics enforcement agent who calls himself “SouthNarc” on the Web (as he
cannot use his real name indiscriminately). In cooperation with Shivworks
apprentice instructor Daniel Long and Russell Wong of
MD Tactical,
SouthNarc has designed and
is marketing a series of knives and training material that is available
commercially through Mr. Wong. For evaluation purposes, The
Martialist procured three Shivworks blades and the Shivworks reverse-grip
knife fighting DVD.

From left to right: Shivworks Disciple,
Clinch-Pick, and Li’l Loco.

The DVD

In an easy, soft-spoken drawl, SouthNarc introduces the concepts
covered in the DVD, reviewing the curriculum. He has an impressive
background that includes military experience, 25 years in the martial arts,
and his current occupation interdicting narcotics in high-risk environments.
I normally don’t place too much emphasis in resumes alone, but SouthNarc’s
experience in the field translates directly to the knowledge he is imparting.
When this man describes how to put a knife in someone in order to fight for
your life, he is not speaking strictly from theory.

The principles behind Shivworks’ instructional material are
excellent. SouthNarc focuses on economy of motion and simple, gross motor
skills coupled with aggressive, overwhelming force to dominate an opponent.
He emphasizes the commonality across weapons platforms knives, guns, empty
hands, etc. and performs everything in the context of extreme close
quarters battle (CQB). This is very sound conceptually. I was
immediately pleased with the content of the video.

Production is adequate and not bad at all for an initial
offering. SouthNarc and his demonstration partner Daniel are bright and
visible throughout the DVD, though the lighter background is a little washed
out. The sound is slightly tinny but very good, as SouthNarc is entirely
audible for the duration of the video. There is one minor problem during
the final segment of the DVD in which the audio is not quite in sync with the
picture, but this is minor and occurs during a static explanation of the Shivworks knives. If a problem had to occur, this is the best place for
it, as the viewer is focusing on the tools and not on SouthNarc. (One minor
video glitch also occurs here. The Clinch Pick is not visible during its
final appearance on screen.) There are a few graphic wipes and the DVD
is divided into logical segments for the sake of instructional clarity.

The Clinch-Pick: Forward grip, edge up. (Grip
shown is for photo only;
the thumb should not rest on the spine in application, as there’s no guard.)

The bulk of the DVD is comprised of SouthNarc demonstrating
reverse-grip, edge-in knife fighting
with the Shivworks Disciple and forward-grip, edge-up methods with the
Shivworks Clinch Pick. He explains that the knives must be positioned
around the body in such a way that they can be drawn with a locked wrist.
(The less joint articulation, the stronger your grip.) The Shivworks
techniques are likewise geared to this. No sooner does the knife clear
the sheath than it moves straight into the target.

The forward edge-up and reverse edge-in orientations
facilitate hooking and shearing of the opponent’s limbs. SouthNarc explains
that the primary technique is a knife jab a vicious, pumping thrust that
travels straight into the attacker. When the attacker attempts to
intercept or jam the incoming knife, the the edges on the Disciple and Clinch
Pick mean he’ll pay for his attempt with severed flesh.

Drawing the Clinch-Pick from its position forward of
the hip
in a cross-draw position (to the left of your buckle).

Drawing the Clinch-Pick (shown prior to
closure of grip around handle flagged
thumb is not intended as a technique).

With Daniel, SouthNarc demonstrates combining knife jabs and
overwhelming follow-ups with simultaneous striking using the live hand.
In a typical combination, for example, he jabs with the Disciple, delivers a
brutal palm strike to Daniel’s helmeted head, and follows up with more knife
work.

Those with a background in Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) will
take to this material readily. SouthNarc’s FMA experience is evident in the
way he moves. While beginners will have to work a little harder to
master the Shivworks curriculum, the beauty of this program is that it is
fairly simple. SouthNarc reduces all possible striking angles to two, for
example forward and backhand.

The Disciple positioned forward of the hip.

Drawing the Disciple into reverse grip.

If you’re curious about “Pikal” the reverse-grip, edge-in
methodology SouthNarc advocates this is a superb introduction to it.
Conceptually I can’t remember the last time I saw a DVD this good. The
material is efficient, effective, and extremely brutal the very definition
of what SouthNarc calls “assaultive, not dueling.”

What this DVD does not cover is the legality
of these methods. Obviously, we assume that you are in fear for your
life or you would not be using deadly force. The video does not touch on
the possible legal ramifications of pumping a knife into a mugger “like a
sewing machine.” The methodology shown maximizes your chances of success
in taking down an attacker using your Shivworks blades but it’s very
possible a court would look askance at “running over” an attacker in this
fashion.

The DVD leaves it up to you to adapt your carry methods and
personal blades to the principles and methods demonstrated. Throughout
the video, SouthNarc uses the Disciple and Clinch Pick, which he designed and
which viewers can purchase through MD Tactical. In the last portion of
the video, SouthNarc presents each knife for the camera. He includes a third
knife, the Li’l Loco.

The Blades

All three knives are made of S30V steel. The Loco has
no handle as such. The Disciple and Clinch Pick have nicely rounded,
attractive G10 handles. All are equipped with Kydex sheaths. The
larger two have fully adjustable small
Tek-Lok belt clips. The Disciple and Clinch-Pick also have lined
lanyard holes.

All three knives are very ergonomic and were shipped to me
with razor-sharp blades. The tiny Loco is a nod to the OSS thumb dagger
an easily concealed little cutter that can go anywhere. The shape of
the handle locks into even my big paws and provides great control of this
miniscule blade. It may be small, but this knife could do serious damage
to an attacker. Unlike knives of similar size, it feels secure when
wielded.

The Li’l Loco, which is tiny but powerful.

The G10 handles of the Disciple and Clinch-Pick are smooth
but not too smooth. They provide good traction and are extremely
pleasant to the touch.

The Loco can be used as a neck knife.

If good design is also simplicity, these knives are great.
They are clean, aesthetically elegant, and extremely functional. They
conceal easily under an outer garment and are small enough to be legal in many
places. (The Disciple has a 3-inch cutting edge and is 7.5 inches
overall. The Clinch-Pick has a 2.5-inch cutting edge and is 5.5 inches
overall. The Loco is 3 inches overall with a 1.5-inch cutting edge.)

The Clinch-Pick, showing detail of the Tek-Lok.

The only possible drawback to the design of these blades is
that placement forward of the hip points will be uncomfortable for those
with… shall we say, larger… stomachs.

Shivworks: Get ‘Em

I can’t remember the last time I became so enthusiastic
about a product line or curriculum. This is great material married to
excellent tools efficient, ruthless knifework and purpose-built implements
for delivering it.

I highly recommend both the
Shivworks curriculum and the Shivworks line of blades.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply