Tactical Knife Fighting & Defence
The definitive manual for understanding, preparing for, and defending against knife threats — written by a martial arts instructor who teaches it the way it actually works.
The Problem
Most knife defence content has one of two problems. Either it's designed for entertainment — dramatic disarms, cinematic sequences, moves that look compelling and would get you killed — or it's so conservatively worded that it offers nothing a serious practitioner can actually use.
The reality of knife threats sits somewhere more complicated. They are fast. They are often preceded by other threats. The legal context matters enormously. And the physical training required to respond is specific — not generic, not improvised, and not borrowed from unarmed combat systems that don't account for bladed weapons.
Rob Baard — Direct Study in Japan Under Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi
The Manual
Developed by Rob Baard from decades of martial arts instruction and research into tactical systems, this is a complete reference manual covering both the tactical use of the knife and — critically — defence against knife threats by an unarmed practitioner. The approach is defence-first, legally grounded, and built for serious practitioners.
Who It's For
Meet Rob Baard
Rob Baard is a 14th-degree black belt in Bujinkan Ninjutsu with over thirty years of martial arts practice and instruction — including direct study in Japan under Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi. He has studied Eskrima (Filipino Martial Arts), one of the world's most battle-tested knife systems, and has taught tactical systems, weapons defence, and situational awareness to students at every level. Tactical Knife Fighting & Defence is the complete reference manual built from that experience — defence-first, legally grounded, and written for serious practitioners.
30+ Years of Tactical Martial Arts Training
Martial Arts Academy, Geelong
Get the Manual
Physical Book on Amazon
The complete manual. Available now on Amazon. Delivered to your door.
Get on Amazon — $66.00 AUDQuestions
Is this relevant in Australia where knife carry is illegal?
The manual is specifically written for the Australian legal context. It addresses the legal and ethical frameworks for self-defence, and is defence-first in its orientation throughout.
Is this suitable for beginners?
The manual starts from the fundamentals — knife anatomy, carry systems, and pre-attack indicators — before building to more technical material. Prior training is helpful but not required.
Is this focused on armed or unarmed defence?
Both. The manual covers the tactical use of the knife AND unarmed defence against knife threats. Both perspectives are necessary for a complete understanding.
Does this encourage carrying a knife?
No. The manual is defence-first and legally conservative. The primary focus is on recognising threats, avoiding confrontation, and defending effectively if avoidance is not possible.
What martial arts system does this draw from?
Primarily Bujinkan Ninjutsu and Eskrima (Filipino Martial Arts) — two traditions with deep, practical knife expertise. The manual integrates both with attention to what actually works.
Start Here
7 situational awareness habits that reduce knife-threat encounters. Free PDF.
Shihan 14th Dan · Japan-licensed Shidoshi