Electric Pencil Sharpener

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I'm taking an art class for grad school and needed a nicer sharpener. Had two cheap ones I hated. The reviews seem to heavily favor a couple of Panasonic models, but nobody seems to have them in stock. The next highest rated sharpener was this one, and it had a couple positive reviews, so I ordered it.



Pros:

Weight: Doesn't get pushed back when you stick a pencil in it.

Weight II: The motor is heavy. It takes up about half the volume of the box. It feels like a substantial device.

Motor: Steady and reasonably quiet. Not jerky or wobbly. Doesn't strain during sharpening.

Sharpener: Shaves evenly and smoothly and won't eat pencils unnecessarily fast. Produces nice, long points.

Fit: Standard Prismacolor pencils fit neatly in the hole and won't wobble during sharpening. Seems to be manufactured with rather tight tolerances.



Cons:

Sucker feet: They prevent lift, but not sliding. They should have used regular rubber feet.

Static: The plastic has a tendency to get a static charge and makes shavings cling to the outside when you empty the shaving tray. Wipes up without much trouble.



Summary:

Pros easily outweigh the cons. It performs the way you'd expect a high quality sharpener to perform. I can't imagine I'd be significantly happier with a competing product. X-Acto 1716 Heavy-duty electric pencil sharpener, walnut grain, 1 Unit

I was a little hesitant to go with this brand as I had never heard of it. Also, at the the time of purchase, this product had only 9 reviews, although all were largely positive.



However, after reading "Truth and Justice's" review, I decided to try this one out. The sharpener is everything he/she said it was. By far, this is the most powerful sharpener I have ever used in my life and I have been in numerous office environments.



To address the complaint of one reviewer that the sharpener eats the entire pencil, let me explain my experience. I just got through a stack of about 30 pencils and my experience is this is dependent on the brand/quality of the pencil. For most pencils, this was not a problem at all and the sharpening came to a natural conclusion.



For a few varieties, it did eat up a lot of pencil, but i realized after a while that the pencils were sharpened long before and I did not always need to get that sense of completion. I would just take the pencil out after a few seconds. As I mentioned previously, this thing is a machine, and if you keep the pencil in there, it will keep sharpening it until you have nothing left. I view this as part of the positive experience.



I highly recommend this unit.

So far this has been an awesome pencil sharpner. I received it quickly. Most important it is durable, when I first received it all my kids were excited to use it. And of course one of them put the eraser end in first...but I was able to pull out the metal piece and it works just fine. Worth the money, wish I would have bought this before I bought the others.

When I was a kid, we had a boston electric pencil sharpener.



So you can imagine my happiness/surprise when I saw "Xacto by Boston" on the box. I felt better about my purchase already, because Xacto means nothing to me, really, as far as pencil sharpeners go. Seeing as how I had just spent a small fortune on a pencil sharpener, I needed something to make me feel better but I had already gone through several manual and one battery powered sharpener and I really needed something as good as the ol' Boston we had when I was a child.



Other interesting details from the box:

1) This supposedly has a receptacle size 7. The largest is a 10.

2) On a scale of 1 to 4, this one is rated for "heavy" use (a 3). The only higher usage is "continuous" (a 4).

3) It has a whopping 2 year guarantee.

4) The box also says "Auto-reset prevents motor burnout". we already used this feature. My kids sharpened about 50 pencils IN A ROW. it was soooo satisfying for them to see a perfectly sharpened pencil emerge each and every time they sharpened (even my wife's friend came by and wanted to sharpen a few). But, they overheated the poor sharpener. it stopped running. Sho nuff, the next day after it had cooled down it was ready for action again!



Overall, i have to say I was VERY unhappy to spend $40 to get a good sharpener, but this one has every indication of lasting a long, long, time.



I would rate this a definite BUY, once you gag down the almost $40 price tag. I wish I had bought it to begin with!

I teach 1st grade and we go through lots of pencils a day. I have had 2 other electric sharpeners and was tired of one side of the pencil never getting sharp enough to expose the whole lead at the end. Kids were picking at the wood all the time trying to get their pencils to work. I researched pencil sharpeners and relied mostly on reviews so I wanted to let all the teachers out there know, this sharpener is my favorite. It is quick and pencils are sharp all the way around and life in 1st grade is all good!!

I use an electric pencil sharpener every single day of my life, for hours at a time. The one I've relied on for years -- a "lesser" X-Acto model -- started to grind and break lead, so I figured I'd splurge and buy a top-of-the-line X-Acto model. This is not, however, top-of-the-line.



1) The blades do not sharpen the pencil. Sure, they hone it into a sharp-looking cone like all pencil sharpeners do -- but they leave a substantial flat end to the point which is, by any draughtsman's standard, not at all "sharp." Maybe this defect was a problem only with the one I bought, but for $40 I would have expected that its main usage would have at least been tested. It is NOT a "sharpener."



2) Most importantly, however, the actual blades are recessed so far into the guts of this machine that you have to reserve 3-4" of pencil to hold before the blades even engage. I frequently use pencils down to 1" or less before I ditch them, so that means I'm losing 1/3 of the life of each pencil. The sharpener I'm replacing (and to which I'm returning, after I return THIS clunker) engage almost immediately upon insertion of the pencil itself.



Yes, this review sounds insane. But if sharp pencils are your life, then don't buy this extremely poorly-designed deep-action pencil-wasting "blunter."'

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John Jackson Miller - star wars, kindle

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It's been a long time since I've read a Star Wars novel, although I am a big fan of the franchise in general. I haven't read any of the books that tell the stories following the time period of the movies, although I've certainly read about those books and thought they sounded interesting. After reading "Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith #1: Precipice", which takes inside the people of the Sith and gives fascinating insight into things from their perspective, I'm now eager to read more.



The author does an excellent job of taking the reader inside the Sith mind, and with a very short tale he manages to weave an extremely compelling tale about the beginnings of the Lost Tribe of the Sith. It's clear that the sole purpose of this freebie is to stir up interest and demand for the upcoming book, "Omen (Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi, Book 2)". For me at least, it worked. Although short, this is a story definitely worth checking out. Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith #1: Precipice

As a pr move to get people excited about omen, this wins. As a stand alone short story in the star wars universe, this wins.



It's also a rare opportunity to engage the sith as actual characters with depth and dynamic development. John Jackson Miller has matured as an author and left us with something deserving 5 stars.



At times the storytelling is briefly muddled but at it's core this is a great story, definitely worth checking out and I already find myself looking forward to lost tribe #2

I was somewhat let down by this brief story. I enjoy all 6 Star Wars movies, though this would be my first entrance to the Star Wars universe outside of those movies. Perhaps because of that, I was a bit lost at times.



I understand that the book is a short story, but I felt that it assumed a greater than average knowledge of the SW universe. It needed more of a description of the characters than was present. Telling me that a character is a Houk, but not telling me more than that is not helpful. Had I known what a Houk was, perhaps it would make sense. Same thing with the Massassi (sp?).



I am in the process of reading several series of books which involve reuse of the the same characters, fictional races, and fictional planets. A core feature of these which I felt was lacking here is some backstory of the plot element being discussed. There is an art to bringing a new reader up-to-speed without boring those familiar with the subject matter. Perhaps the author here dispensed with the back-story in the interests of space, but to the detriment of the story.



In addition, the author is not as descriptive as necessary at times. At one point in the story, two characters appear to be talking alone (Yaru and Devore), until a third character is addressed (Seelah), however there was no mention of the character entering the room. In another area, Yaru utilizes the Force to affect a mechanism on the outside of the ship after Devore comments that going out there would be dangerous. I would guess that Devore would realize that using the Force was a possibility. Also, I felt that the author was not descriptive enough the the Force was actually being applied. Lastly, the scene between Yaru and Devore felt disjointed.



With a setting as rich as the Star Wars universe, I felt that more attention should have been paid to the back-story of the Sith, races, etc... with less of a play-by-play feel to the story.

This is the worst Star Wars book I have read (out of around 20 or so). It is short, pointless, and forgettable. As other reviewers have stated, it is just a generic story with some elements of the force/light sabers thrown in. I will not read the next installment since I don't care about any of the characters.



The only reason I gave it 2 stars (instead of 1) is because its free.

I read this book (and the whole series) with my nine-year-old son after finishing my own sci-fi eBook and we had a hard time putting it down. When good writing appeals to a wide range of ages, then it's often viewed as great writing. This book delivers just that.



Lost Tribe of the Sith as a four-part series for Kindle is an excellent character study on the lifestyles of the Sith and their immersion into a foreign world. Moreover, it's filled with adventure and intrigue as you might expect from a Star Wars novel. What I really like about the novel is that, while there is a focus on the bad guys (the Sith), the plot doesn't get overly dark. The treatment of the series from book 1 to 4 is clever and balanced. By the end of the story, there are even Sith characters that I frequently mistake for guys guys because they are so likable.



Note that there is also a fifth part out to this series, and it is equally good with gripping new plot elements. However, I see part five as starting a new story arc 1000 years later. So I digest parts 1-4 as a complete story, and part 5 as a related, yet compelling new story being introduced, with a cliffhanger ending.

Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith #1: Precipice

Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith #2: Skyborn

Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith #3: Paragon

Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith #4: Savior

Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith #5: Purgatory



As a sci-fi fan, sci-fi dad, and sci-fi author, I was thoroughly impressed and entertained.

Star Chosen: A Science Fiction Space Opera for the Whole Family

These e-books are good for free books, but something about the way they are written I find them hard to follow at times. Overall though, if you're reading the current Fate of the Jedi story line it's a good tie in that fills in some of the back story of the Sith.

Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith: Precipice, by John Jackson Miller



As I've said before, normally I don't care for short stories. But I make exceptions sometimes, and how could I pass up a Star Wars short story?



"Precipice" is an accompaniment to the new Star Wars series Fate of the Jedi, and tells how the missing Sith tribe landed on Kesh. The short story series also provides a few clues for Paul S. Kemp's "Star Wars: Crosscurrent."



Omen, a Sith ship full of Lignan crystals crashes onto the planet Kesh. The survivors of the crash are stranded on the planet, with no way to contact their Sith masters or fly off Kesh.



"Precipice" has a Star Wars feel, and I liked the main character, Yaru Korsin. He's a captain in the vein of Han Solo: cocky, sarcastic, self-assured. But he also has the ability to use the Force. And while a Sith, he is disgusted when some of the survivors start fighting amongst themselves, as the dark Force users are wont to do.



And that's about where "Precipice" finishes. It's a pretty good story, and I'm looking forward to reading the others in the series.



3/5. - Star Wars - Star Wars Books - Sith - Kindle'

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Training Gloves - boxing bag gloves, boxing

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Alot of people who have written reviews, in my opinion are not realizing that these gloves are not being sold as a replacement for boxing/bag gloves.



These gloves are meant to be used a quick and easy alternative for HAND WRAPS, as in that tape/ace bandage looking thing that you see boxer's on TV wrapping their hands and wrists with before putting them inside of their boxing gloves.



They ARE overly tight and overly snug but that is to prevent injury to the small bones in your hand and also from spraining your wrist.



Two problems, the gel is to large to fit in some boxing gloves. And the stitching is somewhat weak , and since your buying this online ... I recommend going to your local sports goods store and try on the sizes and see what is good for you, that is what I did. Also over time the gloves break in like a baseball glove and become more comfortable and less overly tight.



Remember NOT A BAG GLOVE, NOT BOXING GLOVES Everlast EverGel Hand Wraps (Black, Small)

I got these wraps as part of an Everlast set that also included a pair of Everlast boxing gloves. I've only had them for two months and use them primarily under my gloves and on my Century Wavemaster boxing bag. They provide nice wrist support and are easy to get off and on. I see them holding up well in the future.



Since there is no mention of sizing on the package, I did an internet search for how to measure your hands to buy these gloves, and this is what I found:



To determine correct size, measure the distance across the lowest knuckles (the knuckles you punch with) of the 4 upper fingers (all the fingers except the thumb). Measure by laying knuckles flat on a ruler. How to measure your hand:



Size Measurement

Small 3" - 3 1/4"

Medium 3 1/4" - 3 1/2"

Large 3 1/2" - 3 3/4"

X-Large 3 7/8" +



Hopefully that helps you pick out the right size!

I was so excited to receive this item. I paid for 2 day shipping. I got it and the first time I tried to put them on the mesh on the top of the glove tore at the seam. My hands are large, but not huge and these are the XL size. They don't have a larger size. The gel was nice when I was hitting the bag with them so if your hands are smaller and you won't have to work hard to put them on, it might be a nice purchase.

THESE ARE NOT GLOVES FOR HITTING A HEAVY BAG!!!!! I have read reviews that say that these aren't strong or well made for bag gloves...That's because these ARE NOT bag gloves, they are gel hand wraps. You use these for extra protection for your knuckles and wrists. You put these on and then you put your BAG GLOVES ON OVER THEM....sorry for repeating myself but I just want to clear. anyway great product if you use them correctly. You may need to buy your heavy bag gloves one size larger than your actual size so these fit under them. My wrists and knuckles feel great after a hard workout on the heavy bag much more support than classic hand wraps.

The gel is very nice. Unfortunately these are not made normal and seem to be narrow for their size. Also, the stitching is not the best. The first time I put mine on, the stitching holding the netting on the back side of the glove, gave loose and I had to re-stitch about 1 inch of it. Not a big deal to me but they should make them strong enough that you dont have to do that. Other than that, the design is pretty cool. These are just not very well built. They are made in china so what do we expect. Should have gone for some more expensive gloves.

I read reviews of a few different gloves and went to the store to try them on and get the best fitting ones. I didn't plan on buying this particular pair, but I purchased these because they were the only brand in stock which fit me. So far, they have worked well, but the stitching doesn't look very well done. There are vents in the palm which keeps the moisture down some. They are comfortable and provide good, sufficient cushioning for light bag work (i.e. a cardio-kickboxing class.) For serious heavy bag work, as other reviews have stated, these are only meant to substitute for hand wraps.

On sizing, I am a woman with small hands, and a men's medium fits me great. My husband, who has what are normally considered medium hands, says these are too small for him. Even if you buy them on-line for a better price, I definitely suggest trying them on in the store.

Overall, I am relatively satisfied. Depending on how long they last, I may or may not get a different brand next time.

My other experience is with normal cloth handwraps, such as the Everlast 4455-3 3-Pk. Hand Wraps, so I'm comparing the Gel Wraps to the cloth ones.



A different reviewer said that these are still hand wraps, not boxing gloves and I agree with them. I tried using these for the heavy bag, and my knuckles would bruise, since these wraps don't have enough padding.



So these are definitely not a replacement for gloves - they are meant to go inside regular boxing gloves.



The main reason I bought the gel wraps is because I would bruise up my hands on the speedbag without wraps, and it takes quite while to put on the cloth ones, so I wanted something more convenient that would protect my hands while using the speedbag.



These certainly do the trick and I'm happy with the purchase for that reason. However, here is some additional information that other people might find useful:



Pros:

- super easy and fast to put on and take off

- they fit fine into my boxing gloves

- I have large hands, and size Large is snug

- I do like the gel padding, but I can't say that I have noticed any differences between gel and cloth other than as a space saver.



In between:

- Unlike cloth wraps, which you layer onto your hands, these fit so snug that they can pull your hand out of the proper position, so you have to constantly keep your hands in mind. But while boxing you should keep your wrists and hands in mind anyway right?

- These wraps don't absorb nearly as much sweat as the cloth ones, so your hands are pretty gross after a good workout. It's not that big a deal for me, but may be for others.



Cons:

- The finger openings are too tight for me, especially on the thumbs. If this persists, I will probably cut them open a little bit to make room.

- After prolonged use (30 - 45 minutes) certain other parts on the gloves leave red lines on my hands and wrists.



Conclusion:

I like them, especially for the price and I'm happy with my purchase.



I just hope that the wraps will morph to fit my hands better. If they don't, I'll have to make some adjustments on my own, and there is no guarantee that the wraps will last. - Bag Gloves - Boxing - Boxing Bag Gloves - Everlast'

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Great Gift Idea - folding knives, scorpion

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Im so used to realy dull blades. When i got this knife i made a big mistake. I thought it was going to be dull. This was not the case. I grazed it across my finger about 7/8 inch and i saw that it is very sharp indeed. A few bandaids later made me respect this knife. I love it and i carry it where ever i go. For anybody who likes knives this is the item for you. Not that expensive either. Good quality and build. Good buy. Trademark Crimson Scorpion Tactical Folder Pocket Knife

this knife is very well made. the shipping time was also good time. i really like this knife because of the fine detail and the real scorpion inside!!! arrived extremely sharp and gave me a couple of cuts so be careful. descent sized and all of my friends are very jealous, and amazing price too. Buy this knife!!

I was hesitant about purchasing the Knife, Because It personally would be a downfall for me if there wasnt a clip on it, Since it is illegal to carry a concealed weapon (but if you can see the clip outside your pocket your perfectly fine.)



When it arrived in the mail, I was So impressed.

I bought this for my birthday and wow.



The design is amazing, it isn't flimsy at all its actually slightly heavy and durable, and the blade is sharp!



The price just makes it even more amazing. I would have easily paid 15-20$ if this was on a shelf at the store.



5 Star! :D

it's cool, very sharp & big. i was looking for a replacement pocket knife and thought this one looked different. it is! if you like a preserved scorpion, which i do, but thought not for daily use. it barely fits in my front pocket but has a clip that keeps it in place. now i carry it everywhere. besides it's intimidating and gives me feeling of security.



all in all, i've become used to its design that always gets fascinating comments. plus it can cut through almost anything. so please be careful...you can lose a finger or skin! i opened a box shipped to me and it cut through the cardboard like butter.



now my whole family wants one as a family 'tradition'. if it continues to surprise me #clean cuts, art stays intact, not break#, it will be the gift i give. yet, it's not perfect. opens nicely if you use your thumb and index finger #won't flip open or close#. heavy. once again, big for a pocket knife.

This knife not only arrived a day early, when I opened it, I was glad to see the good quality. I almost wanted to keep it for myself, the scorpion is fascinating. However, my friend is sure to love it. I was very pleased with the effeciancy.

I love this knife ... first of all it's cool as heck with a scorpion in the handle, but more importantly then that is that the handle feels good in my hand. the knife is perfect for carrying around and is not too heavy also you can can show it off and people will think it's cool as well

First off, let me just say that this is a very bad ass looking knife. Has Razor sharp blade, which is actually very rare from a factory made knife. It came very fast and i was pleasantly surprised. So l'll just list what i think are the pros and cons.



Pros:

Razor sharp blade

Very cool looking

Perfect condition

Looks as advertised

Pocket clip (no concealed weapons license needed)



Cons:

Flat back (a bit awkward to wield)

Difficult to open, at first (You have to condition your hand for a quick draw)



So all-in-all it's an amazing knife, worth more then what you pay for:) Be careful though, the blade has cut me a few times.

alright a 10 dollerpoket kife is a good deal this looks cool feels good in your hand and came sharp iv played with it just alil so far but when it opens it opes fast it looks like it can cut good i like it and i recomind it

I would clearly not think about using this knife as an all purpose knife.

It has yet a place in my collection, because of its uniqueness of shape and the embedded scorpion (real) in the handle.

The construction seems cheap but fair, not like something about to break at any opportunity but in direct relation to its price.

The blade is reasonably sharp.

I am satisfied. - Scorpion - Folding Knives - Camping Knife - Knife'

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Letter Opener

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I purchased one of these and am very pleased with it. It is a very beautiful product, feels solid and smooth and balances well in the hand. Looks just as nice in reality as it does on the picture. And and works well to boot! An absolute bargain for the $8 that I paid for it, and slightly unfortunate that the only existing review is a bad one because the customer didn't receive the product. Natico Letter Opener,Curve Silver (30-364)

I am so happy with my purchase. I had lost my old letter opener and waited three months searching high and low. I finally bought this and it is not only attractive to look at, it is so sturdy and sharp. It is all anyone could wish for. I am almost glad I lost my old one so I could get this.

Never got item, because Amazon lied and said they sent it twice! It was going to be a Christmas gift. Now its weeks later and its out of stock. Honesty is always best Amazon, instead of leaving me checking the mail 10 times a day! Who rates Amazon? I have better luck with the seller than I do with Amazon!'

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Powershot Stapler - stanley, staple gun

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Good construction. Easy to use. But it's weak for a heavy duty staple gun. My rusty arrow heavy duty staple gun had no trouble driving staples into pine but this gun with the same staples left a gap between staple and wood. Surebonder 5650 All-In-1 Heavy Duty Staple Gun

I had one stapler for 30+ yrs and happened to leave it behind at the range a week or so ago. That was used very hard and when left behind, did not have as much as a scratch on it. I've been looking for a replacement since, and have not found one. This looked the best, but...., it was chrome, it did not have the handle lock as shown, and it did not seat the staples evenly in different types of wood at any settings. I've sent it back. Very disappointed. Worse is, so far I have been to four stores and can not find any as nice, simplistic, compact and comfortable as my old stapler. So taken for granted, I don't even know who made it.



TSC sells this in chrome for $24, with the adjustment for depth on the top of the head, not one the side as this has. That also did not have the handle lock. Have to wonder who is designing this stuff?



My original stapler had a staple remover, a lock for the handle, worked on every size staple, was easy on the hand, no power adjust necessary, and, it never failed.... still looking.



Update 8/12/11: After driving well over 100 miles trying to find an in stock stapler to see if my staples would work, I finally went to Lowes and HD, I ended up with the Powershot HD forward action staple gun from HD. I just tried it in the same wood used to test the Surebonder stapler sold on Amazon, and it does not bury the staples nearly as well as that did (even though they did not go in evenly), and it does not seat them nearly as well as my 30 yr old stapler did.



I tried every stapler that is in stock. I wear XXL gloves and have big hands. Even so, the most expensive and what appeared to be the best stapler at HD, after three clicks on the handle, it had already had pinched the palm of my hand trying to use it.



The Powershot is by far the most ergonomic of any tested. Didn't expect I might need shorter staples as I only used either 1/2" or 9/16" staples in the past. If the Surebonder would have shown up as advertised on Amazon, I may have kept it. I liked the looks, it had a handle lock, which the one I received from Amazon did not, and it had more power than the Powershot. The difference in power is significant.

My staple gun arrived and it's as chrome as a Harley's tailpipes - not black at all. That's the only issue I have with it.



I'm using it to staple art canvas onto pine stretcher bars. Works great; the staples go in totally flush for me. If I increase the tension setting, it will bury the crown of the staple in the wood completely.



Haven't had it for long, but I haven't had any jams yet, even when I accidentally put some non-heavy duty staples in it (this caused it to shoot 3 staples at a time, btw).

Never buy the wrong staples again? The box of 5/16" Surebonder staples I just threw away begs to differ. Despite saying on the box itself that 5/16" will fit, they DO NOT. Never buying any Surebonder products again. - Pneumatic Stapler - Staple Gun - Stanley - Staplers'

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Cold Steel Products - self defense, cold steel

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A very comprehensive history book. The development of our modern concept of the Irish fighting stick is well time-lined (sometimes too well). The cultural history was highly informative and the strongest force in the book. However, those looking for "martial" value won't find it here. This is, and reads like, a historical tour of the subject. Shillelagh: The Irish Fighting Stick

For the non Irish this is a wealth of good honesty history with a look at how the oppressed can fight back.Great writing and some great ways to look at stick fighting (for those that have not stuck together the pages of Black Belt Mag over the last 30+ years.)Really this is a wonderful read by a good writer and teacher.Look forward to the next part!

Mr. Hurley has compiled the most thorough history of the Irish martial arts to date. I am a second-degree black belt in Filipino stick fighting and was raised in the Irish heritage district of Buffalo, NY. I had never heard of Irish martial arts until I came across these books. They are research based not technique. You won't learn to fight by reading this but you will discover a deep and rich martial tradition that has been suppressed for generations.



The Irish were renowned around the globe as warriors. When they emigrated to the USA the derogatory stereotype of the drunken fighting Irishman became the popular perception. This book restores the dignity and honor of a proud culture that developed a martial tradition the equal of the samurai code.



Shillelagh: The Irish Fighting Stick should be required reading for any student of Celtic traditions.

The author has done an exceptional job of dissecting a host of primary sources relating to the remarkable history of the Irish fighting stick, and tracing both its roots and its cultural signifcance throughout the course of various periods of Irish history. This often-overlooked aspect of Irish martial culture finally gets the full scholarly treatment it deserves here in Mr. Hurley's astonishingly thorough tour de force. The book has already established itself as the standard text on the subject. "Shillelagh" is an exhaustive, thrilling and detailed account of the fighting stick that was a symbol of Irish courage and resistance, as well as a practical weapon with which the Irish displayed their martial arts ability.



Any serious student of Irish history has to read this book. Five stars.

However, I suspect that whoever said that never saw the cover of this particular book. Because then there probably would have been some qualifier, like "Never judge a book by its cover, unless that book is Shillelagh by John Hurley, because that book is every bit as totally awesome as its cover might lead you to believe."



I mean, consider the attention to detail in this lovingly rendered Donnybrook. Look at the pure glee on the face of the lout in the blue coat or the total agony of the gentleman being trampled underfoot at the bottom of the composition. This artist has captured the entire range of human emotion in a single four color panel. It's like an ABC Sports intro in book cover form.



And look at the flying top hat in the background! Was it just knocked off somebody's head? Perhaps with a shillelagh? Or is this a sly tip of the surrealist cap to Magritte?



If they sold a poster version of this cover, I would hang it above my breakfast nook in a heartbeat. I would look on it and reflect on happier times in the old country and wonder at the artistry of this unknown, Guinness-swilling Caravaggio.



The book itself is pretty good. I learned a lot about fighting sticks.

I love this book. It was written by an active martial artist. And John can write well. This is demonstrated by his other books. But still outweighs the historically informative part. I missing a little the concrete practical part.

Therefore only four stars. - Self Defense - Cane - Cold Steel - Stick Fighting'

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