2 comments about Knives 2007: The World's Greatest Knife Book (Knives).

1. It's a gorgeous book. The pictures are superb. You may stare at them over and over. For those who like knives, it's a must have.



2. Like all of the Krause/DBI books, Knives 2007 is still going down hill. The custom maker index is useful but the articles are very amateur. Noting like the pre-2000 days when Ken Warner was the editor.

5 comments about The Gun Digest Book of .22 Rimfire: Rifles·Pistols·Ammunition.

1. This book has almost the same title as one written by John Lachuk and published in 1978. Since I consider John Lachuk's book to be the best written on this subject, it makes for a good reference and source to compare to. In my opinion James House has done a very good job writing this book. It is sort of an updated version of the 1978 book. Very informative with lots of information on past and current 22's with test firing results. There isn't an area that James House doesn't touch on. Even though he has written other articles and books on weapons, I did not know of Mr. House before this book. Don't let that fool you. This book is well researched, well thought out, well laid out and well written. It might not overtake John Lachuk's book as the best on the subject, but I'd hate to have to live on the difference. Highly recomended.



2. An excellent all round review of what modern rimfire sport shooting is all about if you are interested in getting aquinted with that, and I would have given it 4 stars if it gave a more comprehensive review of past rifles and handguns manufactured since the cartridge evolved. But it succeeds 100% as an introduction for laymen starting out.



3. For background, I am a rifleman of sorts as well as a ballistician.I also have a Ph. D. James E. House has a Ph. D in Chemistry and his extensive technical background is evident all through this work. This book is encyclopedic in scope and I have found no significant errors in it. I would observe that he does not discuss nor explicate ballistics tables from which ballistic coefficients are derived. I would have preferred that at least some of his more accurate rifles were tested using ten round groups at 50 yards but his use of five round groups is reasonable (multiply five round group size by 1.414 to estimate ten round group size.) I also wish he had devoted (more) attention to rimfire bench rest competition. This may be a bit more detail than the beginner will wish but for anyone with a serious interest in rimfire cartridges and shooting, this book is a must-have. Doc D.



4. I am an avid .22 rimfire fan. I've bought books on the .22 rimfire years ago and have been waiting for something more current. Good book covering some of the .22's out there and ammo testing along with info on the new .17HMR and .17M2 calibers. The author repeated himself over and over across several chapters the same information. A lot of the photos were reprinted across several chapters. This book could have been about half the size if the author had not repeated information throughout the book. Most of the guns covered in the book were from the author's own collection and did not really cover the various manufacturers offerings. Several good chapters on sighting in and ammo ballistics but overall I was disappointed in this book. If you are looking for a "little new" information on the .22 rimfire there is some here. If you are looking for more in depth information you will have to wait until someone else comes along and writes a better book.



5. I found this book to be lacking in details for the advanced shooter who is looking for information on individual rifles and pistols .the author did not go into much detail ,this book would be ok for a beginner who knows nothing about firearms.It was not what I was looking for.

2 comments about Ruger .22 Automatic Pistol: Standard/ Mark I/ Mark Ii Series.

1. This book is essential for the Ruger semi-auto pistol collector. It only covers the Standard, the MKI, and MKII pistols, but that is all it should cover. The MKIII pistol is not present, nor are the Ruger revolvers or the Ruger 22/45. The book does cover a few Ruger MKII facsimiles and successful gunsmithing trends, as well as proper maintenance and detail stripping.
   
   The book is not a volume worshiping Bill Ruger. Rather it is an information packed publication of the origins and development of the most popular .22 auto-pistol of all time.
   
   For under $12, it's an absolute steal. Buy it.



2. If you are thinking of buying a target pistol, can't decide exactly which to buy, but are considering a Ruger, then read this book. It will make your decision for you.

   The book covers the history of Sturm, Ruger & Company, the various models of the .22 automatic pistols, the chronology of their production, and brief descriptions of other firearms developed by the firm. Also covered are care and maintenance of the pistols, including field- and detail-stripping instructions. The book concludes with chapters on available accessories and a survey of ammunition for use with Rugers.

   The overall story is one of high quality, accuracy, continuous refinement of design, and innovation in weapons manufacture. Enjoy your new Ruger.

5 comments about Defensive Shooting for Real-Life Encounters: A Critical Look at Current Training Methods.

1. I was thrown by the title. It talks very little about actual defensive shooting and it doesn't take a critical look at current training methods, it just complains about all of them. If you pay more than a dollar for this book, you wasted your money.



2. Yes, Mroz is critical: he needs to be! His thoughts on what works and what doesn't in the real world, and on how our training methods do or don't reflect that, are priceless. Sometimes he is cynical, and sometimes he is rude, but he is always thoughtful, sharp, and focused on keeping YOU alive. Even if you don't agree with everything Mroz says, you owe it to yourself to read this. It is not a training manual; it is a critique of current training methods, and if you are at all intelligent and thoughtful yourself, you will quickly draw specific, useful conclusions from it for use in your own training. Highly recommended!



3. This is one of those books that cuts down everything you see in handgun training, but offers little in the way of improvements. I did not get a lot of constructive information out of this book, but rather a lot of what is wrong, but little on how to fix it. I read the book twice, and gave it away.



4. Thumbs up to Mroz for his essay about the uselessness of a tactical reload. One cannot resist but laugh at its utter stupidity until one realizes it is there to make instructors seem as worth your buck.



5. This book forced me to think about shooting, training, and more in a different way: how can I make it work rather than how can I pass. Let's face it, passing is one thing; surviving is another. There are plenty of techniques that show you how to shoot targets. There are less that can show you how to live. While Mroz does not share the techniques with you, he sure makes you second-guess the ones you currently use. And that is a good thing because that second-guessing of training may save your life.

5 comments about Antique Trader Indian Arrowheads Price Guide (Antique Trader Arrowhead Identification and Price Guide by Jason Hanna).

1. This book is nothing more than color pictures of the author & friends collection. Lacks information. More print should have been used on Material types. Not "Grade" "Grade" is nothing more than the Opinion of the Person doing the grading. Lacks coverage. Spectrums of point values are missing. If you want to see color photos of $30. points "Buy It" Other wise spend your money on the new Overstreet Book.
   M. H. Clark



2. Although this book looked promising at first glance (nice cover, written by a member of the Archaeological Society of Ohio of which I am also a member), upon further review it was disappointing. Most of the artifacts were only field grade in quality and there were too many inaccuracies in terms of time period assigned to the artifacts and/or the names. Someone needed to edit this book more closely before it was published. It would be a decent reference guide for Midwest artifacts if it was at least corrected for errors.



3. Scale from 1 to ten. Ten being the best I would rate this book a BIG 1.



4. The book is way off on the price values with very low quality examples of points. Appears to me its nothing but a album of someones collection, with just basic names for types. It was a waist of time and money buying this book.



5. Great photos of arrowheads and other stone tools/slate items. The prices are very accurate and NOT over inflated like the Overstreet arrowhead price guide. I like the fact the artifacts shown are all authentic and not a bunch of "stamped out" fake reproductions like some guides out there. As far as some of the complaints listed: I think it should be understood that this is a price guide and not suppose to be a technical analysis of arrowheads. I like the photo album style. This book simply points the collector or antiques dealer to what to look for, what he/she may own, and what time period it is attributed to in prehistory. The best thing about the guide is the price is very affordable for this book, where else nowadays can you get 300 color pages for $13 bucks!!!

5 comments about Wayne Goddard's $50 Knife Shop.

1. I bought this because I'm thinking I may want to make a few knives in the future, and I wanted to see what could be done in a low-commitment way.
   
   The $50.00 limit is a bit arbitrary, and perhaps outdated. It really depends on scrounging a motor and making your own grinder/sander. That sounds like more trouble than it is worth, to me.
   
   Other than that, I found the minimal equipment list a useful reference for any future excursions into this craft.
   
   The book has a lot of information about Damascus-style blades made from steel cable; although an interesting concept, I don't care for the look of the blades, so I found that information of less value than the rest of the book.
   
   The procedures for hardening and tempering, on the other hand, made me feel that this part of the process was actually accessible. Before reading this book, heat treating in general was an intimidating mystery. Now, it is just something that requires care and practice.



2. Even though he has not been able to buy an anvil yet, hubby has re-crafted several knives using the methods described in this book. It is only a few months old, but is already very worn and tattered. When ever he gets quite (no metal grinding or scraping noises), I know he has sat back down with his book for more inspiration or a bit of clarification.



3. My best basic book,will answer all your questions,and will get you started and on your way,if you are not new to knife building it will reinforce you knowledge even more..



4. I was hesitant on ordering this book, I've read or bought almost everything I can find relating to bladesmithing or blacksmithing. I got the book, and read it from front to back, then read it again. This book not only offers insight on how to make needed equipment, but also explains how to make knives of both stock removal, forging and wire damascus. I've never read a book on this subject where it felt like the author was talking directly to me, explaining things that I was thinking. This book is definitely one for the beginner smith.



5. I got this book last night and have read it cover to cover. Wayne gives great confidence to the beginner. Just the simple fact that you don't have to go broke to make knives is very fullfilling. Some great shop tips and good ways of looking at shop problems.

   Buy this book and David Boye's book, and you are well on your way.

3 comments about Art of the Knife.

1. For anyone that is visually oriented, this book is overdrive for the senses! The photography is extraordinary, the knives appear to be at arms reach. Good close up detail, fantastic color along with full pages of multiple knives and exposures put this book at the 100% satisfaction level for artistic integrity. Anyone interested in photographing their own knives will certainly appreciate the shot set up photos and information supplied about achieving these results. I have already modified my microscope stand to take advantage of using reflected light and am thrilled with the results! The text associated with the photos is insightful from the knife makers point of view, making for an informative and pleasant read, get it!



2. Quite a few books concernig custom knives have been published recently. What sets Art of the Knife apart is the premise Joe Kertzman established at inception. He challenged the knifemaker to submit their absolute best effort to possibly be included. Kertzmans' unique vantage point in the custom knifemaking world and his desire to produce a standout high quality coffee table hardbound does not disappoint. From the opening page he let's the reader know that the book is about the knives and the makers who created them. Easily the best book on the subject I've seen.



3. This book blew me away, guess i ordered it without paying alot of attention, it is a hardcover and has stunning full page photographs through out the book. The emphasis on each page is on the knives, what materials where used and other info. This book differs from David Darom in that respect, for the money the Darom book at $25 would be a better purchase with more info on the individual makers and demonstrations of their techniques, but don't get me wrong, this book is stunning, really close up photos, lots and lots of knives. Well worth the money for any custom collector or knife maker out there. I give it a 5 star

No comments about Warman's Civil War Weapons.

No comments about CO2 Pistols & Rifles.

5 comments about Winchester: An American Legend : The Official History of Winchester Firearms and Ammunition from 1849 to the Present.

1. This book is an eye opener for sure! Okay it is a coffee table book rather than a serious reference work, but hey, you cannot deny the shear luminous beauty of the photography and the well thought out layout and design. There is good info to be had as well, this book is a 'faster' reference than Madis' work and leaves you hungry for more. Well done Mr Wilson, I will be buying more of your work!



2. the next best thing to owning a winchester rifle itself.
   
   excellent in every respect and well recommended.



3. Just the pictures in this huge volume are enough to make it worth thumbing through, but the written information is tremendous and the author manages to cover all connections to Winchesters' Fathers, including John M Browning, my personal hero (other than my Father, Uncle, Grandfather and all other veterans of WWII and Korea). Probably not all the information on Winchester firearms and ammo history but all that I can absorb and still have a social life.



4. Beautiful to look at. Not heavy in the way of company or technical history, but what a great coffee table book. Costly - if you can find it - but wow!




5. R.L. Wilson, who wrote this book, also wrote one called 'Colt, an American Legend.' Both books are exquisite, coffee table size--eight and a half inches by eleven inches (landscape)--and each are over 400 pages, almost every page filled with extremely high quality color photographs.

   R.L. Wilson, in addition to being a collector and well-known author in the firearms field, is a historical consultant to Colt's Firearms Division.

   The subtitle on the first page says, "The official history of Winchester firearms and ammunition from 1849 to the present," which pretty much covers the entire history of the Winchester Firearms Company (now known as U.S. Repeating Arms, since a bankruptcy and change of ownership.)

   If you are a Winchester aficionado, or just a Western history buff, with an interest in "The Gun That Won the West," this is a book you will want in your library.

   It is one of my favorite books. It will probably be one of yours, also.

   Joseph Pierre,
   Author of THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS: Our Journey Through Eternity