Nine-year veteran of the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, Michael Janich also served a 3-year tour at the National Security Agency. Highly decorated, Michael is a two-time graduate of the Defense Language Institute and served around the world in intelligence and investigative capacities for many years. Utilizing his extensive training in various martial arts and military/LE combatives, he established Paladin Press’ Video Production Department in 1994, running all aspects of video production for 10 years – personally recruiting some of Paladin’s most popular authors and being selected to work with the late Col. Rex Applegate as the producer of his landmark instructional videos on handgun point shooting. Published book and magazine author, Michael has been featured on various television programs and designed knives for many different knife companies throughout the industry. Michael is the founder and lead instructor of his signature knife defense program, Martial Blade Concepts.
Concealment vs. Performance: How Much Knife is Not Enough? Story and Photos by Michael Janich I have always been fascinated by covert edged weapons—especially the various “hideout” knives as... Read more
The Outdoor Edge LeHawk is a Best-of-Breed Neck Knife Story and Photos by Michael Janich Neck knives are an interesting breed of personal-defense-oriented fixed blades. They offer all the ad... Read more
If You Can Keep Your Head When All About You Are Losing Theirs, You Must Have the Machete Story and Photos by Michael Janich A few years ago, my boss, Spyderco founder Sal Glesser, walked in... Read more
Keen Edge Training Knives Help Take Your Training from Theory to Reality Story and Photos by Michael Janich Serious students of edged-weapon tactics typically have a number of characteristic... Read more
An In Depth Look at Using Auto Knives for Self-Defense Story and Photos by Michael Janich I have been fascinated with switchblades since I was in fifth grade, when I first read the classic n... Read more
The Knight Elements V2 Ultra Kukris Pay Homage to a Battle Born Classic Story and Photos by Michael Janich Jason Knight is a name that should be very familiar to every savvy knife enthusiast... Read more
The Karambit: Ultimate Edged Weapon of Adult Fidget Spinner? Story and Photos by Michael Janich In recent years, the karambit has become extremely popular among knife enthusiasts and has dev... Read more
Deploying Folding Knives into Reverse-Grip Story and Photos by Michael Janich When it comes to defensive knife tactics, there are two basic schools of thought: those that prefer a standard g... Read more
Inertial Opening of Folding Knives Story and Photos by Michael Janich One of the major differences between modern self-defense and traditional armed combat is the fact that today’s weapons t... Read more
The Ins and Outs of the Neck Knife Story and Photos by Michael Janich Carrying a weapon—any weapon—on a regular basis is a serious commitment. During the hot summer months, the challenge of... Read more