Personal Defense Solutions presents:

Basic Defensive Folding Knife Class

Taught by renowned edged weapon master, Dr. Richard Wigginton

Date & Time: Saturday, July 11, 2009 - 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Bring a bag lunch.
Location: Ready Aim Fire in Bristol, PA.
Cost: $150.00 per student.
Pre-requisites: No previous knowledge of the subject necessary. This class is very physical.

There is widespread recognition that, in places where you cannot carry a gun, a knife can be a viable primary self-defense option. However, you need to know how to use it! In trained hands, a well constructed fighting folder can be a formidable self-defense tool. This half-day course, hosted by Personal Defense Solutions, and taught by world renowned weapons master and edged weapons expert, Dr. Richard Wigginton, will teach you effective techniques for fighting with a knife even if you have never had any edged weapon training before. After taking this 5 hour course, you will be able to carry a defensive folding knife confident in the knowledge that you know what to do with it should it be necessary to defend against a deadly attack.

COURSE SYLLABUS:

1. This class will focus on the use of the fighting folder as a tool for self-defense. Reactive and proactive techniques and tactics will be covered.

2. Each participant must bring a minimum of one folding blade. If you have more than one, by all means bring them to this class. Dr. Wigginton will personally evaluate and critique each knife and advise all participants of the individual strengths and weaknesses of design, construction and material.

3. Form. Fit. Function. If you do not have a fighting folder, these are the key words that should be at the forefront of your mind in choosing one.

A. The folder must be suitable for rapid deployment. B. The folder must be able to be rapidly opened with either hand. C. The blade should be of sufficient strength to cut, thrust, slash, stab and chop. D. When closed, the folder should be capable of delivering strong blows. E. Handle/hilt length, width and thickness should accommodate forward and reverse grips. F. Drop points, spear points, and clip points are all acceptable, as are tanto style blades. Recommended tanto points include chu kissaki (medium) and jo kissaki (large). G. Single or double edge blades are acceptable. H. Fixed blades are NOT acceptable. The only fixed blades in this class will be fixed blade

training props, the purpose of which are to teach the necessary methods of defeating longer, stronger blades with folders. I. Balisongs, the Phillippine "butterfly knives", will not be permitted in this class. If you have such a knife, leave it at home or better yet, deep six it. J. The legality of edged weapons for self defense will not be discussed in this class. Laws vary and are generally quite ambigious. There is but one purpose for this class. You will be trained to win the fight. Nothing more, nothing less. 4. Gunmen, pay attention! The following is a partial list of just some of the advantages that an edged weapon in trained hands offers when compared to a handgun. A. Total silence and no flash to identify or give away your defensive position. B. No recoil. C. Not ammo dependent. D. Less parts subject to wear and/or breakage. E. Requires little maintenance. F. Less subject to malfunctions. G. Less affected by hostile environments. H. Legality; varies. I.  More difficult to regulate than firearms. J. Easier to obtain than firearms. K. Versatility; permits more controlled escalation of force than firearms. L. Greater stopping power than handgun bullets and is typically more capable of defeating soft body armor. M. Safer, no unintentional/accidental/negligent discharges, or collateral damage due to missed shots or over-penetration. N. Requires far less fine motor skills to be effective. O. Virtually impossible to disarm when wielded by trained hands. P. Efficiency and accuracy far less affected by low light and other adverse conditions. Q. Multiple purpose tool. 5. You will be trained to use your own blades. 6. Force on force training. This will consist of techniques, tactics and live sparring with chalk and/or lipstick coated training knives which will let you know when, where and how badly you have been "tagged." 7. Safety glasses are mandatory. Dr. Wigginton strongly suggests that you wear a relatively thick, long sleeved shirt and/or light jacket. See number 6. Know in advance that you will get "stung." 8. Dr. Wigginton is the author and/or subject of multiple internationally published articles 9. Dr. Wigginton has studied multiple knife fighting methods; Occidental, Oriental and pure REDNECK. As such, the techniques, tactics and strategies presented in this class are a compilation of the quickest, most simple, devious, deceptive and deadly methodologies currently available. 10. Martial Artists: This is not a KATA CLASS. This class is about fighting with folding knives. This class will go from basic manipulations and applications to semi- free and free style. Dr. Wigginton is not easily impressed. If you choose to dance rather than to fight, don't waste our or your time. Find an Arthur Murray Studio, or if you're good enough, sign on for Dancing With the Stars. 11. Everyone will benefit from this class. There will be coaches on hand to assist you; coaches who are skilled knife wielders.  We look forward to working with each and every one of you. PRICE: $150 per student (non-refundable) For more information, email Dr. Eimer or call him at (215) 938-7283.