Knife Training?

flintknapper · #16

O6nop wrote:
I am sure the date of a seminar would fall sometime after the 1st of the year.
I'll post back after I have contacted my former instructors.
I only revive this old post because of the above quote and there was a lot of interest. Nacogdoches is a ways away, but I would consider it.
Would there be restrictions? Age, experience level, physical ability?

Hi '06,

From North Austin, Nacogdoches is about 4-1/2 hours. I grew up in Austin, and have made the drive many times.

To answer your questions:

1. No real age restrictions, but below the age of 12-13 yrs. we like to evaluate each person individually (for level of maturity/can follow instructions).

2. We can accommodate all levels of experience and try our best to train you around your physical abilities. Seminars are "class" oriented...and as such, we must try to keep things moving, but it is always our endeavor to tend to the personal needs/abilities of each person.

Comment: The seminar we held in January consisted largely of a group of people from this forum. All were fast learners, so the class progressed fairly quickly. We did not get into the gun disarms/retention as much as we hoped.. for lack of time, but a one day seminar limits how much time you can spend on any one subject. The knife portion was the main concentration...but empty hands instruction is also taught, as it can not be separated from edged weapons training IMO.

There has been some interest in having another seminar/clinic sometime in late spring. Ideally, this would be a two day event in order to introduce the uninitiated to the basics, and then really turn up the heat (learning wise) the second day.

So, if anyone is interested....just let us know.

Flint.

O6nop · #17

Actually, for the age, I meant the other end of the spectrum... I'm 50, a little heavy and just started getting interested in firearms as a self defense. I'm active, have a CHL, taken a few advanced classes and also dabble in martial arts - as a real novice, though. I wouldn't want to hold up the class, but I think I learn quickly. I am a perpetual student, I look forward to classes like this, I would be very interested. The two-day class may be worth the trip. Any ballpark figure on the cost?

txinvestigator · #18

Sounds like fun. Be sure and post it.

flintknapper · #19

O6nop wrote:Actually, for the age, I meant the other end of the spectrum... I'm 50, a little heavy and just started getting interested in firearms as a self defense. I'm active, have a CHL, taken a few advanced classes and also dabble in martial arts - as a real novice, though. I wouldn't want to hold up the class, but I think I learn quickly. I am a perpetual student, I look forward to classes like this, I would be very interested. The two-day class may be worth the trip. Any ballpark figure on the cost?

Doesn't sound like to me,you would hold up the class. And I have 3 years on you in age, so don't let that scare you away.

Most likely.. a two day seminar would start with "first timers" learning the basics the first day. We would probably separate those who have already attended a seminar and work with them in another room on some new techniques, then bring everyone together at the end of the day. Second day would have everyone together, but instructors would focus more on personal training (tweaking techniques at your particular level) and then looking at some more advanced stuff.

Successful completion of a two day seminar will leave you a bit tired, your wrists might be a little sore for a few days, but we won't kill you.

The reward for your effort is of course... the techniques, the concepts.. and principles you will take with you. We do like to recognize your effort in the form of a certificate of training, and no doubt you'll be photographed for the "review" which is published for Shen Chuan members. But, we do want students that are serious about.. and committed to... learning practical self defense techniques as it concerns edged weapons.

We recognize that not every technique can be performed by every student, we know there will be varying degrees of physical ability among our students. I promise you, I can not execute many (if any) of the techniques at the same level as my instructors. But, I feel as if I can operate at a level good enough to save my life. That is what I am after, and that is what I would like others to have a chance to learn.