Why use Rattan Escrima Sticks?
Most blade based martial arts have included wooden swords as part of their training.
The samurai had oak training swords called “bokken” and european swordsman...
Willie Lim Unlocks Martial Arts Truths
Willie Lim likes nothing better than to unlock martial arts truths. He is demystifying martial arts, shattering illusions that many would like to keep...
Japanese Samurai Swords – A Brief History Part 1
The first proofs of the existence of Japanese Samurai swords in Japan date from 240 BC, during the Yayoi period, when the queen, Himeko,...
Mastering Systema: Striking Spirituality
I attended two days of the Mastering Systema seminar in Toronto, Ontario. It was a week long event, and I was there for the...
Is Kicking the Knee the Best Defense in a Street Fight?
Dear Michael,
A friend who practices traditional karate recently told me that the best defense in a street fight would be sidekicks to my opponent’s...
Stripes and Bars: Self-discipline
NOT TOO LONG AGO, I was asked to identify the one leadership characteristic that rises above all others as the most important. Though I...
Surviving an Edged Weapon Attack
Unconsciousness and Death – Surviving an Edged Weapon Attack . . . witnessed over my 23 years of being a law enforcement professional. In...
The Anatomy Of Fear and How It Relates To Survival Skills Training
An officer assigned to jail duty conducts a prisoner bed check when he observes that a male who was lodged in the drunk tank...
A League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Classic Colt 1911
This is the story of one man's lifetime dream - come true. I finally learned the hard lessons of imperfect tries, and lifted the...
Stealth .45 ACP Compensators
I don't like compensators. To my traditionalist's eye, they are funny-looking contraptions better suited to imaginary guns in Star Wars movies. Real men all...
Custom Pistols of Steven Seagal
When even a Black Belt isn't enough . . . The Custom Pistols of Steven Seagal
Believe it or not, there are still a lot...
Scenario Training and Stress in the Training Environment
The modern training arena is becoming more focused on efficiency of skill acquisition. This is primarily due to the increase in the complexity and...
The Reality of Combat: Are You Combat Effective?
Let’s be clear about something. Martial arts and armed and unarmed combat aren't the same thing. I’ll probably get a lot of flack from...
How Wing Chun Helps the Mind
Wing Chun is an incredible art that when studied has far reaching effects on one's health. Right from the early stages of learning in...
Defense Theory: Street Effective Practice
One of the major factors that distinguish "realistic" fighting systems from more traditional styles, is in the close simulation of a "live" combat situation...
Streetwise Knife Fighting
In the world of knife fighting there is an unspoken rule. Go in, cut and get out unscathed. It is that simple, but we...