Most people who carry guns for self-defense know next-to-nothing, or nothing at all, about what to expect if attacked using an edged weapon. Given the frequency with which robberies and personal attacks involve edged weapons, this is a gaping hole in one's personal defense strategy. The idea that one without specific instruction and technique will succeed in bringing a concealed firearm to bear in the face of a contact-distance assault with an edged weapon is so naive as to be childish.

We are privileged to be able to bring one of the United States' foremost experts on just these sorts of street-level problems to Pittsburgh for a two day seminar, designed to show average folks what they don't know - and need to learn - about edged weapons, how they are used, and how one may defend against them.

The instructor is Steve Tarani. He has been completely unavailable for this sort of course for nearly two years due to his many other commitments. Steve is a personal friend, and his work will bring him within range of Pittsburgh in April, so we snagged him.

Another nationally known instructor summed up what Mr. Tarani knows (and teaches) as follows:

"We have all these guys walking around here with their $500 knives, oblivious to the fact that a guy like Steve can cut them to ribbons with the top of a tuna-fish can."

I promise you that is true. At the same time Steve is very personable, and very easy to work with. He loves working with those of us who are novices with respect to blades, and is very effective in making exotic concepts easy for us to understand.

This course costs some money ($350). I read people posting on this board about how they are waiting for a contact distance defense course "at the right price." What would the "right price" be to to play golf for two days with Jack Nicklaus, while he coaches you? Trust me ... you won't see this training anywhere for less than $450, if you see it at all.

We already have well-trained people signing up from 300 miles away for this - but our mission is to bring this to local folks. We can take up to 24 people.

The complete course description follows:

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EDGED WEAPONS & DISARMS
A Seminar by Steve Tarani of Operational Skills Group
Saturday April 18 and Sunday April 19, 2009

For most of us, the thought of a close-in confrontation with one wielding a knife, broken bottle, razor, or other edged weapon is chilling. But such attacks are more common than assaults with firearms, and firearms courses generally fail to instruct on how to deal with such emergencies without suffering serious injury. But you do not have to be helpless. There are practical and effective means to protect yourself.

The Firearms Instruction, Research & Education (F.I.R.E.) Institute is sponsoring a two-day, first-level course on how to deal with an “edged weapon” attack. “Edged Weapons I” is intended as an adjunct to firearms or martial-arts training for both law enforcement and private citizens. The instructor will present the essential building blocks for surviving an edged weapon attack at conversational ranges, either unarmed or preparatory to bringing a firearm to bear.

Topics Covered: Scope of study includes basic stances, grips, operation and defense against the edged weapon in the event of an edged weapon altercation. Specific subjects covered include: anatomy of engagement; empty hand versus knife; carry and deployment; reactive defense for both low and high-line attacks; and survival techniques to solve some of the worse edged weapon scenarios.

Course Objectives: This is not going to make anyone a “knife fighter.” Our purpose in presenting this information is to “open ones eyes” to the ways in which one may be attacked with an edged weapon, and to the defensive methods and techniques which people of average physical capabilities can learn to defeat those attacks. Upon completion of this course of instruction, each student should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the following concepts and techniques:

• “Position,” “Engagement,” and how to assume immediate control in an attack.
• Quick identification of the most common grips, stances and operation of an edged weapon as an armed encounter develops.
• How to break off an attack and move to superior position.
• How to identify and control the “Contact Connection” of an edged weapon.
• Reactive response for any low-line attack at contact ranges.
• Reactive response for any high line attack at contact ranges.
• How to immobilize an attacker when “closing in.”
• When to “get in” and disable an attacker, and when to “get out” to disengage and flee.
• Tactical Carry and Deployment of edged weapons.
• Disarming.

Instructor: The course instructor is Steve Tarani. Steve Tarani is a full-time, professional law enforcement trainer and highly respected use-of-force consultant. His training courses have been accepted as standard curriculum for a number of state-accredited programs and law enforcement agencies nationwide. Mr. Tarani has been on staff at the U.S. D.O.E. Nonproliferation and National Security Institute (Central Training Academy), the Security Force Training Dept. at Kirtland Air Force Base (Albuquerque, New Mexico), and as an adjunct instructor for the Gunsite Academy in Paulden, Arizona. He is a member of the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers (ASLET), Orange County Training Managers Association (OCTMA), and others law enforcement training organizations.

Steve is also a writer for various firearms training, law enforcement and martial arts publications. He has produced several videos and books, is a member of the American Press Association (APA), Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts Instructor’s Association, Bakbakan International, LAMECO Eskrima International, Mande Muday Pencak Silat International, Bahala Na Eskrima International. Steve is now an Officer with the Del Rey Oaks CA Police Department, serving as the Senior Defensive Tactics Instructor.

Mr. Tarani began his training in contact weapons in 1979, and trained extensively throughout the 1980’s with the likes of Guro Ted Lucaylucay, and Grandmaster Leovigildo M. Giron. Mr. Tarani achieved his Graduate/ Instructor ranking directly under Grandmaster Giron in 1989. He is a long-term student of Guro Dan Inosanto, and received instructorship directly under Guro Dan Inosanto in 1996. As a long-term private student of Punong Guro Edgar G. Sulite, Steve was also granted his instructorship in 1997. He is the only American to hold three simultaneous instructorships in the Filipino contact weapon arts respectively under Grandmaster Giron, Punong Guro Sulite and Guro Dan Inosanto. Additional contact weapon instructorships were issued to Mr. Tarani on location in Japan (Yoshinkan Honbu Dojo) and West Java (Bandung, Indonesia).

Equipment and Attire: Comfortable, loose-fitting, non-restrictive clothing that you can move around in. Sweats, loose-fitting street clothes or BDU’s are all fine. No other equipment of any kind is needed. Mr. Tarani supplies all necessary equipment.

Physical Demands: Mr. Tarani tailors his courses to the aggregate physical capacity of the specific group. The techniques employed are designed to be practical and useful, which necessarily means they must be usable by those in average physical condition who do not have a martial arts background. All training exercises are designed so students can proceed at their own pace. If you have a particular physical condition which makes an exercise or technique difficult for you, you are expected to advise Mr. Tarani and refrain from attempting that particular exercise.

Time Commitment: Each day will run from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with periodic breaks for lunch and rest. Total instruction time is a minimum of 15 hours. A certificate of completion will be awarded to those who satisfactorily complete the training.

Class size: The course will have not less than 12 nor more than 24 participants. If there are not 12 enrollees by March 20, 2009, the class will be canceled. In that event, any tuition paid up to that time will be refunded. Enrollment is first-come/first served.

Place: The course will be indoors, at the Day's Inn, 1150 Banksville Road, Pgh. PA. 15216, just South of the Ft. Pitt Tunnels. [Phone (412) 531-8900]. Specific directions will be provided to those who enroll. There are "family" and fast-food restaurants within walking distance for lunch or dinner.

Cost: $350.00. Payment in full is required at the time of enrollment, and is non-refundable after March 20, 2009. As stated above, however, if the course is canceled all tuition will be refunded immediately.

How to enroll: Obtain an enrollment form go to www. freinstutute.org An enrollment form can be downloaded from that site, and mailed to the FIRE Institute at 2130 Fox Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. If you have specific questions, contact the course administrator, Peter Georgiades, at (412) 381-8035.


This course is sponsored as a public service by the F.I.R.E. Institute, a non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization dedicated to firearms training and education. You must be at least 18 years old to enroll. Proof of no criminal history is required at the time of enrollment (instructions for which are included in the enrollment materials on the web site). All checks should be made payable to “FIRE Institute.”