Building on the success of our first knife, the Barracuda EDC, Bad Medicine is the second design in the Protego Line, a collaboration between Wander Tactical Research Group and Safer Faster Defense.

This collaboration is born out of the desire to integrate our areas of expertise to provide you with the best defensive knives available for your everyday carry.

Wander Tactical Research Group is recognized for making high quality cutting tools for survivalists, hunters, soldiers and now self-defense practitioners.

Safer Faster Defense is internationally known for one of the most effective “Counter-Ambush” knife defense programs available today.

Just like the Barracuda EDC, the Bad Medicine is specifically designed to be a personal protection tool first and foremost. At first glance, it looks like a Persian style knife, but if you look deeper, you’ll see some important details that set it apart from a classic Persian blade…As always for us, form follows function!

• The angle between the grip and the blade. It is what provides the “belly” of the blade and allows for more cutting power and deeper slashes without sacrificing penetration capacity like in some Persian designs.
•  That same angle and a little magic in the blade geometry helps to maintain the tip of the blade in line with the thumb in a fencer or modified hammer grip. This significantly improves intuitive aiming when stabbing and facilitates effortless entry regardless of angle of attack. 
• The blade thickness helps to withstand any turns & twists where you could hit a belt, a belt buckle, a cell phone, etc.
• The false edge on the top can be sharpened for ease of cutting regardless of direction and can be integrated seamlessly by the edge-up crowd (Pikal style).
• The grip’s ergonomics assure a solid and safe employment of the knife, with or without gloves, wet or dry.

During the R&D process and up to the latest design modifications, our focus has been on finding the best balance between ergonomics, safety and purpose-driven blade geometry, and we are proud of the result.

Bad Medicine Specifications

OA length: 9”

Blade Length: 4.5”

Blade thickness: 1/4”

Cryogenic heat treatment:

Steel Type: D2

Blade Finish: Iron Wash

Grip: Micarta

Sheath: Kydex

Clip: None

Price $350

The first 10 Custom Bad Medicines for the US market are now available on the Safer Faster Defense website.

DISCLAIMER, RELEASE, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT: Safer Faster Defense and Wander Tactical Research Group is not responsible for any physical harm or damage from the use or misuse of self-defense weapons including a knife purchased from us.

By purchasing a self-defense weapon, including a knife from us you understand that The Safer Faster Defense and Wander Tactical Research Group does not warrant that you may legally purchase, possess, or carry these products according to any state or local laws.

You also acknowledge that you have determined their legality before purchasing and that you are an adult of at least 18 years of age and under no legal disability.

By purchasing a self-defense weapon, including a knife from The Safer Faster Defense and Wander Tactical Research Group, the buyer warrants that he/she is in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding the purchase, ownership, and use of the item.

The buyer expressly agrees to indemnify and hold harmless The Safer Faster Defense and Wander Tactical Research Group for all claims resulting directly or indirectly from the purchase, ownership, and use of the item in compliance or violation of federal state and local laws or regulations.

Please check local laws before ordering any self-defense weapon, including a knife.

In these fragmented times I believe it’s up to us to create and foster a sense of community that transcends any artificial lines of demarcation that have become so sensationalized in recent years.

I invited each of you because I know you to be individuals who have a common core of values, despite having different backgrounds, beliefs, affiliations and orientations. We have the capacity to find common ground based on those core values and grow from there.

With that in mind, the theme of this event is:

                                                                             Mutual Aid Society

                                                                     (Societá di mutuo Soccorso)

A mutual aid society is a community-based network that connects people in need with resources. Individuals volunteer and act cooperatively and in solidarity with each other. Mutual aid societies do not operate as businesses, as they are rooted in the foundation that communities support each other. They may be region-wide, city-wide, county-wide, or even neighborhood-wide.

The goal of the event

We want to prepare our students with the most professional experience based, and science based knowledge and training, that could be applied successfully in the worst case scenario they are concerned with.  

Let me be clear, with this type and level of training, we are at the very edge of the Plausibility principle for our everyday lives as civilians.

Personally I do not believe in a coming societal collapse/Civil war type scenario in the US.

However, in recent years, there has been a marked increase in the frequency and importance that this narrative has received in social and political discourse. In turn, this has driven an increased interest by the public in the strategies and tactics that may come into play if such an event were to happen. 

We fear the most what we don’t have an answer to. It’s human nature and understandable.

An unfortunate consequence of this interest has been the proliferation of “Fantasy Camp” classes that do very little to actually prepare your average civilian for their context and, worst, rely on amplifying the doomsday narrative, fear and division in order to fill their classes.

To that I say: F**k fear mongers.

This event is not that. It’s actually the opposite of that approach. The antidote

if you will…

The explicit  benefit of our type of training is that the knowledge and skills the students gained, will be extremely useful in  more realistic emergency situations, such as the partial collapse of services during a natural disaster or a small-scale, short term violent event.

For instance, the value of emergency medical training for everyday life is obvious to everyone here. Similarly, Patrolling and CQB skill sets can help you move around safely as you are looking for resources or safe havens during localized civil unrest or catastrophic events like fires, earthquakes, tornadoes, etc. The same can be said for Comms and Breaching.

The explicit benefit is that achieving a higher level of Response Efficacy and  Self Efficacy during these classes will empower them to be better prepared to protect themselves and their loved ones. The implicit benefit of their improved confidence and sense of agency is thet it should  allow them to better understand and control their emotions and avoid falling prey to manipulated, divisive narratives and drama. 

Train More, Fear less.

The vision for these 3 days, in addition to awesome training and good times of course, is to lay the foundation for a potential network of mutual aid societies. In addition to our California folks,  we have people coming from both coasts and all timezones in between. Most of you are already part of different organizations and/or are well established in your local communities. You could become “force multipliers” for your area  connecting and expanding resources. 

A very important topic weaved throughout these 3 days of training will be a focus on mindset and emotional health prior, during and after a survival event. Mindset & Mindfulness are both essential aspects of optimal performance in times of stress as well as in times of recovery. 

Future training events will include other topics that can be applied in a tactical context as well as an emergency event :

Wilderness Survival

Topography & Navigation

Tracking

Long distance shooting

Hunting

Fishing

Butchering 101

Practical deets: 

Day 1- July 26

08:00 Meet up at the parking lot next to the Arroyo Grande Rooster Gazebo to convoy up to Rocky Ridge Ranch together. 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ymsszqp9PgiocVuj7

0830: Arrive at Rocky Ridge Ranch

0900: Live fire training

11:00: Tactical Combat Casualty Care. 

This class will be taught by JP, a former Special Forces Medic (18D) with a ton of experience and an amazing talent for teaching. Here is a brief description of the class:

Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) is developed by the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency (DHA) Joint Trauma System (JTS) to teach evidence-based, life-saving techniques and strategies for providing the best trauma care on the battlefield. 

1830ish: end of class.

1930: dinner

2030: how to set up simple radio comms. 

Bonfire time, stories telling and general philosophising.

Day 2:

0800: Meet up at Rocky Ridge Ranch.

0830: Live fire training followed by Fundamental of Patrolling 

1830:  End of class

1930: Dinner

2030: Breaching doors for civilians. 

Bonfire time, stories telling and general philosophising.

Day 3:

08:00: Meet up at Rocky Ridge Ranch.

0830: live fire training

1030: Fundamentals of Close Quarter Battle.

1700: final training evolution: 

Patrolling to target building and assaulting it.

Dinner in town or BBQ at the ranch to end the event in style and with a full belly! 

Equipment:

Pistol, Rifle, range gear.  

If you are traveling from out of state, there is a competition loophole that allows you to bring your guns into California even if not compliant, Im trying to figure out how official the competition nerds to be. Will keep you posted. Otherwise, there will be spare firearms here for you to use.

Pen/paper 

Recording or video recording.

Camping chair

Sunscreen, hat, plenty of water and snacks.

Lunch.

Total of 450 rounds for pistol and 750 rounds for Carbine. (Bring more if you have them).

Any emergency medical training equipment you may have.

Airsoft replica of your handgun and rifle if you have them.

Sirt pistol, Black Beard laser training system if you have it

Any battle belt, chest rig, plate carrier, you train with our two instructors and some of the attendees may have a lot of hard earned advice on how to set them up to best fit your needs.

We will provide BBQ dinner Friday and Saturday.

You can camp on the property, tent, trailer/camper or there are a ton of hotels/motels in the area for all budgets. There are also AirBnBs if some of you want to go in on one and share expenses.

Sound off if you want to camp on the property 

Sound off if you have extra room in your trailer/Camper.

Sound off if you are looking to share in renting  a camper.

Sound off if you are looking to share an AirB&B.

FYI hotel rates are pretty steep on July but this site has a lot of trailers for rent. Like an AirBnB but for trailers/campers.

https://www.outdoorsy.com/rv-search?cam=g1144763963&subcam=53301571832_kwd-424469145791&gclid=CjwKCAjw1K-zBhBIEiwAWeCOF8HTXTf7vVxZHOqic5upl-4i8jRz1Vg3A8EmxvHI_54o27mSPBngwhoCglMQAvD_BwE&delivery=true&gad_source=1&geoip_address=San%20Jose%2C%20CA%2C%20United%20States&page%5Boffset%5D=0&address=Arroyo%20Grande%2C%20California%2C%20United%20States&date%5Bfrom%5D=2024-07-25&date%5Bto%5D=2024-07-29

Your instructors Bios are attached below.

Payment :

Given the theme of the event, I’m trying to keep tuition as reasonable as possible. The goal is to raise enough to pay the instructors of course, cover some equipment cost and throw down on some good BBQ (vegetarian options will be plentiful as well!) for Friday and Saturday!

 Tuition: $550 per person. 

Applied fundamentals of CCW and Home Defense. Live fire scenarios training with Simunitions and trained role players.
In this class we will spend a few hours working fundamental defensive skills on the live range, examining the students set up / equipment / plan of action for Concealed Carry and Home Defense.
Students will participate in Force on Force simulations with trained role players to test and improve their realistic application of the skills and strategies learned and their personal equipment.

Intuitive Defensive Shooting – Handgun
This course is not designed to make you the best shooter you can be on the range,
rather its goal is to help you quickly develop fundamental skills that you can apply in a
worst case scenario defensive shooting situation.
IDS is based on years of constantly evolving information about how the body works and
what really happens during Dynamic Critical Incidents and has been heavily influenced
by the diverse group of instructors that are certified to teach it and the thousands of
students who have been through courses all around the world. The program features a
variety of specialty drills and training methods that the student will be able to utilize in
their own practice after the course in order to continue to develop their abilities.
This course is two full days of training, teaching, and practice. You are encouraged to
bring a notebook and a pen. The course will cover the following topics:
• Fundamentals of Defensive Shooting & Intuitive Skill Development
• Combat Accuracy
• High Compressed Ready position
• Lateral Motion – Net Survival Positive
• Presentation from the Holster (Reactive Vs Proactive)
• Assessment – Physical & Cognitive Skill
• The Balance of Speed & Precision
• Critical Incident Reload
• Volume of Fire
• Realistic Training for Multiple Target Engagement
• Understanding the Body’s Natural Reactions during a Dynamic Critical Incident.
• One Handed & Weak Handed Shooting
• Non-Diagnostic Linear Malfunction Clearing
• Simulation Drills
• Shooting in Motion (When, How & Why)

Intuitive Defensive Carbine
This Course is designed to expose students to an efficient method of defending
themselves with a semi-automatic rifle during a dynamic critical incident. All of the
principles and fundamentals of the Intuitive Defensive Shooting program are applied
to the carbine and the following topics are covered:
• Four Points of Contact with a rifle and Intuitive Shooting Fundamentals
• Combat Accuracy
• Primary, secondary, and tertiary aiming methods
• The Balance of Speed & Precision
• Volume of Fire
• Critical Incident Reloads & Efficient Carbine Handling
• Transition to a Pistol
• Realistic Training for Multiple Target Engagement
• Counter Ambush Response simulation drills
• Shooting while Standing, Squatting, Kneeling & Seated
• Transition to support side shooting
• Shooting around Cover & in Unorthodox Shooting Positions course of fire
• Fundamentals Carbine Malfunction Clearing

Course Information

Meet up at 8.30 at the range office. Richmond Rod & Gun Club, 3155 Goodrick Avenue, Richmond, CA

•  Cost for the 2 Day IDS course is $550.
• Students will fire 400/600 Pistol and 400/600
  Carbine rounds during the 2 day course.
• Bring a lunch, water, sunscreen, snacks, notepad and kneepads.

 Resource predator Vs. Process predator:

• Psychology
• Behavior
• Goals
• Weaknesses

How do you prepare to stay safe?

• Our approach to Self Defense Training is designed to prepare you emotionally, psychologically and physically to be better able to prevail during conflict.

What are the four principles of personal safety?

OBSERVE: pay attention to your environment as much as possible

• Awareness Vs Paranoia
• Intuition: how does it works and why we should always follow it
• When awareness fails: Counter ambush training methodologies

AVOID: the confrontation when possible:

• Walk/run away
• Dial 911
• Scream for help

DECREASE: the intensity of the confrontation if possible.

• Non Violent Posture
• Body language
• Choice Speech

PROTECT: when everything else fails, violence is the answer. Fight to Win!

Introduction to Intuitive Tactics:

• Palm strikes
• Hammer fist
• Elbow Strikes (vertical, horizontal, diagonal)
• Knee Strikes
• Shin Kick
• Soccer kick
• Face Rake
• Biting
• Gouging
• Self Defense Tools
• Improvised Weapons

Do you understand Fear, its purpose and how it affects our performance?

• Psychological vs. Biological fear
• Fight – Flight – Freeze
• Intimidation / Self-Intimidation
• Permission to do harm
• Personal Directive
• Power of Indignation
• Positive Emotional Triggers
• Mindset and Stress Exposure Training

Fundamental Principles of fear management:

• Accept What’s Happening
• Get Challenged
• Don’t Stop Thinking About How To Prevail

People attack each other in very predictable ways,

 Learning about them will allow us to initiate our defense sooner:

• Most common attacks
• Pre-contact indicators
• The startle-flinch reaction and how to convert it into a combative response

FORCE on FORCE SCENARIOS:

You will participate in realistic scenarios with trained role players (wearing protective gear) to test and evaluate the skills learned during the course.

In training, as in real life, we react to stimuli that we perceive through our senses. The more stimuli we can perceive, the more information arrives in our brain. With more information, our brain can respond, adapt and learn faster.

Traditional marking knife trainers can give you limited visual feedback and mostly at the end of your exercise when you stop and assess the damage inflicted or received. They also give you tactile feedback but it is limited by its subjective nature, heightened pain tolerance and task fixation during scenario and Force on Force training.

The advantage of the Mimics T-16 is that it gives you immediate feedback through auditory stimuli, with different beeping tones. Visual stimuli, with different colored LED lights and objective tactile stimuli because you need to apply a specific amount of pressure to activate it. This makes the Mimic T-16 a far more versatile and efficient tool for your training than anything currently on the market.

Let’s look at the different training contexts where the Mimic T-16 excels:

Resolve

First and foremost it helps win over most students’ natural inhibitions to stabbing and slashing another human being. We see this phenomenon very often, especially in beginner’s classes.

The students either don’t make contact with their training partner or the contact is very light, tentative.

The Mimics T-16 pushes them to make contact through the target and to do it with enough pressure and enough intent to activate the LED and Sound indicators, helping them overcome those inhibitions and become more efficient in stopping the threat.

Force on Force, scenario, and simulation training:

During this kind of training there is so much going on: adrenaline, stress, fatigue, that we may not even feel our opponent knife trainer striking us…How often do we see students locked in a no-win exchange, each one simultaneously stabbing and getting stabbed, repeatedly, without realizing the deadly consequences of such an exchange in real life.

Here are some advantages of the Mimics T-16:

• Being able to “hear” and “see” the damage inflicted upon us will help us to convert to more desirable tactics faster, instead of persevering with a detrimental course of action.
• Becoming immediately aware of being hit will immediately up the stress level of the exercise and affect our mindset and resolve.
• It will give us an immediate idea of the efficacy of our strikes on the adversary.

If you feel you need to, you can add some felt tape and chalk or use lipstick to be able to survey the amount of damage done and received after the exercise is over.

Sparring/competition:

During sparring sessions or competition, the MimicsT-16 gives us objective audio and visual feedback on who is striking first, more often and where.

Since it is a given that we all want to perform well in front of our peers and everybody will be able to see/hear when we are getting hit, using the MimicsT-16 definitely adds some performance anxiety to the sparring session or competition. Learning to control that anxiety and focus on the task at hand helps us develop a better mindset.

Drills:

For drills in a group environment, you can switch off the “Beep” option and still get the benefits of immediate visual and tactile feedback. This can help both new and advanced students develop and refine their skills realistically.

In conclusion, the MimicsT-16 is an incredibly helpful training tool and it is very well built. Obviously, by its very nature, moving parts, and electronics, it is not the best training knife if you use it to strike as hard as you can on hard surfaces, that is what wood, aluminum, and rubber trainers are built for. Use it wisely and it will last you a very long time.