By Trelle Burdeniuk

Knife defense classes see new clients in Sask.

May 8, 2014 | 7:27 AM

An instructor of knife defense classes in Saskatoon is seeing new clients as knives continue to be a weapon of choice.

Brad Hutchinson, CEO of the Academy of Tactical Training Systems in Saskatoon, said recent high profile stabbings in Calgary and Regina have been a topic of conversation at his classes.

He is seeing his client base expand to include more people interested in self defense and now security guards.

“A lot of those people that are working in that industry are first responders. They're dealing with the situation at hand immediately before the police arrive, so that's a big switch now in the industry is that I see more security companies and agencies are wanting to give their officers more training,” he said.

Hutchinson trains with simulation pocket knives, sticks and long blades. He tries to make scenarios as believable as possible to create the same circumstances as a real knife attack.

Freedom and Flexibility

How App-Based Work Creates Economic Opportunity

Dec 12, 2025

Riderville

Now for the Hard Part

Dec 10, 2025

Seniors Scene

Christmas is Coming

Dec 09, 2025

However, he said this training requires a lot of dedication.

“It's an ongoing thing. It never stops, so obviously, the more time you put into it, the better you should get,” he said.

Hutchinson has spent 20 years training including going to Japan twice a year to keep up his training in Japanese military combatives. He has had students go into the military and policing.

He said recent knife attacks in Calgary and Regina haven't increased his class sizes the same way as 9/11 did.

“It hasn't really hit home probably yet,” Hutchinson said. “We have a tendency to wait until a problem has happened before we actually go out and get training.”

He said knives are still a dominant weapon of choice because they are easier to get than a gun.

“The knife is one of the number one tools for sure and all different sizes too.”

In his classes, Hutchinson said he teaches that it is always best to run from an attacker, but if you can't, he shows people how each weapon works for and against you.

news@panow.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow