The Martialist: The Magazine For Those Who Fight Unfairly

“Stay ‘unreasonable.’  If you
don’t like the solutions [available to you], come up with your
own.” 
Dan Webre

The Martialist does not
constitute legal advice.  It is for ENTERTAINMENT
PURPOSES ONLY.

Copyright © 2003-2004 Phil Elmore, all rights
reserved.

Dim Mak Tester™

A Product Review by Phil Elmore

You may have heard of Dim Mak, the ancient Chinese art of
the “death touch.”  Some fanciful theories exist regarding the use of Dim
Mak or pressure point fighting for creating almost magical and delayed results
in another person.

In reality, Dim Mak and pressure point fighting are simply a
means of learning and identifying the body’s vulnerable nerves and other
points, then striking these when they are offered.  In this way, the
fighter maximizes the effect of his efforts.

The pressed wood pulp fiber Dim Mak
Tester™.

One way to train the precision needed to strike specific
targets even while experiencing an “adrenaline dump” is an extremely
high-tech, immensely expensive training tool:  the Officially Licensed
and Kung Fu Approved Dim Mak Tester™.  Available commercially from any
number of retail outlets and from multiple manufacturers, the Dim Mak Tester™
is an example of the finest domestic and import craftsmanship combined to
create a remarkably durable but ultimately disposable tool for Kung Fu and Dim
Mak training.

I was first introduced to the use of the Dim Mak Tester™ by
Sigung John Crescione, who taught a seminar in the Spring of 2004 at the
Syracuse Wing Chun
Academy.  The Dim Mak Tester™ is excellent not only for training
precision striking (the “aim small, miss small” principle) but for training
the basic mechanics of striking the human eye.  Because it is available
in multiple sizes, the tester can be adapted to multiple skill levels. 
Moving the tester through the air while the training partner attempts to
strike it further increases the level of difficulty, as does requiring the
striking student to move in from out of range before the strike.

The Dim Mak Tester™ can be used to
practice eye strike mechanics.

The Dim Mak Tester™ in all its forms is a precision
instrument crafted from pressed wood pulp fiber, machine-turned into a perfect
cylinder.  Both ends are functional.  As it has no moving parts, the
Tester is not susceptible to most forms of mechanical error with use. 
The striking ends do wear with repeated application, so the tester must be
replaced periodically.

My loyal minion Kevin with two sizes of
Dim Mak Tester™.

Fully utilized
Dim Mak Testers™ after training.

Cost of the Dim Mak Tester™ is generally not prohibitive and
distributors of the product are widely available.

Granted, this is a complex
and somewhat intimidating tool – but it is extremely useful nonetheless.