Our Instructors
Ben Strickling - Head Instructor, Kunst des Fechtens
Ben Strickling has been studying Historical European Martial Arts for over a decade. In that time, he’s been instrumental in helping foster interest in Historical European Martial Arts throughout North Carolina. He’s the founder of Triangle Sword Guild and is primarily responsible for the development of the club’s Liechtenauer-based curriculum. Ben has had a number of competitive wins in historical fencing, including first place wins at the Meyer Open, SERFO, Kriegs-schule, Study in Steel, and back-to-back gold medal wins in dagger at Iron Gate Exhibition. He’s also won silver medals at Longpoint, Fechtschule New York, and the Pacific North West HEMA Gathering. Ben has also taught seminars in MS I.33 sword and buckler, longsword, spear, and medieval dagger.
Chris Nolan - Head Instructor, Renaissance Fencing
Chris Nolan is the head instructor for the Bolognese Program with Triangle Sword Guild in Raleigh, NC. His focus is primarily on Marozzo's two-handed sword and Bolognese Single Sidesword traditions. He has approximately 20 years training in Traditional Korean and Chinese martial arts prior to training in HEMA which play an influential role in how the program trains and interprets historical European texts.
Kurt Holtfreter - Head Instructor, Chivalric Arts (Fiore and Armor)
Kurt Holtfreter has been studying Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) with TSG since 2017. He has a combined additional background of 10 years in Kendo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Combat Arts from his time in the Marine Corps. He is currently one of the KDF instructors, focusing on further refining longsword, messer, dagger, and spear fundamentals and advanced techniques. He also conducts training with live blades against tatami mats for the purpose of test cutting and tournament cutting preparation. Kurt has also traveled to other HEMA schools and believes in the benefit of broadening perspective through collaborative training, sparring, and consultation in order to bring home fresh ideas to share with TSG. Kurt has won silver medals in the 2019 Raleigh Open and Study in Steel Tournaments. Kurt has taught seminars regarding bind mechanics at the 2019 Study in Steel tournament and the 2019 Oktoberfecht.
Khari Evans - Head Instructor, Historical African Martial Arts
Khari Evans has been studying historical African martial arts since 2016 and has held the position of Historical Curator with the Historical African Martial Arts Association (HAMAA) since 2021. He holds a B.S. in Pan Africana Studies where he primarily researched ancient African and African diasporic military history and martial practices and traditions. In 2019, he placed second in the HAMAA Tournament of Champions mixed weapons tournament. Khari has taught HAMAA classes at various events including TSG’s 2021 Oktoberfecht. His main interests include West African/Sahelian and African Diasporic fighting styles. Khari currently teaches Sahelian Sword and Shield for TSG.