Interesting non-lethal self-defense tool – Self-Defense Whip

Bigwig - December 30, 2021

Gear

I was looking for a non-lethal self defense tool to put in the bug out bags for family members.  Although some are trained in martial arts, they were more about learning the katas than the actual fighting.  I was looking for a self-defense tool that wouldn’t require a lot of training.  I settled on of all things a self-defense whip based on the following criteria:

• Simple to use/minimum training required.
• Doesn’t require physical contact (like a knife or stun gun)
• Not as easily grabbed (like a baton or stick)
• Compact  

I know that no weapon checks all the boxes, but this one peaked my interest.  Not sure why there isn’t more discussion on these types of weapons.  I also watched a video of some martial arts experts trying it out on each other (https://youtu.be/zWvEuK9DDtY).  I’ll be packing this along with the pepper spray.

I am not affiliated with any companies who make these products.

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If the intent is to defend against someone who’s attacking you, I think this will not be very effective. If someone is in the middle of attacking you, hitting them with this won’t stop them from following through with at least one strike, at which point their stab or punch does more damage than the whip did.

I can imagine police using this for controlling someone who is behaving badly, like the way they currently use batons. But any civilian trying the same is likely to be charged with assault.

 

Adding an additional foot and a half of reach can keep an assailant away from you. If you just went nuts and swung that back and forth like crazy to create distance you could keep someone with a knife from getting to you.

I have never seen a tool like this before, it is slightly cumbersome, but I also see the benefit that it could have. Nice find.

 

So how much time have you put into practicing with this?  Have you used it for real?  Do you feel confident with it?
In my Berkeley bicycle days, I saw a guy w. what looked like a car antenna and a ball bearing welded on the end.  He used it when cars got too close and it was pretty effective.  

 

Back in the day folks would break off car antennas to use during street fights because the tip end can slice exposed skin like a knife (especially if the tip is jagged). 

Training (including sparring with it) is an absolute must for this type of weapon.  You’ll quicly learn it’s limitations:

• You probably won’t be able to deploy it before the attacker is inside your range of motion since most attacks are up close, sudden, and violent.
• Its effectiveness is greatly reduced if the attacker is wearing thicker clothing (e.g., loose jeans and a hoodie sweatshirt).
• It won’t intimidate someone used to getting cut and beaten (and possibly shot).
• It is not going to help distance yourself from an attacker with a firearm.

Better to maintain awareness and stay out of situations where someone can suddenly attack you.  Pepper spray is probably a better non-lethal option as it’s easily kept in your hand and useful when your attacker is outside arms length as well as close quarters if necessary.