Martial Arts & Self-Defense Weapons - What IS a "Kubotan"?

If you do a search on the internet, there seems to be no end to what has been written about this simple, yet powerful weapon. There seems to be no small supply of writers who have used dramatic titles to add to the impact of an otherwise so-so article on the subject.

"Fistful of Dynamite," "Rod of Pain," and many others lead the way as writers share their own knowledge and insight into this inconspicuous, and yet surprisingly powerful little weapon. Unfortunately, far too many of these articles serve little to no real purpose in helping you to actually create results. And, these articles range in scope from the generalized "what it is" variety, to the overly bloated tome that includes what seems to be every single detail and supposition that the author wishes to impress you with.

Believe me, I have read a lot of what's available, and while there are certainly a number of valuable resources from real experts, they are buried in a cyber-world of practically worthless "chatter." While you can feel free to recreate my extensive research on the subject, I've brought it all together so you don't have to.

So, what, exactly, is a Kubotan (pronounced "koo-bow-tahn") anyway?

Good question. And to answer that, you can read the book titled, KUBOTAN: Self-Defense Keychain to get a much better idea. But, for now, I'll give you the short, "what's it look like and what else might it be called," version. For those interested, the above book covers the viewpoints of "where did it come from and how long has it been around," as-well-as others in its other chapters.

In my other articles, you can take a quick overview of the strengths and weakness of this popular self-defense weapon. But, for now...

The Kubotan, also known as a...

1. Pocket-stick...

2. Self-Defense Keychain...

3. Mini-Stick, and...

4. many others...

...is arguably, the most common self-defense weapon, next to the handgun, in the United States.

While many new tactical weapons continue to find growing acceptance within the law enforcement and security communities, there seems to be little change within the realm of private citizens. It appears that, once people find a good thing, they tend to "stick" with it. (Yes, pun intended!) According to many experts in the field of defense and personal protection...

"...the most popular, and quite possibly the most versatile, personal defense weapon is the Kubotan."

For simplicity's sake, I'll refer to the weapon throughout this article as the Kubotan or, more simply, the self-defense keychain. However, regardless of the name given to it, this powerful little compliance tool, carried by thousands of men and women - martial artists and non-practitioners alike - is an awesome means of deterring and controlling an attack situation.

Besides being, quite probably the cheapest weapon you can buy, in the hands of even a person skilled in only a few basic moves, the Kubotan is a formidable weapon for stopping an assailant in his tracks. And, for those with more training and developed skills, the self-defense keychain is one of the most effective self-defense tools that you can use today.

The weapon is simple in appearance, inexpensive to acquire or make, and fairly easy to conceal. While not as versatile and convenient as a clipknife like the Delica from Spyderco - my preferred weapon/tool of choice, by the way - it is definitely easy-to-learn and even easier-to-use.

Depending on the manufacturer, the Kubotan is just a basic rod made of metal, plastic, or wood. It's about 6 inches long and, as the name suggests, usually has a key ring attached at one end. The "official," patented, Kubotan weapon "invented" by a man named Tak Kubota, has grooves machined into the weapon to identify it as a unique creation. But, just like "Band-aid" has come to be the generic name for adhesive bandages and "Q-Tips" the same for cotton swabs, the bar-shaped, self-defense keychain is almost universally called a "Kubotan."

There are other variants of the basic model, including what is billed as the "Ninja" version of the weapon. This little piece of imaginative effort, created during the '80's when every weapon had it's own "Ninja" version, has two thinner spikes protruding out from the side of the weapon that fit between your fingers when you grasped the main bar of the tool.

Let me assure you that, regardless of what you ever read or hear, the Kubotan or self-defense keychain is NOT a Ninja weapon - officially or unofficially. It's ancestors that gave rise to the modern version, at least in Japan, were used by almost all trained warriors - not just the Ninja.

The more commonly recognized variants of the weapon are generally manufactured from heavy-duty plastic or aluminum. The official Kubotan, and third-party copies, are simply straight rods with blunt ends. However, many self-defense key chains have at least one tapered end with the key ring attached to the squared, blunt end. Needless to say, some of these "centerpunch-like versions, are extremely dangerous - as they have the capability of actually penetrating the target and doing more severe damage.

And, for those of you who are fashion-conscious and need to make sure that your self-defense weapon doesn't clash with your Armani, these little gems even come in a variety of colors and high-tech shapes to match just about any ensemble.

So, to answer the question, "what IS a Kubotan?"

It is a simple, easy to learn and use, self-defense weapon that can be effectively used by the smallest defender, to bring the largest assailant to his knees in seconds. Quite simply, it is the best weapon for the person with little to no formal training and who wants to be able to learn to defend him or herself with the least amount of time, effort, and money.

Jeffrey M. Miller is the founder and master instructor of Warrior Concepts International. A senior teacher in the Japanese warrior art of Ninjutsu, he specializes in teaching the ancient ways of self-protection and personal development lessons in a way that is easily understood and put to use by modern Western students and corporate clients. He is the author of the book, KUBOTAN: Self-Defense Keychain and the best selling Safety DVD, Danger Prevention Tactics: Protecting Yourself Like a Pro To learn more about self-defense and other subjects related to the martial arts, self-protection, personal development & self-improvement, you can subscribe to his online newsletter, at http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/newsletter.html

The Truth About Personal Self Defense Weapons

Sorry I haven't written anything for a while folks, but these days it seems like there's more on my to-do-list then there is time to do them. In fact, my daily travels are what inspired me to sit down and write this letter today.

It seems like everywhere I go these days, I get asked the same questions about self defense weapons. Are they legal? Should I carry one? Do they really work? (And assuming they really do work for self defense)... How do I know which one is really going to work for me?

The truth is, there really is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It's a personal question, which has a personal answer for each individual. So I'm going to do what I can to help clear some of the fog on this topic, and we'll start with a simple definition for the term "self defense weapon".

Self-defense: The act of defending one's person or interests from harm by the use of physical force or argument.

Weapon: Any instrument or device used to inflict harm on another, either for attack or defense.

So for the purpose of this article, we'll consider a self defense weapon to be any instrument or device used to defend yourself from physical harm or attack... Simple enough.

Personal defense weapons come in many shapes and sizes. In fact, just about anything you use to defend yourself could be considered a self defense weapon. So rather than creating a list of self defense weapons (which is practically endless), I'll just go over some of the concepts that are common for all of these devices.

First let's talk about what a self defense weapon is NOT...

A self defense weapon is NOT an animate object with a mind of its own. In other words, it doesn't think for itself, and it doesn't sit there coiled up, waiting for the opportunity to strike at someone. A self defense weapon is a tool, no more. And being a tool, what it does depends entirely on what you do with it. A weapon can be very useful for keeping you safe. However, you've got to remember a few certain things...

1. A SELF DEFENSE WEAPON IS NOT MAGIC.

Once you have a weapon, it doesn't mean you're automatically safe. So, don't go walking into a bad section of town, in the middle of the night, carrying a big handful of money. And don't flip off the local gang leader just because you have a weapon in your pocket

2. YOU NEED TO LEARN HOW TO USE YOUR SELF DEFENSE WEAPON.

And even more important, you need to have confidence in your ability to use it. Just having a weapon doesn't mean it'll be any help at all. This is actually a big problem among the uninformed; Military and law enforcement research confirms that people who lack confidence in a technique or device will not resort to it in a stressful situation.

Many people have been seriously hurt in violent encounters with a personal self defense weapon right in their hand. In the stress of the moment, they didn't think to use it or doubted its' ability to impact the situation. Perhaps they were afraid that it would only make matters worse.

So if you're thinking of carrying a personal self defense weapon, make sure you're prepared to learn how to use it. And practice to become skillful with it. You also need to be prepared to use the device aggressively on a predator, to protect yourself. Never carry a Personal Safety Weapon with the intent to "bluff" your assailant. This is one sure way to have your weapon taken away and used against you. So if you are not prepared to use it decisively, don't carry it!

3. WEAPONS DON'T WORK IF YOU AREN'T HOLDING THEM.

You've got to keep your eyes open and pay attention, and you need to know how to carry and use your weapon of choice, cause if you don't, you may not get a chance to use it. A gun doesn't help if it's still in its holster, and a pepper spray or a stun gun isn't too useful if it's still in the bottom of your purse or in the kitchen drawer at home when you get attacked. So when you carry a weapon for self defense, make sure you can get to it quickly if the need arises.

People seldom leave their homes thinking, "Gee, I think I'll go out and fend off a mugger, or a rapist today!" What happens to most self defense weapons is the novelty wears off and they're quickly forgotten, then they find their way to the bottom of a purse, the glove box of your car, or the back of a kitchen drawer. They won't do you much good there! So ask yourself, is the device you are considering something practical enough to carry with you all of the time.

4. NOTHING WORKS 100% OF THE TIME.

Over-inflated claims and quick-fix promises are everywhere in the self-defense business. Many gadget salespeople and wannabe self-defense experts exaggerate the benefits and capabilities of their systems and products.

You need to understand, and acknowledge the limitations of a self defense weapon, and have a back-up plan. Keep in mind that nothing is ever 100% effective all the time. Even a gun is only 99% effective. Sometimes people get shot, but they still don't go down. Yet, I don't know anyone who would say a gun isn't effective.

So knowing that nothing works 100% of the time means no matter what self defense weapon you decide to carry, you should still have a back up plan for defending yourself... just in case

5. THERE ARE LAWS ABOUT WEAPONS...

Lots of laws. Starting primarily with laws about guns, the use of guns, carrying a gun, etc. but there are also laws about stun guns, pepper spray, knives, batons, etc. Mostly having to do with when weapons may be used, and under what circumstances.

Do what you can to learn the laws about weapons in your area, but more importantly, use a bit of common sense. Pulling a gun on a guy because he cut you off in traffic is a no-no, and shooting someone in the face with pepper spray because they took the last donut at the meeting is not using good judgment. So when learning to use your self defense weapon, also learn the laws regarding the weapon, and when you can and can't use it legally.

So there you have it, a few basic truths about self defense weapons.

I could go on for another half hour about personal defense weapons, and never run out of things to say, but this article has already passed the one thousand-word mark, so I'll end it here. The bottom line is, if you're going to carry a weapon for self defense, make sure you know how to use it, and are prepared to use if the need arises.

Until next time, Stay safe and stay alive.

Steve / NASP

SA Rubin is the owner of North American Security Products, LLC. A company dedicated to providing you with the means to protect and defend yourself against crime. For more information on Self Defense Weapons visit www.naselfdefense.com where you'll find a complete line of self-defense weapons and Personal Security Products

What Are My Self Defense Options? - Pros and Cons of Martial Arts, Non Lethal Weapons and Firearms

Let's get to the point: you need to know not only what your self defense options are, but also which ones are the best for you or for your loved ones. You will find your answer within one (or more) of the following three groups: (1) Martial Arts; (2) Non Lethal Self Defense Weapons; (3) Lethal Weapons. In this article, I will examine each one of these categories in terms of their practical advantages and disadvantages.

But I will do more than just that: I will give you honest, reliable answers. The same ones I would give to someone I really care about and would want to be as safe as he/she can be. So let's get started!

Self Defense Option #1: Martial Arts

Learning some sort of self defense fighting skill is a must, no matter what of the remaining two options you choose as a complement. When you learn a martial art, your own body becomes a dependable weapon that goes with you wherever you go, which eliminates your chances of ever being surprised without something to defend yourself with. A firearm or a TASER device you might forget at home. Your self defense skills will always be with you.

Recognizing the importance of learning some sort of fighting skill raises still another question: Which martial art or fighting system should your choose? Karate, Taekwondo, Aikido, Jiu Jitzu...these are just a few among the myriad of self defense options and fighting methods available nowadays.

My recommendation would be: Aikido. Why? Other martial arts depend a lot on using your own strength and physical abilities to overcome your attacker. Although that is still true in Aikido, in this kind of martial art you use the strength of your enemy against himself more than you use your own, so the demands on your physical abilities are less. That makes it one martial art that you can still use when you get older, in contrast to Taekwondo (for instance), which relies a lot on kicks and moves that you may not be able to perform as you age.

Despite all the advantages, martial arts still have their downsides: They may take considerable time and effort to master properly. That's why choosing one of the remaining self defense options is still necessary: you need something to defend yourself with, not tomorrow, but now (however, there are some self defense DVDs and some rare e-books that can really teach you some practical and easy to learn techniques that can be really be used almost right away).

Moreover, if your attacker is armed, you would be exposing yourself to great danger if you use your own body as a weapon against a firearm or a knife. Even Bruce Lee, the great martial artist, once said: "Showing off is the fool's idea of glory".

Self Defense Option #2: Non Lethal Weapons

Within this group you will find non lethal devices such as TASER weapons, stun guns and pepper sprays. When you use one of these to defend yourself, you will be able to stop your attacker in his tracks, but without killing him or inflicting any significant damage. Let's give a brief definition of each non lethal self defense option before practical recommendations are given.

A TASER device is a compact, lightweight, non-lethal self-defense device similar to a firearm in shape. However, instead of firing bullets, these weapons use compressed nitrogen to shoot out two electrode barbs (each one attached to insulated conductive wires) into an assailant up to 15 feet away (4.5 meters), at a speed of 135 feet per second. The fired barbs will attach to the assailant's skin or clothes, immediately firing (through the TASER device's wires) a high voltage/low amperage electrical discharge that will affect the attacker's neuromuscular system (these self defense weapons' energy can even penetrate up to two cumulative inches of clothing), incapacitating him/her while you safely escape and call the police. This is definitively easier (and less dangerous) than using any self defense technique. It is also safer than using a firearm: TASER devices have proven to have a higher instant incapacitation rate than a 9mm hand gun, according to police studies.

A second non lethal option would be a stun gun. Stun guns are also a non-lethal self-defense weapon designed to deliver a high voltage, low amperage electric discharge. To defend yourself using a stun gun, its electrodes must be held directly against the attacker's body, which means full physical contact with your opponent (this is not recommended if your attacker is threatening you with a knife or gun, of course). When stun guns' electrodes are held directly against the attacker's skin or clothes, they will deliver a strong electrical discharge that will stun or even knock out your assailant. He/she will experience disorientation, confusion, loss of balance, and inability to move efficiently for a few minutes afterwards (with no significant or permanent harm done). This will give you (or your loved one) sufficient time to escape to a safe place.

Stun guns come in many different shapes. Some of them are little "stun boxes" (Mini Stun Guns), small enough to fit inside a cigarette package. Other presentations include Stun Batons, Stun Flashlights and even Cell Phone Stun Guns (designed to fool any aggressor).

A last self defense option is a pepper spray. A pepper spray, also known as an OC (Oleoresin Capsicum) spray, is a non-lethal self-defense weapon that consists of an aerosol type container, small enough to be carried in a pocket, purse or keychain (other presentations include rings, lipstick cases, walking weights -all of these are designed to fool any attacker into believing you are not protected, thus adding the surprise factor to your advantage- batons and guns). When you fire your pepper spray towards the attacker's face, this device will immediately expel an oily, reddish-orange liquid (insoluble in water) up to 25 feet away (depending on the pepper spray model you choose). An OC pepper spray will cause: 15-30 minutes of temporary blindness, 45-60 minutes of a burning sensation of the skin, 3-15 minutes of upper body spasms (which will force the assailant to bend forward), 3-15 minutes of uncontrollable coughing, and 3-15 minutes of breathing and speaking difficulties. Overall, the symptoms will last from 15-60 minutes, with decreased effects lasting for hours. The aggressor will be unable to attack, immediately becoming vulnerable and dependent.

TASER devices, stun guns, pepper sprays....What would my recommendation be? Choose a TASER devices or an OC pepper sprays whenever you can. Both are really effective, they work even when used on drugged individuals, and you will get to keep a safe distance between you and your attacker. But make no mistake: Stun guns are still good enough if you see yourself involved in non-armed combat or in rape situation. In such cases, stun guns will surely give you the necessary edge you need to survive.

Self Defense Option #3: Lethal Weapons

Included in this group is everything that can be defined as a firearm (a portable weapon that fires ammunition: a pistol or a rifle, for instance). Many people consider these as their self defense method of choice. Is it OK to do so? My answer is: maybe.

Firearms are an effective way to defend yourself and your loved ones with, no doubt about it. Too effective for my personal taste, perhaps. I would not recommend it to a loved one, though. Why?

Guns are designed to seriously wound or kill your opponent, not to incapacitate him/her. If by any chance that opponent also happens to be carrying a firearm, a gunfire would result. What would happen if you or your opponent miss the target? You (or your attacker) might hit a bystander. Which might be a dear family member, by the way (in the worst case scenario, death would be the result). Family member or not, the legal result would still be the same for you: Involuntary homicide.

However, let's assume you get to hit your opponent. If you didn't kill him he may still pose a threat...as long as he can still keep firing at you. So, if you decide to kill him (you might have to if he keeps pulling the trigger), you might have to legally prove that you used a "reasonable amount" of force to defend yourself or your loved ones (which may not be always easy). This might mean emotional and economic efforts on your part.

On the other side, many suicides are committed by gun owners. You know your mental status today...but you will never know about tomorrow (clinical depression is not an uncommon emotional disease). Nor will you know what the mental status of a loved one will be tomorrow.

Yet another gun's downside is your children's safety. Many people think of firearms as dangerous objects to keep in the house, specially if they have kids (some of them have broken the security created by their parents, gaining access to such lethal devices).

Given its downsides, I would never recommend a loved one of mine to get I gun. Would you?

Conclusion

Your self defense options are martial arts, non lethal self defense weapons, and lethal weapons. Among these, I would only recommend the first two options (martial arts and non lethal self defense weapons; firearms just have too many downsides in my opinion).

I would also recommend getting a non lethal self defense weapon as an important first step, as learning a martial art will take you some time, during which you will still be unprotected if you don't carry a reliable TASER device, stun gun or pepper spray.

No matter which self defense option (or options) you choose, don't you ever forget that self defense is your legal right. Protect yourself and your loved ones as soon as possible. If you follow this advice today, you will avoid future regrets.

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