Improvised weapons: A short primer

Improvised weapons can be really useful in a self defence/offence situation. They can usually be acquired at short notice, and sometimes at minimum cost. And in some places in the world, an improvised weapon is all you can legally carry.

But not all improvised weapons are made equal!

To be useful, an improvised weapon should:

1. Be a benign item that is not automatically viewed as a weapon
2. Be strong enough to be used in self defence
3. Be a better option than fighting unarmed
4. Have use outside of being a weapon
5. Be able to be used quickly under a high stress

The first criterion is self explanatory and needs no further discussion.

The second criterion, that the improvised weapon must be strong enough to be used in self defence, is easily overlooked. Pens are a classic improvised weapon, but a cheap plastic pen may break when used in self defence. It probably won’t, but it might. Metal pens are better. Tactical pens make a poor choice for self defence purposes. They will be viewed as a weapon, unless you get one that doesn’t look like a weapon. The Precision Press clicky pen made by Tuff Writer are a better choice for EDC than an Uzi Tactical Defender pen in my opinion as they are lower profile. i.e. they don't look like purpose built weapons.

When considering if a weapon would be strong enough to be used as an improvised weapon, ask yourself this – “would this break if I used it full force against a wall or a heavy bag?”

If you can say “no” without hesitation, then it probably isn’t a good choice for self defence.

The third point is that an improvised weapon needs to offer advantages beyond fighting unarmed. If you are no better off with the improvised weapon than without it, then by bother carry it?

Different improvised weapons may offer different advantages, and may have different disadvantages. A backpack may make a good shield (ask any postman! They are good against dogs), while pens are very concealable and can be carried by anyone without raising suspicion. Things with sharp edges can be used to cut or stab if needed. Umbrellas can be used to stab an enemy – and when used like a bayonet you get a reach advantage.

The bottom line is that a good improvised weapon should offer us a clear advantage over a good unarmed response; otherwise we should just use the unarmed response.

Next, the weapon must have uses outside being a weapon. This allows you to plausibly deny that it is a weapon. It doesn’t get any simpler than that!

Finally, you must be able to access the weapon quickly when you need it. A car jack (or its handle) may be a good weapon, but not if it is in the boot. If you keep it on the passenger seat it may raise some questions by the police if you do use it. That may make them think your actions were premeditated. And you cannot really walk around carrying a car jack. This limits its utility. Although in a home garage it would be fine.

Think about how you will carry the weapon. Carrying something on your key ring is fine, but it may take a moment to get out of your pocket. Carrying keys in your backpack is right out if you have an improvised weapon attached to the key ring!

So, what are some examples of good improvised weapons? Some that come to mind are:

• Metal pens (they can be used to stab, or as kubotans)
• Keys (can be used to cut or stab)
• Maglights (short ones make good kubotans, long ones make good batons)

There are many others possible improvised weapons, but these three can be carried almost anywhere without raising suspicion. Keep your mind open and think outside the square. You will start to see endless numbers of things that can be used in a tight situation!