Best Tool for Self Defense: Hammer vs. Screwdriver? 

Question for Viewers: Hammer or Screwdriver?

Who would’ve thought you two walking around a hardware store would be so entertaining 😂

This is the duo the world needs more of

There was a book I read about trench warfare in WW I and the soldiers were in agreement that a shovel was a better weapon for close combat than the bayonet.

I worked at an ACE for many years. I have examined the weapon potential of just about everything in there. Any hammer is good. I do like the ball-peen, though a big framing hammer is nothing to sneeze at, as it's claws tend to be straighter- it's basically an old footman's pick. A Deadblow hammer, if you're not looking to kill somebody, is a blackjack. That drywall hammer IS a tomahawk- and there's a number of close in options holding the head in various ways. (I prefer the shingling hatchet, or estwing riggers axe, if we're going hardware store tomahawk.) Pipe wrench (particularly in the 8" range is seriously underrated- it's a relatively innocent pocket mace. It has the most mass for size of anything else in there *that you could explain having, maybe*), any number of bolts once you get to about 10" long are in the same league as a baton. A large eyebolt gives you a knuckle and a solid poke, and several of the larger knuts make a fair knuckle. And you can't imagine the number of mad-max medieval weapons you can craft from black iron pipe fittings. A crowbar or wrecking bar one would Think would be good, but they're not. They're wierdly unwieldy. You can also make a self defense stinger whip, cheap and easy. They've nearly always got coated aircraft cable by the foot. I'd , make the handle out of 1/2" pipe, with a reducer coupling and an eyebolt in the end, and pack it in with epoxy putty. Then there's good old fashioned axe and hammer handles. Anybody who scoffs at that, hasn't been hit by one. Shovels- drain spade. better: floor scraper. Big scoop shovel is an excellent shield. Garden rake, but don't hit with the tines, use it like a hammer. lawn and guarden- Best, kaiser blade/brush axe. But Garden Weasel- it's not that effective, but Nobody wants to get hit with one. chain sucks- it's coming straight back at you. I avoid anything involving chain. Except a Load Binder- that's a nasty ass flail. As far as screwdriver- pretty much a stiletto (in the medieval sense), but it's limited for Defense. I mean yeah, you can whack somebody with the handle, you can do some kuboton things, but if that doesn't do it, Stabby is all you got. I put it in the same category as knife. It is an Offensive, not a Defensive weapon. (and philips does tend to penetrate better than flat-head) Hammer has more non lethal options to dissuade somebody- hit or block with handle, hook, choke up and "tap" them with it, incapacitate limbs, or, you know, bury it in their skull. Sorry to nerd out. It's how I passed the time, wandering thought the isles, pondering how I'd employ every single thing in there as a weapon. I have no shit considered how to use a double bowl stainless steel sink as a weapon. and a toilet flange. and a 4" PVC 90 elbow. I'm weird.

Mike I'm a fighting nerd and plumber, and I wish I could have walked in on this trip to Lowe's because I know EXACTLY what I would say. It's not a tool, but it can be acquired at Lowe's. A braided metal toilet supply line is a very good stand on for a tactical whip. Grab it so the large nut is the handle end. It is then flexible and you're holding the large end. The small end of this braided metal tube is a 1/2 inch steel nut. Nobody wants to get hit with that thing and nobody is wrenching it out of your hand. Also, Aaron was looking for chemicals to throw or spray. Hardware stores sell muriatic acid. That's super gnarly and it would absolutely mess your day up if it got on your face.

I love the idea of using tools as a weapon just for that fact that companies spend a lot of time and money designing things to be ergonomic, economical and easy to use.

I never expected Mike to casually name drop Bruenor Battlehammer.

I love how a RU-vid video about improvised weaponry for bloody mayhem actually revealed one of the most wholesome friendships I've ever seen....the REAL best improvised weapon was the friends we made along the way? Also, thank you for highlighting Clanton Combatives - absolutely placing an order soon.

I'm imagining someone breaking into his home only to see Mike standing menacingly down a hallway with a cone on his head and armed with half a hardware store

Icy Mike is like a field trip teacher 😂 Edit: Really hope Icy Mike does more videos with Aaron, they seem like an amazing duo.

I’m an obsessed martial artist posing as a landscaper so this is pretty much what goes on in my head all day. Short handled edging shovel is what I settled on too.

Icy Mike dropping D&D references was not what I expected from this video.

Disconsidering the moral questions, could one use a long stick wtih a small angry monkey at the end as a self defense weapon?

I was out cycling many years ago and came up on a crime scene on a street where I saw a man sitting on the steps of the home holding a hammer that was sticking out of his skull. The worst part was the blunt end was the part that was in his skull. The paramedics were wrapping it to be able to transport him to the hospital. He lived.

A small (6-8") breaker bar/nail puller is handy & surprisingly versatile.

My mood gets incredibly improved whenever I see a new Mike video like this one and ESPECIALLY when it's a weapon one!

A 20oz straight claw framing hammer is likely amongst the most terrifying things you could ever be attacked with. In the hands of a framer this will turn basically any part of you into a fine red mist

Pretty surprising that Mike hasn't talked about push daggers on the channel yet. I think they'd fulfil all of his requirements for an effective self-defense weapon. Push daggers are: used one-handed, capable of dealing damage even when the opponent blocks, extremely easy to use (you're just punching with them), concealable, have great retention (hard2removefromyou), and they look cool. Would love to see a video on push daggers in the future.

As an Appalachian American I support being able to validate needing an upstairs and downstairs hammer, so for that I thank you. That Bruenor Battlehammer reference is so appreciated you have no idea. Gabriel as Drizzt and Seth as Wolfgar (and dont worry in my headcannon you are Deudermont, not Regis. But Regis is a badass)

Mike drops the Bruenor Battlehammer reference, Hell ya

In the shipyards, when striking, I’ve seen people use the balls of ball bearings and slings against policemen… that shut is scary

The back/base of the skull is often forgotten as a self-defense target because its banned in combat sports, but being able to do bash it with a hammer even when you're being clinched is a serious thing. I'd be happy with either, but I think I'd probably go hammer if given the option. Don't sleep on a gardening spade/trowel though. I think I'd take that over both the hammer and the screwdriver. There's tons of stories of soldiers doing deadly work with their entrenching tool.

Screwdriver is the best all the way. I know this because I was a school custodian for 20 years, and you can very easily place a screwdriver in your back pocket. You can pull it out instantly if the handle is up, while a hammer takes some time to pull it out of the leather belt loop and hold it properly.

Guys I love the video. Its starts all serious and after a while its like preppers that went shopping for the zombapocalypse ! Made my night nicer . Cheers

I'd go with the hammer as it's quite similar to mediaeval weapon warhammer so there is definitely precedent for it being useful and possibly some pre-existing doctrines in treatises concerning its use so you don't have to reinvent the wheel in familiarisation exercises

There was a comment about getting something that you can spray. Wasp/Hornet killer sprays a pretty good distance and has a pretty strong stream and pesticides are very debilitating

I feel like I'm going through a self defense weaponry class for the common people from countries that weapons are illegal

Regarding short shovels there is always the classic Cold Steel Spetsnaz shovel with the sharpened sides

Bruenor Battlehammer though Mike? Top notch reference 👌

Extra points for the Bruenor Battlehammer reference.

best use of a hardware store I've seen in decades, surprised and pleased that you got to do it and weren't thrown out.

You cannot convince me that both of them weren't absolutely blazed during this whole thing. Felt like an absolute fever dream. It was awesome.

I know this would sound like a lie, but i have seen a guy scaring almost 30 person with just hammer and acting crazy

CROWBAR!!! I believe the dense hexagon bar with double ended edges and one hook works with what is typically trained in place of foam stick.

Bruenor Battlehammer reference got my sub! i would always go bladed or spiked hammer probably 3 to 5 pounds nothing too long for ease of movement, over a screw driver in a self defense situation if i had the choice that is, the hammer allows you to stay father away from any blades they might have themselves plus can be used to break through even car doors or other obstacles used to hook opponent and lever weight against them in cases of trying to detain your opponent can be used to hook hands and legs to try to disarm plus can be used to hook ladders rungs or tree roots or what ever is around the terrain if needed to climb. a hammer can be easily swung around doors and in tight spaces it is extremally versatile in how you use it whether that be using as intended or as a tool to disable vehicles by puncturing tires or radiators or as an improvised battering ram or pry bar used to open a door weather car, house, or even elevator. as for if they manage to catch the hammer mid swing you definitely need to grab the head to gain leverage this is where a screw driver in your off hand pocket would come in handy let them think your grabbing for the head while you stab them lol. but if i bought this hammer with the intention of using as a self defense weapon I would beat the hell out of that metal to get as many sharp burs so grabbing the head wont be an option unless you have gloves plus a flat hammer gives glancing blows you want a rough up the surface to rip skin in regard to screw drivers I'd pick a T handle screw driver if i only had a screw driver set as my option to choose from the hard decision for me is Phillips or flat head if i had time to choose and not just have to reactionarily shove a hex through some ones eye simply because flat head is more versatile as a tool screwdrivers have a lot of plus sides to them but i think hammer way out beats the screw driver plus in a lot if not most or all states just carrying a screw driver is considered possession of burglary tools and a deadly weapon so a cop with a hair up his ass could try to detain you for just walking saying you are looking at cars to break in or walking around threatening people. I've also had multiple cops tell me if I ever shoot anyone trespassing or breaking in or whatever to make sure to put a screwdriver in their hand then kick it away and say the took it from your porch or whatever if they don't have a gun or other weapon to establish fear of life box cutter and long poles i would generally avoid box cutters lack of range and cutting edge you have to be right on a person essentially going for eyes groin or other soft vulnerable areas that don't have bone protecting plus modern boxcutters have safeties that you have to hold and they have ones that if they detect a hard surface the blade pops into the handle to not cut skin. as for long handled weapons are great if you have a height advantage but they are awkward and cumbersome in tight spaces like your home hallways unless you charge down at someone you probably wont be able to generate enough force consistently to cause much damage plus you open yourself up to having the weapon grabbed and if a person can violently and explosively push or pull on that long shovel handle no amount of training will prepare you for a life or death struggle like that they also have the option to dodge and get in close to trap your weapon to fight stab or beat you with whatever they have so you need a secondary weapon for these. the length of chain, strong rope, or cloth id say 3 to 6 feet long is probably the most under valued weapon it can be held firmly between both arms creating a very strong yet flexible defense that allows you to stop a swing that allows you to move forward and entangle them in the rope or it can be used as a solid edge to be used to brute force run into someone with a taught line it can be used to choke and grapple it can unbalance people in a multitude of ways form just swing it at legs to using as a snare you can set up or used by you to catch a foot or hand to yank them of balance it can be used with a blade or a weight whether a simple rock or scrap metal to a metal weight made for it to swing even though this presents a danger to yourself but can be used to keep your opponent at length from you. like with the hammer though i would want the weight to be pitted and jagged to cause the most damage as possible if i was using a rope or chain with a metal weight that was specifically for self defense that is but in a pinch a decent sized rock with a shirt or jacket tied to it should do the trick just fine

This is incredibly entertaining. One of the best videos you’ve made!

I nominate the Stanley FatMax FuBar III 55-120 5-in-1 Demolition Tool as "Best tool for self-defense". It has semi-sharp unpleasant poking/jabbing, it has smash bones into gravel, it has hook/trap limbs, it has reach and crowd control. I'd *love* to see what you think of that thing! (I'd insert a direct link to the product but youtube is iffy with links)

Man, there’s nothing I love more than your vids with Aaron. Would love many more of those!

i did NOT expect mike to cite bruenor battlehammer, he could have said anything but he went for the heaviest, nerdiest citation ever, totally unexpected, made my day

When they started discussing liquids/sprays they almost reached a subject I have wanted Icy Mike to tall about for so long. My wife and I carry bug/wasp spray in the car on road trips because its a 30 ft stream. I would love a more in depth liquid/spray home defense video.

About 3 feet of rebar works kinda good you poke and jab with it to wreck and then blunt swing it to make enemy flinch. Its like a impromtu short spear which is a very dirty grappling weapon. Hammer is great for Shillelagh style fighting which is great in dirty grapple and recycling your force for spam attacks.

1) John Wick 5 needs to be filmed in Home Depot. 2) The play fight at 11:30 with the drywall hammer and trash can lid takes me back to my childhood! We'd use sticks for swords and metal trash can lids for shields and fight like Roman soldiers. That was epic! And it was before home computers or even every house having a color TV.

Man knows Breunor Battlehammer...Icy Mike knows D&D lore! I always have a claw hammer in my car....Stopped carrying a machete since police checks increased. No hassle hammers & WD 40 spray. I've been in a screwdriver fight myself....scary. A favourite in my country is folded power cables....

I agree with the "I like the hammer better" part. I just think it's cooler and I don't think I need any other reason if it's not awful (it's not)

I want to take a moment to appreciate the amount of thoughts you put into weapons or tools. When i see 'best weapon for self defense X vs Y" i have just a reaction of "of course he did a video on that, who else would?! " 😂

My notifications are now set to ‘all’ man. Starting following relatively recently and every video has been so entertaining and somehow thought-provoking.

Growing up with my brother, this was an ordinary trip to any store. In the fruit section of a grocery store: sugar cane vs coconut.

Ok so now we need a video on the OIL CHECK as a defensive technique

Mike I would say the screwdriver, for a few reasons. One of you try to block it. A hole is going to be made in your body somewhere. Very high penetration with a screwdriver. Second, not much mass to grab by your opponent to take it away from you. Another thought I had was on the business end of the screwdriver if you polish that up with some really slick silicone lube or wax. If the opponent tries to grab her from you, it will slip out of their hand and that would be helpful to you.

Hey Mike longtime fan since the covid lockdown I've been subscribed I'm so glad that we're going back to the roots bro this is what made you good I've been in construction my whole life and wanted to ask you to make a video with construction tools for a long time since me and my friends talked about this all the time for me flat shovel all the way out a ditch digger for several years in my youth and I used to sharpen my shovels machetes etc I should practise throwing my shovels even though there are flat I could stick them in trees there was so sharp from ten to fifteen feet away. When you went to the shovel the section I got so excited me and my friends would argue over this all the time when which is the best weapon in the back of the truck as always great contact and good food for learning keep doing what you doin Mike we all appreciate you bro

the forgotten realms reference outta left field lol

What about a wrench ? It could be both used as a blunt weapon and also pretty stabby.

I feel like this is how kobudo originally was created. Defense with tools, that means Mike needs to create his own kobudo style with modern tools.

I watched this for the Bruenor Battlehammer reference. I left with an intelligence ability score improvement.

When I first started traditional martial arts my coach had a story he LOVED to tell newbies: Guy is sitting at a bar when someone grabs him and throws him at the ground and knocks him out. The attacker says “when he wakes up, tell him that was judo from Japan”. Next day, the guy is sitting back at the bar, still confused when the same guy chops him in the back of the neck and says “when he wakes up, tell him that was Karate from Okinawa”. This goes on for days, capoeira from Brazil, escrima from the Philippines, Kung Fu from China, Muay Thai from Thailand. After like a week - the attacker is sitting at the bar, all tired from messing the other dude up when everything goes black. The guy he’s been beating up all week is standing over his body and says when he wakes up, tell him that was the pick handle from back of my truck. Classic for a reason. Terrible self defence weapon by all of Mike’s rules - but every weapon is effective when the other person doesn’t know they’re fighting. And when a pick handle lands? The fight is probably over.

"you mean self defense tools?" "no im talking about self defense tools." "but not about us self defense tools!" love it :D

I've heard the old biker gangs used to carry ball peen hammers in a loop on their vest. "No officer, it's not a weapon, it's for fixing the bike!"

Bruenor Battlehammer, Mike? I KNEW you were a D&D nerd at heart.

i didn’t know i needed 20 minutes of content of grown men playing around in the lowes. Made my day today ❤️ stay safe you three, can’t forget the camera man!

Small monkey wrench is pretty underrated. Obviously big ones for pipes are a classic weapon but one about a foot long is pretty good too. Also a socket wrench about 15" long would be good too. I think for any bludgeon having it fully made of metal is preferable because you get more mass for the size. If you look at anti-armor medieval weapons they trended towards more and more metal and less wood as they developed

This is the same energy as going to Walmart in college with my roommates.

This was an excellent video. The idea is fascinating and useful

For a good box cutter you want a folding one, with razor blades not breakaway blades. Most hand to hand skills transfer over to box cutter skills. Wield it underhanded, blade out.

"Intimidational Factors" *Puts traffic cone on his head* Never change Mike lmao.

I definitely would choose the hammer because I think you’re more likely to deal a fight ending blow than with the screwdriver since people often keep fighting after being stabbed with a knife, even if they bleed out later. It works well for me since I do a lot of handyman jobs and keep one at home so I usually have one on or near me, but if that wasn’t the case the screwdriver is definitely easier to carry around. I’d rather have that little thing in my pocket then have to walk around at the grocery story with my hammer on my belt even though I probably wouldn’t be stopped for either

"Whoever gets the head first, WINS" 😂😂. Good video Icy Mike!

A friend of mine was a maintenance technician on a property that was in a very bad part of town. He wasn’t allowed to carry a “weapon” to defend himself, so he started carrying a sharpened sheetrock hammer. He was never challenged by managers or law enforcement.

I would want the hammer

When I was in the army for a short time we did have a class about military spade fighting (about the size of the smaller one You presented) . That thing is no joke.

The oilcheck and his reaction was hilarious!!

The lowes employee staring at you and judging as she walks past and your explaining the best hammer to bash somebody's head in with made this video for me 😂

The worker @19:30 playin with improvised nunchucks??! Lmao

Hi, I have some woodworking experience, honestly, the tool I don't want to mess with is the AWL. Of the two you mentioned, I'd take the screwdriver but a thin one, better with an I rather than an X point.

Love this, classic hard2hurt. You really need to get some HEMA youtubers in to talk about weapons at some point, though. Lindybeige or scholagladiatoria

It's good to know that not only me, a trip to the hardware store gives similar thoughts :) Great episode guys :)

this is the moment Mike became Icy Mikesenberg

Yes! back to the classic hard2hurt shit. Dada da da daaa im lovin it.

I think this is your second video with a D&D reference I've noticed (Bruenor Battlehammer). Thanks for being entertaining and acknowledging your inner nerd.

Love seeing the excitement! I could imagine the early creators of martial arts had similar excitement. If these guys were to design a way to fight with these tools they will start a genuinely new martial art.

Given the ammount of thought, just for fun, i put into thinking stuff like this videos with mike and aaron always make me wish i had friends that were as interested in self defense stuff as me so we could have discussions like this.

I used to carry a gerber multitool (The multi-plier type, not butterfly open) on my hip as an every day tool. Because of the way it was designed it could be used like a palm stick very easily. Similar advantages to the screwdriver but with more mass and the ability to bite or clamp something.

Never thought I'd hear a reference to Bruenor Battlehammer here

we need more of this. go to a office supply store.

Ive been saying the trench shovel is so underrated

Some tools even have a cool catch phrase you can throw out there. Hammer: “it’s hammer time!” Screwdriver: “you’re screwed now, buddy!” Shovel: “can you dig it?”

A good metal pen. Ball bearings for throwing. Allan wrench for kind of punch dagger. The lock on a handkerchief. Steel toed shoes.

I just realized that Clanton Combatives is just down the road from me. Wow, I had no idea.

19:29 I see that the young man working there has also made his choice.

Love to see a new H2H video. Do some more stuff with Hoover please!

I worked at a Home Depot for a few years, I played out ever all of these scenarios, working out those little 5-minute fighting systems like Mike was doing with the mini shovel. I'm partial to Roofing hatchets, Brush Axes/Billhooks, Machetes, Everything in Stanley's demolition tool FUBAR line, Fiskars demo tool, Dead-On Tools Annihilator wrecking bar. Best of all is Milwaukee's Duct & Insulation Knives, Their Duct knife is like a Dive Knife/ serrated dagger with a hard-plastic/rubberized handle, and the Insulation knife is fixed blade, but the handle is a lot like a boxcutter, and the blade is pretty nice, they also have a serrated one that's like a gnarly steak knife. Klien Tools has a really nice Duct Knife too, Dagger style 1 side serrated the other bevelled, with either a rubberized handle or a nice rosewood handle.

11:42 love the RA Salvatore reference. Love the Drizzt Do’Urden Books

Never would have assumed I'd hear the name "Bruenor battlehammer" out of icy Mike. That was awesome.

The extremely sharp pull saws that have a grip that helps you retain control of the tool as it snags in clothing and flesh. The razor sharp teeth will slice and dice tendons and muscles making the attacker hesitate to move any more extremities into your circle of effective reach.

A variant on the screwdriver would be a woodworking chisel. Gardening hand cultivator (rake). Maybe a foldable pruning saw?

Form the background music I'm getting a real vibe of bro love developing.

The home Depot employees looking at Icy Mike and deciding they were going to leave him alone was the highlight

"in and spin" for the twist tiller killed me. This was fun.

I am waiting for a combat example test with these if possible 😊 Would be epic

Drywall saw is a good one to look at, but a rip-claw hammer is like a war pick