Choosing The Best Home Defense Weapon (Besides Guns) 

What about weapons in the car? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-O4oTLeHnPfk.html

I'm Canadian so my home defense is hockey stick based. Unfortunately, the home invader would also have a hockey stick.

Storing a weapon by the front door is basically giving the intruder an ammo drop for a raid mission.

When I was a teenager and working security jobs we weren't allowed any "weapons" but every company gave us foot long maglite metal flashlights that held 4 C batteries and could easily knock someone out. Best thing is at night you could also blind them.

I once found myself in a friend's appartment as 3 guys started breaking down the door. There were 4 of us in the couch at the time, we had all done some martial arts and in the room with us were a sword, an executioner's axe from the 1600's with actual souls in it, a baseball bat and a hammer. We were loaded! And what happened when the door started braking down is exactly what mike said would happen. Everybodys eyes got really big really fast and everyone was just staring for a considerable amount of time before we sprang into action and grabbed the weapons. However, when we realized that these guys had brought guns it took only about a microsecond for me to teleport to the balcony and jump. Everyone else landed injured but man i landed running, and i kept running for a considerable amount of time!

If you don't have a gun use what people used before guns. Imagine kicking in a door and seeing a guy holding a long sword.... I bet you back up and close the door

Horse head mask, Viagra, no pants, machete, start crying and screaming its dinner time! They die from shock

A high intensity flashlight shone in the eyes, and a 2 foot long sharp instrument (sharpened dandelion picker, lance, pitchfork) that can be handled with one hand, thrust point forward into vital area, is lethal, and impossible to block.

Late on this but I love your point about the kitchen knife. Knives are scary, messy, personal, etc. There’s no scenario where my mom has an intruder in her home and goes “okay I’ll go to kitchen, grab a giant knife, and now I’m gonna stab a violent crazy guy up close an personal” and that ends up well for her.

This video is the entire conversation I have with myself as I'm going to sleep

The best melee weapon for home-defence in my opinion is a spear. In my country guns are very hard to get and it is illegal to get a license for self-defence so alot of people rely on melee weapons. People make their own spears with a broom handle, kitchen knife and duct tape then place it beside them when they sleep. The spear is a perfect and unusual home defence weapon in my opinion because it is easy to thrust a spear in a hallway but it is difficult to swing a machete or a bat. It creates great distance which would he hard to close and it has been proven as one of the most effective weapons through history.

I am someone who cannot legally own a firearm . My 4foot oak closet rod, i keep by my door is my weapon of choice, and it has served me well. I spent 3 years of my life studying traditional Wah Lum Kungfu, including specifically staff and spear drills, so this little piece of closet rod is the weapon I am most proficient in. I have already used it during a home invasion, to great effect. I am very very aware things could have gone poorly for me ,but as far as my options go, this is my best one.

1:34 Bro... I'm in the bath with a sponge. What am I supposed to do?

swinging an axe screaming " I have got Aids and covid" should stun any intruder.

When your wife/girlfriend asks you what your thinking about.

I’ve recently bought a micro pick axe/mattock tool from my local hardware for gardening. It’s smaller than a normal size pick axe and is perfect for one hand self defence use. It’s still got enough weight to cause considerable damage and has a flat chisel side for blunt force trauma or a sharp pick side for a death blow. Add a tactical flashlight and whoever’s coming into my home uninvited may not be leaving.

Was a foil fencer for several years on and off so one of my favorite home defense weapons is my colichemarde. It is definitely not my first pick for a good practical weapon but it is my favorite, especially since its the only weapon I'm well trained to use.

Your number one home defense object, even before a gun; a barky dog that gives you early warning. Those few seconds allowing you to react make all the difference.

One tip to add: Leaving a weapon sitting by the door is the same thing as offering it to an intruder. He's now an armed intruder.

I i like how he mentions a carpenter would be more effective with a hammer😂 i love shit like that👍

Here in the UK we are not allowed to defend ourselves using weapons. I have found that the most effective way to defend from an external attack is to keep a box of sugar cubes by the doors. Use 2 cubes and place 1 in each…….Read more

Practicing knife fighting has only convinced me that I don’t want to be in a knife fight. You will not make it out unharmed period.

I have a civil war era musket in every room in my house, my whole family of 5 are trained to use them in a variety of formations with the 2 girls firing first while the boys fire second as the girls are reloading for the volley. Challenging all comers.

Sir, I've watched many of your wonderful and well thought out videos, and I am absolutely a fan of your work. My background is Taekwondo many-many years ago and later in my life (what I've come to believe is the more effective systems of Kali and Silat). From years of learning about anatomy and physiology and combining this knowledge with Kali and Silat, and understanding that the blade does not have to be large at all (however a very pointy and very sharp blade is always a good thing), and placement is also an extremely important thing. Combining knowledge, commitment to the defense, and training can absolutely be a devastating combination. There are many places on the human body where the puncture [with a jagged cut] does not have to be very-very deep at all to cause sufficient permanent damage to cause the attacker to stop what he is doing and wonder where his next breath is coming from, or wait....wait...I'm loosing consciousness due to blood loss...um...what...and then the lights go dark type of thing. I absolutely understand that no one is just going to let you do these things, but all I am saying is, if they are in your house and are going to kill you anyway, you absolutely have to do the things that you have been training to do for years and years, and you cannot hesitate, or your loved ones will absolutely be next. This mindset (from a front-line type of theater...I believe) is extremely necessary because these types of intruders in ones home ABSOLUTELY mean you harm (permanent harm), and I truly believe that hesitation can be the end of you and your loved ones. Commitment to an explosive defense (even if I am killed in the defense of my family) is super-super important. After all, what is the alternative, the annihilation of my family??? With these types of things in mind, my training over the many-many years has been very-very realistic and NOT point based.....at all...because in the real world, I'm well aware of the fact that you get ONE chance, and one chance only to save your loved ones (and this is NOT a [macho man] garbage thing ....at all). Peace, love, and happiness to you and your family, my brother. I love your videos, and may you always be well, sir.

Imagine being this terrified all the time. Sad.

I've actually yelled "Police freeze!" and had a eight armed assailant with a weapon run off.

"You have to have a weapon in every room" *Pulls out RPG from under son's bed*

Bathroom and I’d use the pair of scissors on my he sink

A nice ash or hickory axe handle. Available in different lengths. I keep one that's midway between a hatchet handle and a full size axe handle. Can be used with one hand. Light but very hard.

Being a geologist, I have a lot of rocks lying around.

I got a dog, but he frickin thinks everyone is his friend. He'd probably help the robbers pick out what to steal.

I share the same opinion with you on knives. I am really not comfortable using knives and seeing too much blood with it, I feel like a murderer and that's why I prefer Baseball Bats or even a Combat Axe.

Good to see a man take his work seriously and enjoy it at the same time.

My two Rottweilers would help but I can't keep calling my daughter's that.

You're right, most people don't realise how close and personal it is to use a knife on someone, and you have to persist at it. Stabbing someone is very emotional. It's nothing like the speed and distance of coldly shooting someone with a nice handgun. What you should remember with any weapon is, if you fail to use it, they will likely use it on you.

Gerber- black one-handed machete/saw combo.... works GREAT. Impossible to approach and disarm as the double side prevents any disarm approach. ( Important.) You want "something" that CANNOT be grabbed at, or taken from you during encounter...

An initial quality check for any piece of cookware you’re considering for your kitchen is to imagine you have to fend off an attacker with that pot or pan so you bash the attacker on the head with it; what will give first, the attacker’s head or the pot or pan? If the cookware seems like it might not hold up, find something that will prevail. Well made cookware with a heavy bottom cooks better, lasts longer, and is safer.

Medieval armor and waving a sword while screaming "Have at thee!!!" is the best defense

My house so small though as they break in they be breaking out

Excellent information! Thank you so much!

The Debra in me feels called out

Cutlass in my bedroom. The last thing they'll hear is "Avast scallywag!".

Rule number 1, never bring a knife to a pan fight

Among other things, two primaries for me are an aluminum Pee-Wee league baseball bat (easy to wield even in a hallway), and an old, heavy, 2-foot long, with wood handle, shoe horn that can quickly stop someone if necessary. My brothers and I love to joke about it as the best self-defense weapon that no one would notice. Oh, I see you know about the bat.

So I found this on the internet. You take a Roomba, and attach a Claymore mine, and for the psychological warfare, you start playing some 60s Vietnam era music.

what is going on here? Is this Home Alone 30 years later?

Living room, literally just my coffee cup I'm holding right now. 2:01

My mom used to have Louisville sluggers, an ex-Marine husband, dogs, a certificate of proficiency in marksmanship and a S&W 357!

As a tradie, I find the idea of facing a carpenter armed with their favorite hammer terrifying.

My name is debra, and I'm spooked and sitting here home alone in my house being like "OK, I'D GRAB A KITCHEN KNIFE mr. Tactical man!!" And I felt so called out at 6:51. How did he know?!? I had to pause and question my reality for a second.

you’re f’n awesome man. glad to know im not the only one whos thinking like this

The best reason Not to choose an edged weapon for home defence: It's YOUR house: YOU'LL have to clean up the mess.

Good home defense plan: Have effective exterior perimeter security/alert system to detect the presence of an intruder... BEFORE he gets to your front door or other entry point.

The baseball by the door is for when you have to grab something and run outside

Several short swords throughout the house. You break into my home and you will be running away on stumps.

Someone getting poked with scissors or getting beat with a ps4 controller 😂😂😂

When he said DEBRA and looked at the camera I LOST IT. You are so funny dude,

I keep a 14 inch bowie knife, a eastwood framing hammer and no lights. Always learn your house in the dark. Know all creaking floors and doors. Do night drills till you have a 3 plan strategy on attacks.

There is an automotive tire tool, with a pry bar one side, and a large rubber (mallet) knob on the opposite. This would be my go to on a one handed close in fighting item to wield.

Leave a note saying "shoes off" then throw Lego down the stairs

"How sharp are your kitchen knives?" me: *laughs in chef*

Kitchen. Balisong. Heavy flashlight. Large dogs. Serrated bread knife.

Gladius. A time tested and designed for close quarter fighting, thrusting, and in some instances, slicing. Great one handed weapon.

All the dislikes are dudes who are 6'4 and black belts in 3 different martial arts

Physical conditioning is probably the most important in self defense. Even if you have a weapon you will need to be strong enough to strike with enough force to defend yourself.

I took a branch from a oak tree carved, sanded, and filled the business end with chopped up tire weights. Creating a homemade loaded billy club so it hits a lot harder. I also made a trench club out of pipe and a old shovel handle.

Just want to say, huge kudos to acknowledging that some people just aren’t going to have a gun in their home and saying it respectfully. That is quite rare in this conversation space

Burglar breaks into house Me: "Alexa, play ancient Roman-themed playlist" Alexa: * plays The Gladiator soundtrack * Me: Roma Invicta! * rhythmically bashes gladius on tower shield while marching forward * Several burglars break into house Me: "Alexa, play quote from Conan the Barbarian " Alexa: "Chush yoa enemies, watch zem flee, listen to ze cries of thea women" Me: * Unsheaths runic sword * Exactly two burglars break into house Me: "Alexa, play Home Alone soundtrack" Burglars: "... shit we're outta here"

Always nice to see others who think of a tomahawk, when a gun might not be a viable option. Most people don't consider the issue of missed shots, and the walls they will penetrate. If you have loved ones on the other side, that can be extremely problematic. Not everyone is a sure shot, just like not everyone has necessarily trained with their weapon of choice.

for me its either a big ass cleaver or a sledgehammer hack and smash

The best weapon can be your best friend, a light-sleeping guard dog.

"I dont think you would be able to stab this into someone" *Laughs in butcher*

The Romans used the gladius because they trained in close formation drill with little slashing room. They realized that they needed to train recruits quickly, and thrusting is the easiest method of drill. Slashing in a tight battle was exhausting and required much more strength to accomplish a really effective blow. The quick thrust was effective in such scenarios, as it would be in house hallway, or in any house where the ceiling would interfere with a powerful slashing motion. The Romans knew close combat better than anyone. Downside is no shield, so, I would suggest the short spear of the Zulus, the assagai. Meant to be a stand-off thrusting spear - not for throwing. Can be used one handed, but two hands would increase control and power multi-fold, while remaining at least arms length away. Cold Steel makes a version of both. The assagai is really a long-handled version of the Roman gladius. The short scale bat is one of my personal favs. Mine is aluminum, and is lightning quick, with minimal chance of a hang up while swinging it. And, yes, the machete can be very effective if it's not too long. I cut mine down to a 12" blade and carved a pinky hook for grip retention when swinging. I use it in camp, but it has its place in my plan at home. That said, I don't favor any slashing, swinging weapon over the thrusting weapon. Nothing can defeat the quick thrust with a weapon designed for that purpose. The machete is not a thrusting blade, neither is a bat or baton Best defense is to be prepared by securing your entries. Become a difficult target.

Thanks, great video. That got me thinking. I've got a knife hanging behind the bedroom door and a short heavy club in a corner. I will come up with something else now.

Icy Mike: "I don't care if you're a level 8 dwarven barbarian, like me"

Petrol chainsaw. That would put any intruder off when they hear that starting up.

Bro said edged weapons are useless. Dismissed 5,000 years of combat. 😐

Something worth noting with axes, weapon axes and tool axes have very different heads - weapon axes always have much smaller, lighter heads, for more speed, and will still deal some serious damage. Tool axes with larger heads are able to have larger ones, because they don't need to be used with any real speed or sense of urgency. Sure, it'd really suck to get hit by one, if you survived, but a weapon axe is ready to swing again before you've even stopped the swing of a splitter or something like that

"I don't think knives are self defense weapons" Doug Marcaida: "But they will keel"

Living in Germany. What I noticed living in Mexico and the U.S.: Your doors really are bad. I mean, no offence but here we have solid doors with 3 bolts in the top, middle and bottom. These are already not easy to kick in. I myself have a baton and a strong flash light beside my bed. I just don’t like the idea having to come close to an invader or burglar. Anyways, best safety is to relay on reinforced doors and windows, plus a strong flashlight which you could use for hitting too...

Kay, so you asked where we are and what we have besides the guns. I'm in the back bedroom and I keep my OLight Warrior 3 flashlight and a couple of Skallywag blades within arms reach or on me wherever I am in the house. And empty hand training.

At a yard sale I picked up a very small gardening shovel. It is long enough for me to stay away from an attacker. It is now sharp enough to shave with. I image I could swing it, but a thrust to the neck , leg or anywhere, would work well. It is in my bedroom. I also have a roofing hammer, similar to the small hand axe shown. I should sharpen it and keep handy.

A few weeks ago I decided to practice throwing an axe with my brother… for self defense. I have the same throwing tomahawk you have, the black one. I threw it at a tree and it ricocheted and hit my leg, very close to an artery. Long story short, I wasn’t as dangerous as I thought i was. Loved this video and all the tips!

As a carpenter the straight claw hammer is a favorite. Also when I was a kid our home was broken into while we were home my dad laid 3 guys out with a hot skillet (he was cooking at the time). So it definitely will work.

I tested the pan idea at my last surprise party. I knew it was happening so I was well prepared. Thanks a lot, it worked brilliantly.

So many variables to this, but basically - yes. Hook the thumb in the soup pot all the way. But remember that kitchens are realms of chaos, and what's available on the counter, stovetop, or sink will be different from day to day and hour to hour. So practice with all the implements. Home layout is crucial to consider. Knowing your best ambush spots is key. Remember that most attackers are right handed, so if they're armed, being inside a door to their right is a better bet. And if you've trained with something a lot, even if it's not the most practical choice, it might be a better option for you personally. It's also possible an intruder won't be alone, so practice for that too. When I did a lot of kenjutsu, I practiced a technique where I would rotate the sword before a strike in order to deliver a bashing attack - that way I could threaten with the sword for intimidation, but still be able to strike if that didn't work. Now, I just keep a boken (wooden katana) in the back room. And I massively prefer it for home defense over a real sword. It's lighter and faster, can be used with sword techniques or as a short staff, and it has a tip for jabbing. Much better than a bat. The length gives you some range, too. Amazing home defense tool. It could easily incapacitate someone, but won't put their guts on the floor the way a real sword would. I keep it the bedroom where the family sleeps, and we're in a 3rd floor apartment, so it's guaranteed to be away from any intruders. And if the kiddo gets to it, he can't kill anyone with it. Also worth noting - I live in Japan where no one has guns or swords, and violent crime is almost unheard of. But when it does happen, it's usually knives. A long stick like a boken giving you range on a knife wielder is a big plus. Also, my apartment is three big rooms and no hallway, so there's space to swing if need be. As for guns as home defense tools (in the countries where they're allowed), the biggest problem is storing a firearm safely but still being able to get it loaded fast in a home defense scenario. Realistically, this probably won't happen. Though just racking an empty shotgun is known to deter folks a good deal of the time. That said, having an escape plan or a hide and ambush plan (or just a hide and wait it out plan) is probably more likely to yield success. But you've also gotta take into account other people in the house who will make noise (kids and spouses prone to panic). With an ambush plan, that can potentially be a benefit so long as you're somewhere between them and the intruder. But whatever the plan is, practice it with everyone.

Home invaded a while ago when a "visitor" knocked on the front door I didn't want to answer the door. Next thing he's shoulder barged the back door, fell on the floor, looked up at me, said sorry then ran off jumping over a 6 foot fence without issue. Thieves want stuff easily without the fight usually. Good home defence could be as easy as locking internal doors between rooms. My house was broken into but all the downstairs doors are locked. They got into the kitchen. They got nothing. But locking doors while you're in isn't ideal.

It's weird when you say you don't like edged weapons, but keep picking up axes.

The WW2 Smatchet knife, the Anelace dagger, the Cinquedea dagger… Lots of people saying gladius I see also which would be a little longer, but indoors or tight areas, I’d go with one of those three instead, even gladius could be a little tougher if you get into wrestling. The three daggers I mentioned are short enough you could still stab with any position and long enough to have reach over a ka-bar. The smatchet may be outreached by a longer machete, but it’s beastly thrusting power and purposeful design for trenches, alleys, and bunkers make it crazy powerful.

Living in my Van for years I've found a small 18 inch metal bat, and gel pepper spray close by are the best. Great deterant for knives and swords except a gun.

I'm in the UK. In the event of a home invasion, I have to be careful not to bleed on them, as that would be a breach of social distancing.

The best way to protect yourself is to prep your house for an intruder. Safety film or bars on windows, door barricade, security locks on doors, good lock on the bedroom door, dogs and cameras. There's even inexpensive cameras out there that at least will notify your phone if a person is on your property. All of these things give you time to prepare or even escape another exit if the intruder is persistent and keeps trying to force his way in.

My improvised weapon would be a 1.5' long metal pipe that links my tricep dip station into one solid piece. It's not as great as a gun or knife, but it's solid, and I can swing it hard as shit. I certainly wouldn't want to be hit by it.

I cracked up when you shot the fly. Very funny. Thanks. Alicia

Great video, tons of information!

7:03 When he called me Kyle, I felt that

8:30 So, I'm not the only crazy mofo that picks-up things out of the dishwasher and practices swinging them through the air on the way to the cupboard.

Oven cleaner and a fire starter.

Long handle shovel x 2, one in garage attached to house near front entry, one in walk in robe behind my bed, machette under mattress I sleep on, 40 lb recurve bow and arrows behind bed, extremely bright led light on bedside table, front door triple locked and 75 mm screws in front door frame and security door fixings. a walking cane handy too. Dog sleeps in house too. Cast iron fry pan in kitchen and kitchen knives. Wasp spray with long spray stream in bedroom handy too. Australia here too, I don't have guns anymore.

I'm in my bedroom, I have a stun gun next to my bed and a stun baton near the door. I've also seen Home Alone like 30 times.