The Best Personal Defense Tools and How to Use Them 

Tom Olofsson I always carry my flashlight. It is the single best tool for staying safe, whether it is lighting up black ice on a winter night, or a Perp standing in the shadows.

SystemOfStrategy Same, although I use mine more for those "Hey, who has a light" to get light thrown on whatever is in question faster than those with a cellphone, cuz I'm competitive like that. Keep a little Fenix baby light on my keychain.

Tom Olofsson Very true. It's very useful to have a flashlight in low-light situations, though I have to admit the multi-function tactical lights don't quite work for me. As the majority of the time mine is being used simply as a tool, things like strobe, SOS, and high/low settings just kind of get in the way. But I'm a little weird about "tactical" pens. In many cases where weapons are forbidden the staff has the authority to determine what is or is not a weapon based on their own discrimination. That's why if someone asks about tactical pens and impact weapons I usually recommend a large chisel tip Sharpie. People often retort "Oh, but they're made of cheap plastic" and that's true, but there are made of very thick cheap plastic. I've done some serious tests with them and have even been able to crack a coconut with one and have never been able to generate enough force to compromise its structural integrity. Plus they are very wide and therefore offer a wonderful surface to grip, are cheap and easy to find, and incredibly unlikely to be confiscated or banned by anyone, anywhere.

Tom Olofsson, personally, if I was attacking someone and they flashed a knife, I would not want to engage. no one gets hurt...

i was going to post this, so glad to see somebody else wrote about flashlights! i have defended myself twice against a would-be perp. the first time i blinded the guy and managed to run, and the second time, different man, the perp still rushed me, but missed initially because he was temporarily blinded. i managed to stay upright and bashed him over the head with it and then run away.

PowerMadHeadBanger You can buy the Glock however carrying one in many states is very difficult. Airplanes, schools, government buildings etc. there are many places where you will have to rely on other tools.

I live in Chicago known as Chi-Raq......I use anything I can as a weapon but yeah a Glock I have to agree with.....shit AR-15

Really useful for us guys though!

Oh... I once had a conversation with a policeman. He served in Oakland for 15 years. You know, he used these pens on duty several times... because it is faster to use the pen while writing the Protocol, than get to your glock and much less lethal for agressor... in some situations, you may not be able to use a firearm, even if you have one... for example, someone you don't want to hurt is next to the aggressor... and flashlight... even if you have a Glock, isn't it interesting who is your targeting at in the dark ?

A firearm is just one of several tools you should have, you can’t or shouldn’t shoot in all cases

in my country we fear everyday it's a shame :/

John S various species have to fear for their lives most of the time. and no one will help them when they are attacked.

John S just stay II nside. be sure to lock the door

In the 70s and 80s it wasn't like it is today. Just saying. I could ride my bike in the night or camp out in my front lawn without any fear. What happen ? Now I carry a gun.

John S what happened was sensational media reporting. Crime has actually been steadily dropping

***** Match the tool to the situation. I always teach never use more force, or tool, than necessary however never use less.

Butch Crawford You are welcome Butch.

Butch Crawford Carry a small pistol.

You should consider carrying a handgun, such as a compact 9mm, .40, or .45

uhhmmm, depend on Where u live. get a Flag on your WheelChair with Glock or S&W or your prefered brand on the Flag, Not Enuff? i saw some that said "ShotGun ready, only Chick invited, No Bad guy" Lololol Joke aside, hope u can maintain your safety at all time dude. Bless you

Is essential for any fight

FoodOnCrack you need a pilot's license and concealed carry permit. (Except in Constitutional carry states!)

Perfect pen for fight-or-fly situations.

"Aircraft grade aluminum" Most of the time it means that they used a metal that costs them virtually nothing, but will cost you a lot.

hahaaaaa

BladeOps Thanks man. It was a fun one to shoot. There's nothing like shooting creeper footage in a dark alley at night. -Ben

CRKT OFFICIAL Hey CRKT, this former jarhead could use one of these pens!

matthewcerha I was in Germany for a couple of weeks and carried it everywhere. Their knife laws are very restrictive.

SystemOfStrategy Being German I have to say: There are definitive worse countries out there. (Great Britain for example, and several of the nordic countries). Much of what we are allowed to carry is still quite usable.

But not everything makes a good reliable weapon

Rick Munday Use the pen if you can. The knife needs to be used only if you are in mortal danger. Juries have an aversion to knives. Remember however the knife can cut people out of seat belts, I have done this, to get people out of a car after an accident and other uses besides.

CRKT OFFICIAL CRKT ROCKS!!! There aren't many companies that give back the way you do.

CRKT OFFICIAL congrats

Butch Crawford Thanks man! We're happy to hear that. We honestly put a lot of effort into the community and it's gratifying to hear that it's noticed. -Ben

I don't know about you, but if you are attacking the woman with the intent to do harm. or even kill her after raping her. her very first strike with the tactical pen, should be deep into your eye socket! followed up with an extreme kick to the groin

+Anthony Schurz and as for the knife, this man is wearing a thickleather jacket. when grabbed from behind, take knife and hold blade sharp edge away from you. then plunge several times into inner thigh region of attacker( femoral artery) and groin. if grab from front, most of time both attackers hands will be on shoulders. take knife with sharp edge out and away from you. then punch up words in between his hands towards throat from right to left. severing left side of throat. then one hand is up pull back down into right side of his throat, plunging knife blade into right side of throat above collar bone with twist. pull knife back out step back holding knife facing towards attacker at your chest then give extreme kick to groin. then evade while attacker bleeds out and dies

CRKT OFFICIAL Winners: please send us a PM with your shipping info and confirmation that you're over 18. Thanks!

Congrats you 3

Thanks!! Gotta be honest, I didn't know about this drawing, glad I shared the vid, lol. Been eyeing the tac pen on amazon, heard a lot of great reviews too. Thanks again for the giveaway!!

CRKT OFFICIAL Thanks for the chance, brother!

Well I'm in again!

D Pazak Fisher Space Pen

Thanks very much, I'd love to have these for my family members so hope to win at least one!

Josh Apple Personal experience, blind them and then anything you do will work.

BudgetBugout Good to see you here, brother!

+JlingX Jolly Thanks for the support!

CRKT OFFICIAL no, we should thank you, sir. keep this good job up.

JlingX Jolly to be fair, fight tips is mostly for boxing, mma, and Thai boxing tips Agree though, fantastic video with great advice!

taser flashlight

Joshua Davis frickin lasers

Hey Susan- you might want to search online to see if there are any self defense classes in your area. Most classes go over some basics similar to what James is talking about and might make you feel a little more confident with your tools. Hope that helps!

Thanks, will do!

I told my GF to get one of those personal alarms that has a pin pull. Hook it to your waist band and have the lanyard in your hand. Not a total fix but every little bit help in my humble opinion.

I hadn't thought of that, good idea! Crime in my town is getting worse. A month ago an elderly woman was attacked while leaving church in the afternoon while a police car sat nearby. In NY state we're only allowed to use force equal to what is used on you. For example if a six foot man were to punch me in the face my first action must be to run away. If I can't do that then I can only punch him in the face, I'm a five foot five inch female.

The 'tools' presented here mean you have to be in close proximity of the attacker. I prefer a Canemaster combat cane. I have about a 7 foot almost 8 foot reach. A smash from a combat cane will break an ankle, destroy a kneecap, break a hip bone, break 2 or 3 ribs, break arm bones, break collar bones, and if used to the head one blow is death to the attacker. Learning to swing and smash with a combat cane takes about 2 to 4 weeks.Learning to use the cane to get out of being grabbed does not take too long either. Depends on how many hours you put into it. If a 6 month cane student went up against a 3 year karate student....... the cane man would destroy the karate student. He would be off to the hospital. The cane is legal to take anywhere in the world and through any security. Here is a nice one >> www.canemasters.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=86_108&products_id=57

CRKT OFFICIAL So with keys, I always heard that you should hold between your thumb and the most proximal knuckle, because holding keys like James demonstrated (the Wolverine grip) will really hurt if you miss everything but the most fleshy targets, whereas the more icepick grip will help brace your hand much like a properly formed fist.

Thomas Brandt Thomas, I have used the keys exactly like I showed and it worked very well, from my side of the key that is. It is also more difficult to block coming straight in.

CRKT OFFICIAL If you dont have a tactical pen would a regular pen be just as good?

Not "just as good" as this pen is designed and constructed for this use. The shape, the material, aircraft grade aluminum, the length have all been designed specifically for this purpose.

Rosemary Dawson not as good, could break and hurt you.

Sean Kerby We need to get together Marine, it has been too long. I will be at Blade show in Atlanta if you are anywhere close.

john mason Have her watch the video. Young ladies in college are a high risk group.

Paul Buckmire I carry mine all over the world, quite literally. Through airports and other security points regardless of where I am.

Your wife looks hot

I don't trust someone who doesn't have any enemies.

Joseph lives in a hippy commune?

+William Young drink lots of corona

+William Young Not always possible... some people live/work near dagerous places, they did not had a choice.

true. as someone who does late night walks every night for exercise, gotta watch for those target indicators. sound, smell, silhouette, shine, movement. i'll cross a street to walk the other side, maybe take a different street, depending on what's up. like my mama always used to say, don't trouble trouble unless trouble troubles you. if you watch "active self protection" channel, the billy badasses get dealt with as much as they come out on top.

Stewart Sudler Stewart, not a problem. I actually do not like the word tactical, it is a writing and personal defense tool. I carry mine everywhere in the world and in much more restricted environments than Chicago. No laws in regards to carrying this pen.

Stewart Sudler I mean unless it has specific features that make it a weapon, like sharpened blades or something, you can easily just say it's a pen, not a weapon. If you could do similar damage with a regular pen, then you can't really argue that the pen is a weapon.

SystemOfStrategy Thank you! I appreciate the input! Great video. I will show it to my wife when she gets home.

Zack Sudler Out of curiosity, is it legal in Chicago to carry pepper spray?

The 'tools' presented here mean you have to be in close proximity of the attacker. I prefer a Canemaster combat cane. I have about a 7 foot almost 8 foot reach. A smash from a combat cane will break an ankle, destroy a kneecap, break a hip bone, break 2 or 3 ribs, break arm bones, break collar bones, and if used to the head one blow is death to the attacker. Learning to swing and smash with a combat cane takes about 2 to 4 weeks.Learning to use the cane to get out of being grabbed does not take too long either. Depends on how many hours you put into it. If a 6 month cane student went up against a 3 year karate student....... the cane man would destroy the karate student. He would be off to the hospital. The cane is legal to take anywhere in the world and through any security. Here is a nice one >> www.canemasters.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=86_108&products_id=57

Colt29 Thank you.