What is the Best Weapon for Self Defense?

… I’m going to discuss weapons other than a firearm.

Here’s my list of weapons that could be used for self defense

Air Pistol (CO2)

Tactical knife

Pepper Spray

Billy Club

Electric Stun Gun/Device

Tactical Pen

Emergency Audio Alarm

Tactical Flashlight

The absolute best defense is to be very aware of your surroundings (offense) and to avoid any potential confrontations. But sometimes things go wrong and you may need to defend yourself. Always be prepared.

Air Pistols

Air pistols can be a viable self defense weapon and can dispatch a would be attacker with the right placed shot or shots. Some are compact and powerful. They could be kept in a purse or car but are not as handy as some of the other options. Air pistols are great for home defense if you cannot or do not wish to own a firearm.

A powerful air pistol like the Daisy Powerline 415 has the power to stop a human. It has a muzzle velocity of 495 fps and can shoot steel BB’s. A steel BB traveling at 495 fps can penetrate about 3-4 inches of soft tissue. So the optimum target would be the face and more specifically the eyes. If you shoot someone in the eyes, you can kill them. If a person grabs you and you can get to the air pistol, point the pistol in his/her face and keep pulling the trigger until your out of ammo. You can easily kill someone in this scenario.

CO2 air pistols are the best choice because they are powerful and are semi automatic with a magazine holding 10+ BB’s. You can shoot 10+ times before needing to reload.

A CO2 pistols are also very inexpensive. So anyone can buy one and carry it. The Daisy Powerline 415 sells for about $40.00.

Tactical Knife

I have owned many tactical knives, some good and some not so good. They can certainly be used for self defense. They are absolutely lethal. There are many areas where a knife can render an attacker helpless in short order. A deep cut any where on the body will shock an attacker and reduce his/her ability to continue the attack. Some areas are much better targets than others such as the face and neck. The neck is most likely the best target because there are large veins that are easy to sever quickly.

So what are some good self defense knives?

SOG Flash II

The SOG Flash II is a well made folding blade knife. I prefer folding blades for self defense because when I’m in panic mode and desperately reaching to grab a knife, I don’t want to worry about cutting my hand while grabbing a rigid blade knife. The folder allows me to grab it quickly in any position with safety. The blade can be opened very fast with one hand.

The Flash II has a composite non-slip handle that is ergonomic and fits my hand nicely. It’s easy to grab wet or dry without losing it. It’s pretty much unbreakable too. The blade is thick and very sturdy. It will easily penetrate any medium from fabric to skin and bones. It’s razor sharp.

The SOG Flash II is very inexpensive unlike other tactical knives like the Benchmade knives. I had a Griptilian that cost $180. The SOG is about $50.00. You can get one here…Buy at Amazon.com

Kersaw 1555Ti

The Kershaw 1555Ti is another worthy weapon for self defense. It’s well designed and manufactured. It features an all metal grip and heavy weight steel blade. It’s also a folding blade knife with SpeedSafe Assisted Opening. The blade can be opened in milliseconds with one hand.

The 1555ti is all stainless steel and coated with a matte gray titanium carbo-nitride. It looks as good as it performs. When you pick it up, you can tell it’s well made because it’s heavy. The blade is razor sharp and sturdy. It slices through denim, cardboard and skin like melted butter. It sells for about $40.00. This is a steal!

Pepper Spray

Pepper spray can be very effective at repelling an attacker but it’s at its best when the attacker is at a distance from you. It’s not recommended for close proximity scenarios like if someone grabs you and is holding you on the ground. If you use pepper spray in this scenario it will get in your eyes also. Not good.

Pepper spray is very effective in most cases. It causes severe burning of the skin and especially the eyes. Vision is almost non existent when pepper spray is used. This allows you to get aware without being chased. 95% of of attackers will be deterred with pepper spray. However drug influenced attackers may not.

Pepper spray is easy to carry and use. Devices/guns come in many shapes and sizes to accommodate any type of carry. They are also cheap. Prices range from $7.00 to $50.00.

Electric Stun Gun/Device

Stun guns can be very effective but there are some caveats. The electrodes of the stun gun/device have to contact the person in order to deliver a shock. The longer you shock the attacker, the longer the effects last. Know how to properly use a stun gun before carrying one.

Stun guns are super effective at stopping a human instantly. The electric shock is so strong that all muscle functions freeze immediately. All communications between the brain and the muscles ceases. They drop to the ground and lay there for several minutes to 15 minutes before trying to get up.

If you are attacked and you have a stun gun, try to do a 3+ second shock. This will not only stop the attack but also produce disorientation and confusion in the attacker. This will give you time to get away and call 911. A 3-5 second shock will put someone down for 10-20 minutes.

I have been shocked by 20,000 volts before and let me tell you…it’s quite the experience. You don’t know what happened nor why you’re on the ground with your heart racing. The Vipertek VTS-989 packs a 53,000,000 volt discharge. 20,000 volts will knock you to the ground. I can’t imagine 53 million volts!

Some attackers will stop the pursuit when they hear the distinct snap sound of the stun gun.It can be a good deterrent as well.

Stun guns/devices are easy to carry and use. Anyone can buy one and learn to use it effectively. They cost about $20.00. The VIPERTEK VTS-989 is a very popular model and a best seller. You can buy it here….buy at Amazon.com

Billy Club

Billy clubs can be a good weapon if this is the only option. They are not easily carried or concealed. You might want to keep one in your truck or car and maybe in the house. They are a better option that hand to hand combat. They are also good against a knife attack. The length of the club gives you an advantage because you can strike the attacker from a distance without injury. They can be lethal as well.

A Bill Club can be a lethal weapon in certain instances like a strong blow to the head. Otherwise its a destructive weapon that will break bones easily. They are very effective if used properly.

You could also just use a baseball bat but get a smaller and lighter one for this purpose. You want to be able to swing it quickly.

Tactical Pen

Tactical pens are great weapons that are easy to conceal. They are compact enough for purses, pant pockets, coat pockets, inside a sock or shoe, glove box, lunch box, briefcase, etc. You can store one anywhere.

A tactical pen is a special purpose pen that is made to be used in a multi-purpose role. It is a real pen and will write upside down and in the rain. Because it’s made like a steel spike, it can also be used in self defense like to stab someone. It’s sturdy enough to puncture skin and bones. It can also break a glass window if needed.

If you are attacked, use the tactical pen to strike at the attacker’s face and neck. Although sometimes its hard to get to those areas when attacked from behind in which case strike at any part of the attacker. You would be surprised what happens to the spirit of an attacker when you drive a tactical pen through his/her palm. It can stop the attack quickly.

Tactical Flashlight

The tactical flashlight can be substituted for the Bill Club or Bat. It’s purpose is to strike the attacker. Most tactical flashlights are built with this purpose in mind and feature heavy duty construction. Usually they are manufactured from aircraft grade aluminum. They can be quite the “Club”.

The tactical flashlight can be put into use initially as a spotlight to possibly blind an attacker that is in pursuit of you. If the attack progresses then it is used as a close combat weapon and can deliver a serious blow. Again the head is the ideal target. When you engage the attacker, do not stop striking him/her until the attack ceases.

Buy a tactical flashlight that has some size to it. Not a pocket flashlight. Get a 2,3 or 4 “D” size battery flashlight.

I recommend Maglite flashlights. They are well made with a non-slip knurled grip area. Law Enforcement often choose to carry Maglight flashlights. They are tough, weather proof and bright. I’ve had one for over 15 years and it still looks new.

Audio Alarms/Sirens

Audio alarms or sirens can be effective in some circumstances. Some attackers will be deterred or scared away by them while others may not. You never can tell. But they are better than nothing. I would carry multiple weapons with the audio alarm being the first used. Then fall back on option 2 if the alarm fails.

Best Weapon for Women in Self Defense.

The best weapons for women in self defense situations would be the following in order of effectiveness

Stun Gun Pepper Spray Audio Alarm or Siren

The reason these items are more suited to females is because they require no /minimal physical contact or strength. The pepper spray and the audio alarm are used from a distance. So if they do not deter an attacker, you can still run. The stun gun requires a person to be in contact with her attacker, however when used properly, it is HIGHLY EFFECTIVE. Electric shocks of 93 million volts is a game changer. It stops and drops a human instantly. Human muscles will contract violently and stay locked until the shock ceases. An attacker has no choices when shocked by a stun gun. After an electric shock, it usually takes 10-20 minutes to recover. I’ve seen it in action several times.