wizard of oz
Member
I think that almost anything could be used to damage/kill an opponent, but for me it is the defensive possibilities of a weapon that are important. (I'm assuming that I've been cornered or escape is not possible.) What is the plan when the opponent swings an axe/machete at my head or tries to skewer me with a knife ? Exchanging wounds until someone goes down is not the ideal ! So give me a baton/short sword/shield first. A knife second. Blocking is something that can be practised. The reason I suggested a flashlight is that shining it into an opponent's eyes gives me some small ability to affect the opponent from out of range (along with verbal commands). Throwing things is also a possibility. (ie that "lovely" figurine that my aunt gave me 
) I'm also not neccessarily convinced that sharp weapons are better than impact weapons at stopping (ie stopping rather than killing) the opponent.
I hope a few suggestions about tactics would be ok. Take them or leave them as you choose. Anyone who has played with knives or swords knows how easy it is to be killed by them so the priority is my own safety. Keep head/neck/torso out of range and protected as much as possible. Limbs are more expendable. I will attempt to disarm/neutralize the opponent's weapons (ie by targeting their weapon hand/arm) before I get close enough to target their head/torso/neck. Good targets for cutting weapons are arteries and tendons (eg wrist) wheras good targets for impact weapons are bones (eg wrist).The aim is to break them down piece by piece rather than go for the knockout blow. (overextending is bad) Generally strikes coming at an upward angle are more difficult to avoid (try this at home) and tend to hit the legs or arms rather than the head. (here military/police/security are trained to hit below the elbow or knee - legs and arms are good targets for weapons). Actually there is no substitute for physical practice so I'll leave it there.
As far as home defense goes physical security - locks/doors/alarms/motion detectors are vital. Also the entire house is filled with improvised weapons of various kinds. As the home owner, I have the advantage of knowing and controlling the environment so hopefully it shouldn't come down to slugging it out with someone.
Oh - one last thing. Perhaps it would be better to think about a non firearm weapon that approximates my (empty or malfunctioning) real HD weapon. Since my real home defense weapon is my shotgun, it is what I would really be using as an impact weapon (as a last resort if empty or malfunctioning). Training with a hanbo or jo (3 or 4 foot stick) simulates using any long arm in this way. For those who have long arms with bayonets as their HD weapon, a spear would be good to practise with. If I were to use a handgun for HD and if I were to carry something in my other hand then I would probably want a flashlight or cell phone rather than a knife. If the handgun malfunctioned then it could still be used as a short club (eg jutte or sap).
) I'm also not neccessarily convinced that sharp weapons are better than impact weapons at stopping (ie stopping rather than killing) the opponent. I hope a few suggestions about tactics would be ok. Take them or leave them as you choose. Anyone who has played with knives or swords knows how easy it is to be killed by them so the priority is my own safety. Keep head/neck/torso out of range and protected as much as possible. Limbs are more expendable. I will attempt to disarm/neutralize the opponent's weapons (ie by targeting their weapon hand/arm) before I get close enough to target their head/torso/neck. Good targets for cutting weapons are arteries and tendons (eg wrist) wheras good targets for impact weapons are bones (eg wrist).The aim is to break them down piece by piece rather than go for the knockout blow. (overextending is bad) Generally strikes coming at an upward angle are more difficult to avoid (try this at home) and tend to hit the legs or arms rather than the head. (here military/police/security are trained to hit below the elbow or knee - legs and arms are good targets for weapons). Actually there is no substitute for physical practice so I'll leave it there.
As far as home defense goes physical security - locks/doors/alarms/motion detectors are vital. Also the entire house is filled with improvised weapons of various kinds. As the home owner, I have the advantage of knowing and controlling the environment so hopefully it shouldn't come down to slugging it out with someone.
Oh - one last thing. Perhaps it would be better to think about a non firearm weapon that approximates my (empty or malfunctioning) real HD weapon. Since my real home defense weapon is my shotgun, it is what I would really be using as an impact weapon (as a last resort if empty or malfunctioning). Training with a hanbo or jo (3 or 4 foot stick) simulates using any long arm in this way. For those who have long arms with bayonets as their HD weapon, a spear would be good to practise with. If I were to use a handgun for HD and if I were to carry something in my other hand then I would probably want a flashlight or cell phone rather than a knife. If the handgun malfunctioned then it could still be used as a short club (eg jutte or sap).
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