Steel_Ghost

First line, for non-deadly force conflict, once talking it out has failed, A pocket stick such as a Koppo, or some impact weapon that is secure in the hand, that you can open your hand and still retain (the koppo for those un-familiar is like a kubaton, but it has a cord loop for the middle and ring fingers, which really improves the idea of a palm stick) or a Comtech Stinger, that has a T-handle like a push dagger, and can be retained because of that. This and good un-armed skills are excellent, do what needs to be done, and then run away. Right up with that, would be a crook top walking cane... wicked weapon, and you can still take one anywhere. Deadly force apparant, I'd hope to have my hands on a nice pistol. All other things aside, I know I can use a pistol for defense, without hesitating and without freezing up. It cant be much different from shooting a bobcat about to jump on you because you got in the way of its kill. A gun is my second choice to a lethal conflict, my first is to not be there to begin with. If not a gun, if I dont have one (cant carry) or I cant get to one in time, then I'll take a knife. I carry at least one, usually more, all the time. High quality tools, that I've invested good money into, so I'll have something I know i can trust, and invested hours of training with, so I know I'll be able to use them. Getting it out, if its a folder getting it open, and getting it intot he fight when adrenaline hits and fine motor skill goes away, is the biggest challenge, but a couple hundred hours of repetition and more on the way are intended to take care of that. First and foremost, no matter the conflict, no matter the tool needed to resolve it, from verbal judo to Gun-fu, the ultimate weapon, is the brain. Always.

Ak, you should look at the following authors/video makers: James A. Keating Micheal Janich Jerry VanCook John Steyrs (Cold Steel is his book, might not be the best, but its worth having to go along with Janich, VanCook, Keating and the rest) Greg Walker Kelly Worden Hoch Hochheim (Seems his stuff is more of a long involved system, than the others, but if you can take bits and pieces and methods, and put it with the rest from other instructors, you'll get some good stuff.) As a basic book, pick up a copy of Put 'Em Down, Take 'Em Out by Don Pentecost, its simple, but what he gets right, he gets really right... its a book that is definately worth having... not fancy, no flashy moves, no "biomechanical cutting", just going for broke, down and dirty, realistic, knife work. One of my favourite books. Also, GunSite has out two video volumes on knife fighting, which can be gotten through Delta Press and I believe Paladin Press as well... or straight from Gunsite I am sure. Your best bet for stuff from James Keating is going to be Combat Technologies, Jim's company, https://www.jamesakeating.com (the site might not be totally up right now, so email, comtech@bmi.net ) and also Paldin Press, https://www.paladinpress.com For the other folks books and video's, https://www.Amazon.com and Paladin Press are your best bets.

I am a full time weapons designer (Okay, technically part time, but I do it more than anything else), specializing in "Sharps, Spikes and Sticks" (right off my card). I have developed a non-metallic (carbon fiber) spike that easily disguises itself as a Bic writing pen. I am currently working on some other pen ideas, namely a functional writing pen, with a hidden spike inside it, that is also heavy enough and solid enough to use as an improvised Yawara. I do a lot of work with non-metallic materials, Carbon Fiber especially, to make edged weapons, and because of the limitations of the material I am always having to go through evolution of conventional design to maximize the effectiveness of a non-steel cutting weapon. Seemingly odd shapes, with serrations, etc. all to tear, cut, and rip flesh better, to make up for the weaknesses as compared to steel. In the steel venue, I am always working on new design ideas to maximize the effectivness of the type sof blades I preffer to work on (defensive, tactical, fighting, combat knives), but its nothing extraordinary... its just doing little things to maximize the blade, reduce friction, make the edge stronger, make it more comfortable for the end user, etc. There is a lot of study involved in this, actually, everything from pictures of knife wounds, to detailed analysis of those wounds and the blade shape that inflicted them, to the most effective methods of use for the intended purpose, even to studying how to build a handle that wont make hotspots on most users after long use time, or how to fit a knife to the users hand, and how to use the Fibonacci sequence/the golden mean to achieve a perfectly balanced fighter, and then putting it all togather to achieve a balanced, comfortable, effective weapon, that will lock itself into the users hand, and align with with the users skeletal system, and work against their target with brutal effeciency. Its fun, actually... I am obsessive about it. Although, I am working on a design of a Kerambit style knife, designed for Edge In/Pikal knife work... which seems to be a different approach than anyone (I am aware of) has taken before. Okay, enough insane ramblings.