Is this true?

[KarateEd]

I think that the pressure would be spread out enough that it wouldn't, but I can't be for sure. Also, the way it is situated may have some effects on the result, as well.

Maybe we have a good experiment suitable for Mythbusters!

blackxpress makes a good point, though. As I sit here contemplating my fist, it seems that when I make a nice tight one it doesn't really have room for any foreign object. Also, it seems that holding something would change the shape of your fist so that it would become difficult to actually strike properly.

Ed

[bushido_man96]

Those are good points, Ed. However, when you do pack something into your fist, like, say, a roll of quarters, you now have something to grip, which some think tightens it more, or just makes the striking tool more dense.

Maybe we can suggest it to Mythbusters, and we could be on the show!

However, I get to punch you first!!!

[KarateEd]

I didn't say I would volunteer to be the punching bag! Isn't that what Buster is for?

[bushido_man96]

I didn't say I would volunteer to be the punching bag! Isn't that what Buster is for?

The problem with Buster is that he can't give qualitative feedback. You can actually tell me which of my punches hurt you the most!

[KarateEd]

The problem with Buster is that he can't give qualitative feedback. You can actually tell me which of my punches hurt you the most!

:lol:

[TraditionalDan]

I think it could help a non trained person to some extent, but then they may as well at least train to hit properly.

As a kareteka, I feel that the lighter could create an angle on the fingers, thus making the fist glance off of the opponent/attacker, as opposed to channeling all the force into the aggressor. Not entirely, but in these situations, you need all you can get no matter how trained.

(In karate this would be with the first two knuckles/seiken).

[TangSooDoGuru]

yes its true, gang bangers of the past have been known to put a roll of dimes in their fist because you could knock people out quicker. also if you look at most boxing gloves they have a little hump on the palm, that fills that 'empty space' you speak about.

[mmljpp]

rool of quarters anything heavy that will fit in ur hand

[Rainbow_Warrior]

Besides, what happens to the lighter if you open your hand for a palm strike or knife hand, for example? Also, what if you need to do a takedown or submission hold? Pretty hard to do while clenching a lighter in your hand

Well, I think if you wanna sleep in your bed that night ( and not RIP in a bag) , you may just open your hand wheen needed for a certain technique , and let the walmart 3 x 1 $ cheap lighter go to the ground.

[The BB of C]

One of my friends told me once, that if you ever get into a fight on the street, and you happen to have a lighter on you, you should have it in your hand when you make a fist because it fills up some of the empty space in your fist and gives you a more solid punch, has anyone else heard of this?

Interesting. But don't you think it would mess with the form of your fist? For example; I believe you want to have your knuckles foreward and your fingers pulled back into your fist as much as possible. Then put your thumb under them to keep that from getting in the way and to hold your fingers in place.

That being said, I would guess ( though I've never tried, I probably should) that a lighter in the middle would fill the gap, yes, but also push out your fingers more where they shouldn't be.

I guess I'll give it a try later and see what I can find of it.