A New Year's Resolution Worth Keeping

A New Year's Resolution Worth Keeping

Coming into 2014, most people made a New Year’s Resolution to “better” themselves for the coming year.  Most of those resolutions are about fitness, clean eating, and healthier life styles. Having worked in the fitness industry for years, I know how many people ACTUALLY stick to those resolutions. Here’s a resolution that most people fail to think of, but should in the forefront of their “New Year/New Me” plans; self-defense.
One of the first things you learn as a woman is that to properly defend your fragile self, from a more able bodied male, you should stick your car keys in between your fingers and attempt to punch/slash at your assailant. This is a pretty flawed method, because it works on the premise that you either have the keys in position BEFORE an attack, or are able to accomplish this goal DURING the attack. Improvised methods of self-defense are great, but this is one that can lead to just as much pain and suffering placed on you, as your attacker.
The first thing you should do is get some type of training under your belt. There are plenty of people out there that are teaching proper techniques on how to defend yourself with guns, knives, pepper spray, and unarmed combatives. In this quick post, I’ll highlight a few items that can be found on my person on a daily basis. All of these items are available for purchase through the company’s websites, and each item I've been lucky enough to take some form of training with. The training aspect is something I can’t stress enough. While plenty of people defend themselves day in and day out without any formal training, I’d rather have some knowledge and practical idea of how to use each item rather than end up as a statistic.

(Phone included for 2 reasons: size comparison for all the other items and in the event of an assault or robbery, you want to be able to call 911 and offer the police and emergency medical services as much information as possible. Items listed clockwise from top right.)

Coye Knives Ridgeback

An amazing, fixed blade self-defense knife. Hand made in Oklahoma, this blade is meant to be carried along the belt line. It’s small enough to be discreet, but larger enough to get a full one handed grip, and is SUPER sharp.

 (www.coyeknives.com)

Spyderco Delica 

Smaller, folding knife. Spyderco makes one of my favorite folding knives for self-defense. They’re relatively inexpensive, rugged, and fit nicely in your pocket. They can be deployed easily, and training blades are readily available.

 (www.spyderco.com)

ASP Key Defender

Multipurpose, discreet, handheld defense. Works as a kubotan, impact device, or with the flip of the lock, can deliver 2 Million Scoville Heat Units of police grade pepper spray. Hangs conveniently on your key ring. (www.asp-usa.com)

CRKT Minimalist

Another, small fixed blade knife. Much smaller than the aforementioned Ridgeback, but also more discreet due to it’s size. Can be adapted to hang from a lanyard around your neck, or also ride on your belt line. Small, and sharp, great for hot weather carry. 

(www.crkt.com)

Smith & Wesson Tactical Pen

Light weight and discreet. This pen can be used as a striking implement or as a writing tool. Convenient pocket clip and comes in a variety of colors.

 (www.smith-wesson.com)

De-Cap-A-Turtle
Small, discreet, hand held device. Works as an impact device with a semi sharpened face for striking anf cutting. Also works to open beer bottles in a pinch.


All of the items listed above take time and practice, both to learn how to use, and to carry. When you’re carrying something on your body every day that you’re not used to, it takes a while before you “forget it’s there”. I fidgeted with these items for some time before finding the sweet spot. Now I can’t imagine going out of the house without at least one on my person. One of the items I didn't list is the firearm I carry. Firearms take a lot more getting used to, and require more confidence to carry. I will cover that in a later article though. If you stay true to one resolution this year, it should be to take self-defense seriously. We are responsible for our own safety, as well as the safety of our loved ones.