If we understand that every time we fight, we fight, we are fighting for survival, all options should be on the table - including the use of weapons (if we are not fighting for survival, then we have to question why we are fighting). If we also understand, that the types of individuals who are likely to be questioning our right to exist, will be carrying some form of weapon, it would be extremely naive of enter a conflict unarmed.
There may be a number of reasons why we choose not to carry a weapon; it could be that the state or country we are in does not permit us to carry one (we may have a legal right to carry a weapon where we live/reside however that right may not be granted to us when we have to travel), or that it is not really appropriate for the situation we are in e.g. a bar/restaurant or place of work etc. may not allow us on their premises when armed. This is where we should be prepared, if necessary, to improvise a weapon.
There are three types or categories of improvised weapons:
Weapons of Carry
Weapons of Opportunity
Environmental Advantages
Weapons of Carry
These are things found about your person e.g. mobile phone, keys, belt, jacket, briefcase/computer bag, loose change, pens etc. We could also choose to carry items, that can be used as weapons, however to be considered as an improvised weapon they must have a primary purpose that is non-combative e.g. a Maglite torch is primarily a torch, even though it can be used as a short stick, or a small striking object. There are also objects such as pens and torches that have tactical equivalent e.g. tactical flashlight, tactical pens. Here we must consider, whether a tactical flashlight is primarily a weapon that can be used as a flashlight, or a flashlight that can be used as a weapon. This can be an important factor if the conflict/assault ever goes to court, and the question of whether you were prepared and armed (tactical pen/flashlight), versus unprepared and unarmed e.g. Maglite torch, ballpoint pen etc. gets brought up.
There may also be objects we carry as part of our jobs, which can be used combatively e.g. a clipboard if we are working in a hospital etc. If we have a legitimate reason to be carrying such a tool, then it is quite a straightforward, explanation as to why we used it to defend ourselves i.e. we had it in our hands when we were assaulted. There may be objects that we will have in our hands, due to other situations that we find ourselves in e.g. if we are in a bar and we are holding a bottle we can use this as a weapon, if we are on a train/bus reading a book, we can use this as a weapon etc.
Whatever weapon we carry, whether improvised or designed as a weapon e.g. knife, baton, gun etc. it must be accessible and ready to use. If you can't get to it, it's of no use to you. So anything you carry about your person as a tactical/defensive too has to be easily deployed. An assailant will always deny you time and distance, so the quicker you can get your chosen weapon into your hand the better.
You may have a magazine in your hand but if you have no time to roll it up it won't serve you well as a stick like weapon. A Newspaper can be folded into a brick like object but this takes time, and you may not be able to do it surreptitiously, and or quickly enough - it can however be easily deployed as a distracting weapon, or put over the person's face as a mask.
Fashioned Weapons
Fashioned Weapons are those that need some degree of assembly before use - and are therefore not necessarily the most accessible. A mobile phone can be picked up and smashed into somebody's face, whilst filling a condom with coins and using it as a long range schlock will take time.
Fashioned weapons also show a degree of intent, and understanding of the potential consequences of what they are capable of. If I fold a newspaper into a brick and use it to break somebody's nose, then I can hardly say in a court of law, that I just happened to have it in my hand in that form when I was attacked. If I break a bottle, to have a cutting/stabbing weapon, I have fashioned it i.e. I have changed its form. If I use it as an impact weapon, whilst it is still intact, I can argue/claim that it just happened to be in my hand at the time of the assault.
There might be times when it is necessary to change the form of an already available weapon e.g. slashing a broken bottle in wide arcs may help me keep multiple assailants away, while I disengage, whereas using it as an impact/striking weapon may mean I have to get closer to my assailants.
Weapons of Opportunity
These are things which are found in your environment e.g. fire extinguishers, chairs, ash trays, car radio antennae, pool/snooker cues etc.
These items should be benign i.e. they should not be recognizable to your assailant as a weapon; something that could be used against you. It is also something that should be easily accessible - you don't want to have to spend several seconds getting to a weapon, especially if it may alert an assailant(s) to the fact that there is something they could use against you. To help recognize objects in your environment that could be used, we need to have a method of categorizing them so that we can understand how they can be used.
The system that was first taught to me, is one that the IKMF use. It was taught to me by Eyal Yanilov during an instructor course I was on, many years ago, however I believe it should be Avi Moyal (the now head of the IKMF) who should be credited with it. The system recognizes six basic categories:
- Objects like Sticks (Makel) - Snooker Cues, Brooms, Golf Clubs
- Objects like Shield (Magen) - Bags, Clipboards, Chairs, Trash Can Lids, Toilet Seats
- Objects like Knife (Sakkin) - Keys, Screwdrivers, Pens/Pencils
- Objects like Rock (Even) - Snooker Balls, Water Bottles, Bottles
- Objects like Chain (Hevel) - Belts, Dog Leads, Wires, Cables, Radio Antennae
- Small Objects (Ktanim) - Projectiles, Coins
Being able to put objects into these categories helps you determine how they should be used e.g. a key is more like a knife, and should be used like a knife, to cut and stab, rather than to insert between the fingers to make a knuckle duster - which is really an impact weapon. Some objects share properties e.g. a chair is a shield, but it also have four legs, which can be used like sticks.
In the Small Objects category, I would include sprays and liquids e.g. you can empty an oil based propellant like WD40 into somebody's face, and/or throw a cup of coffee over a person.
I would potentially add a sub category into this system, under Objects like chains which would be clothing i.e. flexible weapons that the other person is clothed/dressed in. Using a person's clothing to strangle/choke them, and direct them is extremely effective.
Weapon vs Weapon
Is a chair better than a screwdriver, or a golf-club better than a belt etc? Situations determine solutions. If dealing with a singular assailant a hard-object that can knock somebody out and cause concussive force may be preferable to a knife like object, which although may be painful and even deadly may not get such a quick result - an attacker may take a long time to bleed out whereas a knock out is instantaneous. Flexible and long weapons may be better for keeping multiple assailants at range, and shield like objects for protecting yourself against an assailant armed with a knife.
It may be easier to explain in a court of law, what you did, if your aggressor's face isn't all mangled and
cut-up (a jury may be more sympathetic towards you), which may be a consequence of you using a knife like object. The general public can be squeamish where blood is concerned, and may feel sympathy for an assailant whose face is permanently scarred, and as a consequence judge you to have used excessive force, even if this wasn't the case.
Structural Integrity
A weapon must have structural integrity, either in itself or in the way that it is used e.g. a water bottle which you can't close your grip around, will probably slip out of your hand if you strike somebody with its base, however if you ram it into somebody's face, using your hand to push it, it will have structural integrity. A magazine although strong after several stabs/strikes may start to lose its integrity, and may have to be ditched in favor of open/empty hands.
Environmental Advantage
It is also possible to use hard surfaces, such as walls, and the floor to inflict pain and damage on an aggressor. As one of my Judo coaches used to say, whenever someone questioned him as to the validity and effectiveness of Judo as a self-defense system, Nothing hits harder than concrete. Using solid objects, such as urinals, sinks, tables, counter-tops and walls to slam your assailant's head into etc. will give you a very solid striking surface to work with.
Your environment can always be used defensively too i.e. you can use a car or other vehicle as a barrier/obstacle to put between you and your aggressor.
However more important than tool and environment recognition is your Mindset.
Mindset
Do you have the mindset to stab somebody? If you haven't, don't pick up a knife like object. Be honest with yourself. Could you get, close up and personal, with somebody and ram a screwdriver into their leg? Understand the force you would have to generate to do this, what it would feel like and then visualize yourself doing it. Also what type of situation/altercation would warrant you doing this - not legally, but morally (when you looked back at the situation a few years later would you have judged yourself to be excessive). If somebody took your wallet, would that necessitate it? If somebody tried to abduct you? Be clear when you would draw a weapon, and when you would use it - if you draw it you should be prepared to use it.
If you are fighting for survival, all things should be on the table, and you should be prepared to do anything and use anything in order to achieve this. If you're not fighting for survival though you have to question why are you fighting?