Self-Defense Tip 73 Everyday Objects as Weapons of Self-Defense: Umbrella vs. Knife

Umbrella, a weapon of opportunity against a knife attack

This self-defense tip is about defending against a knife attack by using an umbrella. I will begin with techniques and tactics suitable for the Unbreakable® Umbrella. That’s because these are easier to practice than those possible with regular umbrellas. They are more reliable too.

Because the Unbreakable® Umbrella is as sturdy as it is and can whack stronger than the strongest wooden cane, even as strongly as a metal pipe, the techniques of defending with it need not be precise. They are the same as those for stick fighting.

In the case of using the Unbreakable® Umbrella in self-defense, keep in mind these points:

1. An umbrella’s targets are those for blunt weapons, as shown in the picture below.

Targets and Appropriate Weapons

2. Use strike mechanics that minimize your exposure. So, keep a mobile stance, a good grip, and a “wave” from foot through leg, hip, and shoulder to the Unbreakable® Umbrella. Minimize windup. For single-hand strikes, follow the example of club strikes shown on Self-Defense: Tools of Attack DVD. (For striking practice on a bag, use a stick instead of the Unbreakable® Umbrella to prevent damage to the umbrella’s fabric.)

3. Use rapid-fire strikes to appropriate targets, as shown in point 1, keeping in mind point 2 (maximal impact, minimal exposure). Here is an example:

As you can see, I don’t bother with such moves as hooking with the crook and other “Cane Masters” stuff. Such moves are predicated on either an already intimidated opponent or a cooperative demo partner. Not that locking an opponent with the umbrella is impossible — it is possible, but only after successfully interrupting his attack and dominating him.

4. Weapon, oops, er, umbrella retention is similar to long-gun retention techniques. Watch this movie showing how to keep hold of your Unbreakable® Umbrella — because it may happen that someone will want to take it away from you. . . .

These are the basics as far as using the Unbreakable® Umbrella in self-defense. Self-Defense Tip #55 – The Unbreakable® Umbrella in self-defense – Part II shows videos with a few sensible self-defense techniques, along with some that are too fancy for my taste.

Now, the regular umbrella. Here is a great video showing how to use even a regular, weak umbrella in self-defense:

Note that the demonstrator, Luke Holloway, doesn’t hit his opponent hard with his umbrella. If he did, the umbrella wouldn’t last for much more than a couple of strikes. Because of the flimsiness of his weapon (regular umbrella), his defenses require accuracy. He has to hit the eyes or the knife-holding hand — otherwise a determined attacker will be unfazed and the attack uninterrupted. So, to use such a weak weapon effectively, it helps to have a few years of practice in stick-and-blade fighting arts.

Now if, when attacked by a knife fighter, he had our Unbreakable® Umbrella with him, then his defenses would be simpler and safer. Every whack with our Unbreakable® Umbrella has a good chance to be both disarming and disabling. It does not matter whether one strikes the armed hand or the unarmed hand, a kneecap, a throat, or an eye orbit, or whether one stabs the trunk. The Unbreakable® Umbrella powerfully applied to any hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, or knee, even to the meat of the limbs or the trunk, leaves a “strong and lasting impression.” In good hands, it leaves a bone-crunching, bloody strong impression. . . . For examples, see Self-Defense Tip #75 — Everyday Objects as Weapons of Self-Defense: Why Unbreakable® Umbrella? and Self-Defense Tip #107 — Self-Defense with the Unbreakable® Telescopic Umbrella.

Attention:
Applying any of the techniques mentioned above is your sole responsibility.

Neither Never-Thought-of-It LLC nor the author of this self-defense tip, nor persons pictured in this self-defense tip, make any representation, warranty, or guarantee that the techniques described or shown in this tip will be safe, effective, or legal in any self-defense situation or otherwise.

The reader or viewer assumes all risks and hazards of injury or death to herself, himself, or others, as well as any resultant liability for the use of the techniques and methods contained in this self-defense tip.

Specific self-defense responses demonstrated or described in this self-defense tip may not be justified in certain situations in light of all the circumstances or under the applicable federal, state, or local law. Neither Never-Thought-of-It LLC nor the author of this self-defense tip makes any representation or warranty regarding the legality or appropriateness of any techniques described or demonstrated in this self-defense tip.

Self-defense tip from Thomas Kurz, co-author of Basic Instincts of Self-Defense and author of Science of Sports Training, Stretching Scientifically, and Flexibility Express.

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