Prepared Society Forum banner
Cancel

Walking Stick Self Defense

Jump to Latest Follow
1 - 20 of 27 Posts
K

· ke4sky
Joined
·
190 Posts
Discussion Starter · #1 ·
One of the unfortunate side effects to living a long life is that your physical capabilities degrade with the onset of age. Many elderly understandably worry about becoming victims of violent attack, realizing that criminals will target the weakest. Regular vigorous exercise can slow the aging process, resulting in a longer period of independence. In the United States, learning to use a cane to defend oneself has become moderately popular amongst senior citizens. Everybody Is 'Cane Fu' Fighting At Senior Centers, So Watch Out - WSJ.com

Although canes are nothing more than a sturdy walking stick, they are amazingly versatile as a go anywhere, always ready self defense tool. This martial art was most popular during the end of the Victorian Era, when it was considered fashionable for men to carry a walking cane. A fine manual can be found here, The "Walking Stick" Method of Self Defense written by a British Indian Police officer in 1923. These methods were picked up by Major W.E. Fairbairn in 1941 and widely taught to intelligence operatives of Britain's SOE and the American OSS during WWII.

Military Police veterans who received training in use of the long riot baton will find these combatives quite familiar.

191-376-4121 (SL1) - Use a Riot Baton (ArmyStudyGuide.com)
 
Tex

· Pincushion
Joined
·
289 Posts
#3 ·
We have concealed carry in TX. We can even keep a loaded pistol in our cars in almost all TX counties.

I don't think a walking stick will be much of a deterrant. I think, in most cases, the stick will be used on the elderly person. A stick can be a formidable weapon in the right hands, but an elderly person doesn't usually have the speed and strength necessary to use it.

Training most senior citizens to use the cane may lead to a false sense of security. My 79 year old FIL uses a stick for keeping dogs away during walks. It's great for that, but if somebody wanted to beat him up and take his wallet, a walking stick would be useless. There are always exceptions to the rule and I don't mean to discourage anybody from self defense. As an example, my dad is 65 and still frames custom homes. He carries lumber and swings a hammer all day and I wouldn't want to mess with him if he is carrying a stick.
 
Canadian

· Registered
Joined
·
1,559 Posts
#4 ·
The senior does not have to kill the attacker. They just have to fend them off until help arrives. In a crowded area this could take only a few seconds. Long enough to keep the purse snatcher from taking the purse. I'd say it's worth it.

Seniors generally don't walk down dark alleys at night. They're more likely to get held up in the mall parking lot or at the corner store. There's usually someone who will come to the rescue within a minute or so. Most people who would mug a senior are looking for the easiest possible target. Resisting with the cane might be enough to drive them away. It's better than getting beaten and robbed in silence.
 
K

· ke4sky
Joined
·
190 Posts
Discussion Starter · #5 ·
Stick Used by Trained Individual Is Deadly

When confronted by a knife-wielding assailant, when all you have is a stick, using the stick as deadly force is defensible. The US Army MP skill level one study guide points out the five lethal strike zones where use of the a baton is NOT authorized.

If defending your life and all you have is a stick, turn this around, as Applegate Rex Applegate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia instructed OSS operatives in Kill or Be Killed. Combatives - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Then the neck (carotid and windpipe), head (forehead, eye sockets and temples) chest and armpits are fair targets.

If you've been to South Africa, Singapore or India and seen what trained native police can do with their sticks (because they are not permitted to use firearms) you have a great respect for this primitive weapon.
 
K

· ke4sky
Joined
·
190 Posts
Discussion Starter · #14 ·
Irish walking stick, called a bata or shillelagh

Irish Stick Fighting - Rince an Bhata Uisce Bheatha - shillelagh

Bhata Uisce Bheatha isn't a form of Irish dance, it's Irish stick fighting -- the martial art most Irishmen used to settle their disputes in the 18th and 19th centuries -- so the only dancing you will be doing will be at the party after the brawl. Irish stick fighting emerged sometime in the 17th century when the Irish were banned from owning weapons. At that time the innocent looking , came into use as a serious weapon. In the centuries that followed, stick fighting became an integral part of Irish culture. It was used in Faction Fights, wedding and funeral brawls, and settling disputes.

The two-handed Rince an Bhata Uisce Bheatha style of Irish stick fighting was developed after the traditional one-handed styles of Irish stick fighting had become ingrained in the Irish lifestyle. The originator of the style was a pugilist from a Doyle Family living in the west of Ireland, who was hired to 'put things right between families' and sometimes guard illegal distilleries (this gave rise to one of the rumors that originated the term 'Whiskey' in the name of the style). He applied his boxing expertise to the existing art of stick fighting and changed the standard one-handed grip of the bata to a two-handed grip and Rince an Bhata Uisce Bheatha was born.
 
1 - 20 of 27 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
About this Discussion
26 Replies
18 Participants
Last post:
booter
Prepared Society Forum
A forum community dedicated to preppers, survivalists and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about collections, gear, DIY projects, hobbies, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Preparedness Discussion
Top