Short sticks

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The thing about a cane is that you can LEGALLY cary it anywhere, where as carrying a concealed short stick can get you locked up in many places. I personaly prefer a medium arm length stick of about 28", but have had to adapt to a cane that is about 8" longer than I would prefer because I can always have it with me. We have to settle for what is practical. If I did have to hit a bad guy with my 'walking cane' it would look a lot better in court than if I had used a concealed purpose built weapon of some sort. If you do carry a shorter stick it better be something that serves another purpose and you better have a good reason to be carrying it at the time. See my above story about walking around in downtown Memphis with a 2 piece pool cue.
 
I agree that a cane is a second choice for me as well, compared to a straight stick of about 22-24". The stick is faster and can be used with the element of surprise. I'm also not crazy about the crook top: to me, it removes a striking end.

Does anyone have any other "sticks" that can travel in plain sight? The pool cue idea is the best I've heard so far, but I'd want to go to my local Fast Eddie's frequently enough to be recognized, in case my story was checked.

I do keep a 2-C MagLite (modded to use CR-123A lithium batteries) in the car, but I consider it closer to a yawara than a true stick.

I apologize for any thread drift: that was not my intention.

All my best,
Dirty Bob
 
Wearing a pool cue case over your shoulder only works when you are on foot and within walking distance of some place that has pool tables. In my previous post I was in the downtown tourist area of Memphis where Beal street is literally blocked off at night. Everyone is on foot and walking from place to place. I carried that stick in several bars and even a restaurant without anyone giving it a second glance because it was not out of place there. If questioned, I had a perfectly legitimate reason for carrying it and no one could prove that I was not going to play pool with it later on after dinner. In fact I actually did shoot a couple of games with it that night.

You could not drive some place like the corner convenience store and walk in with a cased pool cue and still have a plausible reason to be carrying it, unless of course there was a pool table at the bar next door. That is why I always carry my walking cane in the vehicle along with my pool cue. Do I prefer the shorter stick? Usually, it just takes more room to swing and is not always practical indoors but it sure beats NOTHING and I have learned to adapt it to situations that might be better suited for a short stick because I simply can’t take my shorter stick (or shotgun, or 1911 or 6.8 AR) everywhere.
 
As I've mentioned before in this thread, I go everywhere - everywhere - with a short stick either strapped to my day pack (18" or 20" stick) or large (440 cu in) fanny pack (16" or 18" stick). The latter sticks out of the fanny pack by 2" or 4", respectively, on the right side where I can access it quickly, and they're never really "concealed". I've walked right by police officers on the street multiple times and never raised an eyebrow. People in convenience and grocery stores (and other businesses) see them, but rarely question.

When someone does question, I tell them the truth. I carry them for three reasons, in order of priority:

1) it's a dog stick, because I've been attacked multiple times in my life by dogs, as recently as February. (When I pulled my stick then and waved it in front of me, it stopped an aggressive advance by a German shepherd.) Leash laws are poorly enforced here, not only on our local trail system but on city streets. Calling 911 is not an option. Of course, some dogs are 2-legged, but I don't have to mention that.

2) it serves as a monopod support for my cell cam; standing the stick on end on a fence post or large rock then stabilizing the cam on top of it significantly improves my shots. (I'm a photographer from way back, and with a better camera, use either a tripod or monopod for 75% of my shots.)

3) they serve as a little stabilizer stick when I'm climbing on slate along our river banks, which as a naturalist and hiker I do often. Slate is extremely sharp, so having my stick to hook behind a sheet of it when I'm climbing up the bank offers a safer hand hold. There are scars and scratches on my stick to proof that use. See the image in post 149 as an example.

Now, admittedly, I live in a small city in Maine. Could I get away with that in Boston, NYC or SF, or even down in Portland? No, probably not. But things are different here. Stephen King lives in Maine. That should tell you something.
 
I'd forgotten the monopod idea. I could put a cane tip on one end (or not) and a threaded ferrule on the other for a camera. I often have a camera with me.

I see people carrying sticks/golf clubs/etc. around here when walking for exercise. We not only have occasional dogs running loose, but also fairly large numbers of deer. I've even encountered them in my front yard and in my garage (door was open while I was working there, and the deer poked her head in to take a look).

-------------------------------------

On another issue, which cross section do you prefer?

Round is traditional, and low profile. It works and requires the least work, if you're making a stick.

Octagonal is pretty high profile, but it looks cool and feels good in the hands for some of us. It (in theory) hits harder, because of the shallow corners of the stick. A challenge to make, although not all that hard for any decent woodworker.

Oval offers a blend of the properties of the other two. It hits like a narrower stick. It can also be used to make sure that you strike in line with the grain, rather than against it (like with a baseball bat). It can be subtle and may not be apparent to someone until they grasp the stick. Some of us think it feels better in the hand than a round stick. Finally, it isn't hard to do: just start with a slightly larger stick, and "flatten" two sides a bit.

I leave the ends of my sticks flat, breaking the corner just a little bit, but not rounding them, as this makes it look like a purpose-built baton.

Regards,
Dirty Bob
 
Let’s get one thing straight. A cane is not always the best weapon, but it is the best weapon that you can always have.
Anything shorter may arouse suspicion or get you charged with carrying a concealed weapon if you use it in self-defense. Of course this is highly dependent on where you live and other extenuating circumstances.

Fighting sticks are just like firearms in that they are highly specialized and fit certain niches. Is a handgun better weapon than a scoped rifle? That would all depend if the bad guy were 300 yards away or had just jumped in the front seat of your car with you. In the cramped confines of your car a handgun would be the best choice as you could not even get a rifle turned. At 300 yards a handgun would be next to useless against an opponent armed with a rifle. If you did not know what sort of trouble might come your way you would probably seek the best compromise and you might choose some sort of short carbine like the M-4. It is powerful enough to take out targets at several hundred yards yet short and handy enough to be maneuverable indoors and in close quarters.

Choosing a fighting stick is like choosing a gun in that we must make compromises. The reason most of us use the long walking cane is the same reason most of us have to use long barreled rifles. Short sticks like short barrel rifles, come with potential legal problems.

But suppose for a moment that the law is not a consideration. What length is really best? The answer is "It depends." Are you expecting to have to defend yourself outdoors in an open field or parking lot? In that case the longer the better. You would be well served by a staff of some sort. Do you expect trouble in the close confines of a crowded bar? For that you might need something short and heavy like an old time police billy club that you could hide under your coat. The best all-around compromise, like the carbine is somewhere in between.
 
Anything shorter may arouse suspicion or get you charged with carrying a concealed weapon if you use it in self-defense
Click to expand...

I think we partially agree, but you're leaving out the kubaton/yarawa envelope, when filled with reasonable tools. I always have a small flashlight or a water bottle with me. Now, I have no use for "sticks" longer than a flashlight and shorter than a cane. Those are just asking to be arrested, IMO. I'm pretty sure many LEO would look more askance on someone carrying a 2' stick than they would a concealed firearm, regardless of the weapon laws.

John
 
Just to be clear, guys, in the OP, I defined "short stick" for the purposes of this thread in this way:

For the purpose of this thread, let's define short stick as
any straight rod of wood, metal or plastic (including phenolics)
ranging from (roughly) 14" to 24" (mas o menos) ...
Click to expand...

Canes and walking sticks have their place; I own 3 of the latter, and sometimes carry one of them, mostly hiking and in winter. Kubotans (etc) have their place; I own two and always carry one.

But short sticks have their place, too, and I always carry one, though not concealed.

If a dog attacks me, or a person attacks me with a fist (meaning they intend to break bones in my body or cause a life threatening concussion) or knife, I'm going to do my best to make them stop the attack. If that means breaking a bone, as suggested by Kelly McCann in this video, then so be it. I'll deal with the legalities later, just like I'd have to with a firearm or knife.

I'll add that I have no criminal record; worst thing on my record is a speeding ticket. I have numerous personal and professional contacts that can vouch - under oath if necessary - for my physically, non-aggressive being - I may argue intellectually with assertion, but when it comes to physical altercation, I'll walk away if possible, fighting as a last resort, just like Mr. McCann recommends.
 
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True Nematocyst. On good days I like to take a mile long walk and I carry my salvaged 18 inch ax handle with me. I have tested it and the oval shape makes a nice dent in things you wack with it.
 
Owen Sparks said:
The thing about a cane is that you can LEGALLY cary it anywhere, where as carrying a concealed short stick can get you locked up in many places. I personaly prefer a medium arm length stick of about 28", but have had to adapt to a cane that is about 8" longer than I would prefer because I can always have it with me. We have to settle for what is practical. If I did have to hit a bad guy with my 'walking cane' it would look a lot better in court than if I had used a concealed purpose built weapon of some sort. If you do carry a shorter stick it better be something that serves another purpose and you better have a good reason to be carrying it at the time. See my above story about walking around in downtown Memphis with a 2 piece pool cue.
Click to expand...
I have used and seen used Pool Cues in my younger days at the Pool Halls in the Delta of Ark and Western Mississippi. 2 pieced in a case never raised any eyebrow with the LEO's I meet back then unless one of them liked playing pool and they wanted to see it. I had a nice one made in Canada.

My uncle taught me to do leg sweeps with a follow up Thrust or slap to the side of the head.
 
Just for the record, I edited (for clarity, not meaning) my post 236 substantially after Deltaboy posted 237 and 238. Mainly writing this so D'boy doesn't miss the clarification, but also just to keep things on the (pool) table. :)
 
I think we partially agree, but you're leaving out the kubaton/yarawa envelope, when filled with reasonable tools. I always have a small flashlight or a water bottle with me.
Click to expand...

If you are a trained pugilist that is a good choice. The limitation for MOST people is that they just really don’t know how to box.

One of my standard demonstrations for teaching the importance of movement in
self-defense class is to pick some beginner and put an oversized pair of boxing gloves on him. I then put my hands behind my back and invite him to take a few swings at me. It is EASY to duck, dodge and weave against someone with no training because they ‘telegraph’ their punches and they are easy to see coming. As long as I have enough room I can usually keep from getting touched until the person swinging starts to get tired. Now would it really make a difference if he had a pair of brass knuckles or yawara sticks instead of boxing gloves? Like I said earlier post, yarawa sticks don’t make you a better puncher, they just make your punches better. You still have to be able to land punches accurately and reliably before any strike enhancer will help.
 
John, re post #235. That is significant food for thought. Sort of like the comment I made regarding carrying an ASP. I hadn't thought of sticks from that perspective. Perhaps the lesson is: have something that also has a non-combative purpose......

Jim
 
Yeah. I like dual-purpose things. :) Since I like lights and water, it works pretty well.

Owen, I do take your point. If you're being attacked, though, the person is coming to you...or you're safe. ;)

John
 
I didn't read the entire thread so apologies if this has already been posted.

Angel Cabales is a proponent of the shorter stick ie. 21"-24". Generally the measure from wrist to armpit.

His system is called Serrada Escrima.
 
You can take that 2 piece cue stick and use the big end to smash and the tapered end to slash. Apply Escrima or any other stick fighting techs and your set.

As we all have shared short as 6 inchs or a full sized canes they will work if you study them and practice what you have read or been taught.
 
I always prefer a balanced stick with the center of gravity right in the middle. Even though the butt half of a pool cue is tapered and slightly too long, it is well worth adapting to because it is something that I can actually have with me, just like we have to adapt to the extranious length of a walking cane.
 
Geologist said:
Angel Cabales is a proponent of the shorter stick ie. 21"-24". Generally the measure from wrist to armpit.

His system is called Serrada Escrima.
Click to expand...

I just did a little searching and reading. Very interesting, Geo. Thanks.

Here is an older "video" (looks like reel to reel remastered) of the master, though I'm not sure which one he is. (Could probably figure it out with study; I'm guessing the person on the left based on the fluidity of his moves.)

Here is Angel's Disciples site.

Here is a controversial book (see reviews) about Angel Cabales style.
 
Interesting videos, but the chances against you getting in a real stick on stick self-defense situation against a skilled criminal assailant are astronomical. I prefer to focus on the 99.9% probability that even if the bad guy has a stick he will not know much beyond how to hit. Case in point, I live near a city with a day time population of about 100,000 and there are probably not 50 people here capable of blocking and trapping with a stick and I KNOW MOST ALL OF THEM. Highly trained martial artists are disciplined people that will NOT be out mugging folks and initiating aggression against peaceful strangers. If you will just learn the basics of how to hit and move it will put you way ahead of at least 999 out of a thousand potential criminal assailants. The stick against stick interaction is fun but should not be the focus of your training because it will never happen outside of class.
 
Owen, I very much agree, and didn't mean to imply by posting the link to the video means that I'm concerned about stick-on-stick. In the Philippines, it's an issue, but not where I live. (Especially where I live; Escrima is not taught within 100 mi of here at least.)

My interest in that video and other escrima/kali/arni videos is in basic strikes and blocks that could be used against knives or hands, and the way Angel manipulated and used the space.
 
Any opportunity to train with a stick is good. My point is that we should not get so caught up in the sporting aspects of stick fighting that really amount to a voluntary duel between martial artists using very light pieced of rattan. That sort of thing is not going to happen in the Wall-Mart parking lot. Some thug with a knife demanding your wallet is a thousand times more likely. You need to train to hit hard with the heaviest stick that you can handle to end the threat. Ever handle a fencing foil? it feels like a car antena in your hand compaired to a real sword. That is what rattan feels like after training with a solid piece of osage, hickory or a steel pipe.
 
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