Short sticks

[AStone]

I'm going to devise a way to block it half way down the tube so that my 18" stick will fit into it as it - the PVC 'holster' - rides in the water bottle pocket such that the stick sits up an extra 2 - 3" so I can grab it easier.

Found a simple solution at the nearby Dollar Store:
a rubber ball that was part of a "jack" set (as in ball and jax like I used to play as a kid).

The ball is rubber and about 1" in diameter.
Squeezes into the PVC with a tight fit, holds tight,
and is adjustable. Elevates the stick to a perfect height.

Bingo.

 

[hso]

Very cool!

 

[AStone]

Simple is good, no?

 

[hso]

Always.

 

[bubba in ca]

years ago I played with Maglites and found the 3 c cell to be the perfect combination of size, weight, and grip size for me. I bought a pair and still have them--one behind my truck seat and one on the night stand. Never had to use one for defensive use, but they have the right feel--light enough to be fast but heavy enough to do some damage.

They usually aren`t in stores but you can get them online for under twenty bucks. Try Amazon. I`m going to pick up another pair for the cabin and a backup. I put a $15 led bulb in the one in the truck for general emergency use, but the other works just fine with the original bulb.

 

[Carl Levitian]

"Simple is good, no?"

Simple is great! The problem in todays world is too many people over think and over complicate things.

K.I.S.S. A phrase to liv by.

Carl.

 

[AStone]

Ok, let's review.

Never go to a knife fight without a stick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGgaQ07D09Y

 

[Owen Sparks]

A knife can beat a stick ONLY if the knife fighter manages to get in close and tie up the stick fighter where he does not have room to swing and thrust. This usually comes down to who moves first in a surprise attack. If a man with a concealed knife can get within several yards of you the advantage is his if he moves first. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR SURROUNDINGS! Just having a stick is not enough.

 

[Owen Sparks]

Let me add this:

A knife vs. a stick is like a pistol vs. a rifle. The advantage is with the rifleman ONLY if he knows that he is about to be in a gun fight. Otherwise it just comes down to who attacks first.

 

[AStone]

PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR SURROUNDINGS! Just having a stick is not enough.

I agree, Owen.

And I think we both agree that applies to all weapons.

I still prefer my stick to any of my knives as a SD weapon. I like the range. I can get to my stick faster than I could my revolver. It rides in my pack - fanny or day - and is inches from my right hand and not even concealed, not obstructed by clothing.

Of course, against a gun, it's useless. Cest la vie.

Having said that, I fully agree that situational awareness is primary regardless of your weapon. These days, I'm constantly on the alert. I must look like a bobble head doll with a swivel head to most people. That's especially true when I pass someone on the street. I look at them as they pass, and turn my head to follow them.

And if said passing person is the only one around (as in not on a busy street in daylight), my hand is ON my stick as they pass. Sometimes, I just carry it in my hand. I've not even drawn a glance from police passing by. Maine is a different planet in that regard. Cops here have bigger fish to fry, and know dogs run free on occasion. As an older person, I tell people it's "my dog stick". Some know that it's for 2- and 4-legged dogs.

You couldn't get away with that in NYC or SF, but I don't live there. I live in the urban boonies just south of the northern most traffic light on the east coast. Things are different here.

 

[Owen Sparks]

Of course, against a gun, it's useless.

Not exactly. in a home invasion, school or a work place shooting you can hide just inside an open doorway with your stick cocked overhead and clobber anyone coming in faster than they can turn and get a gun pointed at you. This is because it takes longer to react than to act. It is especially easy if all they have is a handgun as most people tend to lead with it exposing their arm as an easy target. All you really have to do is lay in wait and ambush the bad guy as you have the drop on him as well as the element of surprise because he does not know you are there.

 

[AStone]

Revision. Of course, against a gun, a stick is useless except in situations involving a home invasion, school or a work place shooting where you can hide just inside an open doorway with your stick cocked overhead and clobber anyone coming in faster than they can turn and get a gun pointed at you.

 

[AStone]

The topic is short sticks.

Opinions?

 

[AStone]

Sticks.

 

[JShirley]

A knife vs. a stick is like a pistol vs. a rifle. The advantage is with the rifleman ONLY if he knows that he is about to be in a gun fight. Otherwise it just comes down to who attacks first.

That comparison doesn't actually illustrate what you think it does.

A rifle has range on the handgun, and it's easier to use effectively. Similarly, a stick has range on a knife, and it's easier both to use, and to use effectively. Further, it's easier for one good blow from a rifle or LARGE/long stick to stop a threat than it is for a handgun or a knife.

Another way to describe the situation would be to say that knives and handguns take considerably more skill to use effectively than sticks and rifles. And users with identical skills will always mean the rifle and the stick will win, unless the range is allowed to get very close.

John

 

[Owen Sparks]

Well said John. The only thing I would add is the exception that in very close confines like inside your car or a bathroom stall, a short stick or handgun has the advantage whereas a long stick like a sniper rifle would be totaly useless because you simply would not have room to wield it.

 

[JShirley]

Agreed.

 

[hso]

The tighter the space the more limited the options if you're trying to use a tool suited to swinging.

You can use a longer stick in a tight space, but you're badly constrained (in more ways than one). Punyo/Hammer strikes are all that are available to you with a bigger stick in a tighter space and you're at risk of entangling the hunk of lumber.

A small stick won't let you get the swing of a big stick, but if your constrained by space or being tangled up you have more options for strikes.

 

[Bikewer]

I had Dan Inosanto's excellent book on the Filipino martial arts some time back, and in these various styles he speaks of training methods and techniques to handle situations varying from open spaces to very congested ones.
The FMA generally are good platforms for any sort of weapons usage, as the essential part of all the styles is to teach principals rather than specific technique so that they can be used for a wide variety of weapons.

In terms of sticks, you can go for the traditional heavy truncheon or "billly club" style, or the various lighter-faster weapons like the rattan often used by FMA folks.
Personally, I favor the lighter-faster approach.

 

[AStone]

Inosanto was/is one of the masters.

Being a smaller man, I started liking the lighter-faster approach.

Now, I'm leaning toward the heavier, shorter approach with my 18".

But having said that, it's all about what works for you,
as determined empirically through lots of testing various lengths and weights.

 

[JN01]

Aside from the aforementioned back pack, how does one carry a short stick? Too long for a pocket. Walk around with it in hand?

 

[AStone]

JN, I carry my 16" (and sometimes even my 18") in my fanny pack.
In winter (and we have serious winters here), it's up my left sleeve.

 

[AStone]

And the 5" kubotan rides in the right cargo pocket of my Carhartts
with that bit of paracord to pull it out quickly.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Cool ID's Guys.

 

[Carl Levitian]

"Aside from the aforementioned back pack, how does one carry a short stick? Too long for a pocket. Walk around with it in hand?"


How inventive are ya?

Cut some material from the leg of the next pair of jeans you throw out. Sew a tube just long enough to hold the stick, and sew or safety pin it inside of a jacket on the left for a right handed person. Or just stick it inside the waistband of your pants just behind the hip with the stick point forward under a jacket. Some denim jackets have good size pockets inside, and that works fine in a pinch.

There are logistical problems to carrying them, which of course is done away with by carrying a walking stick/cane of course. But I tend to keep some stashed in places where my cane would be too cramped, like in my car. I have a cut off part of a shovel handle stuck under the seat so I can have a stick if jumped getting out of my car before I can bring my big stick into play.

Carl.