Guns have always been the go-to item for self-defense, and for good reason. No melee weapon can compare to a firearm. But what makes firearms very useful is that anyone can use them; men and women, both young and old, and if the situation ever calls for it, even children.
Unfortunately, firearms aren’t always readily available to everyone. So for those who don’t have access to a firearm – what can you do? In this situation, you need a plan B. Whether your guns are out of reach, your gun malfunctions, or you simply don’t have one, it’s best to be prepared for all those possibilities.
Typical Go-To Weapons
There are several alternatives for a firearm. Perhaps you’re thinking of long-range weapons like a crossbow, a hunting bow, or maybe even a long blade. These three are good ideas, though one must consider the potential drawbacks of these weapons. Using these effectively requires intense training and practice. Unless you have plenty of time and access to proper instruction, they might not be the right weapons for you.
Or maybe you’re considering non-lethal weapons like tasers or pepper spray. Though these could certainly come in handy in certain situations, their range is extremely limited, and there is no actual guarantee that they could stop the threat. And if society were to collapse and all Hell broke loose, these non-lethals would be relatively useless.
Close-Combat Weapons
Melee weapons are weapons designed for, well, melee. They are weapons for close-quarters combat.
There are two very important issues to note when it comes to hand-to-hand fighting. First, whoever has the most practice or experience with their weapon has the upper hand. Second, one’s physique always needs to be put into consideration. If your opponent is bigger and/or stronger than you, then you’re in a tough spot. Because of this risk, hand-to-hand combat should be avoided at all costs.
Berserker Weapons
Many armed criminals don’t actually have the intention to hurt you. That’s why a knife is their preferred weapon. Being accosted by someone with a knife is very intimidating, and that’s what they aim for. Most criminals aren’t actually trained and don’t have any real experience using a knife, they’re trying to scare you. Still, they’d probably hurt you if they thought it was necessary. So the worst thing you could do is confront the threat with a small knife or a non-lethal weapon, giving your opponent the upperhand.
So you might be asking, “What do I do, then?” It’s very simple: Go crazy. If you find yourself in a situation where you’re at an obvious disadvantage- due to your weapon, your size, etc.- the best thing you can do is start swinging and try to hit, cut, and damage anything you can. You won’t win through skill, so you have to win through aggression.
1: Axe
Although this is not something you would normally make yourself, this weapon has been used melee style since the time of Vikings. There is no particular way to train with an axe, as it is a very simple weapon. Even someone trained in the ways of any kind of weapon would still be very cautious against someone armed with a good axe. Axes are usually held with two hands and swung constantly and aggressively, making it hard to predict the axe-wielder’s next move.
The double-bitted axe is the best way to go when choosing a self-defense weapon like this. The modern axes tend to have smaller blades, so keep that in mind as you do your research. Wood axes are also better avoided due to their off-balance heads and curved handles. Both of these factors make it difficult to aim, wield, and hit your target.
A modern tomahawk is also not your best bet. It’s much smaller and it’s designed to be more of a throwing weapon than anything else. The handle is only big enough for one hand and it does not have much length to it either, so hand-to-hand combat with this weapon is a no-go.
2: Quarterstaff
The quarterstaff is simply a long stick. You could even think of it as a hiking stick or a spear. Quartestaffs usually ran from six to nine feet in length, but realistically, anything longer than six feet (depending on your size) would be difficult to work with, especially if you happen to find yourself defending yourself indoors. You want the material of your staff to be hard, sturdy, and lightweight. A wooden hanging rod from your closet may work in a pinch.
The quarterstaff is held with two hands, creating three different ‘sections’ of the staff. Either of the ends can be used for striking, while the center part (between your hands) is used to block and deflect blows. The ideal staff may be lightweight, but it’s hard and sturdy enough that if swung hard, it could easily bruise, knock a criminal unconscious, or even splinter/break bones.
4: Spiked Club
The simple club is one of man’s oldest weapons, dating thousands of years back. Many weapons in our modern time can be dated back to those times. The club is usually a heavier weapon, especially on the head of the club, but still balanced enough to swing accurately and with force.
The simplest way to make a good club is to find a hard tree branch, a wooden stick, or wooden pole. Some work may need to be done to the weapon to make your handling of the weapon better. Then you may add nails to the head of the club, so both ends of the nail are sticking out on opposite sides of the club. Then proceed to grind the heads of the nails until they are sharp.
5: Spear
The spear is one of the simplest weapons you can make and there are many ways of making it depending on the circumstances. You can use the technique used by Native Americans hundreds of years ago by shaving the end of a wood stick or chipping stones to strap to the end of your stick. You could even take the blade off a knife handle, dig it into the end of the stick, and secure it using string or cords.