15 Proven Self Defense Weapons For Insanely Strong Protection

Best Self-Defense Weapons To Protect Yourself

Long ago, in the distant past, beyond the horizon of written history, a momentous event occurred.

An ancient human picked up a blunt object and beat another to death for the first time.

That moment changed the world forever.

Since then, the art of self-defense and the advance of weaponry has grown along with humans.

Entire art forms have formed around specific self-defense weapons.

Inventing techniques and methods to hone these deadly weapons to perfection over centuries.

And as civilization advanced, learning how to wield these weapons became necessary.

And this trend has not stopped even today.

Self-defense weapons are still prevalent and relevant in our modern times.

They are critical items to own and know how to use for self-preservation and protection.

No matter your size or gender, self-defense weapons can even the playing field.

Providing even meek individuals with an upper hand in a deadly encounter.

However, there are hundreds of options out on the market today.

Almost too many options.

It’s both a wonderful and overwhelming situation.

There are many choices, but how does one settle on a single option…

So, Skilled Survival decided it was time we put together a list—a catalog of the most popular, useful, and insane weapons for self-defense.

A list to help you decide which self-defense weapon is right for you:

Modern Day Self Defense Weapons

Since the advent of those ancient weapons, much has changed.

• Fights have gotten dirtier
• Technology has gotten better
• The martial discipline has diminished

And weapons, well, they’ve changed with the times.

Today, we have a staggering variety of modern-day weapons for self-defense.

Before we get started, I wanted to bring to your attention this newly released Lifeshield Self-Defense bundle from Survival Frog:

1. Top Recommendation

SURVIVAL FROG LifeShield Self-Defense Kit

This self-defense kit from Survival Frog includes three key self-defense weapons:

1. Pepper Gel / Spray
2. Personal Alarm
3. Stun Gun

The personal alarm is meant to be added to a keychain, while the other two devices easily fit in a survival bag or purse.

However, this bundle is for you if you're serious about self-defense without firearm training.

Why? Because:

• Great for those who are not comfortable with guns
• Safe for users (but really bad for an attacker)
• Non-lethal injury to keep you out of jail
• Temporary disable gives you time to getaway
• Compact enough to keep in a purse or bag
• Easy to use, no training required

You can take care of all your self-defense needs and upgrade your keychain with a single purchase.

Check Today's Price

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Survival Frog Personal Defense Kit Review

1. Taser

The police use Tasers to apprehend criminal suspects.

Civilians use them for self-defense, and some people use them on their friends for fun.

But if you’ve ever seen a video of a real taser shocking a real person, you understand these are not simple toys.

These powerful, futuristic weapons are compact.

Making them small enough to fit inside a pocket or purse comfortably.

Some are handheld and require direct contact. Others are fired from a pistol using a gas canister.

But they all pack a nasty punch.

And when used against an attacker, they can render them immobile to ensure your escape.

Plus, they are classified as nonlethal weapons.

So you don’t have to worry about killing someone you used it on (unless they were wearing a pacemaker).

They also make stun gun flashlights – which go together like peanut butter and jelly.

↓ Good Budget Full-Size Stun Gun Vipertek VTS-989 ↓

2. Mace / Pepper Spray

Pepper Spray is a classic, easy-to-use, effective self defense weapon.

It’s both cheap and easy to use.

It’s made to burn every pore of human flesh chemically it comes into contact with.

When sprayed into the face or the exposed genitals of a male assailant, it will drop them to their knees.

Earlier this year, I read an interesting news article.

It was about a man hospitalized after eating one Carolina Reaper.

It’s one of the hottest chili pepper known to man – at around 2,000,000 Scoville Heat Units!

This pepper causes intense dry heaves, blinding headaches, and some near-stroke symptoms.

But what if the “pepper” in a pepper spray was that powerful?

FOX Labs is measured at 5,300,000 SHU – an astounding 265% hotter than the Carolina Reaper!

It can spray this blinding defense juice up to 17 to 20 feet.

FOX Labs Pepper Spray is used by Police, Law Enforcement, Security, and Military agencies worldwide.

↓ Fox 5.3 SHU Pepper Spray Test ↓

3. Brass Knuckles

Nothing says “badass” quite like brass knuckles.

You can buy all kinds of them, but they all achieve the same effect.

Punching with brass knuckles is more like striking someone with a medieval flail.

These can be pretty brutal when put to real use.

So be sure you have the stomach for a hemorrhaging face, brain fluid, and nasal matter.

One downside of brass knuckles is that there will be lots of places where you won’t be able to take them (i.e., anywhere with a metal detector).

And if you carry a set of brass knuckles, why not get some with a Taser built-in…like these Zap Blast Knuckles.

↓ Zap Blast Knuckles Extreme Stun Gun Review ↓

4. Credit Card Knives

These handy blades are conveniently disguised as credit cards.

You can quickly slip them out of your wallet and into the jugular artery of your attacker.

• Some credit card knives come with folding blades built into them.
• Others are just sharpened rectangles of steel.
• Some of them even function as survival multitools.

But they all make a decent last-resort self-defense weapon in a pinch.

↓ Boker Credit Card Knife Review ↓

NOTE: At the time of writing, you could get 2 of these credit card knives for FREE when you paid the S&H.

5. Tactical Pens

The best everyday carry weapons double as ordinary everyday objects.

The tactical pen is a perfect example of this. It works just like a pen and looks like a pen.

But when a dangerous situation rears its ugly head, it can be used to jab, stab, and batter the living hell out of an opponent.

Some of them even double as multi-tools.

I’ve seen ones containing knives, scrapers, screwdrivers, and even flashlights.

StrikePen

For example – The StrikePen is a whole pocketful of EDC tools rolled into one milled aluminum package.

From the bright LED flashlight to the interchangeable tooltips.

The StrikePen is a serious piece of survival gear.

The solid tungsten steel striker tip makes it an excellent close-quarters weapon.

Plus, it doubles as an emergency glass breaker!

Of course, it wouldn’t be a StrikePEN if it didn’t write with a smooth black ball-tip point.

The bottom line is:

If you know how to use a tactical pen properly, it can easily drop a threat.

↓ ApeSurvival Strikepen Black – Reviewed ↓

6. The StrikeLight

When you awake in the middle of the night to investigate a noise – do you take a tactical flashlight or a baseball bat?

With the StrikeLight, you take both!

It includes a powerful LED flashlight and multiple light modes.

The best self-defense mode is a disorienting strobe setting.

With a StrikeLight, you’ll intimate a threat and head off a more serious altercation.

If the situation goes from bad to worse, the solid aluminum construction lets you use the light as a baton.

Plus, the aggressive teeth and endpoints make quick work of anyone on the receiving end of your swing.

If you need a little more reach, this expandable baton provides another 4 inches with the twist of a wrist.

That’s 4 more inches of intimidation!

↓ StrikeLight Review – Tactical Self-Defense Torch Light ↓

7. Monkey Fist

One of my favorite self-defense tools is also one of the oldest – a Monkey Fist Knot.

The monkey fist surrounds a heavy ball wrapped with paracord rope, giving you a weighted end on your line.

They’re also great at throwing a length of rope over a tree branch – or making a devastating close-quarters weapon.

↓ Monkey Fist Vs. Cement Block ↓

Benefits Of Modern Day Weapons

Most of these weapons are easy to use.

That’s one of the most significant benefits of using them.

Unlike ancient martial arts weapons, they don’t require extensive training.

Most are also “non-lethal” (unlike swords and other martial arts weapons).

This means you can defend yourself without worrying about becoming a murderer yourself.

So your conscience can rest easy.

Finally, these modern self-defense weapons are more concealable than ancient self-defense weapons.

You can keep tasers in your bag and mace on a keychain; you can hide a tactical pen in your shirt pocket!

Carrying modern self-defense weaponry is far more realistic than ancient options.

Ancient Weapons

Back in the day, before tasers and mace, people used their hands.

They either used their bare hands or a hand-held instrument to protect themselves.

These blunt-force objects were the primary weapon to combat the dangers of life.

These are known as weapons of martial arts.

8. Hands And Feet

There are weapons attached to your body – if you know how to use them correctly.

And while it may seem obvious, it’s still worth pointing out.

With proper training, body parts become lethal weapons for self-defense.

It’s difficult to overstate the usefulness of these hand and feet-only arts.

We’re talking about martial art forms such as:

• Karate
• Taekwondo
• Hapkido
• Aikido
• Jujitsu
• Muy Thai
• Krav maga

If you can become proficient in any of them, you will never be unarmed – even in your sleep.

But if you don’t want to spend months and hours in a Dojo to learn these skills, The Combat Fighter online course is your next best option.

9. The QuarterStaff

The staff (or walking stick) is one of the most basic, most effective self-defense tools known to man.

The staff has been trendy throughout history for two main reasons:

1. A Staff is innocent-looking.

People often carry them for walking, hiking, or to look cool.

2. They can be lethal in the right hands.

Staffs are great for self-defense because they easily parry and block attacks.

Plus, they’re cheap, and they pack a wallop.

There are long staffs, bo staffs, jo staffs, hiking staffs, walking staffs, even canes kind of count.

And they all have specific defenses you can learn from an instructor.

If you want to be proficient with a fighting staff, try reading this highly-rated book, and put it into practice.

↓ Bo Staff, Top 10 Spins and Strikes… ↓

10. The Sword or Machete

The sword is famous for being the weapon of choice for most of history.

It’s lethal, personal, and comes in almost every shape, style, and size imaginable.

However, they take considerable skill to wield effectively.

But if you become a katana or a saber expert, you become a death knight.

Or better yet, get a more practical large blade – The Survival Machete.

11. Tonfa/Nightstick

If you’re familiar with a tonfa, you understand how nasty it can be to be on the wrong end of them.

The nightsticks police officers use are based on the tonfa design (an “L” shape).

They are traditionally wielded in pairs, but a single one will do just as well.

A nightstick is deadly if you can whip one of these bad boys out and strike your attacker in the head.

12. Nunchucks

Nunchucks are made famous by Bruce Lee and look harder to use than they are.

You don’t have to be Bruce Lee to use a pair of these effectively.

Some basic strikes are easy for anyone to learn, regardless of skill level.

Not only that, but they come in some very compact, very discreet sizes.

You can easily hide a set in your vehicle’s center console, backpack, or purse.

Plus, they look freakin’ awesome.

Pros and Cons Of Ancient Weapons

The pros of any of these martial weapons of self-defense are obvious.

First off, they’re badass.

If you can fight off a gang of muggers using a pair of nunchucks or a katana, you are going down as a legend of the streets.

The cons, however, are just as obvious.

This is the year 2018, and people don’t often go around carrying walking staffs or swords.

Some of these (like the nunchucks) can be concealed.

But by in large, chances are, when trouble occurs, it won’t be when your trusty tonfa is tucked away in your Bobak.

Chances are it will catch you unawares and unprepared, as trouble always seems to.

Weird Weapons For Self Defense

We had to include them because they are strange, unique, and irregular.

Some are not practical at all.

Some might work, but they’re all weird and wacky.

Who knows, though, maybe you’ll find one perfect for you.

That one-off, insane weapon that strikes your fancy and fits your lifestyle.

Or, you’ll get a couple of chuckles out of this section.

Either way, it’s worth including.

13. Tri-Section Staff

There’s a fair chance you’ll knock yourself out using one of these, then cause any harm to the attacker.

If you haven’t been properly trained with a tri-section staff, beware.

You will undoubtedly walk away from an attempt to use a tri-section staff with many bruises.

If you’re a master of Chinese martial weapons, go for it.

If not, well, you might be better off with a Taser.

↓ Kung Fu – 3 Sectional Staff – So Smooth! ↓

14. Hyper Whistle

Sometimes it’s best to scare off a threat before it can reach you.

With 142dB sound levels, The HyperWhistle is disorienting and painful at close quarters.

It’s against human nature to attack someone with a 142dB alarm going off! 

Even if your attacker persists, this loud whistle will draw attention from as far as two miles away.

A survival whistle is a smart device to add to your self-defense weapon arsenal.

15. Cell Phone Stun Guns

There are companies out there that sell stun guns disguised as a smartphone.

They work, but you’ll have to carry two phones (the real one and the stun gun one).

You might as well buy a stun gun/taser at that point.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to using weapons for self-defense, it’s all means necessary.

You use whatever you have to to keep yourself safe and protected.

If that means carrying a katana everywhere you go, so be it… I guess.

But you can also carry mace, extending batons, and tasers.

These are more practical weapons for the same purposes.

We aren’t here to tell you how to defend yourself, though.

Choose the weapon you like and that you will feel most comfortable using.

However, some people may use self-defense weapons for evil, too.

In the wrong hands, they can become weapons of offense.

That is not only dangerous to others, but it’s also outright dishonorable.

Use any weapons for self-defense only.

Use them for good.

Because once you get that kind of power in your hands – you have a moral choice.

How will you conduct yourself? How do you choose to survive?

Will Brendza

Bachelor of Arts, University of Colorado at Boulder

Member of The 10th Mountain Division Hut Association

Certifications: Avalanche 1, WFR (expired), CPR (expired)

8+ Years Researching, Writing, About Survival and Preparedness

Awards from Society of Professional Journalists

Winner of Camp Cold’s “Happy Camper” award in 2020

P.s. Are you ready for the tough times ahead?

Find out now by taking my short Readiness Score Quiz - it’s absolutely free. Once complete, you’ll know exactly where you stand on the “fragile” vs.” resilient” spectrum.

So click here to start the Quiz….And don’t worry; the questions are so easy a 3rd grader could answer them. Click on the image to begin the Quiz and find out once and for all if you're part of “The Fragile Masses” or “The Resilient Few.”

Get My 10 Steps To Basic Preparedness Video For FREE.

Plus daily survival tips (unsubscribe anytime).

Get The 10 Steps