The Best Self Defense Weapon Against Multiple Attackers (Besides a Gun)

Our top pick (by far): amzn.to/3q9Q1cN
Number two pick (speculative): amzn.to/39q7zv5
Other weapons featured in this video:
The Schrade Priscilla machete: amzn.to/3fJdDjA
Vipertek Stun Gun Flashlight: amzn.to/3q9RgZv
Taser Pulse: amzn.to/3q9766D
Cold Steel Buckler: amzn.to/3ljaHLC
There are discounts on some of these and more self defense weapons and gear at Big Daddy Unlimited. Get more information on how that works at www.hard2hurt.com/bdu
Check out USCCA for self defense training, knowledge and legal protection at www.usccapartners.com/hard2hurt
Please consider supporting hard2hurt and get exclusive content available only on Patreon.
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Music:
Title Song is Lying Low
Royalty Free music by www.contimusic.com

[@SwordTune]

When I cross the road, am I constantly afraid of being hit by a car? No. But I still look both ways. Same goes for self defense.

[@Jaburu]

you look both ways cause you are constantly afraid of being hit by a car

[@chekspir]

Any skill, actually. Swimming, outdoor survival, freaking car repair. Learn as much as possible in the event you ever need it

[@SwordTune]

@@Jaburu Well, shit. You sussed me out.

[@leebrown9393]

When I jump out of a plane I don’t want to be sure that parachute is coming open

[@TuringMachine001]

Kind of reminds me of the Russian saying "trust, but verify", except it's more like "feel safe, but be prepared"

[@fitz8923]

I've encountered this many times (mostly in my youth and when I used to live in my old neighborhood filled with gangs). I have a 100% success rate against multiple attackers and was unscathed every time. The best tool? Being in really good shape and having good cardio. Nobody could match my fence jumping skills.

[@evilovesperry]

Thats great. What if you're a bounty hunter

[@vegetablackpotato4700]

​@@evilovesperrythen learn some jiu jitsu?

[@FaithRox]

Your wife and kids watching you run away from a mugger.

[@vegetablackpotato4700]

@@FaithRox shi they shoulda Done the cardio with me stay hard

[@DogofSinope]

LoL. Best martial art to deal with multiple attackers? Parkour!

[@markbenn1907]

You make me feel ok about pretending every object I pick up is a weapon.

[@Godzillaforlyfe2]

@Chad Kyle Chad you’re a cool Chad

[@4wilmo]

Validation 🥰

[@digitallfax]

Every object is a weapon if nothing else, YEET AND SKEET

[@aaftiyoDkcdicurak]

@@digitallfax better than a skeet and yeet

[@digitallfax]

@@aaftiyoDkcdicurak also known as falling over whilst running

[@JeyJey88-9]

I think the machete would be the greatest choice in multiple scenarios. No matter with how many people I’m ganging up on someone, if that dude is slowly walking up to me and starts wildly swinging with a machete like a psychopath, I’m running

[@finalboss3893]

yeah but in the occasion of being attacked how would you always have a machette

[@pablitorogel14]

@@finalboss3893 being a Gardner might give you a decent excuse to carry one around

[@finalboss3893]

@@pablitorogel14 sir this is a Walmart why are you caring that around ,"Don't worry I'm a gardner," Ok sounds about right

[@pablitorogel14]

@@finalboss3893 I mean, they have machetes in the Walmart garden section so might work. You could also just carry it in a general tool bag to draw less attention. Only issue is that you probably couldn't bring a bag into a Walmart with high crime which is where you'd most want one.

[@bucksorel6805]

Man i posted before i saw your post and think exactly the same!! A Filipino barong machete or jungle machete would be perfect ! With traditional Filipino martial arts move of course

[@bludog4657]

Our hearts go out to Jay every-time he gets guinea pigged.

[@hard2hurt]

What about me?!

[@Halbared]

@@hard2hurt you're like wolverine, you just kid us that it hurts!

[@mitubogoogle]

😀

[@mitubogoogle]

@@hard2hurt u'll b fine

[@mitubogoogle]

The price he has 2 pay 2 b a utube celebrity

[@5THR33S]

Hard 2 hurt is my constant reminder the best defence is social skills and awareness of the world around you

[@hard2hurt]

The number one pre attack cue is "you're being an asshole"

[@StillNotSpeaking]

There are lots of 100% unreasonable people in the world. Assuming that logic will always be an option is a mistake.

[@farkinarkin5099]

@@StillNotSpeaking Not logic, but de-escalation or extraction skills --- logic rarely works on people that are just plain old jack-azzes. If the threat has gotten close enough (as in, for whatever reason you didn't recognize it from a distance, or you didn't have a chance to avoid it), then de-escalation is the foremost option. If attack is imminent, then apply the skills learned from experts like hard2hurt. I carried a home-made stinger when I was kid (yeah... tough neighborhood), only had to use it once. The rest of the time, it was either avoid conflict or de-escalate. I like my pretty face... :-)

[@farkinarkin5099]

@@hard2hurt That's what my girlfriend always says before she whacks me.

[@n.w.f7265]

*laughs in autistic

[@Comicsluvr]

It seems to me that using something (like the whip) where you would REALLY have to work at it to kill a person would stand up better in court than anything where you might go 'I didn't mean to kill him.'

[@adriandreamwalker1027]

"Shouldn't have strangled him with mine"

[@merchants393]

Also good logic

[@themiskoutras565]

ye but you might might might if they buy it not be sentenced for murder but you be up for man slotter i think? is the law here in court not sure but they will pin something on you unless all laws were obeyed and do you know them all? do you remember all those laws? like instantly if you obey them they might be the course of you dyeing in combat if you do obey them there is no 2nd prize winner in real time combat. and the winner will face trial to either win it or loose it still believe me there are many upon many who claim to know that but only a few have been there to tell you what is the truth

[@Charles-A]

Maybe, but considet its ability to protect you. Pain compliance only does so much, and unless you can incapacitate your assailant, that can end up really bad for you

[@andrewzimba7432]

Out of everything you had on the table, my vote goes to the stinger whip things for the scenario you describe. I think it's the right mix of non-lethality, damage/pain generation, intimidation, retainability, reliability, carryability, and cost.

[@NorThenX047]

100% that thing is beastly

[@jgunther3398]

it could easily be bum rushed. best self defense is migrate to a better class of acquaintances

[@andrewzimba7432]

@@jgunther3398 anything can be bumrushed. if you've got a 6-gun all it takes is 7 bums. changing your environment is a good preventative step, but it's no excuse to not be prepared should things be out of your control

[@sinarad6053]

"Flamethrower enters the chat" :)))

[@hard2hurt]

Hmm...

[@makaiev]

Looks cool, but its heavy and cumbersome... When intimidation factor is gonne even a stick is better than that. Don't forget you need a fuel tank and a hose. If just installing an asphalt blanket is already a hard as hell, imagine fighting with it! Geez....

[@echofoxtrotwhiskey1595]

@@makaiev Um, have you handled modern flamethrowers? They’re not that heavy, and speaking of intimidation, they’re second to none, including guns.

[@KristopherLinville]

Flammable Pepper Spray Stream?

[@makaiev]

@@echofoxtrotwhiskey1595 are talking about military equipment or civil stuff? because I work with an ordinary one, and that is a messy boy...

[@fauxbravo]

That clip of Jay getting tased should be the beginning of your intro after your cold open. It definitely deserves a permanent place in the videos. *Jay screams, cue music*

[@hard2hurt]

I want to use it sparingly lol

[@mitubogoogle]

😀

[@jc-kj8yc]

A bit counterproductive maybe... "AAAAAAAAHHHHH - Hard2hurt" 😂

[@grilin18.]

While watching this I’m reminded of my friend Matt who had a kit with body armor, a gas mask, tear gas grenades, mob control pepper spray, a tomahawk, and a machete as his home defense “party” kit

[@SpicyMang0s]

Lmaoooo

[@TheGayling2]

Just imagining him like "can you wait a few minutes please, I'm not ready yet" while he frantically puts his body armour and gas mask on 😂

[@grilin18.]

@@TheGayling2 he could put it on in under 20 seconds so its not as bad as you think. and the gas mask was only if he decided to use the tear gas so it was more like 5 seconds, honestly took less time than most people would take finding the light switch then their rifle or shotgun

[@unliknoone]

So far, you are the only one showing this thought process of what I call being AWARE at all times. Being aware is NOT being afraid. Love the funny way you approach it. Lots of great info on both firearm and non firearm defense. Sub'd, liked and bell rung. Thanks a million.

[@chasingbadger3340]

Folding chair all the way. I just strap it to my back when I leave the house.

[@chrissmith7669]

Ah, the patented WWF move.

[@yuravish9878]

Same i keep a bowstaff on my back and can anyone sign my petition to make all doorways 10 feet tall

[@dboyzero]

The best self defense weapon is a bunch of good friends.

[@georgedenholm662]

That will carry you while running

[@vinit33pratap]

@@georgedenholm662 😂

[@moritzscholz9325]

Or a dog

[@assbread5950]

@@moritzscholz9325 what is your stupid dog gonna do against 5 guys

[@bucksorel6805]

Hmm my two rotweiller? Lol my bro work in security our male rottweiler had fucked up 3 guys and the fourth took off running 😂😂

[@TheQue5tion]

Just remembered something I was taught about multiple attackers. If you can break the first guys arm (or anything that leaves him screaming in pain), then that tends to be quite an effective deterrent. You're fearing for your life (legally speaking), so breaking someone to the point they can't fight is not unjustifiable. It is unlikely to happen, no matter how good you are, but it is a great deterrent if you pull it off.

[@jgunther3398]

it's easy to break the arm if you first stomp on his sandal with your boot heel

[@minutemanmedic4143]

Lol cool story bro

[@patcass1185]

I work as a bouncer often on the weekends. More than once I have had multiple sauced guys mad that I kicked them out of the bar and often they like to gang up on the solitary bouncer. I have honestly found that a kubaton (sp) is the best non lethal defense tool, but ultimately, what ticks all the boxes, is a good old fashioned straight blade. As three on one is lethal odds, it is considered justified. But 99% of the time, attackers see you pull a 6" straight blade out, and they go the other way quickly.

[@testermonkey2304]

you need to try the whip kubaton thing for us and see how it works out.

[@romed.911]

Jay looked already stressed in the beginning lol like “again?”

[@erikhagler3500]

As a Kali practitioner, I teach and train to use footwork to keep from being surrounded and Defang the Snake even against unarmed opponents. The closer they get the more dangerous we are. No matter what, NOBODY, regardless of size or strength, can take multiple slashes and stabs without giving up or bleeding out. Point is, stay moving and stay striking at the nearest target. FANTASTIC video, fellas! I love that your exploring this scenario!

[@fredflinstoned278]

That's dangerous... Teach your students to have a good 200m sprint and how to scale a wall. If that's really what your teaching that's incredibly dangerous. I don't care about your skill level, if multiple people armed or unarmed wish to harm you and the situation is definitely not benign you have to run. The likelihood they're going to follow after a few hundred metres is 0 unless the people are specifically out to harm you. Groups of drunks stuff like that you must run. Even if your confident in knocking everyone out cold.

[@sixjhontongalamar979]

@@fredflinstoned278 what about both? There are some instances where you can't just ran away due to the environment (it is narrow, close to the wall not enough momentum to go high enough, etc.) And/or circumstantial like you're already surrounded, they're really after you personally as you'vementioned, etc. Good footwork and striking could give you an opportunity for escape. He also mentioned that multiple attackers, no matter what the size or strength of the victim, would be very vulnerable. So I'm pretty sure he meant proper movement and stay striking is for opportunity to neutralize the threat (if you could take out 1 or 2 would make things relatively easier) or for an escape due to the gravity of the situation that he described himself. Edit: another instance is if you are with someone unfit enough. You can't just snitch them.

[@fredflinstoned278]

@@sixjhontongalamar979 as I said the only time where running isnt the best option is if your the target of an attack more than likely the group will follow you and then you've got to fight a group while also tired from just sprinting. This is coming from someone that is a lifelong martial arts practicioner, if you can't go beast mode and you'll know if you can like hyper instinct and incredibly fast accurate powerful attacks a group will swarm you if there's 3 or more. You never want to fight more than one person at a time if you can help it, also you might then be put into a position where if your armed with some type of dangerous weapon you might kill someone. I think it's best to run in MOST situations. As you pointed out if your already surrounded by large group or your in a confined space you will have to fight, confined spaces work better for a single attacker vs a group of you can keep the threat in front of you your pretty safe, think the battle of Thermopylae. 300 men defended a position against purportedly 1 million men, they didn't fight a million men BC there was no space for a million men to fight only a few thousand at a time that would get drawn into the narrow passages and demolished by the smaller more tactical force.

[@robbbartel2874]

Have always thought the first and best self defense tool is situational awareness and presence. Like the whip also.

[@latetodagame1892]

Especially if I had to take care of some drunk girls!

[@tomtolentino7575]

You absolutely hit the nail on the head with the whip, my friend. As you mentioned, the recovery time for this particular tool is insane. I’ve already had my experience with multiple “ wouldbe “ assailants, and they all got a taste of this tool. Small tip, I can perhaps suggest, as an added bonus to the effectiveness of this tool. I wrapped the striking end of the whip with about 4” of gorilla tape, and installed heavy duty electrical shrink wrap to keep everything in place. It adds a very small amount of striking mass weight to the end, without losing its speed, and at the same time multiplies the hurt factor upon the delivery of the strike......give it a try, and please let me know what ya think. If it doesn’t work for ya......you can always cut away the layers, back to the original configuration of the whip. I actually built all my family member’s whip in this fashion, and the absolutely love it. 😎🙏🙏👍

[@kocho5612]

Maybe you could replace electrical shrink wrap with liquid electrical tape for better construction.

[@redd_Jack]

Damnit Mike, stop teasing us and drop the Hammer defense clinic 😭😭

[@hard2hurt]

lol everyone talking all that shit nobody would buy it haha

[@TBButtSmoothy]

@@TheLZempir3 only if it comes with a picatinny rail

[@nergal2931]

@@TheLZempir3 steel claw for that ass ripping action.

[@greg5775]

@@hard2hurt Watch hammer girl in the movie, The Raid 2.

[@Gh0st_0723]

1 mike 2 hammers coming soon?

[@54capnmerica83]

Definitely gotta be an a10 warthog loitering above providing CAS on command

[@mistermacaroni9240]

👏

[@geegones9821]

I like how mike unleashed his inner barbarian dwarf with that warhammer buckler combo

[@murcielagosky]

Years ago when I was a correctional officer, we were train with multiple strike weapons, baton,asp and so on, the major problem that we had was the grip of the weapon. when the strike is to hard the baton will leave your hand do to not enough grip power or sweating hands or multiple attackers crowding you. the answer was to have a loop at the end of the weapon and to put tape on the handle and also to always move around, never to be in one place, back, side to side, forward etc.

[@Thunderhowl]

Whenever Mike picked up the pepper spray gun you could see Jay get ✨anxious✨.

[@alexzanderroberts995]

Jay is getting paloved

[@thestonethatthebuilderrefu5231]

I actually had a fight where I got jumped and used a bat. The thing I saw is I had to keep them spread out. If they had closed in on me they could have neutralized the bat. There's a technique I've been practicing since I was a kid. It's a figure eight thing where the hits are coming down at an angle and not sideways

[@yeetlordentertainment3937]

Great username! Figure 8 swings are used in a lot of martial arts, by a lot of weapons - the kid version of you stumbled upon a fairly univerally appreciated technique.

[@TheGayling2]

@@yeetlordentertainment3937 yep and that goes all the way back to axe's, warhammers and maces from ancient times. With any weapon where the weight is at the end the idea should be to keep the weapon in constant motion and let the weapons momentum do most of the work. Figure 8 is the easiest way to do that.

[@skaldlouiscyphre2453]

I'd love to test a bukudo vs. a baseball bat. My money's on the bukudo.

[@mcyoni93]

you are such a wise and correct man . i like your precision in your words and how you treat to scenarios ! big love man

[@DBRGB]

Knowledge is power. So the more training people have the better off they can be in that’s it. Keep up the great work.

[@allthatisandeverwas]

I gotta go with the hammer, it’s light and powerful at the same time. As for multiple attacker scenarios, here’s one: somebody you care about is getting jumped and you need to intervene.

[@hard2hurt]

You sound like my kinda dude!

[@donny1x]

And also if the attacker do the forearm block the split side used for taking out nails can be used to trap or cut the attacker’s

[@AveSicarius]

Even if the person isn't someone you care about, this could be a realistic scenario.

[@michaelfranciotti3900]

@@AveSicarius I'd be VERY cautious about intervening for a stranger. I've heard of plenty of "good guys" trying to help a female in a domestic disturbance situation, only to have the woman turn on them physically and legally. Only fight for loved ones and children, you can be a good witness for everyone else. Or just be mentally prepared to mace everbody at the drop of a hat.

[@douba_plusa]

When I was younger my neighbor’s adult daughter was playing around in my neighbor’s house tapping on things pretending she was an intruder. Her mom threatened her from upstairs saying she had a weapon but she didn’t believe her. She had a hammer and broke her arm.

[@titomala-madre]

I imagine HEMA nerds screaming: use a Great Sword.

[@SergioMartinez-xv9tt]

Or a a long sword😂

[@BrimleyAvatar]

HEMA nerds always think you should use a great sword. Or a halberd. "Why is Hard2Hurt anti-pole weapon?!!?"

[@BlandMarkComedy]

Buckler and axe combo! Of course the spear is the best weapon throughout history, but probably too large for home use.

[@dmandy7968]

Hema nerd here. You're technically correct. A Zweihänder, Spadone, or Montante was specifically used in situations like this. Look into "Lady's guard" demonstrations. They're often used as medieval bodyguards to defend against multiple attackers from all directions or to hold or defend a chokepoint such as a bridge, breach in a wall, etc

[@hard2hurt]

lol they are an excitable lot

[@sirdanielsmalley9657]

Here's a reason for talking about this sort of thing: authors. My channel is geared toward helping authors and artists understand how combat actually works (including armor and weapon design) and your channel has honestly helped me answer a few questions, so thanks!

[@YoureFavoriteFailure]

Absolutely the best thing besides your awareness and training is what you CAN have on you

[@cabacage3593]

When you’re fighting the Foot clan.

[@rooroo9216]

1:54 the boys locker room :P

[@Dexaan]

He has proven he has nunchucku skills...

[@panthergawwwddd5887]

God forbid anyone is on the receiving end of a home invasion but sometimes those can have more than one attacker/invader

[@StormBringare]

@@veiledallegory That would depend on where you live. In South Africa and Brazil it's more common.

[@Jaburu]

@@StormBringare um, actually home invasions are ot very comom here in Brazil. you get robbed in the streets

[@StormBringare]

@@Jaburu Could it be more common than in the US? I've gotten that impression at least.

[@mirandascoool]

@@Jaburu um, actually that's exactly what they said 🙄

[@hardcorecampinggear]

I suffered a home invasion in Costa Rica. All I had was a machete. Fortunately, they turned and ran out when they heard me coming down the stairs to confront them-- which was stupid because I probably would have gotten shot.

[@salgonzalez908]

Just found your videos today, and love them, I honestly don’t like guns, I don’t mind the gun range, but my baby and loved ones in and out of my home, I just don’t want one… yet. Love seeing alternative options.

[@FellsApprentice]

Something that doesn't usually get addressed with guns is over penetration. That bullet can still be lethal long after leaving your initial attacker so having a weapon that significantly reduces the chance of injuring an innocent person is not a bad idea.

[@tochiokeke5478]

This feels like one of those episodes of TV that flashback to multiple past episodes as a like, “remember that?” kinda thing.

[@hard2hurt]

A clip show... but those are PRIMARILY reused footage. That is lazy writing for a cheap episode. This is not that homie lol. I just love those clips haha

[@adamop0863]

Im starting to think that the tactical whip is the best thing in alot of senarios

[@hard2hurt]

I really do think it's a powerful tool... it's just the uh... optics on it are not so great.

[@bushcraftingmuslim]

I am curious how incapacitating the pain compliance is with adrenaline and or drugs. There's a reason military medics check really carefully for gun shot wounds on people - sometimes people don't realize they've been shot right away.

[@1v966]

@@bushcraftingmuslim not only shot, I’ve heard (and not like hearsay bullshit, actual stories) of people dying because they didn’t _feel_ they’ve been stabbed several times during a fight, thought there was no need to call the hospital and just sort of fell down on the ground a couple of minutes later and died in a pool of their own blood

[@wintermute1]

@@hard2hurt having used a bullwhip to handle cattle I’m a big fan of the stinger. People underrate the psychological effect of a weapon like that. Of course that’s where the bad optics come in I suppose

[@obiwanquixote8423]

I wonder if a short cable lock would be roughly as effective. Or a long one your wear as a belt.

[@Ivan_spanish]

Really helpful for me living in Colombia, thanks!

[@yurifuchs9152]

Multiple attacker situation can happen in circunstances like shows, football (soccer) games (this is common in Europe and South America; see the movie "hooligans") and other events that are very crowded, like the Brazilian Carnival or others. I myself had to deal with a 3 attackers situation here in Belo Horizonte (Brazil) once. They stopped the car right in front of me, almost trampling me and got out of the car. After that they tried to steal my watch, that was the only thing of value I had at the time. I started to punch and walk to my back, always moving my arms so they coldn't grab me. I punched them on the chest to keep the distance while I retreated but after some 40 seconds of fight I fell on the stone pavement. At that moment I was so fucking affraid, but watching MMA and training martial arts, including a bit of BJJ, saved me. I was able to stump one guy's knee and another one's chest and after that they ran back to the car, that was now far away, taking nothing from me! Just an example that those things do happen! Shout out from Brazil!

[@ichhinterfrage559]

Good job

[@gregoryford5230]

Walking stick! A really solid walking stick is classically good for defence against multiple attackers, there are books about how to use one. One guy with the amazing name of Colonel Monstery was a straight up badass.

[@jobahd3626]

Have you seen the hidden blade one, is ducking nuts

[@darrellbennett3491]

P.s to my reply on walking stick when using it for self defense remember not to play tug of war with it. If someone grab it . Brake their grip by using the circling motion. Then continue your attack.

[@sajafadil8242]

P

[@Tibosan2]

Walking stick fighting is a traditional fighting style in my coutry (France). In a Book about it, the author (Jean Joseph Renaud) writes that you need to know how to box and grapple to use a walking stick in self defense. To be able to deal with multiple distance

[@Tibosan2]

@Raymund Kristian Lorcha right, "la canne" or "canne de combat" when practiced as a sport

[@smoothcaramel8177]

Hey Mike I'm in Scotland where stabbings are a super super common type of assault especially in my area, how about a video on knives vs other weapons? Good vid regardless :)

[@jatsantsa]

@@knightveg That could work, if the guy pack more steel, one should reconsider.

[@junichiroyamashita]

Use a stout walking stick.

[@Sceadusawol]

"Run, hide, tell."

[@junichiroyamashita]

Of course there is also the ol' rock in a sock.

[@laddoink7636]

Gambison armour then pair that with a spear or sword and shield. UK set up. Optionally teach the family how to form a shield wall and lock down a hallway 😂

[@alexdettmering1947]

personally im fond of a cut down axe handle. solid treated wood handle cut down to lil under arm length. the hand catcher (that big knot at the bottom) is great if ya need the pure power but if you flip it around its well balanced and handles very similar to a OH sword. another huge benefit is the fact their cross section is elliptical over circular. makes it harder to break from a strike along with adding a tremendous amount of force to the strike

[@kellymoulton3792]

I always keep a pair of 18" crow bars alongside the seat of my Jeep. Grabbed from the crook-end they're very hard to lose, you can bash with the pommel, close hook from a punch with the crow & have all the length of the bar plus a chisel shaped pointey end which gives excellent force focus for swinging hits, plus you can stab but aren't too likely to actually impale some miscreant unless you really get a good run at it. "Them's just my emergency tools for prying car doors open at accident scenes, Officer." 😁 Great Vid Guys!!!

[@anthonylee8743]

Interesting, we in UK are considerably self defence minded, over the last 10-15 years there has been a somewhat drop in confidence in our policing system mainly because of manpower shortages , red tape and slow response. So any advice is always warmly received by the vulnerable,and aging populace . We don't all wear red capes , fly through the air with a strong aversion to Kryptonite. Good work guys.

[@sasquatchhunter86]

I thought self defense doesn't exist in the UK? especially with weapons.

[@chrismackay8314]

Similar in Canada. Can't carry for self-defense - only as a tool.

[@RobKinneySouthpaw]

2:03, the D&D version of himself.

[@fartinmartinreborn9522]

“Stop laughing” - jay “well..”😆

[@TheQue5tion]

Man from England here. Having worked doors and in security, and training in a decent self defense system (British Combat Association system made by people with sports, martial arts and self defense experience) with pressure testing, you learn very quickly what your options are when defending yourself. I don't like the idea of walking around with something to defend yourself because you can end up inviting trouble, due to either false confidence or a subconscious desire to use what you have. But if a group of people do try to hurt me, I know that I always have my phone on me, I usually have a coat or jacket (soft weapons are often overlooked) and sometimes have a pen. None of these will deter anyone, but they can allow me to reduce how much harm comes to me when using them in addition to training. Nearly anything can be used as a weapon, even if it's just for one shot. But what matters the most is that you train consistently.

[@huskarl768]

I lead a group where we do armed iron age fighting. I'd actually say machete if you go for multiple opponents. We sometimes do scenarios where you defend against a group. We also sometimes mix in modern weapons in some scenarios, since we have one handed swords at home and are proficient with them. I've faced multiple opponents with baseballbat analogues, knives etc. With a sword I wreck them. Machete is great. It's not that different. And when people begin to lose fingers, start to bleed etc, they get scared. They stop fighting and run. There are criticisms againt machetes (grappling), but I've actually asked the guys that I train with to try to grapple, and it is not often that it can happen. If you already are comfortale with holding the centre with a shield, you start to do it with your free hand. But the huge disclaimer is that of course I would say that the weapon that I train with multiple times a week is the best. Give a random person a machete or a sword, he wouldn't know what to do with it. It is also not good indoors (too long, a machete is slightly better), and it is super retarded to go outside with a sword. You can have a machete in your car though. Edit: Another point that has been apparent when trying this with war knives, seaxes etc is that for multiple opponents, you want something with reach. You want to be able to keep moving and strike from a bit of a distance so you don't get swarmed. If you use a weapon that requires you to get within grappling range, all it takes is one opponent to grab onto you and then all the others can rush into you and beat the piss out of you. I actually think this is the most critical point. That you need to choose a weapon that makes people hesitant to close distance, so that you can move and manouvre in such a way that people can't just rush you from all angles. You need to move in such a way that you keep all of them in one direction, and make them scared to close. If you have a long bladed weapon that makes people afraid to close distance, you are much safer. And at medium distance, very few things beat your machete/sword.

[@fauxbravo]

I know I'm not trying to move in on a person with a longish bladed weapon. All set with that.

[@huskarl768]

@@fauxbravo Yeah, that is a good point too. If someone with a baseball bat swings at you, you might reason your way into thinking that you can take a glancing hit, block it or something like that. You don't want to try that shit with something that takes your arm off if you try.

[@echofoxtrotwhiskey1595]

Thoughts on spears? I think they’d be kind of ideal for mid/longer ranges

[@huskarl768]

@@echofoxtrotwhiskey1595 We in my group fight a lot with spears. They are the most widely used weapon in military history for a reason. A spearman will often beat any other weapon outright in a battlefield context. Yet, outside of a battlefield, their role is not prominent. A spear has a number of disadvantages. It is hard to carry around, and you can only attack with the point (with guaranteed lethal results). If someone rushed you from the side, it is much harder to redirect your weapon. You can also grab onto a spear. Now this isn't a problem in a battlefield situation, since other people will have their hands occupied with their own weapons, but in this context it would be a great disadvantage. This is actually why the sword was rarely used as a battlefield weapon (despite what people think), but was fantastic as a civilian defence weapon or as a dueling weapon. If we look at how swords were used in an historical context, they were actually used as an answer to the question of this whole video. Swords were very, very expensive. It was the was for rich people to defend against, and oppress, people below themselves in the hierarchy of the day. With a swords you can easily slash multiple people in fast succession that are armed with worse weapons. You can easily turn and attack in another direction. Mind you, my one handed sword weighs 1,2 kgs. It's nothing. But it can chop through flesh and bone with ease. So as much as I love spears and train with them frequently, I wouldn't pick a spear over a sword outside a (medieval) battlefield scenario. And if I were to use a spear as a defense against multiple attackers, I would use very short spear in two hands. Or a goedendag (a club like weapon with a spearpoint).

[@filiphabek271]

@@huskarl768 in antique period, many battle formations had a system of primairly using spears, in phalange very long holded by multiple people, in roman army short for throwing, then short sword/machete when enemy closed the distance, all coupled by large shields, at the end knife, primairly for utility purposes, but if something had gone terribly wrong and soldier is grappling under shield, knife deals with that. A spearman won't beat any other weapon outright, but a close formation of them with shields will, also they weren't only spearmen, just primairly.

[@bpb210]

You've really brought me around on the tactical whip - and the pepper stream!

[@seccrecc67]

As a cab driver I knew other drivers that carried all sorts of weapons, I knew one that wore body armor. I never understood how that would protect you from a assault from the back seat. Still I carried two things. A can of pepper spray and a ball pean hammer. One thing people do that might be wrong is hold a hammer at the end of the handle, the hammer could be taken away from you. Hold it close to the head of the hammer prevents that although it takes momentum away, but let's be honest if you use it like a punch what the hell is going to happen to someone on the receiving end. The point of impact is going bust organs and bone at that point. BONUS The ball pean hammer is not a concealed weapon, it's a tool. Later on this will help you when police arrive and in a court room.

[@doggfriendly]

Knowledge is power in the sense of knowing your own capabilities and practical hand to hand before picking any weapon I watch these videos because they are interesting and fun to watch 👍

[@johnbeimel3180]

There could be multiple attackers on a public trail, big cities, public transport, bars (not that I'd personally go to one), and the scariest would be a home invasion

[@kaisersoze9886]

Damn dude you must pretty much consider everything threatening huh? I recommend concealed carry good luck bro lol 😆

[@johnbeimel3180]

@@kaisersoze9886 not threatened, just possibilities

[@gtdfirearmsllc4759]

@@kaisersoze9886 Yeah. Doesn’t sound threatened to me, more like threat assessment. Concealed carry is the way though, yes.

[@chekspir]

Unfortunately , for women, even walking down the street might bring the threat of multiple attackers.

[@gtdfirearmsllc4759]

@@chekspir Depends on the street, but yeah

[@carbonatedchaosbuu3703]

Jays reaction to everything is hilarious but that scream after the pepper ball😂😂🤘icy mike keeping shit realistic

[@MT07ridez]

me living in germany not even being allowed to have a knife that opens with one hand

[@tennesseehomesteader6175]

You got me rethinking the whip... Especially about being disarmed. Easy to make also.

[@davido489]

I feel like I could see where your mind went at 11:22. I find myself feeling the same way sometimes. What a crazy world we live in. Thanks for all the videos Mike!

[@hard2hurt]

I just didn't want to get into it just yet lol

[@CoolGeekDefence]

Awesome vid Mike!

[@hard2hurt]

Thanks!

[@inzolitus]

That headshot with the pepperball was epic 🤣

[@smac919]

1:57 lol now that I think about it.. Mike is right about Hammers being the perfect melee weapons, they are basically a Mace + Hook Sword or Mace + a Sai. They can be used to deflect, block and disarm other melee weapons or limbs.. and if you really wanted too, you could sharpen the nail pull side.

[@SenseiSeth]

Anything to put that clip of Jay in there, huh, Mike?? 😂😂😂

[@hard2hurt]

It's a fun moment.

[@SamNethers]

That pepper ball headshot off the draw was tremendous, replayed it too many times

[@angiejoh.7156]

This is good advise. I grew up in Ferguson, MO and had my door kicked in my a group of 5 guys years ago. It happened twice. You never know when you will need self defense. Most people think it is needed outside of the home. This isn't always true.

[@stuffguru]

There are systems of stick fighting and defense going into the mid 19thC that deal specifically with multiple attackers with canes and staves (read expandable baton). Like louis leboucher, Giuseppe Cerri, etc. Those systems can also be used with that whip as well. Learn to fight with a lever in other words.

[@elisabattle8456]

what is missing in the options displayed in this video is a Cold Steel Spetsnaz shovel which is razor sharp on its edges. when held in both hands with an overhand grip on each hand the shovel blade as well as the actual end of the handle are both devastating against multiple opponents.

[@ahnafabdullah5307]

3:33 that guy when the bullies gang up on him

[@franciscoperez1702]

1:40 lmao 😂 i love that cut away scream

[@thegreenberetlife0191]

Good video!

[@ryanoneill6481]

The best self defence weapon is pocket sand 🤪

[@hard2hurt]

This joke is so played out though.

[@ryanoneill6481]

@@hard2hurt and it’s so reinforced by the fact that ninjas, actual shinobi, used pocket sand in some form. Usually by compacting fine irritants like sand, salt and chilli powder into an egg shell or paper case and throwing it in the opponents eyes.

[@angelagong8440]

@@ryanoneill6481 so thats just the old version of pepperspray... and if the wind blows it in ur face ur screwed

[@ryanoneill6481]

@@angelagong8440 that’s why it was usually stored in eggshells. To reduce that risk

[@White_Night_Demon]

@@angelagong8440 that goes for peppersray too - if the wind blows the pepper back at you, gg....

[@realityjaunt]

Best self defense weapon against multiple attackers: a large, well trained dog.

[@Leifler]

The bat, if used in context of melee weapon training, can be a lot more nimble than just a baseball swing. Thrusts would actually be extremely effective as well, something usually ignored. Combining less Haymarker style swings with thrusts, would make the bat able to go between attackers quite well.

[@aluminiumknight4038]

Yea thrusts to the face, neck, sternum would be very painful with little force

[@camlop8635]

Nah thrusting it in will get it snatched or diverted then you get swamped

[@derek3486]

The edits of him getting hurt and yelling were too funny 😂

[@ChefMoshe]

From my experience one thing you don't want when fighting three people at once is three pitchers of beer and two shots of Jameson.

[@hard2hurt]

Your hands were full or your body was full lol? Because if it was the first you could have just offered them a pitcher each and deescalated.

[@williamm9435]

@@hard2hurt now thats using your brain

[@ChefMoshe]

My body was. The story will be told on my upcoming vlog cast

[@scubasteve625]

Best defensive move I ever made in a bar was apologizing and buying multiple pitchers of good beer for some dudes after a guy in my group picked a fight. 2nd best move was telling that idiot he's never hitting a bar with us ever again.

[@chrissmith7669]

After drinking that I’d be seeing multiple attackers

[@Natehasmusic]

9:33 good memories. Omg I think that was the funniest test

[@johnsmith5515]

Pepper stream spray and collapsible baton. Something that can be used between cars in a parking lot. Both can fit in coat pockets. You can hit someone's car window , etc. With the baton to mark the car on an aggressive getaway for police identification later. Oh, add a small flashlight also for night. Call it the 3 musketeers: bright , metal smite, and liquid fright! Use alone or in combo day or night as well as against one or more to put to flight. Love your down to earth testing of tools and advice. Also with the baton the tip can be pulled out an inch and set in your coat pocket tip up so you can take it out and quietly extend it to not telegraph your intentions in some instances when you need surprise.

[@midnightmosesuk]

Hello. I'm a person from London, England. As you probably know, there is nothing we can really realistically carry as a self defence weapon. Sometimes it seems like all you have to do is fart in the wrong direction and they'll arrest you for assault with a deadly weapon. Still, that being said, I purchased a Stinger tactical whip on your recommendation. I am not a fighting guy like you but I think that I could easily see off multiple attackers with my whip. It's not difficult to use, even striking with the pommel is very straightforward. But, what I like the most about it is how discreet it is but quickly accessed. I can keep it in my back pocket, under a jacket but have it in my hand and ready to go in moments. And the low profile keep the coppers of your back.

[@robertayers1804]

Best weapon is the Stinger XL because, if you bought and use 2 of them you can take down a lot people using 2 stringers including the the regular ones. Full force can do some damage.

[@carloc352]

😂 The Predator cry has been genius. Guys: you deliver great content and it’s also funny. Thank you again!

[@williamrothertrothert9846]

It seems to me like one of the most underrated weapons would be tactical gloves that protect your hands so you can punch and also act like brass knuckles that do major damage with each blow

[@RamboRichardson]

This is useful for Good Samaritans, I'm gonna get 2 of those whip things now!

[@jeffpotter6392]

The asp has worked in multiple people engagements, it has also failed for me. Pepper spray has been the most consistent, but I got to enjoy it also for the fog effect. On the flip side, two on one, we all got tangled in the taser wires and got to enjoy that.

[@Rc-Adventurers]

Great video Guns are “easy” but carry the greatest penalty. Some of the other weapons take commitment. Hitting someone with a hammer or stabbing someone is very up close and personal. I think out of all of them I liked the whipping style weapon.

[@barefoot2478]

Knife. I prefer a small knife above everything in close combat.

[@VTSifuSteve]

​@@barefoot2478 Knives are deadly weapons and better for offense than defense. And, most people may hesitate before actually stabbing someone. When faced with less than deadly force, I'd go for that heavy duty cable whip in one hand and some kind of shield (buckler, frying pan, etc.) in the other. That would work well for me. I'd have no hesitation whipping the bloody hell out of a group of attackers with that set up. Maybe I'm a sicko, but whipping the tar out of a bunch of yobs just sounds like a good time!

[@pallidinyou]

@@VTSifuSteve Love it!!!

[@-Zevin-]

Ave The clear answer is a Roman gladius. Bonus points for wearing a full lorica segmentata for protection every time you go out in public. The gladius can stab, slash, and work in close quarters while its sharp edge can not be grappled like a blunt weapon can. Remember folks defending yourself in a emergency is a temporary situation, but the glory of Rome is forever.

[@EmoJamesRul3s]

I believe the tactical whip is the perfect self defense tool. Its gonna cause lasting damage should the attacker(s) decide to keep coming. As you said its harder to disarm and you have the kubaton at the end of it. You can do so much in ver little time with minimal effort. Example say you crack somebody in the neck temple face anywhere in that general area. They are gonna feel it and depending on how hard you hit them you may even crack bones. I believe that woukd stop one or multiple attackers.

[@Mark---W]

Yes definitely the Stinger Whip is probably the best self-defense weapon to defend us against mulitple attackers. If possible try to de-esclalate a situation from a fight. Because we don't know 100% what happens next, just an idea of what can happen in scenarios.

[@theorio8318]

The best self defense weapon is a car as long as you can make it inside

[@syedbakhtiyar9457]

@Andrew ehy did you have to do that lol?

[@Ve-suvius]

@Andrew Yeah, what about that. Never heard of that. Sounds more like police work. You weren't crossing the line? I know of bouncers who weren't exactly professional in their job. And when they get shot, which happens sometimes. It's a kind of karma.

[@angelarch5352]

@@syedbakhtiyar9457 ...extreme drinking and driving intervention?... maybe insulted his mom? /shrug/

[@AY-qy4jn]

@Andrew either bullshit or your a bad person lol

[@Ve-suvius]

@Andrew "If you think that is out of line or makes me a bad person then we have very different values. " You know what I'm talking about. Not the situation you speak of here. Right? Or else have different values...😉

[@jatbatman]

The biggest problem with pepper spray is that there's approximately 3% of the population like myself that aren't sensitive to capsaicin, and about 10% have trained through employment and such to fight through it. The good news with that is most of those less or unaffected are defenders and protectors. Just know the limitations. As for multiple attackers small maneuverable blunt force options are the best. Small helps prevent it from being tangled up as easily, and helps limit their ability to get inside the swing.

[@zakosist]

I think being at mercy of wind direction and potentially spraying yourself is also a big disadvantage, at least important enough to consider

[@stinkyboi7294]

I'm hella curious, were you get the machete it looked beautiful

[@IceCold11235]

Ha, the joke is on YOU, Icy Mike! I live in London, England, and I think you need MOAR WEAPUNZZZ!!!

[@hard2hurt]

I like your screenname

[@IceCold11235]

@@hard2hurt thank you, Coach Mike. Is there gonna be a new podcast? I would love to make a call, share some thoughts on martial arts.

[@formoney5255]

Heres a senario with multiple attackers: You get into a fender bender in a parking lot, and multiple people get out of the car and want to fight about it. Also I think pepper spray is a great option for multiple attackers. Its the only option where you can affect all of your attackers at once. the other weapons here only allow you to engage with one person at a time, but with pepper spray you can tag all of them, and all of them will be less able to fight you

[@mostpeoplearebots]

agreed but i'd say then spray them all first then whip the sht out of all them

[@georgedenholm662]

There's a big possibility you'll get pepper sprayed yourself so u need to move further back instead of forwards

[@pallidinyou]

Yes

[@luizations]

This is like a best moments compilation

[@VGviciouskitten]

dude that little spin you did with the blade so close to another person gave me a heart attack

[@tyrterrell2551]

A-10 warthog in an ankle holster is my go to.

[@complexblackness]

"Brrrrrt"

[@pattymalarkey628]

The whips dude. That’s what I was waiting for. Dude I’d take those whips any day. The whoosh sound through the air would be a deterrent by its self in my opinion. And the horrible pain that follows is legendary. It’s a whip dude! I think humans are born to be scared of it. It is synonymous with pain and suffering.

[@Leadfoot_P71]

The argument against that is when was ever whips used in warfare? They weren't and there's probably a good reason for that.

[@Leadfoot_P71]

@LiL Speng You know what else makes whips completely useless? Any other weapon.

[@hard2hurt]

Well, there are good reasons for not using whips in warfare... but self defense and warfare are not the same thing. They have some of the same elements and same considerations, but also a lot of different ones. Even self defense against multiple attackers is not warfare. That's a very poor argument. The goal in self defense is to stop someone from hurting or killing you... not hurt or kill them. Sometimes hurting or killing them IS the way you stop them from hurting or killing you, but sometimes it's not. Also in self defense, you're generally alone, and in warfare you're generally not. The biggest advantages of the whip in this case is pain compliance and deterrence of individuals. Neither of those are particularly useful against large groups of people who have already made the decision to engage with you. In warfare there is not as much need (or use) for less lethal control measures. This argument was ill-conceived and poorly thought out.

[@Leadfoot_P71]

@@hard2hurt Ooh, very sensitive when it comes to those whips, aren't we? How much do they pay you? lol But yeah, war and self defense is not the same but sometimes similar. As you point out, in self defense the goal is not always to hurt or kill, only sometimes. But a good self defense weapon should have the ability to completely incapacitate an attacker as well, since the situation might require it. The little whip does not have that. Relying on pain compliance and "deterrence" alone is very unreliable and dangerous. And when it comes to engaging both individuals and large groups of people with less than lethal methods, security and police forces around the world do this all the time, but they do not use whips either, do they?

[@pattymalarkey628]

@@hard2hurt booom! Shut it down boss!

[@MrBluesluver]

One thing about being older is my cane is always with me, too. And a good leather belt & heavy buckle.

[@libertyprime5965]

This is why I carry my Cold steel Great Sword on my back at all times.

[@White_Night_Demon]

skyrim irl

[@Fooludontknowme]

Sporting events. (especially overseas)

[@drazenklikovac2964]

tribunes on stadiums

[@jamesrowlands1943]

Jay was getting some serious Vietnam flashbacks when the pepper spray gun came out... 😂

[@hard2hurt]

He did NOT like that one

[@jamesrowlands1943]

@@hard2hurt I almost felt bad for him watching the clip again...

[@brandonrichey8420]

That was one hell of a head shot with the pepper ball gun. Quick draw and everything.

[@pallidinyou]

Lol

[@misterdipster4241]

9:34 lmfao....I've seen that sequence a hundred times:) I hope the target is well after that, but that snap shot was amazing.