Consider What You Carry

One of our Nunchaku Instructors who has a big following was recently talking about the importance of being safe in modern society and it quickly turned into a discussion of what weapons people arm themselves with when out and about in the UK. 

While I understand there is a degree of fear with knife culture in the United Kingdom we also cannot condone anyone carrying anything illegal as that is an offensive weapon and illegal to carry. 

I totally get it though, it's well known we choose to carry tactical flashlights with a high lumens like Nitecore, Wuben or Olight and I regularly give this advice to people who work in law enforcement because a high lumens flashlight can change the game as it removes the opponents sight and can even stop a dog attacking. Now this doesn't come without historical backing World War Two pilots would use this strategy of "A Hun In The Sun" so they would fly into a position with the sun behind them to blind the German pilots and shoot them down. 

Equally Miyamoto Musashi used the same tactic and was notorious for dueling early in the morning or at dusk. He did this because he understood he could square off with his opponent into a position with the sun behind him so that his opponent literally didn't see what hit them. This is why tactical flash light is a brilliant EDC because it takes the opponents sight away and they don't see what hits them making it very demoralising. Just don't accidentally flash yourself with 6000+ lumens 😂

Knives shouldn't be carried because even if you think you would never use it and it's a deterrent you will use it of you are getting a kicking on the floor. Pulling a knife changes the ROE (Rules Of Engagement) and it means that either you have to use it or it may well get used on you. It's quite common for people who carry knives to get stabbed with their own knife because they get disarmed or hestitate. The same thing happens in America quite often people carry guns but hesitate to use them and then end up getting killed with their own firearm. If you carry a knife you have to be willing to use it but remember it cuts both ways, your opponent ends up with life changing injuries or dead and you end up doing 15 years in prison. No one wins with knives! You aren't made of glass and dusty cuffs won't get you dead in 10 secs. 

Firearms kind of goes without saying but not legal in the UK at all, you are getting raided and doing jail time the most you can have is a Co2 pistol or air rifle. So can they be used for self defence? Nope, a. 177 will hurt like hell but hold your coat in front of you and you are safe the material will disapate the small ball bearing or pellet. .22 is different but unless you have a PCP bolt action with a rotary magazine you will get off one shot before they close the distance and batter you for trying to shoot them. Guns change the ROE and again you are not getting away with trying to use a firearm on someone in the UK real or not. If you get caught carrying a gun expect instant jail time! 

The fact is whatever you carry needs to be legal and not be perceived as a weapon but a "tool" so flashlights are good! I was walking down the road officer and this idiot tried to rob me so I hit him with the only thing I had to hand, my flashlight. " That is far more explainable legally than he tried to rob me, I drew my Karambit and cut 3 of his tendons before performing a coupe de Grace, again expect a stay at your local prison. 

It's important to be smart but not paranoid and remember we all want to go home at the end of the day. Carrying knives doesn't fix anything it just perpetuates the problem so invest in a decent flashlight and learn use it as it will serve you well and is explainable. 😉