Meet the Karambit. Be Careful People Somebody Might Loose An Eye!!

This is called a Karambit or Kerambit. Many cultures in Asia have an implement with a similar shape as this weapon. Originating in Java the kerambit eventually reached what are now Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Thailand.

Some cultures use blades shaped similar to this as farming tools; primarily used to cut rice and other crop foods for harvest. Necessity has occasionally forced these farmers to adapt the use of these blades and other farm tools for the purpose of self defense.

The karambit has also found a home in popular cinema. You have seen this versatile knife in movies like Ong Bak 2, The Punisher, and the movie "Taken" starring Liam Neeson.

With proper training this blade is devastating. Close quarter or with an extended reach, the Kerambit can deliver powerful slashing cuts or "rips" as well as serve to control an attacker by grabbing on to bones and appendages.

Like I always say regarding any weapon; A timid user equals a timid weapon. So if you plan on using a weapon of any kind for self defense, invest in proper training by a qualified instructor, then when the time comes to defend yourself, like they say in poker...All In!!

Want to put your 125X125 card on one of my 3 sites? It's EASY...for now ;o)

Would you be interested in placing your 125X125 card on my side panel to the right? I will eventually be coming up with some kind of contest for this but for now I want to offer 2 card slots for trade. If you place my card on your site, your card will stay on mine as long as mine is on yours. Not a bad offer I think. ;o) Just drop me a note as a comment letting me know that you are interested. Remember that I am offering only two slots on each of my three sites. Take care my friends. ;o)

Eye candy for gun lovers

There are those of you out there that know what you are looking at and are saying to yourselves...NICE!!!.

For those of you who do not know what you are looking at, this extremely fun big boy toy is a CZ75 but a Fully Automatic variant. The magazines that you see are both high capacity extended magazines but the standard 18 round magazine can also fit. (At approx a 1000 round per minute cyclic rate a standard mag will not last you long.) Notice how one of the mags is attached to the front of the weapon serving as a fore grip. This will help control the gun during a full auto "burp". ;o)

This ain' airsoft. Tactical Medic Training

Good stuff. Great Training with some great folks. Good to know there is somebody around that can patch you up and keep you in the fight and fight while patching you up.

Iron Man 2...Leave work and watch it NOW!!

I just saw Iron Man 2 last night. I can give you a two word reason to watch this movie; "Scarlett Johansson". ;o) All the fight sequences in this movie were fun. You could actually see what was happening on the screen most of the time instead of blurry cuts and super fast transitions designed to save some money on film and special effects. Check out this video I found on youtube. Funny Stuff.



Hey I love Iron Man but Bruce is still the Man!!

Stun Gun. Should ya? Would ya? Could ya?

The following is information that I posted on one of my other blogs called "SFI". I am re-posting it here because it is applicable to the theme of this blog and quite frankly it is pretty useful information for somebody thinking about getting a Stun Gun.

"A stun gun is a hand-held electronic device that produces a high-voltage pulse that can immobilize a person for several minutes with no permanent damage in most cases. It is powered by ordinary batteries, which supply power to a circuit containing transformers, oscillators, capacitors, and electrodes. The transformers increase the voltage in the circuit to between 20,000 and 150,000 V and reduce the current proportionally. The oscillators fluctuate the current to produce a specific pulse frequency, and the current charges the capacitors. Pressing the electrodes to a person's body releases high-voltage electrical energy at a frequency pattern designed to interfere with the neurological impulses that travel through the human body to control voluntary muscle movement. The use of stun guns has been associated with death in some cases, typically when the person gun was used on has taken drugs or has a pre-existing heart condition. The degree to which the stun gun may have contributed to the deaths is unclear."

The description that you read above was posted in a site called the Columbia Encyclopedia. Is it accurate? As accurate as we need for this topic.

The perfect world application of the Pepper Spray also applies to this gadget. The big difference is that you have to actually be close enough to your attacker to touch the device to the attackers body. Ideally the exposed skin.

The stun gun has actually gained notoriety as the weapon of choice for muggers and rapists. There was even an expert that believed that Jonbenet Ramsey was first stunned by one of these devices before being raped then murdered.

In the real world what could possibly go wrong?

1. Did you even bring it?
2. Can you find it in the bottom of your bag?
3. Do you know how to work it?
4. When was the last time you changed the batteries?
5. What is the weather where you are at? If it is winter, the attacker may have several layers of clothing on in addition to a thick winter coat. Thus requiring that you touch skin.
6. If the current is not applied correctly, the attacker may become enraged thus magnifying the threat.
7. etc. etc. etc.

Like anything else the outcome is what you will it to be. You must first have the will to make the outcome what you want.
Is this gadget effective? Let's first ask, "Are you? "

Pepper Spray. Would ya? Could ya? Should ya?

The following is something that I posted quite a while back on one of my other blogs called "SFI".

Pepper spray is exactly what its name describes. The ingredient in chili peppers that creates the burning sensation is the active ingredient in this non-lethal weapon.

You will find different grades of pepper spray from 10% on up. The higher grades of pepper spray are sometimes only sold to law enforcement officers. The sprays come in different forms from thin stream or mist to foam. The canister itself varies from pen style to small cans like in the photo above to industrial style mega cannisters like you see Dwayne the Dog Chapman carry while chasing Hawaii's most wanted. There are some varieties that even contain dyes that color the attackers skin to facilitate later identification.

Is pepper spray effective? Lets take a closer look at the pros and cons. In a perfect world you will have the pepper spray in your hand, facing the right direction, with no wind, facing an attacker that has never been exposed to it before. As the attacker approaches, you deliver a steady stream of spray directly to his face, covering his eyes, nose, and mouth. Involuntarily he inhales drawing excess spray deep into the attackers nasal passages and throat causing a spasmodic fight for air. The attacker drops to his knees, frantically rubbing his eyes with mucous and spit running down his chin onto the ground. You are able to walk away and find help from nearby passersby. The attacker is picked up minutes later by police, easily identified by the bright blue skin caused by the marking dye in the pepper spray. In a perfect world...

In the world in which we live. You are confronted by an attacker, here are of the few possible problems you may face:

1. You do not even have the spray with you or you have to search for it under all that "stuff" you keep in your bag;

2. You are able to locate it but cannot activate the spray due to the built in safety you have to deactivate that allows you to either press the button or squeeze a trigger of some sort;

3. You start spraying only to find that the spray is going the wrong way, hopefully not into your own face;

4. There is a strong wind which blows the spray back into your own face;

5. You do hit the attacker but not in the face;

6. The attacker has been sprayed before and realizes that movement is still possible and still attacks you even with the spray on his face;

7. The attacker is so enraged that even though the attacker has never been exposed to pepper spray before, the attacker drives through the pain just to get to you;

8. The attacker takes the spray away from you and uses it on you.

I could go on and on. My point is that in order to use a weapon, the user must be trained. Part of training is practice. Perfect practice makes perfect not practice makes perfect.

A timid user makes for timid use. You must be committed to using the weapon for your personal safety. As they say in poker, ALL IN!

I do not want anybody to get a false sense of security because they are carrying something like pepper spray. A false sense of security denotes comfort with your surroundings. You might even be "braver" and take chances that you might not otherwise take. These are the ingredients for disaster. You are in control of your life. Gadgets are tools. If you do not know how to use a tool, it is useless to you, but with training, tools can be used to make works of art. It all still relies on the skill and talent of the user.

Any questions or comments? Please feel free to hit any comments button. I will reply to all personally.