How to Use Anything as a Weapon by KJN Richard Hackworth
How to Use Anything as a Weapon by KJN Richard Hackworth
In the Art of Haemukwan Hapkido we use Improvised Weapons – Whatever you can get your hands on becomes a weapon.
Anyone who has seen a Hapkido demonstration will recognize the belt defenses. However, in Haemukwan Hapkido we teach that a strong belt with a big buckle can be swung or snapped at the opponents face inflicting damage. The belt can be wrapped around the hand using the buckle as if it were a brass knuckle and finally the buckle itself can be placed over finger to twist and cause pain compliance.
A hard metal pen is in essence a small spear. It can be used to stab to the eye, the temple, or the front of the front, to the temple or into the solar plexus just below the sternum. Just as a knife it can be held horizontally or in a downward hammer fist grip. When you are grabbed it can be stuck into the attacker’s backhand or the pen is large enough can be rolled back along a wrist or finger causing pain compliance. It can also be used to write a message such as help I’m being held prisoner on the third floor!
The idea of using finger rings is nothing new. Biker gangs have known this for decades. Aside from working like brass knuckles if the rings are jagged and irregular they can be used to rip and tear tissue when a dragging or rubbing strike is employed.
A solid roll of coins can be hidden lengthways inside a fist to increase the force of the strike. Using individual coins between the fingers stuck in the web will have the same effect as a brass knuckle or will also tear tissue if after the strike the fist is dragged along the face. After the strike one simply opens the hand, and the coins will fall to the floor eliminating any evidence of weapon use. If threatened sometimes simply reaching into the pocket and then dropping several coins to the floor will create the distraction needed for a first strike. It is almost an instinctive reaction to look down for a moment when someone hears coins hitting the floor.
A sharp-edged credit card can be used with a horizontal swipe across the attacker’s face. Or it can be drawn across an upside-down wrist to slash a grabbing attack. It can also be used to help pay for a good attorney after you kill or blind the attacker.
The use of canes, walking sticks or a reinforced umbrella is as old as the caveman and his club. They can be used to block, strike, twist joints, break bones, to spear with or to fend off other weapon attacks. The hook end of a cane can also be used to trap arms and legs, to trip with, to choke with or to unbalance an opponent.
Finally, a practitioner of Haemukwan Hapkido learns that your best improvised weapons are your brain, your cleverness, your guile, and your unbeatable spirit.
About the author: Richard Hackworth is a Grand Master of Haemukwan Hapkido, Taekwondo and Korean Sword. He also hold a Masters License in Tai Chi. Hackworth is best known as the host of the “World Martial Arts TV Show” and “Fight for Your Health TV Show”. To learn more about Hapkido visit https://worldhapkidonews.com.
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