Self-Defense - Armed: Books, Videos

Published in England in 1890, this fascinating book may be one of the earliest ever to discuss the use of everyday items as weapons of self-defense for, in the words of the authors, "those 'tight places' where men care nothing for rules, but only want to make the most out of that weapon which the chance of the moment has put into their hands." It contains many useful insights into effective training in armed combat and how such training relates to real-world self-defense. A must-read for anyone interested in the arts of stick work, swordplay or the no-holds-barred use of any convenient weapon, "whether he has in his hand a single stick, a cutlass, or the leg of an old chair."
$16.00
Softcover 978-1-58160-512-9 122 pages 5.5" x 8.5" illustrations

The collapsible baton is one of the most effective yet least understood personal defense weapons ever developed. Although it is carried by security professionals and law enforcement personnel worldwide, few training programs take full advantage of its awesome close-combat potential. Personal protection expert Kelly McCann has been carrying and using tactical batons for years while working in some of the world's scariest places. In this explosive Paladin video production, he shares his hard-won personal experience and teaches you how to make the most of this dynamic weapon. McCann first gives you a no-holds-barred look at the various types of batons and teaches you how to select one you can bet your life on. He then reveals the finer points of carrying, drawing and deploying your baton so you can get it into action when you need it. Finally, he shows you how to put it into action with a complete course in the blocks, strikes, levers, takedowns and even baton groundfighting tactics that have been proven to work in countless real-world situations. Whether you are a security professional or armed citizen, this DVD is sure to revolutionize your tactical baton tactics and will give you an even greater appreciation for this amazing weapon. For information purposes only.

Kelly McCann is one of America's foremost experts on personal and corporate security, armed and unarmed combat, and antiterrorist tactics. As the CEO of Crucible Security Specialists, he and his staff have provided security training for audiences ranging from elite U.S. counterterrorist units to Fortune 500 executives. He is also known to the public as "Jim Grover," former personal security editor for Guns and Ammo magazine and noted author of numerous instructional videos on armed and unarmed close combat and the best-selling book Street Smarts, Firearms, and Personal Security.
$79.95
DVD-R 805966 042831 100 minutes

One of the most underestimated and least understood self-defense tools today, the tactical flashlight is nevertheless an invaluable part of the combative arsenal. Master martial artist Steve Materkowski has been at the forefront of tactical flashlight technology for decades, and in this video production from Paladin Press he teaches you the tricks, techniques and principles you need to make best use of this device.

Materkowski first shows you the differences between a standard flashlight and a tactical flashlight so that you can choose the right tool for your self-defense needs. From there, he goes into tactical movement with the light to fool and confuse your attacker, and the best way to carry, deploy and strike with it. Finally, he teaches a series of combative principles and techniques with the tactical flashlight, combining striking, locking and throwing into a fast-paced, no-holds-barred self-defense course that will not only stun your opponent, but also make sure that he will be in no condition to attack you again.

If you own a tactical flashlight or are thinking of getting one for self-defense, this video is a must-have. For information purposes only.

A 6th-degree black belt in Combat Hapkido, Steve Materkowski is a certified Low Light Officer Survival Instructor through the SureFire Institute, a certified Defensive Tactics Instructor through the International Police Defensive Tactics Institute (IPDTI), and a firearms instructor for Options for Personal Security (OPS). He has trained in various martial arts and with firearms for more than 25 years and currently serves as a reserve sheriff's deputy.
$19.95
DVD-R 805966 050430 65 minutes

Paul Kirchner, author of The Deadliest Men and Jim Cirillo's Tales of the Stakeout Squad", has researched memoirs, trial transcripts and period newspapers to uncover a wealth of first-person and eyewitness accounts of deadly duels, going back more than 400 years. Dueling with the Sword and Pistol describes more than 60 life-or-death encounters; many have never been reprinted, and some appear in English for the first time.

This wide-ranging study also examines bowie knife duels, horseback duels and the German Mensur, as well as profiling such notorious duelists as "Fighting" Fitzgerald, Aaron Burr, Lord Byron, Alexander Pushkin, Sam Houston and Benito Mussolini. Kirchner also discusses honor and insult, bretteurs and fire-eaters, dueling weapons and techniques, dueling codes, multiparty duels and duels to first blood, as well as such oddities as secret thrusts, duels between women, suicide duels and duels with one loaded pistol. Numerous prints and pen-and-ink drawings give added life to the accounts.

This meticulously researched and highly entertaining book is for martial artists, fencers, historians and enthusiasts of edged weapons and firearms, as well as anyone who enjoys blow-by-blow accounts of mortal combat.

Paul Kirchner has been a writer and illustrator for more than 25 years. His work has appeared in publications ranging from Marvel comics to The Wall Street Journal to Paladin author Jeff Cooper's books.
$35.00
Softcover 978-1-58160-458-0 480 pages 5.5" x 8.5" illustrations

A simple 6-inch flashlight is an extremely potent self-defense weapon if wielded properly and is among the few useful items one may carry that has yet to be legislated into liability. Guns are strictly controlled in some areas; knives are subject to as many if not more laws, some of them so vague that they defy interpretation. Collapsible batons, billy clubs, mace and pepper sprays are often illegal, but few, if any, regulations concern the possession of the common pocket torch. About now you're probably thinking that you're in deep trouble if the only weapon you've got is a battery-powered flashlight, but anyone who knows how to use a palm stick knows just how effective even a short length of rigid material can be. Thrust into the body's soft targets, joints and other vital areas, it can debilitate and even kill an attacker.

Phil Elmore is a martial artist and professional writer living and working in central New York. The publisher of The Martialist: The Magazine for Those Who Fight Unfairly, Phil has become widely known in the self-defense and martial arts communities. Frequently controversial and always opinionated, he has contributed articles to a variety of online and print publications. These include Paladin Press' popular collection, Warriors: On Living with Courage, Discipline, and Honor. Phil can be reached through his Web sites, www.philelmore.com and www.themartialist.com.
$10.00
Softcover 978-1-58160-502-0 86 pages 5.5" x 8.5" photos

If you're betting your life on a weapon retention plan that asks you to make a series of split-second decisions under duress and is dependent on remembering a specific counter for a specific angle of attack, you could be making a fatal mistake. You need instinctive, easily remembered techniques that work quickly using your natural body mechanics when an attacker makes his move.

In this DVD and workbook set, WARTAC founders Rich Nance and David Hallford, along with WARTAC instructor and SWAT officer Aaron Peachman, show you their universal retention techniques designed to safeguard the gun in your hand, the gun in your holster or the gun on your shoulder. They teach using a commonality of techniques, ensuring that you will be able to instinctively and effectively protect your firearm under any circumstance.

Whether you're a police officer carrying a firearm on the job or a legally armed civilian carrying one for personal protection, you need to learn this rock-solid retention system.

DVD and workbook not sold separately.

Rich Nance is a black belt martial artist, with over 25 years of experience. Nance has been a police officer for 13 years and a SWAT team member for six years. He is a firearms instructor, patrol rifle instructor, less-lethal munitions instructor and his department's lead defensive tactics instructor. In 2004 Nance and David Hallford founded WARTAC CQC, a company specializing in tactical training for law enforcement and military personnel.

David Hallford is a multi-style black belt martial artist, with over 40 years of training. Several years ago, he began to focus on simple, effective techniques designed to work against real-life assaults. He has traveled across the country for WARTAC, training law enforcement and military personnel in defensive tactics.

Aaron Peachman has 20 years of experience in the martial arts. He has been a police officer for four years and is a member of his department's SWAT team. Aaron is an instructor for WARTAC CQC.
$34.95
One workbook, one DVD set Spiral bound softcover, DVD-R 978-1-58160-731-4 805966 063539 62 pages, 105 minutes 8.5" x 11" photos

Using a "keep it practical" approach, veteran instructor Michael Janich has developed Martial Cane Concepts, a self-defense system specifically geared toward people with physical limitations. In other words, Martial Cane Concepts, is not for the expert stick fighter or martial artist; it's for the 65-year-old man or woman who may actually need to fight for his or her life against a punk prowling for an easy target.

After observing that traditional stick-fighting methods require physical training and abilities beyond the grasp of most people who carry a cane out of need, Janich came up with two uncomplicated sequences of techniques that can be applied to many different situations. This approach also makes the system perfect for the non-martial artist who's interested in protecting him- or herself.

Martial Cane Concepts teaches a self-defense system that is simple, easily learned and easily applied by those with limited physical strength, reflexes and speed.

To round out this instruction, Janich also includes material for people with more physical attributes who choose to carry a cane as the ultimate PC weapon.

There is no fancy stuff in Martial Cane Concepts – no throws, flips or locks. Just solid information on choosing the best cane for your needs and then using it to strike, thrust and block to protect yourself from harm.

Michael D. Janich is a lifelong student of the martial arts with instructor's credentials in the American Self-Protection (ASP) system, Filipino Serrada Eskrima and the Natural Spirit system of Arnis. He is also the founder of the Martial Blade Concepts (MBC) and Counter-Blade Craft (CBC) systems of edged-weapon self-defense.
$39.95
DVD-R 805966 056937 70 minutes

Realistic self-defense means being prepared for any situation, from a belligerent drunk to a ruthless serial killer. To do this, you need the right tools for the job and the knowledge to use them effectively. In this unique video, renowned personal security expert Kelly McCann, aka Jim Grover, presents a complete course in the use of less-lethal weapons, devices that can effectively incapacitate an attacker without having to resort to lethal force. McCann begins by discussing common hand-held self-defense devices and teaches you how to determine the difference between a useless gimmick and a true life-saving tool. He then reveals the secrets of improvised weaponry and shows you how to turn common items like credit cards and ballpoint pens into powerful defensive weapons. Finally, he gives you a no-nonsense course in the realistic defensive use of pepper spray, including proper selection, carry and deployment; street-proven tactical applications; and immediate backup plans for times when the spray alone isn't enough. This is one of the most eye-opening self-defense videos ever produced and a must for anyone concerned with practical self-defense. For information purposes only.

Kelly McCann is one of America's foremost experts on personal and corporate security, armed and unarmed combat, and antiterrorist tactics. As the CEO of Crucible Security Specialists, he and his staff have provided security training for audiences ranging from elite U.S. counterterrorist units to Fortune 500 executives. He is also known to the public as "Jim Grover," former personal security editor for Guns and Ammo magazine and noted author of numerous instructional videos on armed and unarmed close combat and the best-selling book Street Smarts, Firearms, and Personal Security.
$39.95
DVD-R 805966 046235 60 minutes

There are always going to be times when the situation, rules of engagement, or circumstances dictate that you can't just clock your opponent in the head with your collapsible baton. It doesn't mean, however, that you can't put him on the pavement and keep him there until you get to safety.

In this hard-hitting video, military veteran, former cop, and world renowned self-defense expert W. Hock Hochheim takes decades of street experience, strips away the theory, and brings you a stick takedowns program you can use as a civilian, law enforcement officer, or military professional. The point isn't to create a so-called "stick fighter," but a street warrior capable of handling almost any violent encounter using a stick, baseball bat, or any other like blunt weapon, including less-lethal use of the rifle or shotgun.

Hochheim first teaches quick strikes to set up the chokes and locks leading to the takedown and then shows you how you can throw your attacker to the ground using his head, face, torso, or limbs as a fulcrum. From there, he discusses follow-up techniques that can be used on your downed opponent whether you want to flee, arrest him, or deliver a crippling blow. A stick can be one of the best weapons around for personal protection, but if you're just striking with it, you're missing out on valuable, life-saving techniques. For information purposes only.

W. Hock Hochheim is a military veteran and former law enforcement officer with more than 20 years of experience as a street patrolman and case agent detective. He has also performed security and protection work for former mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani, best-selling author Tom Clancy, actor and martial artist Chuck Norris, and many others.
$39.95
DVD-R 805966 062235 180 minutes 2-Disc Set

One of the most effective weapons today is the telescoping baton. With a flick of the wrist it extends to a formidable steel club. Drawing from his mastery of the Filipino martial arts, Datu Kelly S Worden presents a four-hour program that covers every aspect of the tactical baton weapon's use, including deployment techniques; striking angles; combination strikes, blocks and deflections; throws; control techniques; and finishing techniques. For information purposes only.

Datu Kelly S. Worden is the founder of Natural Spirit International and Renegade Jeet Kune Do and is one of the most innovative minds in the martial arts world today.
$39.95
Softcover DVD-R 805966 056135 240 minutes 2-Disc Set

The walking stick is a convenient and formidable weapon in the hands of a man trained to use it. With the carry and use of firearms and knives becoming more restricted by law, the stick is becoming an increasingly viable implement of practical self-defense for ordinary citizens. Now you can learn both the history and art of stick fighting from one of the earliest known books ever published on the topic.

The "Walking Stick" Method of Self-Defence by "an officer of the Indian Police" is an extraordinary example of a practical martial art text of the early twentieth century. Published in the 1920s, the book provides illustrated instruction in stick-fighting technique as developed by Mr. H.G. Lang, Superintendent of Agency Police, Kathiawar, India. The entire range of defensive and offensive skills is discussed and demonstrated, including guards, strikes, combinations, counterattacks, feints and tricks, double-handed techniques and training drills.

As the author wrote in the original book: "The work will appeal to all, more especially to those who have already been in a 'tight corner' and have felt how much they missed in not having known how to use their stick to its best effect."
$15.00
Softcover 978-1-58160-438-2 112 pages 5.5" x 8.5" photos

In the latest addition to his Fighting Weapons series, Dwight McLemore does for the staff what he did earlier for the Bowie, tomahawk, and sword. The Fighting Staff is a modern illustrated guide to using one of man's oldest weapons. In keeping with his philosophy on fighting weapons, in this workbook McLemore does not attempt to duplicate methods from a specific period in the past. Rather, he offers an eclectic approach that borrows the most effective techniques from Asian and European martial arts throughout history. The Fighting Staff covers such essentials as footwork, grip, strikes, thrusts, blocks, and targeting. But its real value lies in the fighting concepts imparted, which serve as a language for advanced training. As always, your martial arts training is greatly enhanced by McLemore's beautifully executed drawings that take you step-by-step through 25 fighting drills for the martial arts staff. His use of frontal, side and overhead views, as well as his unique "floating staff" perspective, allows you to truly see how your actions correlate with those of your training partner (or opponent), as well as how and where your weapon moves. The training techniques taught in this book are not limited to the staff. They can also be used effectively with other weapons.

Dwight C. McLemore is a retired combat arms officer with the U.S. Army and is an accomplished bladesman and instructor. He is renowned for his vast knowledge of Bowie and big-knife fighting and has more than 18 years of experience in self-defense and martial arts. The founder of the School of Two Swords, McLemore is rated expert level with the American Knife Congress, is certified in kung fu, and holds 1st dan in kendo.
$35.00
Softcover 978-1-58160-714-7 234 pages 8.5" x 11" illustrations