Head to most stores and you can find a number of self-defense items for sale.
There are pepper spray canisters on key chains, lipstick-case pepper spray containers, stun guns, stun batons, noise makers, tactical pens, and even apps. That’s just the non-lethal variety.
In the category of increasing potential lethality, the options expand even further.
But let’s say you opt for a non-lethal option. The question of effectiveness boils down primarily to one simple question—do you know how to properly use it? That answer, sadly, is usually no.
That’s the idea behind an upcoming training seminar in St. Clairsville, put on by Taylor Martial Arts Academy.
On Saturday, Aug. 7, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., Taylor Martial Arts Academy is hosting a Kubaton Self-Defense Seminar at its 150 W. Main St. location in St. Clairsville.
“This will be our third seminar,” said Zac Taylor of the academy. “We didn’t have one last year because of the pandemic, but it’s become an annual event.
“You don’t have to have any martial arts training whatsoever. Our teaching tool is a force amplifier, which helps you focus strikes on pressure points in vital areas where you’d be able to subdue an attacker.”
The seminar is for both men and women aged 18 and older. The cost is $40, which includes your choice of kubaton or $30 if you don’t wish to receive a kubaton. All ITF HQ or GHA members or those prepaid or referred will be charged only $35. Also, it’s $30 for additional family members.
What is a Kubaton?
A kubaton is a style of self-defense keychain sticks (SDKS) that comes in various shapes, whether spiked or blunted on the end, that are a take-off of the originally designed “kubotan” by Sōke Takayuki Kubota back in the 1960s.
One advantage of the kubaton is it’s legal to carry in most places. Naturally, you’re not taking it aboard airplanes or in court houses, but in general, it’s legal to carry this non-lethal defense weapon, though in some states and in areas like California or New York, you may want to check to be sure.
But as Taylor explains, similar to a person using even a screwdriver and having it classified as assault with a deadly weapon, how it’s classified in use depends on the situation and on the intent.
“We teach it in a very defensive manner,” Taylor said. “We show you how to do what needs done to get away from an attacker.”
With the proper training, Taylor believes it’s a formidable self-defense weapon.
Pepper spray may be the economical and seemingly easiest product to use. Simply point and press to emit the mist or spray. But properly aiming pepper spray isn’t as easy as you might think.
“You should still have a class on that because of the mist factor; it could come back and you spray yourself as well,” Taylor said. “Tasers aren’t always 100 percent effective. But the kubaton, unless the person is hopped up on some pain killing drugs, this is going to initiate pain compliance, and it’s super easy to use.”
Limited Spots Available
Taylor just recently made the announcement the seminar is returning and already has 12 signed up. He’s hoping to limit the class size to be between 30 and 40 participants.
That will allow for optimum training and instruction from Taylor and his instructors in class.
“I have a great team of black belts, and they are all knowledgeable,” Taylor said. “They will need time to help everyone practice too, and there is limited space in the school, along with the number of dummies that we practice the techniques on.
“We want to make sure everyone gets plenty of turns with those.”
For more information, visit Taylor Martial Arts Academy’s Facebook page and make an inquiry.
