Monday, August 22, 2011

Heroes on a Budget: Sap Cap

Okay what is a sap cap?
Why it's a simple cap with a pocket of lead shot sewn into the back lining as a suprise impact weapon.

At most places of purchase they run approximately 20 bucks plus shipping.
And from everything I've read the 'unique impact material" is just a poorly sewn in pocket of lead shot likely to break upon the first hit.
We can do better than that.

What I had:
My trusty baseball cap.
Athletic tape from the Bracers build.
A heavy needle and thread I think I got from my mother years ago.

What I bought:
Fishing weights. Egg sinkers for $1.50.

Okay, first up: take the weights, remove from bag, and line up in a neat little row on some athletic tape, then tape up into a tight little bundle. You'll want it fairly thick as we'll be sewing this bundle directly into the cap lining through the tape itself.

Pull the lining of the cap down and place the bundle of weights inside center.

Proceed to sew the bundle to the lining. Since it's being sewn into the inside lining, stitches will not be visible on the outside of the cap. Also, by sewing the athletic tape bundle directly into the lining, it is more secure and it should stand up to several blows without coming loose. We've slammed mine at least a dozen times into a metal table and desk and it's still nice and tight in the lining.

Fold up and you're ready to go.

The bundle will show, at most, as a long barely noticeable lump on the back of the cap. Fair trade off for the power that it has in that small bundle.

You can also sew the lining down tight to the back of the cap after you're folded up the now sewn-to-lining bundle for an extra secure fit, but it will leave stitches showing on the outside of the cap. Not a big give away, but something to consider.

This thing is a last resort weapon only, but it is a lethal little package.
The weights I have in my cap will, I have no doubt, crack a skull and break handbones.
They're heavy and the swing just amps that up even more. You will do damage to anyone you solidly hit with this.

It would be best, IMHO, as a surprise weapon. Let's say you're at knife point being mugged:
Act fearful, give into what ever the guy says, place your hands in front of your face in 'fear' or hold them up to show you're not a threat.

When you decide you have a chance to act, it's a simple thing to grip the bill of the cap and flip it into the guy's face or hands. Hopefully you'll break something on him. Either way it's probably best you RUN LIKE HELL while he's distracted.
If you can't get away then you had better be ready to back up the initial surprise hit with something else or you're going to get hurt or dead. USE YOUR OWN JUDGEMENT. I can't do it for you as every person and situation is unique.
Get some training. Then keep training.

The sap cap is probably a one trick pony: it's a useful surprise when you have no better options suited to your survival situation.

My cap is very heavy. It's likely other people will want smaller weights or actual lead shot (emptied shotgun shells or refills should work fine.) Mine is OVERKILL and it will hurt and possibly maim when it hits someone. As with all these projects it's pretty much a 'proof of concept' design. I might possibly use smaller weights or even the lead shot in the future. For now though, I like it. :)

Legally, it's a very shaky thing. I do not believe this falls under most accepted 'sap' laws. However these homemade things are always shaky like that. However, if you have no choice and it's you and your loved ones or the other guy who's holding a knife against you, do what you have to do. Do what you have to do to get home alive in your best judgement of the situation be that hand over your wallet or smash the guy's skull in. Do what you have to do to save yourself and your loved ones, this isn't a game. Use some good tactics and judgement.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Heroes on a Budget: Amazonia's Shield!

Given all the interest in shields on the various forums I asked Am to give us a run down on her shield (buckler.)
I'm reposting it here, from her blog.

Amazonia's Shield Tutorial
Posted on August 5, 2011 by Amazonia
I’m going to detail how I made my 12in round steel shield. These same directions could be used to make any size shield and not just the size I made. Just remember, the larger the shield, the heavier it will become. This one is fairly heaven and wears on you after a couple of hours.

JB Weld
Hand rivet tool and rivets
(4) 8mm head bolts and nuts (minimum)
(4) Washers (need the same amount as bolts)
Straps from old gym bag (to make handles for shield)
(2) 12in heavy duty steel pizza trays
(similar as found at this website )

MD NOTE: I've seen even thicker for sale. If you want more protection go out and scrounge a flat piece of thin steel and JB weld/screw/tape to the facing.

To start you want to take the two (2) pizza trays and on the outside of one apply the JB Weld to it and then take your other pizza tray facing the same way, butt them together and let the JB Weld to set. This is so they won’t move while your drilling the holes for the rivets.

Once that is set up take your drill with the correct drill bit for the size rivets you’re using and drill four holes at each of the four cardinal points, north, south, east and west as shown in figure 1.

Figure 1

Now until drilling holes half way between the ones you just drilled as shown in figure 2.

Figure 2

Now continue drilling holes around as in figure 3.

Figure 3

Then drill the holes for the straps with a drill bit the correct size for the bolts your using. The basic location for the bolt holes are shown in figure 4.

Figure 4

Once you have done the drilling and you riveted everything together, hold off on putting the bolts through the holes, we will be doing that in a little bit. Now take your JB Weld and go around the edge of your to pizza plates that are now riveted together with the JB Weld. Let that set and then sand it down smooth. This will make it appear that it is all one solid piece when looking at it from the side.

Taking your Straps from the old gym bag and figure out the length you need in order to make the straps for your shield. You already figured out where the holes should be for these and drilled the holes already. You will be putting the bolts through for two of the holes on one side of the shield. You will need two pieces of strap. One shorter than the other, the longer one will need to be almost twice the length you need to wrap over your arm and fold back on itself. Once you have the lengths figured out, you will attach the velcro to the longer piece. One on the bottom part and one on the upper part in a way so that they will latch together. This will be how you will strap on the shield. Now cut holes into the straps and push them over the bolts and then take one of your washers and then the nut and tighten down till nice and tight. You will need a wrench on both sides in order to tighten completely down. Do this for the other strap. See below for pics of my setup.

Once you have all this done, you can paint this shield in whatever colors you prefer.

Remember this shield is only good for blunt protection and offers no bullet protection of any kind.
If you do build this shield I do not take any responsibility if you should get hurt or killed while using the shield.

As an addendum I'd add padding on the inside of the rim, as I've harped on previously. Camp mat, spray glue, and duct tape of your color choice.

Once again, if you can AFFORD better equipment do so. My little experiments and finds are for those who have to make do.
~ MD

Surviving a Knife Attack

This post is not another Martial Arts post on how to flip-kick or wrist-lock the knife out of an attacker’s hand. This post is to share good resource information to help deal with the reality of a knife attack and how to hopefully come out of it in one piece.

I realize that some in the community will find the subject of knife fighting distasteful. I am not advocating running around stabbing people, I am advocating educating ourselves to deal with a common threat. The more we know about the mechanics and psychology behind such an attack, the better we can deal with it. It may be distasteful, but it is information we can learn from.

I have had some knife experience on the receiving end of the blade. It is frightening and not a fun adventure.

Knives are the most common weapon we are likely to face. They are cheap and easy to find. They are easy to hide and require little to no maintenance. They are far more common to encounter than even firearms. Anybody can get their hands on a steak knife or even sharpen a piece of metal to make a shiv. You can encounter them at any time. It could be a drunk on a patrol or breaking up a fight at a charity event.

Again, everyone should have at least some basic knowledge of the realities of a knife attack and how to properly defend against a knife wielding attacker. Knives are a tricky subject as there is quite a bit of misinformation and outright fantasy about their uses and the defenses against them. Knives are psychologically terrifying weapons. A not uncommon phrase is ‘I’d rather be shot than stabbed.’ This innate fear of cutting and stabbing adds to the mystique and misinformation surrounding knives.

Let’s start with some basics and get onto resources to help in understand how attackers will use a knife, how to properly use a knife, and how to defend against the knife.

A knife fight is not a duel. A duel involves two combatants, each with a weapon, and combatant on even and fair footing. A knife fight almost always involves one attacker with a knife and his opponent without one. The man with the knife is not looking for a fair fight: he is looking to kill or disable his enemy with the quickest and easiest means available to him.

There is no fairness involved in a knife fight. A real knife fighter will come in hard and fast and usually by surprise. Forget the myths and talk of ‘trapping the weapon arm to disarm’ or ‘kick the knife out of his hand.’ This is not likely to happen and it will most likely get you badly wounded. You will be lucky to see the blade coming let alone have the time to react to such an attack.

The following references will give us practical information to study and train to help us deal with a knife attack. Every tool we add to our arsenal of knowledge will be useful and might save our lives or the lives of those we are trying to help. They were written by serious no-nonsense men who had used a knife on other men, or had it used against them, and understand how these things work. They are experts and we should learn from their experience.

Good luck and stay safe.

Some of the information in these resources is redundant: read it anyway. You might find that they way one man wrote it sticks with you better than the other author’s words and descriptions.

Don Pentecost: Put ‘em Down, Take ‘em Out: Knife Fighting Techniques from Folsom Prison
Basic, simple, and to the point. This is a good one to check out for the photos and realistic, frank advice it gives.

Marc ‘Animal’ MacYoung: Knife fighting lies (Webpage)
Once again, great stuff by the Animal, dispelling myths including the Duel that I briefly touched upon above. Excellent information on the reality of knife defense.

Col. Rex Applegate: Kill or Get Killed
I’ve linked to this book a lot, but it’s so damn complete. Please read this thing. Book Pg. 67-97. Shows attack and defense, including the chair defense and low kick to shin.

I'll be expanding on this at a later date.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Some Facts of Citizen's Arrest




via Dark Guardian:
What is a Citizens Arrest?
By: Collin McKibben, Attorney at Law & Ariella Rosenberg



Legal Requirements for Making a Citizens Arrest

For example, California Penal Code mandates:

In contrast, New York State Consolidated Laws hold that:


Anatomy of a Citizens Arrest


Dangers of Making an Erroneous Citizens Arrest



IOWA Arrest Codes: 2011

Chapter 804: Arrest


804.9 Arrests by private persons.
A private person may make an arrest:

804.10 Use of force in arrest by private person.
[C79, 81, §804.10]
See §704.1 – 704.3

804.12 Use of force in resisting arrest.

804.13 Use of force in preventing an escape.

804.14 Manner of making arrest.

804.15 Breaking and entering premises — demand to enter.


804.16 Time of arrest.

804.17 Summoning aid.

804.18 Taking Weapons
of according to law.

Other Relevant Codes:
704.1 Reasonable force.

704.3 Defense of self or another.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Heroes on a Budget: Liquid Hate

The original Heroes on a Budget project from November 2010.
Created by Grey Man and myself last year from a modified recipe I got from Amazonia.

LEGALITY: Probably pretty shaky. Then again if we're looking at home-made modified stun gun boots, why not a little home-made pepper spray.

It's been tested by Urban Avenger:
"I tweeted a lot about the tests and while they are not as extensive as I would like (my face still burns from ambient exposure to both products) I have to conclude that LH is an excellent alternative to PS. Am I saying don't carry PS if you don't have to? Certainly not. But if you really can't afford it or for some reason burn through the stuff, LH is handy. I would only recommend a different delivery system. My pepper spray shoots a stream, as opposed to a mist, which makes it easier to aim and is more concentrated. However in a small squirt gun (which I picked one up the other day) LH would make an awesome self defense tool. I believe this stuff could also be put into paintball grenades or water balloons for alternative forms of use. I may and actually try and improve upon the formula. They use jalapenos and cayenne peppers distilled in rubbing alcohol. I'd like to take habaneros and other hotter peppers and distill them in vinegar. I bought the stuff a while back but have misplaced the stuff.
Ultimately, I give liquid hate the urban avenger seal of approval."

It's been called 'bug juice' by Silver Sentinel:
"We better keep an eye on Grey and Midnite.. these two are a Darwin Award just waiting to happen."

And it burns like a motherf@cker when it hits your eyes and mucus membranes.

Here's how to make it.....

Quoting Grey Man:
2 small glass jars with lids
1 bottle rubbing alcohol (70% or more)
12 dried jalapenos
handful dried red chilies (cayenne)
cone style coffee filters

Roughly crush 6 jalapenos and ½ the chilies and place in 1 canning jar, add ½ the bottle of rubbing alcohol.
Close the jar tightly and let sit 2 days to a week. Place a coffee filter into the second jar and slowly filter the liquid into the second jar and lid it tightly. BE CAREFUL TO NOT GET ANY ON YOUR SKIN!

I recommend DOUBLE BAGGING the left-over solid portion of this “brew” when you throw it away, seriously!
Repeat this process for the second half of the ingredients. Lid the resulting liquid tightly, and place the jar in a sunny window for a week or two. Again I say: BE CAREFUL TO NOT GET ANY ON YOUR SKIN!

This stuff is very close to store bought pepper spray, which means its next to toxic, seriously be careful when dealing with it!"

The stuff got even stronger when it sat around for two weeks.
When sprayed and walked through after a few seconds of hanging in the air it will make your nose run, choke you, and cause you to tear up badly.

A few minutes ago, after I wrote the above, I took a spray and walk through. The damn stuff still as mean as ever. I got small particles in my throat and got to choke, snot, and wheeze for a number of minutes. Ornery. It was created back in November 2010 and here, July 2011, seven months later, it still burns like fire. We store it in a canning jar. It has a good shelf life apparently.

It's cheap, easy, and works. It has it's flaws but it can be useful if you've got nothing better.
Try it out. It's worth a shot.

We originally used small finger pump bottles (such as perfume or little body mist bottles), self priming, easily concealed and brought into play to deliver it to a target.

I've started using a simple vial with a flick off top to throw directly in the targets face if the need arises.

We're working on other ways to cause mayhem with it, including my idea of filling an inexpensive refillable aerosol can with it and turning it looks to fill a room with a mist. That would be insanely horrible to be in the middle of. Useful? Probably not but it's a thought. I've also considered mixing it in with shaving cream in the aerosol can to create a Liquid Hate foam splatter. It might be psychologically more effective if delivered this way and the foam will be very hard to wipe off completely without spreading the Liquid Hate around.

Waterguns and other pressurized sprayers/toys/etc were tossed around by myself and various individuals. I've also considered the rubber tube "Paintball grenade" idea.

Remember: use responsibly.

If you can afford legit Pepper Spray THEN GET SOME. If not, this is an alternative. Use it safe, use it smart, and for God's sake don't use it on someone who didn't need it.

Heroes on a Budget: Bracers

Heroes on a Budget

This is going to be a series of projects utilizing what I can scrounge and afford with minimum cost to work up viable equipment for those of us who cannot fund better equipment at this point in our activities.

I decided that I wanted to build some bracers to protect my wrists and lower forearm from slashing and stab attacks and decided on a brigandine armor approach. Then I decided to use what I could find at work (Walmart). This is what I came up with after some deliberation and browsing on work breaks.

What I bought:
20 1/4" metal washers. 4 packets of five at .97 cents each so 5 bucks.

Athletic tape. About 7 bucks for three rolls, and I barely used half a roll on one bracer so that's about three sets worth. Not bad.

A yard of velcro. .97 cents again.

What I had:
Duct tape. I had black.

It took me roughly forty minutes for this first prototype.

First I decided the width I had wanted was about four or five inches so I laid three washers together, slightly overlapping on a strip of tape. Then tape up the otherside.

Repeat however many times you need to wrap around your wrist/arm..

Lay side by side and tape the Hell out of them to a nice thick packet. I kept mine fairly thing but could have added much more. (This is also the point I would add in padding.)

Cover the whole thing with duct tape of choice.

Cut your velcro and tape three strips to the packet very, very tightly. I did three strips, one on each end and middle, to leave plenty of room for the opposite piece of velcro to attach.

I will be adding in some padding such as leather or camp foam (covered in more duct tape) to help blunt the sting of blows and I believe they will stand up to a solid hit.

Secure tightly with more duct tape and voila, straps on nice and tight. I protects everything but a one inch strip of just tape on the bottom of my wrist. I'll cover this with taped leather or padding later to protect from slashes.

I pounded them on the corner of the wall and they protected very well. I then hammered it with Grey Man's bokken and it stung like Hell, but nothing would be broken. DEFINITELY padding. Finally I stabbed as hard as I could with a sharp pointed paring knife (I count fourteen stab holes) while it lay on the kitchen counter and it did not penetrate the thing. The holes in the washers are obvious weak spots, but the tape made up for it and a leather lining would be even better. These were solid hits on a counter. If stabbed in the field, your arm would be pushed down by the force of the blow, instead of stationary like on the kitchen counter, helping to deflect the stab even better. No doubt solid metal plates would be better, and I will work up a second pair with this in mind in the future.

Fourteen knife marks from the stabbings.

Not a mark on the inside where your arm is.

They are not indestructible, but they are sturdy and I believe they will be reliable.
They are easily and cheaply repaired if they are involved in an incident. If they are slashed, the copious amounts of tape will keep the metal washers stuck right where they are at. If you spend a bit more money you can build one up to your elbow if you wish.

Of course if some more money comes in I would get a better set. But until you can afford them, these should help out, providing some protection to the forearms and wrists from slashing attacks where you will be most likely to block with your arms out of sheer instinct. You could buy a set of those shin guards I see everyone wearing. Mine cover more arm area than the guards, they leave the under arm exposed to damage, although the guards are better padded. Perhaps a combination of the two with this method protecting the underarm which is a prime slashing target and the harder padding on top to deflect blows.

The weight on them is very light as well. Pretty much negligible.

And they don't look bad for a forty minute rush job with minimal materials. :)

I wonder how much it would cost to build a stab resistant vest this way. :D

Thursday, July 28, 2011

How the Other Side Fights: Fighting from a Skinhead Perspective

I ran across this a few years ago and, edited out the racial slurs and the disgusting treatment in the 'post fight' section as it does
encapsulates the old school WWII combatives style of training and
fighting that I focus on, and saved it for a focus training manual.

I just ran into it again on this blog while doing some research.
It shows how nasty some of the people we can run into on the street can be and the mentality of a real maim or kill you fight, not a club fight or some kids
wrestle/punching for their friends.

AGAIN, I must warn there is some racial language other unpleasantness, but that's how it is out there so suck it up and read it.