What is the best kind of umbrella for self defence? What do you carry or recommend?
This is unironically a serious thread. I'm in the UK.
I currently carry a cheap Fulton Stormshield umbrella ,but I'm looking to pay £100-300 for one designed for self defence. Looking at a few different brands. Would appreciate any input.
I'm mainly looking at the Unbreakable Umbrella brand at the moment, designed by Thomas Kurtz in Poland. But I'm also looking at clones, like the Security Umbrella. What do?
Quite heavy, but mechanics felt kinda cheap
(but was an older model)
Could you elaborate on that?
It seems like they're mostly in the 700-800g range for weight (1.5-1.8lbs). Is that heavy?
I think the older walking stick models used a metal shaft, and they switched it out for a composite material. So maybe that's why yours seemed heavy.
What do you mean by the mechanics feeling cheap?
What even is the ideal type of umbrella to carry?
Long with a hook handle? This is similar to a walking cane. Probably gives a more secure grip and more powerful thrusts, and can be used to grab their neck or limbs if you're skilled. But if you turn it the other way around to beat them with the handle, there's more chance they could take it away.
Long with a straight handle? This is similar to a walking stick. Not sure if it's better or worse than the hook handle.
Or a telescopic model for concealed carry? This one can fit in a pocket, and then can be extended almost like a baton. But then it has less reach, and can't be used for thrusts or it would collapse back down. Seems interesting but I'm concerned it might have less durability?
Thoughts?
>What even is the ideal type of umbrella to carry?
Handle, hanging it on your arm is convenient if you carry it around an have to do sth.
It's heavy cause you carry it around .. every gram counts after a day, had a version without handle ...
The cheap-ish feeling were stuff like the release mechanism knob looking like it was intended for a $5 umbrella, hinges not being aligned well, having a bunch of play etc.
It just felt like a very cheap umbrella build with different material.
Hmm. Thanks. Do you know if it was actually an Unbreakable Umbrella that you had, or one of the clones like the Security Umbrella (pic related)?
Ordered from the original website, wood "mace"-handle.
That's a shame. I'm not sure what to do now then, if their quality is really that bad.
milsap brick, every lad reads the paper, not illegal to carry the news yet is it guv?
*millwall mf ac
I'd just get a very sturdy non tactical umbrella,
also a lot more plausible deniability if you end up poking someone's eye out with it.
Also, get a decent flashlight. Personally like the klarus XT2CR Pro due to the usb-c charging good brightness and instant strobe.
Just noticed the image is of the collapsible one, there are also models with a normal more robust stick. (also shown in the video)
Just watched the video. Those umbrellas look nice.
My concern though is, how can I really be sure how sturdy they are, without burning money testing and destroying a load of different models?
Most umbrellas are intended only for use against the rain and wind. Their durability is more about the ribs and canopy, and it's tested in a wind tunnel. The video you linked only talks about the ribs and canopy.
But for self defence, the durability of the shaft and tip is more important. It needs to be able to withstand powerful blows, whether used to strike somebody, thrust the tip, or used to block an opponent's attack. Just because an umbrella is durable for normal usage, that doesn't necessarily mean it'll be any good as a bat or spear.
>the durability of the shaft and tip is more important.
Yea, they are likely only tested for "walking-stick" use, it's probably best to just ask what material the shaft is made of and if it's hollow or solid. Might depend on the model.
There's not much magic going on with the unbreakable one, a fiberglass of carbon stick is the same even if it's not marketed as "unbreakable".
I have one of these. They are indeed a very nice umbrella.
Are they any better than any other regular add umbrellas? No. They keep rain off you.
Perfect for if you have disposable income and want something nice.
Additionally are they sturdier than whatever regular chinesium drug store umbrella in a self defense situation. No. They just look nice and that's what you're paying for.
Plenty of videos of these things being put through a torture test. Surviving wind tunnels without breaking. Standing on them. Driving over them with a car. Smashing them with a baseball bat. Smashing them with a machete. Beating up a bunching bag with them. Breaking apart bricks. Cutting watermelons or coconuts apart. The premium models even have a lifetime warranty. So it seems like they're worth buying. I'd imagine my current generic umbrella would probably just break apart if I hit something with it.
Seems like they use different materials depending on the model, but they're all designed for durability, and the warranty even covers them for self defence applications.
The cheaper walking stick models use some proprietary fiberglass composite shaft, with fiberglass ribs.
The premium walking stick models swap out the fiberglass ribs for steel ones.
The cheaper telescopic model uses an aluminium shaft, with what looks like steel ribs.
The premium telescopic model is literally a steel pipe. Not stainless steel, so it needs maintenance such as oiling to prevent it rusting when it gets wet. Seems a bit problematic for an umbrella.
What if the attacker has two hands, one to hold the stick and one to stabby-stabby?
sword cane ?
Sadly a sword cane is totally illegal here in the UK. You're not even allowed to own it in the privacy of your own home. It's treated the same as firearms, ninja shurikens, knuckle dusters, and so on. If you can carry a sword cane around where you live, that's awesome.
i can carry my sword umbrella around, but unless you commission one to be made, all of the mass-produced ones are dull and made from shitty steel that is hard as frick to sharpen.
KGB ain't what it used to be.
Oh look more Russian murders on UK soil
If I had to research a self defense umbrella I think I would shift my research to friendly emigration locations or foolproof helium exit bag construction.
I genuinely wish I could move to another country where I could have more freedom. Sadly it's not that easy with all the visa requirements. It basically comes down to marrying somebody or getting hired for a specialist job that a local couldn't do.
>What is the best kind of umbrella for self defence?
The absolute state of Britain
You might want to try getting your hands on some cut-proof fabric too. I know there are companies that make high-fashion ballistic jackets for VIPs but I'm sure you could improvise something at least somewhat covert for partial coverage to be sewn into a winter jacket
as a knifeposter i have to thank you for diverting some of the humiliation away from us, so i'll try to give some advice
can't recommend a brand but I would say folding umbrella is a no-no, there's no way they are are as strong as a solid one.
IMO hook handle is good. you're not going to use the hook like you're one of the Kingsmen or some shit, but one of the main disadvantages to a blunt weapon is the fact that they can be grabbed. it's easier for you to retain your umbrella with a hook handle.
i would normally recommend carrying OC spray with such a weapon, but since that is also illegal, have you considered carrying pocket sand?
A good flashlight would probably be a better option than pocket sand.
a flashlight ties up on of your hands and the blindness only lasts as long as the flashlight is pointed at their eyes. pocket sand can potentially inhibit their vision for several minutes and frees up that hand for the fight.
while it's true that statistically only 1 handful of pocket sand is discharged in the average self-defense encounter, averages are only so useful in preparing you for such an aberrant/unusual situation. i personally wear cargo pants as you have about as many reloads as you have pockets.
>what if the cops ask about my sand?
possibly the most british thing ever posted
i should probably mention that my pocket sand suggestion was a joke from the getgo kek
keychain flails are definitely a "thing" in the SD community but I do question their actual effectiveness as I just can't imagine an assailant actually hesitating in the face of one.
This has to be b8, but I guess I'll respond anyways.
No a flashlight doesn't only blind or inhibit someone's vision while it's directly being shined in their eyes. Second a flashlight can be used as a weapon either like a kubaton, a roll of nickels in your fist or a projectile. Additionally you can just fricking drop it if you need to.
Also flashlights provide the ability of checking out dark areas from a distance, so if you see movement in the bushes or something, you can shine a light and see if it's a crackhead preparing to ambush you.
Lastly pocket sand is way less likely to work in blinding someone as it may not reach them or if they just flinch and close their eyes it won't work at all.
>This has to be b8
you are correct. although this is really inspiring me to make another thread...
Thanks for the advice. That seems like a sound analysis of the umbrella options.
I think an umbrella is a good option, because it rains here a lot and I usually carry one anyway. If I'm already carrying it, I might as well have one that I can do some damage with. It would also give me a reach advantage compared to something like a knife. The only downside I see is that I can't really carry it if it's a sunny day with clear skies, as it would be suspicious and I'd look out of place.
>have you considered carrying pocket sand?
I haven't considered pocket sand, but I'm a bit sceptical of it. I'd only get one shot with it, right? That doesn't seem very reliable. I'm also not sure how I'd explain it to the police, if they asked why I was carrying it.
But I have thought about putting my keys on a long chain, with the "carry reason" being to keep them secure on a belt loop so I don't lose them. Then I could possibly use that as a flail or whip if I need to. Not sure how effective that would be.
I'm quite happy with my 5$ Home Depot umbrella.
Or, if I'm feeling particularly Ukrainian on that day, bust out the 6$ Ikea GRÖSSBY.
Are they durable? Would they survive being smashed into things?
>OI M8 U GOT A LOICENSE FOR THAT UMBRELLA
The problem you might actually run into is that's it's a product marketed for self defense ... getting sth. like a brand like a Blunt Umbrella would circumvent any problems that might arise from carrying and using sth. intended to be used to hurt people ... we are dealing with UK you never know what frickery courts come up with...
Yeah, that is a good point. Plausible deniability is important. The Unbreakable Umbrella is designed to look discreet and generic (other than the telescopic model with its glass breaker), and the branding "Unbreakable Umbrella" is supposed to be non-threatening. If they just look at it, they'd probably think it's a normal umbrella. But if they do some research about it... It wouldn't look good in court for them to pull up all the videos and marketing showing it being used as a weapon.
Just sand the label off. Boom, just an umbrella.
If you successfully defend yourself the government bus coming after you anyway slave, why not defend yourself with a real weapon.
>Britain
>not going for the obvious
I'm not old enough to use a walking stick without looking suspicious.
Who gives a shit
I could get arrested for carrying it.
You'll get arrested if you defend yourself too you fricking slave. Submit or rebel.
It's legal to defend yourself, as long as the amount of force used is considered reasonable. But it's not legal to carry something specifically for the purpose of self defence, as that makes it premeditated violence. That's why it needs to be something that I can have a plausible excuse for carrying.
Of course I hate that it's like this, but one person rebelling won't do anything. I'll just get thrown in prison and the UK will keep being like this. There's no point in rebelling unless it's widespread with a majority of people on board.
>It's legal to gently protect yourself, as long as the local lord favors me, and I daren't strike a Holy Brown One mid thrust in my mother.
>. But it's not legal to carry something specifically for the purpose of self defence, as that makes it premeditated violence.
That's fricked up, even in germany you'll only get charged with illegal possession of an AK if you defend yourself with an illegally possessed AK if you had plausible reason to believe that the use was necessary to defend yourself.
you aren't sean connery
Lmfao op you poor bastard but I have always wanted a super strong durable umbrella ever since I broke a bunch of cheap ones in the wind
Don't normally post pics but here is my victorian/edwardian umbrella with concealed blade
>I'm in the UK.
>What is the best kind of umbrella for self defence?
Aren't you Bongs required to allow a Paki one courtesy rape before you can hit them?
Wear chainmail and spray people with bug spray while hitting them with your umbrella.
Must suck to be a Bong. At least here if some future doctor or rocket scientist breaks into my apartment at 3am to help me surprise donate my TV I can put a hole in his forehead then sue his estate for the cleanup costs his blood incurred.
What kind of brolly did Steed, from the Avengers use to keep the rain off of Mrs. Peel?
Did you have a stroke.