Almost everybody is familiar and comfortable with carrying guns, knives and pepper spray for self-defense, with a few folks still choosing to carry a taser or stun gun. But there is one venerable close-quarters weapon that used to rule the roost when it came to close-in, high stakes fighting: The blackjack.
The blackjack is still around today, and still just as potent as it ever has been. Consisting of a weighted striking surface or head attached to a flexible shaft or handle, blackjacks deliver devastating impacts that seem totally contrary to their small size.
This is one discreet weapon that has enjoyed a considerable amount of use with the good guys and bad guys alike, everyone from police and concerned citizens to gangland enforcers and other outlaws.
If you dont know your way around proper usage of a blackjack it is time to remedy that. The weapons are currently enjoying a renaissance in various circles and though they have never gone out of production new, high quality versions are currently on the market and entirely viable. Keep reading to learn what you need to know about the infamous blackjack.
You might already know exactly what a blackjack is and looks like, or you might not based on name alone. Even if you are unfamiliar with the term blackjack, you are still probably familiar enough with the category of weapon in question if you have heard it by any other name.
Though technically different depending on who you ask, blackjacks are often referred to as saps, coshes or slungshots and the naming convention can vary from country to country, and even region to region.
Were not going to go too far into the weeds over semantics, as they are all close enough, and for our purposes Ill be referring to this category of weapon solely as blackjacks throughout this article.
As mentioned above, a blackjack is generally constructed of soft and malleable material to impart a certain amount of flexibility while remaining rigid.
The heads are, as a rule, hollow and contain a deformable or loose fill material, or payload, that serves to spread out impact forces and hopefully prevent the breaking of skin or bones. Lead powder or tiny lead shot is a traditional payload, but some use clay or even sand.
The head is attached to a handle that might be as flexible or less flexible than the striking surface itself but it is constructed in such a way to afford the user a solid, no-slip grip, since blackjacks are always swung with considerable force when immediate effect is desired. Blackjack designs vary greatly, but no matter how they look, what they are loaded with or their size they are all used in more or less the same manner for the same purposes.
Considering the blackjack in the context of self-defense as a civilian living in the modern world or as a survivor trying to eke out an existence in the aftermath of a major SHTF event, blackjacks can yield many advantages compared to other impact weapons.
First and foremost, compared to a baseball bat, a proper nightstick or even a telescopic baton a blackjack is supremely compact and easy to carry.
While you will give up some reach going with a blackjack compared to these other tools, it is much easier to carry, far easier to conceal and very quick into action.
A blackjack does not rely on length to generate much impact force and these tiny tools can inflict injuries completely out of proportion with their size and weight.
Additionally, blackjacks are far less likely to inflict lethal injuries on an attacker, or at least they are compared to overtly lethal tools like firearms and blades. That being said, dont misunderstand: a blackjack strike to the cranium or neck is easily capable of inflicting a concussion or other serious injury.
Popular depiction in media shows blackjacks being used more or less like a magic spell capable of rendering someone unconscious for a convenient amount of time with just a little tap on the back of the noggin. In reality, such a blow delivered with force is likely to give someone a traumatic brain injury.
In short, if you want a compact impact weapon for hardcore self defense, a blackjack is just the ticket.
Basic use of a blackjack is not rocket science. Since mankind first picked up rocks we have understood how impact weapons work: Swing or otherwise propel the hard and heavy end into your target and do it with feeling. A blackjack works just the same.
Now, even though an untrained user might obtain good results using a blackjack in a self-defense encounter you can be even more effective if you learn what to do and practice accordingly.
In short, you should learn how to properly grip your blackjack during the fight and learn where to strike with it and under what conditions.
This will allow you to respond to an attack of any kind with an appropriate level of defensive force, not just lethal force (which is not always called for) and if the fight is underway youll be more than just a one-trick pony throwing out predictable grand slam swings towards the head. A varied repertoire will allow you to steadily degrade your opponent over time with every blow.
Let us begin with proper grip. When gripping the blackjack, you hold it pretty much like any other tool of similar nature.
Acquire a full, firm grip with all four fingers and curl your thumb down like you are holding a carpenters hammer or baseball bat. When the time comes to actually swing the blackjack at your assailant, swing hard like you mean it and follow through!
Dont break at the last moment or rely on the springy, snappy design of the blackjack to pop your target: Focus on your intended point of impact and swing the blackjack like you are trying to drive a large nail into a tough piece of wood.
Also, when the fight is on dont swing and connect only to wait to see what happens. You need to be dropping blows repeatedly on your assailant, fighting like youre the third monkey trying to get on Noahs Ark. When they drop or retreat youll know the fight is over.
Remember: Grip it tight, take aim, swing hard and follow through!
Now that we have the basics of gripping and swinging a blackjack properly understood, it is time to move on to more nuanced application.
Generally, you can employ a blackjack for lethal or non-lethal strikes. This allows you a significant degree of flexibility in a self-defense encounter so long as you are trained and practiced accordingly.
In short, any blow you direct to the head, neck or face of the attacker is likely to be considered lethal force and can indeed have genuine lethal effect. Larger and heavier blackjacks are capable of breaking bones and delivering tremendous impact forces.
Other targets, such as the limbs, hands, joints and large muscle groups are still excellent targets as any good shot from your blackjack will produce tremendous pain and likely deaden or disable the affected limb
We will go more into specifics in each category below.
When your attacker is presenting you with a genuine, imminent threat to your life or the threat of great bodily injury it is time to take the gloves off and respond with lethal force in kind. Your blackjack is more than capable of measuring up to this task if you can strike the attacker in their head, face or neck, particularly on the back of the head or neck.
Note that, while any blow to the head from a blackjack is likely to be a major bell ringer and inflict tremendous pain, you should avoid (if possible) striking the forehead or the crown of the skull as this is the single, most durable structure on the human body.
Instead, if forced to attack from the front use a forehand or backhand strike aimed at the temple, eye socket or side of the neck. Even striking the soft tissues of the neck can still be a decisive fight stopper since major blood vessels, arteries and the airway are likely to be damaged.
If you are able to line up a strike to the back of the skull or neck understand that you will very likely inflict catastrophic damage to the spinal cord or brain of the attacker.
If you are dealing with an assailant that is gearing up to engage you with hands and feet, lethal force might not be called for, but your blackjack can still help get you out of a bad situation.
In this case, we will employ the blackjack in a non-lethal capacity to target the attackers hands and joints, in what is called a reductive method. In this context, reductive means it is reducing the assailants capability to attack you.
Remember, you dont need to completely disable someone or knock them out in order to claim victory and self-defense. Victory for our purposes is just getting them to give up, stop or give us an opening to get away. Mission accomplished!
For this technique, let us say that someone has reached out to grab you or has already grabbed you. Now that their hand is an easy reach, you can use your blackjack to crush their hand, wrist or fingers before or after checking the offending limb.
Believe me when I tell you the tiny, delicate and extremely sensitive bones of the hand and wrist will not hold up well under such abuse!
The elbow of the offending arm is another good target but youll have to be a little smarter when it comes to attacking.
Any heavy blow will definitely hurt, but ideally you want to target the side of the elbow or the rear in order to disrupt or destroy it. This will definitely reduce the attackers capability to use their arms in any meaningful way.
Also keep in mind you might be afforded a chance to do the same thing to their knees depending on how the fight unfolds.
Your blackjack is good for more than just targeting the hard surfaces of the assailants body. Make no mistake, using it in such a way will definitely do the trick, but you shouldnt give up so-called soft targets like the abdomen and major muscle groups.
Directing a solid blow to the biceps, calves, thighs or gut is going to give the bad guy some major incentive to leave you alone.
Striking these targets will induce tremendous pain and make great filler while you wait for a more promising opportunity to disable the attacker. It should also be noted that such targets might be all you can get if you are tangled up or in a compromised position.
Considering that strikes to these soft tissues are the least likely to be considered lethal force these might be your opening move if self-defense is warranted but lethal or even escalated levels of force are not.
While rarely considered prime targets for strikes delivered with a blackjack, the ribs, shoulders and collarbones are generally easy to hit, and can produce surprisingly good effect.
Youll note that both the ribs and the collarbones are among the most delicate bones on the body and a solid strike from even a modest blackjack is likely to fracture either, perhaps severely.
Aside from being life-changingly painful, this will further degrade the attackers capability to persecute his use of force against you, either by impairing movement of the arm or making breathing difficult.
To target the ribs, use a swift, powerful forehand or backhand strike, especially if you are able to drop beneath his line of attack.
Targeting the collarbone is likewise simple but might be more difficult to connect with if the attacker sees it coming. An overhead hammer strike that connects solidly can easily break a collarbone.
Also something to keep in mind is that an attacker is highly likely to leave either of these targets vulnerable if he is focused on protecting his head or face or is already guarding an area previously injured by another strike.
A feint followed up by a powerful blow to either is an excellent technique that is likely to pay off if you connect.
The humble blackjack is a close-quarters weapon with a storied, if infamous, reputation for effectiveness.
Long the weapon of choice for heroes and villains when seeking to disable an adversary with a couple of swift, powerful blows, blackjacks are enjoying a renaissance today thanks to their ideal combination of effectiveness, compactness and ease of use. But using a blackjack skillfully is more than just wailing away until an attacker drops.
Take the time to learn proper procedures for employing a blackjack as well as the best places to strike an attacker and youll be able to count on this simple, timeless tool.
Then you're gonna love my free PDF, 20 common survival items, 20 uncommon survival uses for each. That's 400 total uses for these dirt-cheap little items!
Just enter your primary e-mail below to get your link:
Go here to see the original:
The Right Way to Use a Blackjack or Sap
- 13 Best Real Money Blackjack Apps 2024 - Top Mobile Blackjack Sites Reviewed - ReadWrite - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- A former Phillies executive found work as a blackjack dealer after being fired. Now he's back in the game. - The Philadelphia Inquirer - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Denny Hamlin won major blackjack grand prize in Las Vegas - On3.com - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Denny Hamlin wins $300000 in a blackjack tournament in Las Vegas. - AutoGear - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- Cursed in the Cup, but Not in Blackjack- $300K Richer Denny Hamlin Wins Big at Vegas - EssentiallySports - March 4th, 2024 [March 4th, 2024]
- From Ballet to Blackjack, a Dance Pioneer's Amazing Odyssey - The New York Times - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack: Russia's Bomber Can Hit Mach 2 and Strike Anything - The National Interest Online - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Best online blackjack: Top online casinos with live blackjack... - The Sun - February 5th, 2024 [February 5th, 2024]
- Impact of Casino Games On The Development of The Video Game ... - GameIndustry.com - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- Moving the Dice Around the World: Top 10 Unique Casino Goals for ... - The Dubrovnik Times - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- Best Online Casino Games To Play This Thanksgiving - Pokerfuse - November 15th, 2023 [November 15th, 2023]
- 9 Best Online Blackjack Sites to Play for Real Money - BSC NEWS - September 23rd, 2023 [September 23rd, 2023]
- How to Find a Safe Sportsbook for Blackjack Games? - GameIndustry.com - September 23rd, 2023 [September 23rd, 2023]
- Baccarat remains top casino table game in Indiana - The Times of Northwest Indiana - September 23rd, 2023 [September 23rd, 2023]
- Boosting Your Odds of Winning at Online Casino Games in Canada ... - Dolphins Talk - September 23rd, 2023 [September 23rd, 2023]
- Chicago's First Casino Opens Saturday In River North - Block Club Chicago - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Potawatomi Unveils Next Stage of Renovations - Indian Gaming - Indian Gaming - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Best Bitcoin Casinos in 2023: Top Crypto Casino Sites to Play BTC ... - Analytics Insight - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Table Games at Best Online Casinos Ranked by Experts - Bookies.com - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Horse racing tradition lives on - elko county fair - Elko Daily Free Press - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Sitka Gold Drills 449.0 Metres of 0.74 g/t Gold from Surface ... - Junior Mining Network - September 9th, 2023 [September 9th, 2023]
- Reasons Why You Always Lose at Blackjack, And How To Fix Them - The Sports Geek - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- How to Play Live Blackjack at Bitcoin Casino - The Cryptonomist - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- Unlock Success with Live Blackjack in Australia: Expert Tips - Philadelphia Sports Nation - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- The US To Donate RQ-21 Blackjack Tactical Drones And Patrol ... - Overt Defense - - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- Unveiling the Strategy Behind Australian Casino Real Money Wins - The Apopka Voice - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- What Is A High Roller and Do They Play At Online Casinos? - The Sports Geek - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- Best Red Dog Casino Table Games in 2023 - The Sports Geek - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- Most Luxurious and Oldest Land Casinos in the UK - UrbanMatter - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- Ranking of the Top Card Games in the Czech Online Casinos - GameIndustry.com - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- Step into the Joker's Realm: Login Joker123 Grants You Entry to a ... - Fordham Ram - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- Casinos in Western Australia: How Many You Can Access Right Now - TheXboxHub - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- Mayo evacuated as fire situation remains serious in northern and ... - Yukon News - August 12th, 2023 [August 12th, 2023]
- How to Play Blackjack: Your Ultimate Guide for 2022 - January 23rd, 2023 [January 23rd, 2023]
- 4 Ways to Play Blackjack - wikiHow - January 23rd, 2023 [January 23rd, 2023]
- Top 3 Online Casinos [2023] to Play for Real Money - January 19th, 2023 [January 19th, 2023]
- Basic Blackjack Strategy Charts [2021] - Generate Charts for 1-8 Decks - January 4th, 2023 [January 4th, 2023]
- 5 Best Online Blackjack Casinos to Play for Real Money - December 28th, 2022 [December 28th, 2022]
- Blackjack Online for Real Money Play with $3000 Bonus - December 28th, 2022 [December 28th, 2022]
- Play Online Blackjack Real Money - Top 3 Casinos in 2022 - December 28th, 2022 [December 28th, 2022]
- Hit Big with Blackjack on Luckyland Slots - PokerNews.com - November 11th, 2022 [November 11th, 2022]
- Tu-160 Blackjack Strategic Bomber - Airforce Technology - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- The Origin Of Blackjack And The Biggest Win In The Game's History - The SportsGrail - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Doubling Down On Soft 17 Vs. A Bust Card Can Be Tough To Stomach, But It's The Right Move - Barstool Sports - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Free Spins and Free Bets all week at Juicy Stakes Casino - Business Wire - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Magic Johnson Turned $15,000 Profits on Trips to Las Vegas Without Placing a Single Bet, Thanks to Jerry Buss - Sportscasting - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- The Top Holiday Destinations for People Who Love The Casino - FTNnews.com - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Bovada Casino Review | Is Bovada Legit and Safe for Players in 2022? - techPresident - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- How to Play Online Blackjack: Rules, Strategy, and More - The Action Network - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Best Blackjack Sites (2022): Best Blackjack Sites for Real Money Blackjack - The Daily Collegian Online - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- The 5 Best eBooks About Casinos and Gambling - Good e-Reader - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Choosing the Best Ethereum Casinos to Play Blackjack - Times Tabloid - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- The Evolution of Casino Games and the Technology Behind Them - UrbanMatter - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Live United: Don't forget the stories, people who will benefit from fundraisers - Albert Lea Tribune - Albert Lea Tribune - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- It's Controversial, But Doubling Down On 9 With The Dealer Showing A 6 Is The Right Move - Barstool Sports - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Compare The Best Online Casinos in South Korea for Real Money - The Tech Report - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- 200 Free Spins and $2000 Blackjack at Juicy Stakes Casino - Business Wire - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- The history behind the 3 most iconic card games - Q Costa Rica News - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- The Most Beautiful Casinos In the World | The Best Of 2022 - bravewords.com - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- Feather Falls Casino Using Craft Beer to Fund Hopes and Dreams - Casino.Org News - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- What Table Games can you find at the Best Casino Online in Canada - Novinite.com - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- Can You Win Ethereum On Online Casino? - UrbanMatter - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- What Should You Read Before You Start Gambling In CA? Educative Literature - Film Threat - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- The 3 Most Notable Blackjack Players of All Time - Hardware Times - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Blackjack Gary Lawson given further 26 week suspension following threatening behaviour - Stuff - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Attempted Break-in by Masked Males and Gunfire Reported in Residential Area - South Santa Rosa News - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Holden student to enter UMaine with 64 Early College credits - UMaine News - University of Maine - University of Maine - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Which Are The 5 Most Played Card Games In The World? - Gamesreviews - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- An Easy Guide To Win Blackjack Online Game, Read - IWMBuzz - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- Bill Benter: The World's Most Successful Gambler Who Used Math To Beat The Bookies - Casino.Org News - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- Not Golf, Not Hooters: John Daly Once Revealed What He Loves More Than Anything - EssentiallySports - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- Here's A List of Trusted Non-GamStop Casinos In The UK - Geeks World Wide - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- The best games to be found at casinos in Wales - Wales 247 - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- Free Spins and a Juicy Stakes Blackjack Bonus - Business Wire - August 8th, 2022 [August 8th, 2022]
- Blackjack has 34 starting hands, or more if composition matters - Atlantic City Weekly - July 25th, 2022 [July 25th, 2022]
- How to Play Free Blackjack Games and Where to Find Them - Techstory - July 25th, 2022 [July 25th, 2022]
- Some Of The Biggest Vegas Scandals - FTNnews.com - July 25th, 2022 [July 25th, 2022]
- New Online Premium Brand in India - PR Newswire - July 25th, 2022 [July 25th, 2022]
- Sitka Gold's Step Out Drilling Continues to Intercept Significant Intervals of Mineralization, Including Several Occurrences of Visible Gold, at its... - July 25th, 2022 [July 25th, 2022]
- The history behind Blackjacks success - Qrius - July 13th, 2022 [July 13th, 2022]