If you mention the word, Kubaton, many people may not know what you’re talking about. However, if you say it’s the little stick attached to your keyring, then they probably would. This six-inch metal or wooden stick was not meant to be an accessory dangled with your keys, but rather an effective self-defense weapon when used properly. The 5.11’s Kubaton Pen(511Tactical.com), in the hands of a skilled practitioner, can be highly effective for pressure point manipulation, joint locking, and as a solid impact point for your own strikes. Although simple in design, the Kubaton can offer game-changing results.
511 Kubaton Pen
First and foremost, the kubaton is not to be held like a hammer and swung at an attacker. This would be both highly ineffective and a total waste of time. I’ve seen many people who carry one use it as their means of self-defense, and unfortunately, they are horribly misinformed. First, it can give them a false sense of security, leading them to think it will protect them, and second, it can anger the attacker, putting them in greater danger.
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What to Target
The kubaton should be held with the majority of the shaft within your palm and an inch or so of the tip protruding from your hand. Depending upon the model, your thumb would most likely press against the back end of the weapon. This grip allows you to deliver a backfist strike with the 511Kubaton Pen while keeping your fist closed and punching with a traditional punch. This grip also allows you to drive the tip into an assailant’s pressure points throughout the body.
Additionally, the solid stick can also assist when applying a joint lock at the elbow or fingers. Vital areas should be targeted with the kubaton. These include the temples, eyes, bridge of the nose, throat, groin, and rib area. Quick, rapid strikes with the corner of the tip (if the tip is square at the top, some models offer a blunt point) are more effective than power strikes with the entire flat end.
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Ease of Concealment
The 511 Kubaton Pen is a keychain attachment, a workable pen, or just a plain stick. All three versions are easy to conceal and carry, without impeding you or attracting unwanted attention. They are often overlooked as serious weapons by passersby, and many people may not even know they are for self-defense. Keychains, a pants or shirt pocket, or a purse make easy carry options, but remember it must be easily accessible if danger comes your way.
Training is a Must
When using any weapon, you should seek training long before you carry it on the streets. A kubaton is no different, and due to its simple design, training is an absolute must. You need to learn how it’s held, what to target, and how an attacker will react to its strikes. Additionally, pressure point accuracy and joint manipulation are not beginner-level skills. To become proficient, you need to practice regularly with a certified self-defense instructor. Over time and with a lot of practice, all aspects of kubaton use will become natural and integrated into a well-rounded self-defense system.