Concealed weapons offer a two-fold advantage: they provide force multiplying capability, and they provide the element of surprise. I make no bones about the fact that I think open carry of a pistol is ill advised, most of the time. If there is a choice to conceal the handgun, that is the choice I take... Continue Reading →
Several weeks ago we had Phil Elmore on the USA Carry Podcast to discuss edged weapons. This is a deep dive that I have long wanted to tackle as the topic has been touched on, but not deeply explored, many times on past shows I have done on other podcasts. Phil was the perfect guy... Continue Reading →
I have gone back and forth on knives over the years in my self-defense training. Working in hand-to-hand, force-on-force, experiences led me to see the obvious utility of a small, fixed blade. Still, as an overall preparedness tool, while a knife is essential, a dedicated “fighting” knife sits low on the totem pole for me... Continue Reading →
I have dabbled with the application of the knife as a defensive tool over the years and it has remained the red-headed stepchild of defensive tools for myself. Now, to be clear, it is a foremost preparedness tool in that having a cutting tool on person is essential; having a rescue-cutting implement to free people... Continue Reading →
This Tuesday we had Annette Evans on the CCX2 Show. Even though Annette is a serious shooter, she focuses heavily on the many other aspects of personal security that are important, particularly for women. If you are a lady who is interested in personal protection, or if you are a man who wants some great... Continue Reading →
Any amount of force-on-force and managing unknown contacts training quickly illuminates the usefulness of OC Spray. Consider it a eye jab in a can. Being able to poke an aggressor in the eyes before he is at contact distance is a good thing. Yet, OC Spray gets ignored, or even belittled, by all but the... Continue Reading →
Any amount of combatives training leads the practicing handgunner to realize the value of a blade for contact distance fighting. There is no better place to carry this knife than in the appendix position so that it is accessible quickly, from most positions, and accessible to either hand. The priority, however, should be in using... Continue Reading →
The Ka Bar TDI is probably the most widely utilized blade of this design. Other makers, like Colonel Blades and Tops also produce knives that leverage the curved design of the TDI. This configuration looks odd at first glance, but upon training with it you can quickly realize the advantages in terms of pressing a... Continue Reading →
I have been carrying the Ka Bar TDI knife for a couple of years now, on an almost daily basis. As I have trained more in hand-to-hand/weapons integration skills I have come to embrace the obvious benefits of a center-line carried fixed blade. Since I believe in always carrying a knife anyway, as an essential... Continue Reading →
If I could only have three tools of preparedness and personal protection it would be a handgun, a blade, and a good light. The three pictured here are my favorites of each and represent my daily carry. In particular, this is a Glock 26 Gen 3, a Ka Bar TDI knife, and a Streamlight Protac... Continue Reading →
Reflex Handgun 