Modern Self-Defence and the Tactical Pen
The accelerating pace of modern life sometimes feels like a cyclone of conflict. But standing strong in the eye of that storm is self-defence. While an unsung hero, its steady relevance and profound importance compel us to revisit and rethink our understanding of self-defence techniques and tools. One such emerging tool fascinating us is the tactical pen. Its compact size and dual functionality as a writing instrument and force multiplier make it a standout choice for modern self-defence devotees. A specialist in such tactical tools, Icy Mike from the YouTube channel Hard2Hurt, takes an insightful dive into the effective use of the tactical pen in his video, “The Best Tactical Pen Technique for Self Defense | Atomic Bear Stealth Pen.” Integration of Martial Arts for Defending Yourself Icy Mike starts the video with a declaration which may surprise some viewers. He states that mastery over weapons isn’t enough in conflict resolution. Understanding the nuances of boxing and wrestling is crucial to your self-defending prowess, even when armed with a tactical pen. It’s your hands that make the weapon deadly. The Correct Use of a Tactical Pen The tactical pen discussion in the video focuses largely on striking technique. Contrary to popular belief, the use of a tactical pen (or any small handheld implement, including flashlights or single-handed knives), does not necessarily align with traditional punching techniques. For striking with small implements, Icy Mike offers up a kind of grappling technique. The method is rooted in Greco-Roman wrestling and involves creating tension and subsequently exploiting that tension for a powerful strike. The power and efficacy of the strike are not about extending your arm or the implement; it’s about understanding and leveraging the elemental principles of body mechanics to generate power in a confined space. Tactical Pen Strike Technique The striking technique demonstrated by Icy Mike emphasises creating the force for a strike “late”. This means starting the strike but leaving the implement (weapon or fist) in place, and then completing the strike. The end result is more travel and torque for your strike, increasing its effectiveness.Maintaining Control in Self-Defence
To use a tactical pen or any striking technique efficiently, it’s essential to maintain the inside control— essentially, keeping the defending tool closer to the center of your body or your opponent’s body. This limits their options for blocking or deflecting your strike. The Dragon Combat Club and Atomic Bear Throughout the video, Icy Mike shines a spotlight on the Dragon Combat Club, a community-based self-defence group focusing on the Asian American Pacific Islander community in New York City. He shares his experience doing a seminar tour with the group, underscoring their value and necessity in the face of rising incidents in New York. Icy Mike also brings attention to Atomic Bear, a manufacturer of tactical pens and other tools. The company founder, Jeff, flew out to New York to sponsor the Dragon Combat Club event and ensured the attendees received tactical pens. Turning Civilian Tools into Self-Defence Weapons Summarily, self-defence, as presented in Icy Mike’s video, is a testament to human invention and adaptability. The tactful transformation of a pen, an everyday object, into a potential lifesaver exemplifies this. The concept of self-defence is far from stagnant, continually evolving and integrating with modern needs. So, stay sharp, stay aware, and remember: even an innocent-looking pen could save your life.Blablabla
Hard2Hurt is a popular YouTube channel run by Icy Mike, a self-defense expert. Mike shares informative content on fitness, combat sports and self-defense techniques. His down-to-earth approach and extensive expertise make viewers feel both educated and empowered, contributing to the channel’s widespread popularity.
Self-Defence Block
Go check out The Stealth Pen Pro from Atomic Bear: https://www.theatomicbear.com/hard2hurt
I wonder if Mike has seen Dustin Poirier do something similar to Dan Hooker. The Neck strikes.
I've been a subscriber since the pandemic started because of all the hate crimes. I'm half Filipina. I stayed strapped with a knife during the shutdowns. I think a tactical pen would be a better idea for edc lol I really appreciate you and your sponsor supporting the AAPI community.
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The body mechanics of your late strike technique have another real world proof. I’ve been learning how to hit a golf ball better. Most good YouTube coaches agree to start the downswing with the feet. They describe it like if you were standing on a giant jelly jar lid and you wanted to unscrew the lid with your feet. The motion starts in the feet, goes to the hip driving around, and the golf club follows. This technique adds like 30 or 40 yards per club.
So that’s legit. Good advice
Excellent content.Thankyou for sharing.
The way Mike explains his close up power generation looks almost exactly like Mike Tyson throws his tight hooks and uppercuts
How have you never thrown a football?
That violent solutions shirt is 🔥 Mike , link por favor?
I am not a professional In any sense just a beginner in Shotokan. I want to know why you had said about utilizing/delivery of impact tool should be late when you were holding the foam. Then a Video transition and you are outside testing the implementation of the tool but do not follow your forementioned motions? You deliver with a Hammer grip leading with the impact tool. Am i missing something or should i just shut up?
Thank you for supporting the Asian American community. Means a lot to us. 🙏
If street fighter 6 has taught me anything this month, its that you can't rely on doing solely one or the other.
I’m not so sure about the way you are having them do the delayed strike. I was always told that the hip/body movement should be completed at the same time as the technique. The way you describe it almost seems like you put all your momentum into your elbow/setup and then are using mostly your arm in the end when you actually strike. It means that instead of your weight and movement going into the technique, you are wasting that power, striking at the end instead of striking at about 3/4 of the way through your hip movement a
It's extremely cool that this technique has actually seen real life usage in professional combat sports as well. Dustin Poirier did this exact same hammer fist within the clinch against Dan Hooker in their fight, first round iirc. I remember those were hard shots too, to the point Hooker had to stop clinching, fired two hammer fists straight into his jaw. Love to see it.
⚠️‼️‼️‼️. What about using 1. Geologist hammer aka geopick 2. Hacksaw. 3. Wire brush (Improv tools)
really enjoyed this seminar!
Can you do a video on how to defend yourself with a belt
How to use a hairdryer for self defense.
I’m so bad at keeping pens though
im not gonna pretend to know anything about fighting cause i dont at all but i can only imagine the pain that pen can inflict in grappling situation just by putting the teeth of that pen into the wrist of the attacker if that opportunity comes up in the scuffle just attacking that pressure point to me isn't a thing id wont done to me and if done by a professional can mean in my head immobilizing that person. but i dont know if its true or possible im not a fighter or even a grappler.
Tbh now that I'm thinking about it, the technique is exactly how you throw a football. When throwing a football you don't really use just an arm throw you power it up, move everything into position, and kinda like sling shot it with a follow threw arm throw.
Keeping your elbow close to your body reduces your moment of inertia making it easier for you to spin faster to deliver the hammer fist or pen strike more quickly. Science for the win!
You need to turn your foot while striking to ensure that your knees do not get injured, it is not just to ensure proper technique. For example, if you wear shoes with a lot of grip, and you're standing on concrete, and you don't turn your foot while striking and instead have your feet remain planted to the ground, you can tear the soft tissue in your knee as you're turning your hips. There's been a number of cases where people have torn their meniscus because they didn't turn their feet. If your shoes are so grippy that you can't even rotate the back foot, then you need to turn by stepping instead of rotating, that way you don't put any strain on your knees.
Sometimes getting the message across is all about the wording. I was trying to think about the mechanics of the move and as soon as I heard the word "hammer fist" the light bulb went on, of course, so simple. Done it a million times already.
At around 8:49 – Have you experimented with upset knife strike instead of hammer fist? It looks like it could be smooth and fast to do that without making the fist. Like just turn the hand over and let it slide up like you do but just don't make the fist.
EDIT: obviously open hand doesn't work for what you show next with the pen analog.
I bought an Atomic Bear stealth pen pro, Olight warrior 3S and Kore Essentials tactical gun belt during Amazon prime day. All are featured on hard2hurt videos. Good quality products.
Ngl Kubatons are like bad video games., their useful but still trash. Like how a trash game can still be entertaining😂
I remember I saw a video of a navy seal who said he could put a tactical pen through your skull if he was fighting with a plane hijacker. I believe him. 😂
Great video, if you can strike and grapple, that’s what you need, is both. Shove a pen in an eye or in a throat, in an ear and don’t stop. Pretend you can make it all the way through, this is your way of evening the odds if you are the more vulnerable and the victim.
Hahaha are you really want to listen to this bold little guy and his dumb videos? Lol
U not winning in a street fight
Played football throughout my entire schooling. Grade School – High School. Your football throw analogy is perfect.
Very admirable on part of Atomic Bear. Because of that, and your review, I just picked up the “Stealth Pro”. Really liking it so far:
5:45 😂😂😂
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Can you imagine Joe Montana with a tactical pen. 😎🤓