Self-Defense Tip #50
Writer's questions on design and function of the Unbreakable Umbrella

by Thomas Kurz, co-author of Basic Instincts of Self-Defense and author of Stretching Scientifically, Secrets of Stretching, and Science of Sports Training.

To read the previous installment click here.

I have been asked a few questions on the Unbreakable Umbrella by a writer doing article research for magazines such as Front Sight and Tactical Gear Mag on self-defense tools available for everyday carry. Below are his questions and my answers.

Q: Can you elaborate on the differences of your two handle designs of your umbrella when using the Ray Floro technique of two handed blocking of a knife strike using your umbrella.

A: We offer two different handle designs because our customers have requested them. How they use them is up to them. Both handles are impact resistant.

Q: Does the hook shape protect the right hand from knife contact while blocking?

A: Yes, but that depends on the angle of impact during the block.

Q: Does the hook shape handle create a grabbing hazard that an opponent can grab to attempt to pull it away in close proximity struggle?

A: Theoretically, yes, but it also creates an opportunity for immobilizing the opponent who grabbed it. See sword, baton, and walking stick retention techniques.

Q: I was also wondering if you know how professionally trained individuals in unarmed combat use the umbrella?

A: That depends on the technical preferences of an individual.

My preferred techniques are shown at http://www.real-self-defense.com/unbreakable_umbrella.html. When you watch the video at the top of the page, you will see those simple and reliable moves beginning at 1 min 30 sec.

The umbrella may be also used like this:

(Pay particular attention to moves shown at 50 sec and 2 min 40 sec.)

And like this:



Q: Do they train with it as a sword or a baton in their self-defense techniques?

A: While the Unbreakable Umbrella is more like a baton than a sword, the tip, which looks innocuously dull, can be used for slashing and stabbing. So you see that the umbrella may be used in both a baton manner and a sword-like manner.

Again, the way one chooses to train with the umbrella depends on the technical preferences of an individual.

Q: Can you tell me the story of how you thought up designing a defensive umbrella?

A: Yes, I can tell you that story.

The idea of using “non-weapons” in self-defense is obvious to anyone who ever got into physical arguments, while living under a totalitarian regime that prohibits owning and carrying personal weapons. I was born and brought up in Central Europe, where a) carrying an umbrella doesn't raise any questions, b) criminals were abundant because people were (and still are) denied the right to carry and use firearms in self-defense.

Whenever going out, whatever I wore and carried including an old-fashioned umbrella, I could use in self-defense. But whatever I carried, had to be both functional and legal--so no padlocks on a chain, rather a jacket with small change in the right places.

I decided on designing the Unbreakable Umbrella because as a child I was taught rudiments of stick fighting. Old-fashioned umbrellas were sturdy enough to use like sticks in self-defense. Only recently manufacturing standards become so low that regular umbrellas break on impact. So, I asked engineers to select materials that are hard to break but lightweight and so the Unbreakable Umbrella was made that is functional and legal everywhere.

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