Ironically, in a world filled with terrorism, assault, rape, and murder, I have to write an article giving people reasons why they should be learning self-defense or the Kubotan personal-protection weapon. But then, if I didn’t, who would?

I hear questions concerning which techniques are best and what weapon should I be training with if I’m concerned about XYZ? If you have questions like these, perhaps this article can help.

Since this article focuses on the self-defense weapon most commonly known as the Kubotan, my answers will be along those line. So, just in case you’ve ever asked questions like…

“Which self-defense weapon is best for the beginner or untrained person?”

“Why should I learn to use the Kubotan self-defense keychain?” Or…

“What’s so special about the Kubotan?”

Here are some of the answers I came up with off the top of my head:

1. It’s one of the easiest weapons to learn and use.

If you’re concerned about self-protection, you don’t have the luxery of time on your side. Where a student seeking to learn a martial art for confidence-building, discipline, or for purely asthetic reasons can take all the time he or she needs, you need to find techniques and, in this case, weapons that can be picked up and mastered in the quickest time possible.

2. Short of picking up a rock or a stick, it’s one of the cheapest weapons to buy or make.

Cost is another factor for many people. Of course, if you can afford it and they’re legal where you live, nothing beats a handgun for making sure you have the advantage in a self-defense situation, regardless of what anybody says. But, for many, expense, age, and restrictive laws make this a problem. So, the easiest thing to do is find something that will work for you without a lot of expense in time, money, or effort.

3. It instantly gives a smaller defender a serious advantage over a larger, stronger assailant.

Nothing brings a larger assailant to his knees (not to mention tears) like a well-placed piece of metal. When used properly agains the many weak points and sensitive areas of the human body, the Kubotan is right up there as a formidable weapon, especially for the smaller defender.

4. It’s easily concealable, allowing it seemingly come out of “nowhere” to surprise and confuse the attacker.

You don’t always want to be obvious in a self-defense situation. It makes it too easy for the attacker to prevent you from carrying out your way-cool move. The small, easily-concealable Kubotan can slip into spaces and damage areas of the assailant’s body that he can’t see or protect until it’s too late.

5. It’s legal to carry in most areas.

From a purely practical standpoint, legality should be the last thing you’re worried about when it comes to defending yourself. After all, is the criminal acting in a legal and responsible way when he or she attacks you? But… If this is a concern, the generally acceptable nature of the Kubotan makes it a great choice as a personal protection weapon.

6. If it’s not legal where you live, it’s easily substituted by a wide array of every day items that are the same shape and/or size.

Just because the law says that you can own, carry, or use a certain type of weapon, doesn’t mean that you can find plenty of legal items in everyday use that make perfect substitutes. Learn to think outside the box and don’t let something as simple as a “prohibited weapon list” prevent you from learning a valuable skill.

7. It would be stupid not to.

Of course, this also means that not learning to defend yourself in general is, not only stupid, also not very responsible as an adult who should be able to handle their own problems and take care of themselves in this big, bad world.

In a self-defense situation, assailants typically brandish a weapon, not to use it, but to gain an advantage by merely showing it. Having even a simple weapon, like the Kubotan, evens the odds and can even tip them in your favor.

So, the next time you’re wondering whether or not you should consider adding the simple-looking, yet amazingly powerful Kubotan self-defense keychain to your self-defense arsenal…

…the answer is a resounding, “Yes!”