Cold Steel unveiled a new product this week. The Cable Whip Cane, designed by Lynn Thompson.
Now, I don’t see myself buying it, but here are five reasons why you might want one based on the press release they sent out on Wednesday.
Reasons to Consider the Cold Steel Cable Whip Cane for Your Personal Safety:
- Innovative Design for Covert Protection: At first glance, the Cable Whip Cane is an elegant, ordinary walking cane. Yet, beneath its refined exterior lies a remarkable defensive mechanism. With just a simple flick of the wrist, it reveals a steel cable whip, catching potential aggressors off guard. This duality offers an unassuming way to remain protected, a perfect balance of surprise and security.
- Extended Defensive Reach: Boasting a generous length of 38 inches, the stainless, zinc-coated steel cable whip guarantees users can maintain a safe distance from potential threats. This length not only gives individuals a reach advantage but also affords exceptional control and maneuverability in high-pressure situations.
- Sleek, Stealthy, and Sturdy: One of the Cable Whip Cane’s standout features is its ability to blend in. Built to endure daily wear and tear, its resilience ensures it remains a reliable companion for years. Its sleek design makes it a natural fit for any occasion, offering protection without drawing undue attention.
- Grip that Doesn’t Slip: The cane’s knurled handle promises a secure grip. This thoughtful feature ensures that in moments that matter most, the cane remains firmly in your grasp.
- Empowerment in Every Step: As Jamin Horst, the Brand Manager, eloquently put it, “In an unpredictable world, personal safety is paramount.” The Cable Whip Cane is more than just a tool; it’s a symbol of empowerment. It promises peace of mind, giving everyone the confidence they need to navigate diverse environments.
You can learn more about the Cable Whip Cane at www.coldsteel.com.
As I said, it doesn’t really appeal to me as a defensive tool but I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section.
I’d also be wary about buying it for an elderly relative because it’s something that can be used against them if the first strike isn’t effective. I saw this GRAPHIC video on X.com the other day. It underscores the point. Viewer discretion is advised.
Graphic video captured a man beating a 60-year-old woman with her own cane at the Lenox Avenue Station in Harlem, New York. No one intervened in the attack although a bystander did call police. pic.twitter.com/aOwRvB8Dw2
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) September 5, 2023
*** Buy and Sell on GunsAmerica! All Local Sales are FREE! ***
Having practiced martial arts using weapons for a few decades, I believe that flexible whip type tools are among the most difficult to use effectively. The striking power happens at the end of the whip. If your opponent gets inside that outside arc distance, the whip has little effect. This means that the the whip wielder has to constantly adjust their distance to keep the attacker in the correct range in order for the whip to be effective. Also, unlike a stiff weapon such as a stick, sword, knife, staff, stiff piece of tubing, hammer, bat, club, etc., the whip wielder cannot thrust with the weapon or use it to fend off the attacker when the attacker is inside the striking distance. If the wielder flails the whip back and forth to try to keep the attacker at bay, it takes training and energy to do so which will make most non-intensively trained people tired quickly. Any non-brain dead attacker can usually stay outside the optimum striking distance of the tool then time their entry into close attacking distance to jam up the whip wielder, especially after the wielder becomes tired and slows down. There are martial arts forms (escrima, Kung Fu, etc ) that teach and train with a stick/cane. These can be effective for striking, thrusting, hooking, and blocking to fend off or disable an attacker. Basically using those techniques would keep the cable sheathed inside the can which defeats the purpose of having the cable/whip in the first place. Why not just have a reasonably weighted, strong cane that doesn’t get you arrested for a concealed weapons violation?
A skilled fighter who is trained to use this type of tool could use it to entrap an attackers arms (using a hand on each side of the cable), to incapacitate an attacker through neck holds or arm throws, and to fend off a knife wielding attacker by blocking and entangling their weapon hand. All of these are possible for a person higly skill in the tools use and who trains with that weapon constantly.
To think that an elderly person who needs a cane for mobility would be able to use this whip cane effectively is, IMO, ludicrous. Even a very mobile or athletic younger person who does not train with this weapon would be fairly easily disarmed and incapacitated by a determined opponent. I think this type of tool for most people is actually counterproductive since it might give someone a false sense of confidence when they are actually vulnerable.
The other commentors raise a good point in that this type of tool may not even be legal to carry in many states, even with a CCW. Most of the states I am familiar with and have a CCW permit for, only allow me to carry a handgun for self-defense. Not a sword cane, whip, knife (fixed blade larger than 3″ or an automatic opening blade), baton (short Kubitai or longer length), mace, pepper spray, or shocking devices. TN is more lenient in the tools I can carry for defensive purposes. Also, it would not get through a metal detector which is becoming more common at many locations. Try entering a concert event with this when the screeners are aware and I believe you will quickly be charged with a concealed weapon violation.
I support carrying the most effective defensive tool at all times. That tool has to be legail for the location it is being carried. I do not believe this is an effective defense tool for any but the most highly trained individual.
I’m all for any defensive weapon a person can carry, but I doubt if a whip will stop a strong young man on PCP. I would favor a cane with a length of schedule 40 steel pipe inside. You could actually break bones and incapacitate an attacker with such a weapon. How about a cane with a 1 million volt cattle prod in it? Still, I like the concept of being armed with something, anything. Stay safe.
California bans sword canes, so this is of questionable legality. However, Cold Steel has a number of walking canes that are solid fiberglass or similar and therefore legal and quite effective if properly used. You can use the cane itself like a collapsible baton (also illegal in California for what reason I have no clue), or the aluminum head as a club.