Protect Yourself With These 11 Self-Defense Weapons

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OWNING A self-defense weapon is one way you can help navigate potential threats in the world. Alas, a self-defense weapon is only as good as the person welding it, and while it may sound fun to buy a huge pair of brass knuckles or a high-powered taser, buying a self-defense weapon is a privilege that should be treated seriously.

Self-defense weapons are just what they sound like: a proactive defense against any threat you may face on the subway, at a park, or anywhere where people—or wildlife—could approach you and cause potential harm. "With self-defense, the goal is to create the opportunity to quickly, and safely stop an attack and to exit as fast as possible," says Michael Corwin, a former private investigator for 30+ years and a self-defense training teacher. "My number one rule is any weapon you carry can be taken from you and used against you. So before you carry a weapon, think very carefully about the fact that it can be turned on you," says Corwin. And while you might hope that you would never be in a life-threatening situation where you are forced to defend yourself, it's not altogether uncommon, which is why we've rounded up the best self-defense weapons to help keep you safe from the moment you choose to carry a weapon, to the rare event in which you have to use it.

Another reason to invest in a self-defense weapon is that you should not expect others to come to your rescue–the bystander effect suggests that witnesses often fail to help a victim or person in distress, especially when other people are present in the same setting. Self-defense is the best defense against many types of attacks on your property or your own well-being. If you don't have years of martial arts training—like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Muay Thai—don't sweat it. These small, easy-to-carry self-defense weapons will provide peace of mind for anyone that may be worried about their safety or a loved one's safety, and even help successfully thwart assailants should you find yourself in a scary situation.

Remember the best self-defense weapon starts with your brain. Once you understand the risks of carrying a self-defense weapon, you can make an educated decision on what to carry and have peace of mind knowing you have something to turn to in case a situation ever gets out of control. Here are the best self-defense weapons that are discrete and easy to acquire.

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2-Pack S1000 LED Flashlights High Lumens

A tactical flashlight is the most underrated self-defense weapon you could own. The high brightness levels and different flickering or flashing settings are smart ways to inhibit the vision of an attacker without even having to physically attack them back. Tactical flashlights often have jagged edges, which can be used to strike directly at an attacker.

Michael Corwin is a huge fan of carrying a tactical flashlight for these reasons. "When I am out at night or early morning, I carry a small tactical flashlight in my hand," says Corwin. "They're inexpensive, can be held single hand, and can be used to change the dynamics of an attack by flashing the light into the attacker's eyes—thus, causing them to momentarily shut their eyes or turn their head," says Corwin.

Williams Tactical Pen

Made from precision-machined aluminum and outfitted with ink that's suitable for writing in outdoor conditions, this tactical pen has the ability to work as a solid everyday pen. As for self-defense? The design on the end of the pen is intentionally crafted to be used to jab and break away when in close quarters with an attacker.

GDC Money Clip

Knives are one of the first weapons that come to mind for self-defense, but they can often be dangerous to the user if they don't know how to properly weld one. Being that you understand the threat of a knife being turned back against you, this unique money clip with a hidden blade could prove to be a smart tool to carry for self-defense. What's nice is if you are anticipating going through secured areas, like TSA, you can leave the small blade attachment at home and just use this wallet to carry your cash and up to five cards.

The Original Personal Safety Alarm

She's Birdie was founded by women who wanted to create a better personal safety device. The Original Personal Safety Alarm comes in a stylish design that can clip onto a backpack or keys for easy carry. When there's a threat, all you have to do is pull on the device and watch as it breaks away from its top ring. Then, an alarm that reaches a screaming 130 decibels will go off and the strobe light on the front will activate. What's great is when you want to reset the alarm, all you have to do is clip the device back into its key holder. This is a smart device that can be used to ward off an attacker before they even get close.

TiWhistle Titanium Emergency Whistle

A loud safety whistle is another way you can ward off potential threats from humans and animals. This emergency titanium whistle blasts a piercing 120 decibels and is small enough to hook on your key ring. It weighs a lofty 0.14 ounces. The TiWhistle can even be used as a dog training whistle.

Self-Defense Kit with Pepper Spray and Stun Gun with Flashlight

Sabre is a well-known name in the world of self-defense products. This duo set of pepper spray and a stun gun is all you need to protect yourself at a safe distance from any potential attacker. The pepper spray has a 10-foot range and contains a UV-marking dye to help police catch the criminal, should they try to run away. If, for some reason, the pepper spray doesn't deter an attacker, bring in the stun gun. The handheld stun gun delivers a painful 1.250 µC (micro coulombs) charge to help defend against an attacker, which the brand says produces intolerable pain.

Analyst Tanto Pocket Knife, 3.25"

Every guy should own a decent pocket knife. This knife from Kershaw is made from steel and features a serrated blade for cutting strong materials. We love how it's designed for easy one-hand opening and how it has a line lock to keep the blade in place once extended.

Hickory Stick Tire Thumper

Keeping a self-defense weapon in your car, as opposed to carrying it on you at all times, is a smart method for always making sure you have something near to you. This hickory stick works as a tire thumper, producing a sound that will let you know if your car's tires are properly aired. At the same time, this stick can be used as a baton to block an attacker's advances and to also deliver some blows back in return.

Defense Spray With Attachment Clip

Sabre's pepper spray is used and trusted by law enforcement, so you know it's dependable in life-or-death situations. The 3-in-1 formula contains Sabre's maximum strength pepper spray, as well as military-grade tear gas (which heightens the burn of pepper spray), and UV marking dye for suspect identification. When choosing to use pepper spray, it's important to know that it needs to go directly into an attacker's eyes, or else it won't be as effective. Another important note to think about with pepper spray is an attacker could be in a mental state that leads to reduced feelings of pain. "Drugs and alcohol use by an attacker may lead to them not even feeling pepper spray," says Corwin.

Original Portable Door Lock

If you travel often, this is a must-have. This portable door lock installs in seconds without tools and can be used in hotel rooms, apartments, and AirBNBs—anywhere that someone else may have the keys—for added security and peace of mind.

Williams Defense Key

This unassuming defense key looks like just another key, but the pointed tip and ergonomic handle can turn this small object into a self-defense weapon in a pinch. The handle provides a secure grip between your fingers, ensuring you can get a few strikes in before the assailant hopefully realizes what's good for them and retreats. It's bigger than a regular key, so it may look clunky on your key chain compared to the rest of your keys; but on the plus side, it definitely packs a punch.

Triple Action Police Strength Pepper Spray

This bottle of mace is housed in a strong, police-strength case with a built-in belt clip and key chain. It fires up to 12 feet away from you, emitting a combination of pepper spray, tear gas, and UV dye to aid in investigation and identification.

Compact Sport & Safety Horn

Loud noises are often enough to dissuade an attacker from carrying out his plot, and this air horn is definitely loud enough to cause a scene at 115 decibels. Audible over a half-mile away, this horn is a great deterrent for both humans and animals. Throw it in your pack before your next boating, camping, or hiking trip to use in self-defense or to alert other campers if you happen to get injured or lost.

Diablo 2 Stun Gun

This flashlight contains concealed stun prongs that make a loud crackling sound to scare off any approaching attackers. Reviewers say the stun gun has a "strong bite" to it, and while it won't fully disable an attacker, it definitely has enough power to temporarily shock them, giving you enough time to flee to safety.

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Cardsharp 2 Credit Card Folding Safety Knife

For a weapon that fits in your wallet, look no further than this stealthy credit card that unfolds into an ultra-thin 3-inch long knife. A clever locking mechanism prevents accidental cutting or blunting when the knife is closed.

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3-pack Emergency Self Defense Personal Whistle Alarm Keychain

Think of this self-defense whistle as a car alarm for your person. With a simple pull of the contact pin, it emits a 130-decibel alarm sound, which is considered the threshold of pain when it comes to our ears. Keep one for yourself and give the other two to family or friends to keep them safe on late-night walks.

Ultimate Knife, Tactical Knife with Fire Starter, Sharpener, and Knife Sheath

Every man should carry a decent pocket knife. This knife set is multi-purpose, featuring a half serrated, drop point blade, a stainless steel hammer pommel, an emergency whistle, sharpener, and firestarter. Small enough to carry in your pocket without weighing it down, this portable knife is your self-defense secret weapon.

Meet the Expert

Michael Corwin is a former private investigator for 30+ years, where he conducted witness interviews for civil plaintiffs and criminal defense cases in places like South Central LA and Albuquerque, NM. "My work involved walking up, unannounced, to a total stranger’s home (witness cold call) in these areas, knocking on the door, introducing myself, and then interviewing them about some deeply stressful events they witnessed—including homicides," says Corwin.

For the past 10 years, Corwin has taught personal safety and workplace violence prevention to individuals businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies (including probation officers, court staff, administrators, judges, and the staff of a United States Senator.

Frequently Asked Questions About Self Defense Weapons

What Is the Best Self-Defense Weapon Other Than a Gun?

It's true a gun is one type of self-defense weapon that can keep you safe, but the truth is unless you are properly trained to operate one the risk of carrying a gun outweighs the actual safety it could provide. "In all reality, firearms are really not that great as a self-defense weapon," says Corwin. "You can’t take them into many places and they are easier to disarm and use against you than a knife; plus, bullets that miss their target can easily strike an innocent bystander or your loved one."

When asking Michael Corwin further about the best self-defense weapon overall, he gave us an insightful answer we recommend all individuals should take note of. "The very best self-defense weapon is your brain," says Corwin. "Provided that you learn how to pattern and make automatic situational awareness, this is the only self-defense weapon that allows you to AVOID a risk to your safety," says Corwin.

As someone who has carried all sorts of self-defense weapons in their long career, Corwin said if he had to name a favorite tangible self-defense weapon he'd choose a tactical flashlight—a device he personally carries when out late at night or in the early morning. "You can use them to change the dynamics of an attack by flashing the light into an attacker’s eyes causing him to momentarily close his eyes or turn his head," says Corwin. "The blinding effect can last for several seconds effectively turning him from attacker to defender, then you can quickly in rapid succession strike the attacker swinging downward a hammer-like motion if it comes down to that."

Should I Carry Pepper Spray for Self-Defense?

Pepper spray is another common self-defense weapon people purchase, but in order to use pepper spray effectively you need to make sure you have proper execution and training on how to actually use it. "As a new PI in CA back in the late 1980s, I was certified to carry tear gas canisters—the same would apply to pepper spray—and went through a multi-hour certification course," says Corwin. "I used to keep a canister on my key ring, but stopped because you have to spray someone directly in the eyes to be effective, which is hard to do under the stress of an attack; and spray cannot be used in a confined indoor area or else you're going to be indirectly spraying yourself too." A last point Corwin notes is spray might not be felt by an attacker if they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This is all to say pepper spray is a strong self-defense weapon, but just be aware of its faults if you choose to carry it.

How Should I Train for Self-Defense?

Corwin, who teaches self-defense classes, recommends all individuals should learn at least basic de-escalation skills in order to engage with potential threats without physical contact and get out of a situation safely. Basic self-defense training, and certainly martial arts training, is another recommendation from Corwin. "Add in some basic self-defense—elbows, knees, palm strikes, palm pass blocks, etc—and you become the self-defense weapon that works anytime and anywhere," says Corwin.

How We Selected

For the past two year, Men's Health gear editors and writers, including our Gear and Commerce Editor John Thompson, have been testing and reviewing the best self-defense weapons. We evaluated self-defense weapons based on cost, safety, durability, and performance. We also considered what safety weapons promise the least amount of risk when used by an individual. Lastly, we spoke with self-defense experts to gain a better understanding of the philosophy of what it means to choose to carry a self-defense weapon, and why the best self-defense weapon starts with one's own ability to use their brain in a situation to try and get away from an attacker as fast as possible—as opposed to first choosing to engage with an individual.

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