- George Chung
- Apr 12, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 16, 2024
It’s an all-out brawl, no guns allowed, what weapon would you bring to a fight and why?
We asked some of the top experts in combatives and got their opinions. What's yours?
Weapon of Choice of
Oliver Gruner
Olivier Gruner is a man of many talents. A French former naval commando, actor, director, producer, screenwriter, martial artist, and pilot. Born in Paris, France, he moved to the United States in 1988 after serving in the French military and competing as a professional kickboxer, during which time he won a World Championship silver medal. Gruner made his acting debut in the 1990 film Angel Town.
The former Special Forces veteran also spends time between films as a sought-after tactical instructor.
When asked about his weapon of choice. “I like the Karambit. It's great for deterring, easy to conceal and safe to carry, great for survival, anyone can stab anyone with no training.” Said Gruner.
Jared Wihongi
Jared Wihongi is internationally recognized as an authority in the area of Close-Quarters Combat Instructor (CQC).
His specialization is the integration of firearms, impact weapons, edged weapons, and empty-hand combat with an emphasis on police, military, and self-defense applications.
He has 20 years of experience working as an Operator on three USA SWAT Teams, which has heavily influenced his approach to teaching and applying close-combat tactics.
When asked his weapon of choice Jared responded.
“My weapon of choice would be a knife with a blade of around 10 inches in length. It should be shaped to a point designed for thrusting, and with a sharpened false edge on the spine that can be used for back edge cuts. The pommel would be pointed enough to be utilized for striking at close range.”
A weapon of this kind is long enough to provide a significant stand-off distance in open space for long-range fighting but short enough to still be effective in close-quarters fighting. All 4 sides of the weapon can be used for thrusting (point) slashing (primary edge and back-edge) and blunt trauma (pommel.) The other primary reason for this choice is it's a weapon I've been training to fight with for the last 30 years.
Burt Richardson
Burton traveled the world extensively to pursue his passion. Well known for his many years with Dan Inasnatos he also has expanded his knowledge with under greats Grandmaster Antonio Ilustrisimo, Master Tony Diego, and Master Christopher Ricketts. BJJ with many top exponents, including the Machado Brothers, Carlson Gracie, Baret Yoshida, Charuto Verissimo, and Marcelo Garcia. And even journeyed to South Africa several times to train with Zulu warriors in their method of stick fighting.
When asked about his weapon of choice, his answer may surprise you.
“A high-quality fighting knife is an obvious answer due to its lethality and ability to better prepare you for multiple opponents, but let’s think beyond that,” said Richardson.
“If I couldn’t have a firearm, I would choose a shield that had points and edges that made it a formidable offensive weapon as well. If an attacker has a knife and is very aggressive, you will have a very difficult time keeping that knife out of your body if only countering with a knife of your own. Sure, all the techniques work great when drilling with a cooperative partner, but if you have someone who is out of their mind and intent on getting to you, stopping them with a knife is actually quite difficult. Spar it and see.” This is where the shield comes in. You can use a shield in one arm for both defense and offense. While you employ that shield, you can use your other hand to strike, grab, or ward off.”
Black Belt Magazine clarified, "You mean even a garbage can lid” and Master Burton replied “Yes”
“In an extreme self-defense scenario, I would definitely choose an offensive shield, and then back that up with a weapon on the other hand, if possible.”
Graciela Casillas
Graciela Casillas is a true trailblazer in martial arts. In 1979 she became the first fighter to hold world titles in both boxing and kickboxing by taking the World Women's Boxing Association's and the World Kickboxing Association’s bantamweight championships. Casillas retired undefeated in 1986. With training and personal tutelage with such legends as Angel Cables, Cliff Stewart, and Dan Inosanto, Graciela has paved a path as a sought-after master trainer.
What many still don't realize is that she is also one of the leading few female tactical trainers in the world with proficiency in firearms, and bladed weapons and sticks with certification as one of the first women under the ESI Training program.
When asked about her weapon of choice. “If I were to engage in a confrontation, I'd opt for the versatile CRMIPT by my side. Initially conceived as a rescue tool, its innovative design mimics that of a folding blade, offering a myriad of functionalities. When folded, its sharp edge serves to swiftly slice through seat belts or shatter a windshield in the event of vehicular entrapment. Additionally, in this folded state, it doubles as a striking, blunt-force implement, capable of targeting various vulnerable points on the body. Conversely, when unfolded, it transforms into a means of controlling an assailant, all while maintaining legality and eschewing the classification of a conventional blade.”
Harinder Singh
He is a 23rd Generation Tai-Chi Master and is responsible for spreading Bruce Lee's Martial Arts and Philosophical Legacy. He is the teacher of Military, Special Forces, Secret Service, SWAT, and over 100 Law Enforcement Agencies across the globe.
When asked about his choice of weapon "The most versatile weapon I carry with me everywhere I go is a Spyderco Police Model Tactical Folder. It has a sleek easy to carry design, and when folded it is 5.4” which allows it to be used as a force multiplier like a palm stick or kobo. When open it has an overall length of 9.5” which allows for effective usage in traditional and ice pick grip for both close quarters, long-range, and multiple opponent applications."
Bram Frank
First generation personal student, and disciple of the late Grandmaster Remy Presas. Bram has studied various fighting arts such as Wing Chun, JKD, and American Freestyle Karate for over 40 years. Over the last several years Bram has concentrated on the use of edged weapons/tools as a principal instrument of self-defense and its use in Military, Police, and Anti Terror applications.
When asked about his weapon of choice. ”I'm a tool user. What makes humans special is we have found a way to innovate, translate, and improve on simple tools. Many animals actually use simple tools to accomplish work or projects more easily. We specialize in making new tools to utilize energy more efficiently to accomplish more work at any given time. A weapon is a specialized tool designed to harm humans: that's intended to harm others or kill others. Tools? Everyone loves tools..and tools can accomplish much more than harming people. I grew up carrying pocket knives, simple-edged tools.”
These edged tools work because they're designed to fit in a human's hands comfortably. A pocket knife can cut rope, and paper, cut foods, whittle, and clean wounds, used in farm work, hunting, fishing, and craft projects including sculptures.
Pocket knives need no permit or certificate to carry and no permission to carry in one's pocket. A pocket knife by legal definition is designed to be carried inside one's pocket..and is NOT a weapon nor a concealed weapon in one's pocket.
Over the years I've designed picket-edged tools that do many functions especially to be used closed as impact tools. Mas Ayoob in 2000 said my Gunting knife was a historical day in the history of knives: a knife designed to be used closed as an impact tool with my patented ramp..which many like Doug Marcaida like to affectionately call " the Bramp"
So my choice is a pocket knife.
Examples of Bram Franks Gunting Knives
