Bertucci Field Watch

I can confidently say it's the best watch I've ever owned. The price has gone up $10 since I bought mine seven years ago, but I remain convinced it's a great deal.

 

I've changed the battery three times since I've owned it, and it keeps incredibly accurate time. I now need a new strap, and it looks as though they have one to fit my my oversized wrists.

Here's my original post from another blog in December 2011:


A couple of years ago, I bought a Marathon watch, because that company makes the watches for the U.S. military. Their watches overall may be as great as their hype, but mine quit, and that sent me on a search for an affordable replacement.

I looked at several possibilities, and I compared customer reviews. Finally, I settled on the Bertucci Field Watch, and ordered one last March.

I have not been disappointed.

Okay, maybe its solid titanium case means that it's overbuilt. But I wanted a rugged watch, and solid titanium is a good start.

Also, the virtually unbreakable bars that retain the strap are molded right into the case. Ergo, no more lost watches due to failure of the retaining bars. As a bonus, the one-piece strap is much easier to install and remove than the standard watch strap.

One feature I really like is that the crystal is inset, which protects it from impact. I like that because I've damaged many a watch crystal in my usual ramming around -- and that includes the high impact plastic crystal on my Marathon (which put it outside the warranty).

Also, this watch is big -- bigger than the pictures seem to indicate. That's because of the really wide wrist band. Bottom line is that it "looks right" on my big, beefy wrist.

And speaking of my beefy wrist, most wrist watches give me a sore spot where the stem abrades my skin. The Bertucci has the stem offset at 4 o'clock (instead of the more common 3o'clock), and it's slightly inset as well. Result? I can wear it, and it doesn't wear on me.

As to the watch's primary purpose, I can say that mine keeps fairly accurate time. I just reset mine to nist.gov time, and found that it had lost 3 seconds over about 2 weeks.

How about minuses?

Well, the extra-length nylon strap is thick, wide and rugged, but still a little too short for my wrist. I fixed it by punching another hole and installing a grommet which almost matches the grommets around the other holes.

Another problem with the strap is that it absorbs perspiration and does require occasional washing. This may be true of all nylon straps, but this is my first, so I can't say.

The black finish on the buckle wears, which you may consider a minus, although I think it adds to the rugged appearance of the watch.

At $99 (and free shipping), the watch is not cheap, but I think the Bertucci offers the benefits you'd find in watches that cost several times more. For me, it has been a good choice.

If you'd like to know more about the Bertucci Field Watch, I suggest you click on the link above and check out the customer reviews.

Can You Really Gouge Out an Eye?

I have never shown the actual technique for gouging an eye in the WARSKYL blog. This article by Tim Larkin of Target Focus Training does not give the actual technique, either, but discusses something that is actually more important: "What is at stake?"

“You can't gouge my eye out. Go ahead, try”

He loudly proclaimed this to the assembled gaggle of men as he squeezed the lids of one eye as the other guy tried to “gouge it” …and he was right the other guy couldn’t do it.

The guy tried to get in there and gouge his eye out. I wouldn't say he was completely committed, but he was giving it a good effort but to no avail. They stopped after a couple of seconds and then the guy just pushed him away and arrogantly dismissed him.

Now people paid attention to this guy with the “inpeneratable eye” because he is a Tier One combat decorated operator. He’s from the US Army’s Delta Force and well known in the tactical training world.

Not a bad guy, but again, misinformed.

I've heard variations of this “you can’t gouge my eye in a real fight” for years. And this is not just limited to eye gouges.

The statements usually are crafted like this; combat sport practitioners say “You can't do x”, and the Reality Self Defense gurus will say, “Oh yes, you can!”

So who's right?

Well, my impulsive answer is they're both wrong, but to be fair, here's the answer.

It depends..

Because both sides rarely ask the correct foundational question:

“What are the stakes?”

When that Delta Force operator squeezed down on his eye, shutting his eye closed, and the other guy tried to get his thumb in there to no avail … everyone watching nodded their heads and agreed eye gouging doesn’t work. But noone asked….What were the stakes?

Was anybody's life on the line?

Was anybody devoid of choice?

The answer is to all of the above is…. NO!

In a training demo of course it won’t “work”, that is unless you're a functioning sociopath who would just take out another person's eye just to prove a point. But the dangerous problem is uniformed people look at a canned scenario like that and think, “See, eye gouges don’t work”.

Then you've got the guys that I'll kindly call “Reality Self Defense Experts” who sit there and say that combat sport practitioners are all vulnerable to their “deadly techniques”, but that they can't show their “deadly techniques” in the ring...which of course is a bunch of crap.

The reason you won't ever take anybody's eye in a “fight” is because a “fight” does not have high enough threat level. Whereas in a life or death, violent struggle, numerous examples exist where eyes came out, throats were crushed, joints were ripped apart, and all sorts of horrific acts of violence occurred.

So you constantly have to ask yourself, what are you training for?

Slow Motion Training

I have previously written about the value of training in ultra slow motion. (See here) Today, I want to share some material that corroborates this. It comes from an email I got from Tim Larkin's Target Focus Training.

Speed, it's the one training method in my business that is constantly misused by combat sport/self defense trainers.

They introduce speed way too early in the process.

What's interesting is to look at the best of the best performers/athletes across the board in many different sports/performance arts, the one constant training methodology that produces the top performers in all these disciplines use speed in a very different way.

Last night I was hanging out having dinner with my good friend, Steve Sims, concierge to the world’s ultra wealthy, author of “Bluefishing” an amazing guide to connect and have amazing people/experiences in your life.

Steve told me about a recent motorcycle racing course he did with some super bike and motocross experts.

What was interesting was the instructor took them to his training center in the middle of nowhere and ran their own course on motorbikes that wouldn't go any faster than 60 miles an hour.

Why?

Now Steve likes to go at 150 mph plus at the track on his super bikes. It fascinated me why he went to these experts who put him on a motor bike that only goes 60 miles an hour.

The answer he got from this world class motocross instructor was, “If I can teach you to ride fast on a slow bike, it's going to be so much easier when you get back on your super bike.”

The wisdom in that is amazing.

Steve told me that he can't wait to get back out on the track at full speed after spending the last couple of days doing slow work on the other bike.

He said his control and his ability to see the lines and hit apexes perfectly is so much better than before the course.

He can't believe by going slow how much he learned.

Steve paid a hefty fee to attend this motocross course to learn this info but you get the same critical principles….free!

If you take advantage of my free masterclass...

Module three of my masterclass deals specifically with this phenomenon.

Not only will you hear from motocross and superbike champs, but also other top performers in the music industry, baseball, soccer, tennis, all of them use a variation of this crucial methodology.

And yet very few people in the world outside the elite performers know of it. So take advantage of my masterclass as this is just one of the modules and I unlocked so much more.

This information is critical to your self protection and it's absolutely free.

BTW, I have taken the free course, and I think it's worthwhile. I have no financial connection to TFT, and this is not a blanket endorsement of every aspect of TFT training.

Principles of Personal Defense: Review of Ch 7

Surprise 

 “The unexpected is disconcerting. A disconcerted felon is momentarily less in charge of his own thoughts than the moment just before or just after.” (p. 41) In a speech, Cooper once related that just saying, “No,” to a felon’s orders induces a moment of confusion.

Sometimes, you can create surprise by cognitive dissonance. “Did they tell you your mother called?” Any such question that creates a mental disconnect with the current situation can provide the split-second distraction you need to act.

 A predator expects a victim he grabs will try to get away. It will surprise him when you step in and let him have it.

On this subject, the Colonel says, “. . . I can point out that in every single successful defense against violent attack that I know of -- and I have studied the matter for nearly three decades -- the was totally surprised when his victim did not wilt.” (p. 42)

I would add that if you display the traits of Alertness, Decisiveness and Aggressiveness, your defensive actions will necessarily embrace the element of surprise.

Kalah Knife Defense

Some time back, a reader with the username "Jaqueline Black" (really cool, right?) recommended that I look into the art she has trained in, called Kalah. It comes from Krav Maga, and I like what I've seen. I think maybe I'll write some future posts on the system, but today I want to show you a knife defense video.

Most martial arts knife defense techniques presuppose a committed, single stab. Real knife attacks do not happen like that. With that in mind, watch Idan Abolnik teach a more realistic approach.

Principles of Personal Defense: Review of Ch 6

Ruthlessness 

When you come under assault, you can’t rely on halfway measures. Your attacker intends to injure or kill you. You must do whatever it takes to stop him.

In this chapter, Colonel Cooper states what should be obvious: if you hold back because you’re afraid of hurting your attacker, you will just make him mad. A violent predator deserves no consideration.




When I was younger, I found myself the victim of frequent beatings by bullies. Rage helped fuel my aggressiveness, and I think it was indignation that taught me ruthlessness. Anyone who would take away my own dignity deserved no consideration in my sight.

To be sure, the law forbids you to continue your counterattack once the orc no longer presents a threat. However, until the point that you can escape or until you neutralize the threat, you pity him at your own peril. (I have written about the ethics of ruthlessness HERE.)

Principles of Personal Defense: Review of Ch 5

Coolness 

As you have seen, Jeff Cooper bases the aggressiveness of self defense on indignation, anger and rage. But he does not mean loss of control. He alludes to Kipling’s poem If.

    “If you can keep your head, when all about you are losing theirs
        And blaming it on you . . . ."

Coolness allows precision under attack. He illustrates with a story of a former student who faced a couple of killers armed with a shotgun and an automatic weapon. Precise shots from his handgun brought both of them down.

Cooper calls coolness “a matter of will" (p. 31), and he advocates playing team sports like football to develop it. However, he maintains hunting medium and big game as the best means to cultivate coolness.

Kelly McCann calls coolness “rage with reason”. (CLICK HERE to see him discuss it) For my comments on his video, CLICK HERE.

To me, remaining cool under attack requires that you control adrenaline stress. I have written about that HERE.

Principles of Personal Defense: Review of Chapter 4

Speed 

On this topic, Cooper quotes Napoleon, who said, “I may lose this battle, but I will never lose a minute.” The Colonel then makes the point that in self defense, one cannot afford to lose a second.
At one point, he mentions reaction time. If you move first, you have the advantage that action time beats reaction time. (For a video explaining this, CLICK HERE) In the movie, The Magnificent Seven, Chris uses this principle to discourage Chico, a young gunfighter. (To see, CLICK HERE)

Therefore, speed goes hand in hand with decisiveness. Once you have determined an attacker’s intentions, your quick action will put him on the defensive. After that, you must repeatedly follow up with further actions until you neutralize the threat.

Comparing it to a sports game, Cooper says that if you’re off-sides, there will be no referee to call it. He says, “The perfect fight is one that is over before the loser really understands what is going on.” (p. 26)

Principles of Personal Defense: Review of Ch 3

Aggressiveness 

This chapter marks a place where the Colonel and I part company. He begins this discussion by saying, “In defense we do not initiate violence. We must give our attacker the vast advantage of striking the first blow, or at least attempting to do so.” He maintains that an aggressive counterattack can overcome the disadvantage of letting the street orc clobber you.
One problem here is that the odds are against you. Real fights often end in 2-3 seconds. In the street, the one who lands the first blow usually wins. If a solid blow to the head does not knock the victim out, at the very least, it stuns him.  Then the attacker follows up with as many strikes as necessary to render his prey inert.

Remember, this is likely not your attacker’s first rodeo. He lives by making vicious surprise attacks.

I think Cooper may have worried about legal liability. If the orc starts the fight, then you stand clear of the charge of assault in the eyes of the law. I cannot give you legal advice, but those who have the credentials lean in the other direction.

A lawyer, Dr. Karl Duff, seems to advise that ”a moment of peril or apparent peril” constitutes legal justification for the use of force in self defense.

“. . . [T]he law clearly takes the view that one acting in a moment of peril or apparent peril need not nicely gauge the minimum amount of force to be used. A famous Supreme Court case has said, however, that ‘the law does not require detached reflection in the presence of an upraised knife.’ This, viewed in the light of the principle . . . that the law refuses to deem excessive a defensive act that is not clearly vindictive, would seem at least to allow the exigencies of a real-world confrontation to be considered.” (Dr. Karl J. Duff, Martial Arts and the Law, Ohara Pub., p. 19)

Wim DeMeere’s blog post covers many of the issues involved in legally striking a potential attacker first. (CLICK HERE) For me, it leads right back to an aggressor crossing the lines I mentioned in the previous section.

The following videos assay to shed some light on self defense and the law:

    For a brief general discussion from a non-lawyer, CLICK HERE

    For a news team’s interview of a lawyer about NY’s self defense laws, CLICK HERE

    For a  six-minute discussion by a Minnesota lawyer, CLICK HERE

    For a Florida lawyer’s three-minute explanation, CLICK HERE

    For a Texas lawyer’s five-minute review, CLICK HERE

 HOWEVER, do not take anything in this review as legal advice. The responsibility lies with you to consult a competent lawyer and/or the law as it relates to self defense in your jurisdiction.

That said, once you have decided to act in self defense, you must stop the aggressor. You have determined that he means to kill you or cause serious injury. Tim Larkin of Target Focus Training warns against merely causing him pain, which may enrage him. Rather, you need to inflict injury such that he cannot continue his attack.

An aggressive spirit will enable you to do that.  Jeff Cooper has given advice on how you may cultivate that spirit.

I think the answer is indignation. . . . These people have no right to prey upon innocent citizens. They have no right to offer you violence. They are bad people, and you are quite justified in resenting their behavior to the point of rage. . . . At this point your life hangs upon your ability to block out all thoughts of your own peril, and to concentrate entirely upon the destruction of your enemy. (p. 21)

A well-honed sense of justice will help you achieve that level of indignation. I have written about this in various discussions about the self defense mindset. For one example, CLICK HERE.

In concluding his chapter on aggression, he ties together the first three principles.

If it is ever your misfortune to be attacked, alertness will have given you a little warning, decisiveness will have given you a proper course to pursue, and if that course is in counterattack, carry it out with everything you’ve got. Be indignant. Be angry. Be aggressive. (p. 21)

Defining Violence, Part 2

Here's the second part of the video from TFT on violence. Please notice the distinction drawn between antisocial and asocial violence.

Note: Some language may violate the household standards of some of my followers. Minor children are on their honor to have a parent/guardian preview it.

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Defining Violence, Part 1

For they [i.e., the wicked] eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. ( Proverbs 4:17 WEB)

Tim Larkin of Target Focus Training (TFT) provides an excellent intro to what constitutes violence & begins to introduce the concept that, in a life or death situation, you will either dish out the violence or receive it.

 NOTE: this video contains scenes of graphic violence. If this material offends you, or young adults under 16 are present, please skip this video. Also, there are 2 or 3 instances of language that may violate some household standards.

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Comparing Two Knives from FightFast/TRS

5N1 EDC

 

In this post, I will compare the 5n1 EDC to a previous knife I got from TRS, the 325s Tactical Survival knife. Both knives came "free" but cost $9.95 S&H. They were both promotional items, and I think they were good value at that price. I "bought" the 325s a few years ago, and the EDC came last week.

First off, the EDC blade is narrower and about an eighth of an inch longer than that of the 325s. Closed, the EDC is about a half inch longer. Their width closed is almost identical.

325s

Out of the box, the EDC opened a little stiffly, and the liner lock was really hard to operate. Working with it has smoothed both operations considerably. I do miss the spring-assisted opening of the 325s. It would probably not be feasible on the EDC, though, because of the location of the light and fire starter.

In my hand, the 325s feels more ergonomic. The EDC's straight housing, for the light and fire starter leave it feeling just a tad less comfortable in my grip. Long or hard use might cause blisters.

The EDC obviously has two more features - the light and the fire starter - than the 325s. That increases its utility, and when you need a fire starter, you need it. Ditto the mini light.

EDC

Both knives have the seatbelt cutter and the window-breaking pommel. Both blades take a nice edge with a little stropping.

So, which will I carry? Probably both. I'm used to the 325s, but the EDC has the extra margin of utility I may occasionally need.

325s

Principles of Personal Defense -- Review of Ch 2

As I mentioned in a a previous post, I've been working on a project that includes a detailed review of Jeff Cooper's Principles of Personal Defense. Here I address his second principle, decisiveness.


Decisiveness

“When ‘the ball is opened’ -- when it becomes evident that you are faced with violent physical assault -- your life depends upon your selecting a correct course of action and carrying it through without hesitation or deviation.” (p. 13) Jeff Cooper has not left you in the dark about how foster a decisive mindset.

He says you must learn to think tactically. “By thinking tactically, we can more easily arrive at correct tactical solutions, and practice -- even theoretical practice -- tends to produce confidence in our solutions, which, in turn, makes it easier for us, and thus quicker, to reach a decision. (p. 14)

Although he does not elaborate on the  concept of theoretical practice, from the context, he obviously means running mental scenarios. You think to yourself, “If someone did this, then I would do that.”

Psychologists have found that mental practice produces results almost as good as real-life training. To achieve it, however, you must visualize the scenario -- the more vividly, the better. You will also achieve better results if you see the scenario in the first person, everything happening as if you were seeing it firsthand.

In addition to what Colonel Cooper recommends, I will caution you that predators can mask their intentions. They don’t want you to know their intent until after the attack has begun. They will do their best to get you to suppress that gut-level warning telling you something is wrong.

Too often, they succeed with victims afraid of seeming impolite. You must realize that a street attack does not follow the fictional rules of a schoolyard fight where one boy draws a line in the sand with the toe of his shoe and dares the other to cross it. That’s not how it happens on the street.

When a stranger approaches, and your gut warns you, “Something is wrong,” you do not need a literal line in the sand. You can and should have in place a series of mental lines which let you know exactly how close the predator has come to making his attack. No matter how much he smiles or uses words to try to throw you off balance, as he crosses the lines, he will make his intentions plain. (I talk about drawing a verbal line HERE and HERE as well as HERE. Go HERE to see my series on Lines in the Dirt.

Other lines include the following.

    The line of verbal manipulation (I cover these in my review of The Gift of Fear by Gavin De Becker.

    The line of physical pre-contact cues (Tony Blauer discusses HERE)

    The line of personal space

In each case, you must plainly tell the predator to break off his contact with you. Refusal to do so provides you with moral justification for the use of force against him. I will discuss legal justification in my review of Cooper's principle of aggressiveness.

Principles of Personal Defense - Review of Ch 1

 I have previously given an overview of Principles of Personal Defense by Jeff Cooper. Now, I'd like to give you my critical review of the first chapter, "Alertness".

Alertness

If you stay alert, you will most readily escape or evade an attack. In an unavoidable assault, alertness keeps you from being taken by surprise. Cooper says that, although some people possess a greater inborn capacity for alertness, the rest can increase theirs. 
Of improving alertness he says,  “Two rules are immediately evident: Know what is behind you, and pay particular attention to any thing out of place.” (p. 7)

Then he presents a way to enhance your situational awareness: “Make it a game. Keep a chart. Any time anyone is able to approach you from behind without your knowledge, mark an X. Every time you see anyone you know before he sees you, mark down an O.” (p. 8)

This works even better if you can recruit a buddy to play the game with you. He gets a point every time he approaches you unnoticed, and you get a point when you sneak up on him.

 As you progress, introduce the game into your daily activity. In a restaurant or public library, do you sit with your back against the wall so that no one can approach you from behind? If you cannot sit back-to-wall, perhaps you can deliberately choose a spot where you can observe anyone approaching you. Here, you might use a reflective surface to increase your field of vision.

You can also get in the habit of looking around as you pump gas, so that no one can come up on your back without you knowing.

For myself, I find grocery shopping the perfect opportunity to work on an alert mindset. It’s easy to get so involved at looking for the right can of beans or figuring the best deal on tuna that you don’t notice you’re blocking the aisle. Which also means you don’t know who’s behind you. In any crowded place, you can practice alertness by navigating the crowds with awareness and purpose.

Cooper addresses rule #2 when he says, “Anything out of place can be a danger signal.” (p. 8) He treats this big topic only briefly. I will not elaborate here, but direct you to my review of Gavin DeBecker’s The Gift of Fear.

I will end this segment with a few recommendations by the Colonel.

    “On the street, let no stranger take your hand.”

    “Use your eyes. Do not enter unfamiliar areas that you cannot observe first.”

    “Make it a practice to swing wide around corners." (p.9)

Doing these things could prevent a surprise attack, or at the very least, take the surprise out of the attack.

American Combat Judo -- A Review

I published a review of Bernard Cosneck's American Combat Judo some time ago here on WARSKYL. I've upgraded it below.

As a lad, I found I had to do my time in elementary school.  In 2nd grade, I believe, the boy in the desk next to me brought in a book called American Combat Judo. As a timid youngster, I  had to endure those who teased and pushed me around. Therefore, the idea captivated me that a book would teach me how to wreak mayhem on my tormentors. It even had a couple of pages dedicated to instruction in the delicate art of gouging out an eye. I wanted that book.

A few years later, when I was in Jr. High (Middle School to you moderns), I used to go into a stationery store (Ulbrich's) and covet items in their book rack. On one occasion, a strangely familiar cover caught my eye. It was my old friend, American Combat Judo. I think I had to wait until the next trip -- after raiding my piggy bank -- to plunk down the cash for the slim volume. I fearfully approached the cash register wondering if the clerk would permit a minor to even purchase such a book.

My 1959 edition did not contain the information on eye gouging that my friend's 1943 edition had -- a disappointment, to be sure -- but it was my first self defense book, and it became a personal treasure. It did not turn me into a formidable fighter, but the mere possibility comforted me to.

A few of the techniques seemed to fit me, and I could see myself doing them. For example, the photos of middle-aged brutes in speedos showed me how to apply the Rear Arm Strangle, and I even used it (unwisely) once or twice, and I carry that shame to this day. Most of the techniques, however, required a practice partner to learn effectively, and it's probably a good thing that at that age & stage of my life I did not have someone to practice with. One of us might have maimed or killed the other.

Many years later, after I had trained in Goshin Ryu Jujitsu, I once again picked up the book, and understood how techniques worked that had once seemed so impractical and out-of-reach. As with many books on the subject, some techniques are more practical than others, but on the whole, it contains a lot of workable suggestions.

Bernard Cosneck was a collegiate wrestler in the early 1930's who served in the Coast Guard during WWII. He wound up teaching hand-to-hand combat alongside former heavyweight champ, Lt. Jack Dempsey. Cosneck's style was eclectic, taking elements of wrestling, jujitsu, savate and "police tactics".

You can find American Combat Judo on Amazon.com, although it seems that it is no longer in print. It should not be your first --let alone your sole -- book on hand-to-hand, but if you're into WWII combatives and/or self defense classics, this one should be on your list.

Limitation as the Doorway to Specialization

 My frame wasn’t hidden from you, when I was made in secret, woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them. (Psalm 139:15-16 WEB)

 God created you with strengths and weaknesses. Do you focus on improving your weak areas instead of developing your strengths? The best strategy to overcome a weakness often lies in learning to specialize in your strengths.

Some time back, I read a story by Keith Pascal entitled One-Armed Al. He learned to fight by specializing in the moves he could accomplish with the one hand he had.

Today, I rec'd a story in an email from Trav at FightSmart. It makes the same point in the context of a Judo class.

Here it is:

A young man once wandered into a Judo school, because he wanted to learn how to throw people... you know... for self defense.

However, he only had one arm.

His Judo coach wouldn't let him jump into the normal classes... instead, he was forced to stay off on the side and practice a beginner throw.

Every day, the other students were allowed to master super-sweet moves and sweeps, while our One-Armed judoka did the same. boring. throw... over and over.

One day, the young man finally complained.

"I want to do advanced class with all of the other students. Don't limit me because of my disability!"!

The sensei stopped the class, and replied, "Well, NOW you're going to fight everyone in the gym. Let's see who throws who!"

What a jerk... AMIRIGHT!?

So he reluctantly stepped onto the mat with his first match, a pit of nervousness in his stomach, and began to fight.

Within seconds...

POW!

The sound of his opponent's back smacking onto the mat echoed throughout the room.

He was shocked.

However, each time the young judoka faced a new opponent, he promptly slammed with the same. stinking. basic. throw.

After 5 straight effortless victories, the young man's mind was ablaze... shocked by his own dominant ability, he looked at his sensei as if to ask, "how is this even possible"?

His sensei calmly explained, "The only known counter to that throw is to grab the arm that you don't have".

LIMITATION.

It can be a gift, if you allow it to be.

The Liver Punch Knockout

While I still prefer the palm heel strike over the closed fist, I have come to appreciate the superiority of the close fist when it comes to blows to the torso. In today's post, I want you to consider knockout by a punch to the liver.

Although the narration comes from the perspective of biological evolution rather than creative design, the following video provides an excellent explanation of how and why a blow to the liver can incapacitate or even cause unconsciousness.

CAUTION: (You may want to skip this one if anatomically correct illustrations violate your viewing code.)

WWII Ace Pilot -- WOW!

A skilled warrior whose record just makes me say, "WOW!" Thanks to my barber for this link.

Find out how shooting down a U.S. plane did not blemish record, but increased his status as a hero.

The Khukuri as Tool as Well as a Weapon, 2

In my last post, I showed how I have come to appreciate another aspect of my favorite khukuri in shaping wood. In Nepal, home of the famed Gurkha warriors, the curved blade also serves primarily as an agricultural implement suited to many uses. It also makes a fearsome weapon.

My barber sent me the link to the following video which shows elite Gurkha troops learning the deadlier side of a familiar tool.

The Khukuri as a Tool, as Well as a Weapon

When Laura broke the handle on her favorite garden tool -- Grampa's Weeder -- it fell to me to fix it. Rather than buy a new handle, I decided to re-taper the end of the existing handle. This involved turning it slowly while evenly removing fine shavings all the way around.

 Of course, I immediately saw this as an opportunity to develop new skills with my favorite khukuri. I shaved the the handle with the inner curve, the sharpest part of the blade -- the forward portion is for chopping. It surprised me how much fine control is possible with such a large blade. I used my Swiss Army Knife for smooth and dress the work.

Here is how it looked when about 3/4 done:

 

The project proceeded slowly and painstakingly, but it pleased me to see how straight and uniform the taper turned out.

Now, the time I spent to do that was way out of proportion to the cost of a new handle, and I have a backlog of projects I need to work on, but the payoff came in the time I got to spend with a favorite blade, testing its limits, and developing a new skill. Here, I follow the Nepalese who for centuries have used the khukuri as an all-around tool, and because its use became second nature, they naturally carried it with them to war.

In the next post, you will see young Gurkha soldiers training to use a familiar tool as a weapon of war.

Pastor Takes Out Shooter, Then Treats Wounded

You need a good guy with a gun to take out a bad guy with a gun. That's the message from this story in National Review sent to me by my barber. The link below will take you to the story.

Pastor Takes Out Shooter and Treats Wounded After Sunday Sermon

Here's the essence of the story as presented in the article:

"The shooter, a convicted felon, had already wounded several as he made his way Sunday to a Walmart in Tumwater, Wash., where he began shooting at customers and anyone who tried to stop him. As customers fled in fear, David George, pastor of the Assembly of God Church in Oakville, Wash., stepped in.

"George first made sure his family was safe, then drew his concealed weapon and told the gunman to “drop the gun and show me his hands,” he told reporters later. He then fired, shooting and killing the gunman before rushing to administer first aid to a driver who had been shot in the store parking lot." (click link above for full article)

Russian Martial Arts Practice May Be Healthful

The Russian martial art Sistema recommends dumping a bucket of cold water over your head every morning . . . outside . . . in the wintertime. After seeing this article, I'm beginning to believe there may be some solid science behind it.

 HOW LIVING IN COLDER REGIONS CAN HELP YOU HAVE HEALTHIER CHILDREN

Eye Gouge Subdues Armed Home Invader

An article in the International Business Times reports:

According to a police report by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, a witness called 911 just before 1 p.m. after he walked up to Golden's house and saw a man in a black mask holding a rifle.

"He hit me in the head with a rifle and a buddy of mine just happened to come up at just the right time and distract him," Golden told WJXT. "And when he distracted him, I made my move and I grabbed him, locked the gun in."

Golden said he got into a scuffle with the armed man, later identified as 34-year-old Timothy Hinson, but managed to use his military training to gain leverage. That’s when Golden made his move for the suspect’s face.

"I dropped the clip because I had military training then there was still one in the chamber," Golden said. "It went off. I knew I wasn't dead. And then military training took over and I gouged him in his eyes until I felt his brain."

Adrenaline supplied the necessary aggressiveness; mindset provided the ruthlessness; training and experience had already taught him the effectiveness of an eye gouge.

It's Not Just the Gun . . .

Four would-be muggers tried to rob a man holding a child outside a McDonald's restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee. The father got to his handgun as he was fighting them off and wounded one before they all fled.(The story is here on Fox News.)

Note that the point here is not only that he was armed, but that he had the mindset to fight off four men in order to access his weapon. It takes a warrior mindset to reverse the momentum of an ambush.

As Jeff Cooper used to say, "It's not the gun, it's the spirit of the man behind it."

Online Source for Ammo

I have never ordered ammo from the source linked below, but when I checked out their shipping costs, they did not seem as high as others I've looked at. Big plus that they support RKBA orgs with their $$.

If anyone has ordered from this company, please use the comment section to share your experience.

Hawkeye's Got Nothing on This Guy

My barber sent me the link to the video below. The shooter in the video could have been me . . .  but it wasn't . . . but it could have been . . .

. . . but it wasn't.

 

Password for Child Security

This meme appeared some time ago on Facebook. I believe it's worth sharing here.

When You Need to Call for Help

My daughter Merrianna posted the meme below on Facebook. I thought it worth publishing here as a personal security tip.

Why I Am a Prepper, 2

Continued from Why I Am a Prepper.

Our Spiritual Responsibility:

In terms of our responsibility as witnesses, when we observe our culture's moral descent, we must guard against thinking ourselves better than those around us. We are sinners, saved by grace . . .  SINNERS, saved by GRACE. As we seek to conform ourselves to the character of Christ, we must walk a precarious line.

On the one hand, we must avoid and reprove the ungodliness that we see all around us. On the other hand, we must avoid self-righteous attitudes. We must apply a passage like this to ourselves first and foremost and then to our neighbors.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you. (James 4:8-10 WEB)

We must approach preparedness in terms of our spiritual responsibility to provide for ourselves and our neighbors as we see God's deepening judgment on the Church and the nation. Scripture requires as much.

A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it. (Proverbs 27:12 WEB; also, Proverbs 22:3)

But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:8 WEB)

For these reasons, we prepare to provide our households with food, clothing and shelter for eventual catastrophe.

Beyond our responsibility to witness and to provide material necessities, we also have a spiritual responsibility to provide leadership. As society loses the moral glue that holds it together, we must have real answers about how a community can and should function in terms of God's Word. In fact, Jesus made this a major objective of the Great Commission.

Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go and DISCIPLE ALL NATIONS, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS THAT I COMMANDED YOU. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20 WEB)

In other words, we need to have answers for our neighbors as to what went wrong in our culture and how to correct those errors as a community and a nation. Our assignment is to disciple them to think in terms of a Biblical worldview and live in terms of it.

I've linked to an essay, “When the Treasuries are Empty”, that will help you realize what this means.

Why I Am a Prepper

I have not posted on the topic of preparedness for some time. I thought it good to state my reasons for making preparations for possible nationwide disaster.

Laura and I first started thinking seriously about preparing for a possible financial collapse in the summer of 1970. Over time, God has led us to also seriously consider exactly WHY we prepare for disaster. We can summarize the reason in two short phrases: God's judgment and our spiritual responsibility.

God's Judgment:

Throughout Scripture, we see that God judges the sinful behavior of men and nations. In Romans ch. 1, the Holy Spirit gives a comprehensive view of that judgment.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, (Romans 1:18 WEB)

Christians often think of judgment in terms of standing at the Great White Throne in the Last Day, but this passage deals with judgment that takes place within history, on earth.

God brings wrath on a society that departs from Him to follow false gods.

Because, knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things. (Romans 1:21-23 WEB)

American civil religion gives recognition to all gods of all faiths. As a case in point, consider the prayer service held the day after our current president's inauguration, attended by the Trump and Pence families.

“While most who led prayers and offered readings at the service at the Washington National Cathedral were overwhelmingly evangelical, the long list of participants also included leaders from the Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Jewish, Mormon, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, Bahá'í faiths. The service opened with a Navajo blessing.” (http://www.npr.org/2017/01/21/510948923/trumps-and-pences-attend-interfaith-inaugural-prayer-service)

The Bible tells us that those who serve false gods actually worship demons (I Corinthians 10:20). When Christians participate in joint services with those who worship false gods, they join themselves to demons (see I Corinthians 10:21; II Corinthians 6:15). That we see this on the national stage indicates a problem that runs deeply within Christ's Church in America.

Now, when I speak of God's judgment on America and, more particularly, on the Church in America, I am not referring solely to some future event. Judgment has begun, and it continues day by day. We can see this in Romans.

Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves; who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. (Romans 1:24-25 WEB)

America's overwhelming obsession with sexual lust is a sin, to be sure, but more than that, the glorification of sex represents God's judgment on a society. God gave us up to sexual immorality because, as a nation – indeed, as the Church – we have not separated ourselves from the false worship of idolatry and demons.

A 2014 article in Christian Post reveals that this form of judgment has fallen upon the Church as well as upon secular society.

“A new study on Christian attitudes toward dating and marriage reveals a broad acceptance for cohabitation, premarital sex and a rejection of traditional gender roles. Experts believe that many Christians are following cultural trends over scripture when it comes to sex and marriage.” (http://www.christianpost.com/news/christians-are-following-secular-trends-in-premarital-sex-cohabitation-outside-of-marriage-says-dating-site-survey-113373/)

In two churches that we had joined since moving to SC, we know of three pregnancies out of wedlock. One involved the son of the pastor, another involved the daughter of an elder. I want to reiterate that this particular behavior is not only sinful, but also a form of judgment upon God's people.

The Romans passage also teaches that the homosexuality which has become rampant in the last few years, has come upon us as judgment from God.

For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error. (Romans 1:26-27 WEB)

These scripture passages let us know that judgment has already descended upon America, and it continues to grow. For example, we begin to see the coming of reprobate minds (minds devoid of sound reason) both in the Church and in society at large (Romans 1:28). As we watch society devolve into the wickedness described in verses 29-31, we wonder if society can even hold together. Cultural disintegration follows upon the heels of moral disintegration.

So far, the manifestations of God's anger with us as a people have not captured our collective attention as a call to repentance. Even the calamity of 9/11 did not lead us to humble ourselves. As we see this deepening judgment that has already fallen upon us, we must look to God's Word for our responsibility to Him, to our families and to our neighbors.

Free Drawing for a Classic

Click here to enter a free drawing for a James River Armory M-14.

Extra Layer of Security (Cheap)

Thanks to my daughter Merrianna for calling my attention to use of a rubber doorstop as a security device. The idea is that, in an active shooter situation, you can keep the killer out of a classroom, office, supply closet, etc. by firmly seating the wedge into the space under the door.

I would recommend that you not think of this as your sole or main defense but rather as part of a larger plan. In addition, here are some things to keep in mind:

1. The marketplace various designs of doorstops made of a variety of materials. It stands to reason that some will work better than others with various door/floor combinations. You will want to test your wedge under various doors and on various floor surfaces (wood, carpet, vinyl). See how well it stops or slows the entrance of a determined person.
2. Bullets pass through many different kinds of doors (and walls). Therefore, in most cases, the door wedge will provide you with concealment, not cover. You should seek cover in the room, putting as much mass between you and the door as possible. Failing that, make yourself the smallest target possible in the farthest corner.
3. The wedge will only work if the door swings toward you. The wedge will do no good on doors that open outward, toward the shooter. A mistake here can leave you feeling foolish . . . and dead.
4. Have a Plan B. To my mind, the best Plan B involves returning fire. In any case, your backup plan must consist of some form of flight or fight. If the situation does not allow for flight, then you must fight. Fight with improvised weapons at hand or empty-handed. Counteraggression can carry with it an element of surprise that just might get you through the situation.

The Fight Is On

I had not heard this good old gospel tune until my wife sent me the link. The words to "The Fight is On" ring with victory, and the melody is catchy and singable.

Leila N. Morris wrote both words and melody in 1905. Click here to hear the music.

The fight is on, the trumpet sound is ringing out,
The cry “To arms!” is heard afar and near;
The Lord of hosts is marching on to victory,
The triumph of the Christ will soon appear.

Refrain
The fight is on, O Christian soldier,
And face to face in stern array,
With armor gleaming, and colors streaming,
The right and wrong engage today!
The fight is on, but be not weary;
Be strong, and in His might hold fast;
If God be for us, His banner o’er us,
We’ll sing the victor’s song at last!

The fight is on, arouse, ye soldiers brave and true!
Jehovah leads, and victory will assure;
Go buckle on the armor God has given you,
And in His strength unto the end endure.

Refrain

The Lord is leading on to certain victory;
The bow of promise spans the eastern sky;
His glorious Name in every land shall honored be;
The morn will break, the dawn of peace is nigh.

Refrain

Dry Firing and Visualization

My barber sent me the link to this article: "Zen and the Art of Hitting Stuff" by Bruce Gray.

Without any concession to Eastern philosophy or mystical practices, I have to say that I believe the author has combined two powerful approaches to handgun training. First of all, I have discussed dry firing as of great importance in training. Adding visualization to this method will, I believe increase its effectiveness by an order of magnitude.

I have addressed mental imaging or visualization in self defense training previously (for example, see here and here). Here's how Bruce Gray describes the use of visualization in dry-fire training:

Unload your gun, and check it three more times. Good! You’ll do the rest with eyes closed.
You note that you can easily drop the hammer without disturbing a dime when dry firing, but not when you know a bullet is present. I think you need to develop an unshakable faith in that skill, and an equally hard faith in the belief that if you focus on and align the sights and press through as you practice, you absolutely will hit the target.

You also need to have equal faith in your ability to call each shot, and know where it went based on what the sights were doing as they lifted off the target during recoil.

Visualize a sight picture on your chosen target in your mind while simultaneously pressing through on the trigger. Feel the trigger, how it might creep and wiggle under finger pressure. Try to get as close to dropping the hammer as you can, and hold it as you watch those imagined sights. You should ignore the target if your mind wants to stick one down there for you to look at instead.

Watch the sights in your mind’s eye and you’ll see them dip, jerk and do all sorts of things. Feel the recoil and blink, perhaps. That’s great! Let your visualized shooting session seem as real as possible without too much conscious direction. Just allow yourself to come back to the sights, focus on the front blade, align them and press.

Be focused on the process of operating the trigger, and learn to press through without tension, convulsive grasping of the hand, jerking or other funny stuff in response to the appearance of aligned sights in your mind. It’s a thing, a device, a machine you own and control. It doesn’t control you.

Do this for two weeks, each night for at least ten or 15 minutes, or until you can’t maintain good form and sight visualizations without your mind wandering too much, and stop when you can’t feel exactly what the trigger’s doing as it releases the hammer. It’s fine to alternate visualization drills with a sighted “shots” against the wall, but the bulk of your dry firing practice should be associated and reinforced with guided imagery.

I strongly suggest you click on the link to read how to transition these skills from dry fire to actual shooting at the range.

Eleventh Day of Christmas Western

Here is a Christmas episode of Have Gun, Will Travel.

If you are among those who celebrate our Lord's advent, blessings on your household.