Kubotans remain one of the most popular of all martial arts weapons for their simplicity and effectiveness. The kubotan is really nothing more than a six-inch cylinder made of hard plastic or metal that's used to lock joints and break bones. With a little bit of training, even a novice can learn to master its principles in little time.

It's important to remember that a kubotan is only as effective as its owner is trained. In the hands of a child, the kubotan is no more dangerous than any other long metal object. In the hands of a jujitsu or krav maga expert, however, the kubotan can be just as lethal as a knife or gun. The difference is that you need a permit to carry a revolver, while anyone can purchase a kubotan, often for no more than a couple of dollars.

Using Your Kubotan

The two principle techniques associated with the kubotan are poking and striking. Each situation is different and therefore calls for its own techniques, which may be determined by your opponent's range, his size and weight, and his most vulnerable targets. Typically, however, striking is preferable when bony areas such as knees and wrists present themselves as targets, while poking and prodding is better on softer or fleshier areas.

Should an attacker lunge for you, you can use your kubotan to strike his hands, wrists, fingers, or arm, or trap his hand using the shaft. The latter is reserved for highly trained fighters who have the hand-eye coordination and power to snare an attacker's joints. If you'd like to learn more about using your kubotan, there are self-defense courses that can teach you the basics in as little as an hour.