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Hidden street weapons
Hidden Weapons
Disclaimer
This material has been made available for research and reference purposes only. Readers are
strongly advised against obtaining or manufacturing any of the weapons referred to herein, as
the majority are unlawful to possess. It is not our intent that anyone break the law or
wrongfully harm others. Be aware that the majority of the weapons referred to are currently
available from numerous sources, and may very well be encountered in the hands of criminals.
We feel that it is important to know what one might be facing when confronted by criminals on
the street.
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Blades & Such
3. Blunt Trauma
4. Cane Weapons
5. Police Style Weapons
6. Ninja Crap
7. Street Guns
8. Paramilitary Weapons
9. Afterword
Introduction
Hidden weapons are not the same as invisible, or improvised, weapons. Rather, they are
specifically intended to be implemented as weapons, and are designed so as to provide for
maximum concealment upon one’s person.
Being designed specifically as weapons, they tend to be far more damaging than improvised
weapons, which were originally intended for much different purposes. Because of their nature,
hidden weapons are often prohibited by law. Depending on one’s jurisdiction, as well as the
type of weapon in question, punishment can range from confiscation to years of imprisonment.
Be sure to research the laws regarding weapon possession in your area before considering
procurement of any exotic weaponry.
Some of these weapons are favored by gang members, ex-convicts, and professional criminals.
These people are typically substance abusing repetitive felons who will not be deterred from
obtaining a weapon they want simply because it has been prohibited. If your occupation,
environment, or lifestyle tends to bring you into contact with such people, you run a high risk of
being attacked with a weapon in the event of a violent confrontation. This section will briefly
discuss how such weapons are used, where on the person they are typically concealed, and
take notice of any significant weaknesses a weapon might have.
A few of the weapons listed are extremely nasty and highly illegal. Such weapons are typically
the tools of assassins (whether criminal, terrorist or officially sanctioned) and would never be
used by a true warrior. However, many freakish deviates fancy themselves "ninja commandos"
and could conceivably procure or manufacture such devices to carry upon their persons. If you
become involved in an altercation with such an individual, it is good to know what you might be
up against.
Exotic weaponry has long been a subject of fascination for many who walk the warrior path. In
addition to being informative, this section is meant to be entertaining as well.
A partial listing of common hidden weapons follows. For purposes of brevity, this section is far
from complete, as the various types of hidden weapon number in the hundreds. Many hidden
weapons had only limited production or were handmade prototypes, thus are difficult to
acquire. Most of the weapons listed here are currently available. Mundane weapons (such as
lockblades, hunting knives, and handguns) have been excluded from this section, as their
inclusion would’ve taken up a lot of room telling you stuff that you probably already know.
Blades & Such
Blades are the favored carry weapon of streetfighters, gangbangers, and paroled felons, and
you are guaranteed to encounter them if you spend any amount of time on the streets.
Criminals like blades for many different reasons. First, they are cheap and easily available,
which enables them to be quickly tossed if a search appears probable. Second, they are small,
lightweight, and easily concealed. Third, they are far more intimidating and damaging than
empty hands. Fourth, many criminals mistakenly believe that blades are "untraceable" weapons
which cannot be connected to them once their prints have been wiped off. Fifth, in most
instances, possession of a blade (particularly a folder, boxcutter, or small kitchen knife) will
carry a far less serious penalty than possession of a handgun. And finally, blades are silent
(which gives the criminal greater opportunity to avoid attracting unwanted attention).
If you are a policeman, bouncer, or biker, you will probably be attacked with a blade at least
once.
SHIVS:
"Shiv" is commonly defined as a small, thin, knife (usually double-edged) made from a single
piece of material (usually steel) and designed for maximum concealment. They are lightweight
and have little profile.
Shivs, usually meant to frustrate common "pat down" weapon checks, are seldom worn on
one’s belt or dropped in one’s pocket. Because of their small size and light weight, people have
gotten very creative with methods of concealed carry. Shivs are commonly worn in wristband
rigs or sheaths stitched to the outside of one’s boot. Other popular modes of carry include
sheaths sewn under one’s lapel or inside one’s jacket, sheaths pinned under one’s tie, or
sheaths worn around one’s neck on a lanyard or breakaway chain. Sheaths tend to be either
form fitting plastic or magnetized to provide maximum retention. Lesser seen modes of carry
include thigh rigs (intended for ladies), garter rigs, and behind-the-neck rigs (usually requiring
a figure-8 elastic harness worn under one’s shirt). Clandestine modes of carry include being
concealed in the heel of a shoe or sewn in the lining of a jacket. Shivs tend to be professionally
ground with skeletonized handles and top quality sheaths, and can cost well over fifty dollars,
but many cheaply made imitations can be had for under ten.
Shivs tend to be stainless steel, as they are intended to be worn close to the body and must
resist corrosion caused by exposure to perspiration. Shivs are also available composed of
fiberglass, titanium, or ceramics — lightweight materials which will pass through metal
detectors unnoticed. Several versions of fiberglass or plastic knives are concealed within the
handles of combs and hairbrushes.
Shivs have short blades, typically between one and three inches, thus are unlikely to kill except
in the event of a successful attack to the throat. Viable targets include the solar plexus and
kidneys, but the face and hands may be slashed at to deter an attack. The typical shiv is a
"throwaway" weapon, designed to be stuck in someone’s head or neck and discarded. They are
favored by intelligence agents as part of their concealed "escape & evasion" kit.
Similar to a shiv, but better, is the Mini-Culloden from Cold Steel. It is worn around the neck in
a form-fitting Kydex sheath attached to a lanyard, and has a non-slip shock-absorbing Kraton
handle. The 3.5" blade is single-edged with a needle-sharp point and is available with either a
plain or serrated edge. Its design is based on that of the skean-dhu (sometimes seen spelled
as: sgian-dubh) garter knife still worn by traditional Scotsmen. However, this small blade
obviously has no utilitarian uses whatsoever — it has been designed solely as a "weapon of last
resort."
SHANKS:
Shanks are commonly defined as poor quality knife-like weapons, often homemade, carried for
the express purpose of stabbing someone. Due to their low cost or makeshift nature, they are
usually discarded immediately after use. They are not intended for utilitarian purposes, and
seldom have a sharp cutting edge.
One of the more frequently encountered shanks is the Pakistani boot knife. This weapon
typically costs about $5 and has a dull double-edged blade with a stubby tang that is epoxied to
the handle. The blades are typically chrome-plated or blackened to conceal the poor quality of
the metal. If used as a utility blade, the Pakistani boot knife will quickly break. These knives are
typically worn in a leather sheath with a snap release and spring clip. The snap release often
catches on the knife when drawn, so it is sometimes cut off. The "belt or boot" spring clip is
usually chrome-plated, which reflects light like a mirror; and it will not secure itself to most
boots properly, resulting in the sheath remaining on the blade when "drawn." Similarly
designed knives of marginally better quality are available for about $10, but they are garbage
as well — and they are the best of the weapons in this category.
Another type of shank commonly found on the streets are the cheap imported copies of
"tactical folders." These folding jokes are always made of poor quality materials, fail to take a
proper edge, and often break within days (if not hours) of purchase. The blades often are either
too tight to open one-handed, or are so loose that the blade rattles when locked into place. The
locks typically are of such poor quality that the knife will close simply by rapping the spine of
the blade against a table top (which means it could easily fold upon one’s fingers during use).
These knives usually are equipped with thumbstuds and pocket-clips, and often have blades
exceeding 4" in length, but they are garbage nonetheless — they have all the performance of
an aluminum tent stake! However, due to their sharp appearance (wicked-looking blades with
colored aluminum handles that have rubberized inserts), low price (often under $5), and easy
availability (flea markets, novelty shops, and street vendors), they have found their way into
the pockets of street people and juvenile delinquents everywhere.
Small kitchen knives, like paring knives and steak knives, are also regularly encountered (as is
the occasional "letter opener"). Having no hilt, one’s hand can easily slide up onto the blade
upon stabbing into bone or heavy material. Sometimes the handle is wrapped with layers of
tape to provide for a better grip. These knives are often simply dropped in one’s pocket, where
they can snag on the lining upon being drawn or injure the owner in the event of a fall,
although a rudimentary sheath can easily be fabricated from a piece of folded cardboard
wrapped in tape. Sheathed like so, the knife can be tucked in one’s waistband or boot.
Makeshift shanks (such as those found in correctional facilities) are usually constructed from
thin pieces of scrap metal. The metal is tediously worked (often by repeatedly scraping it across
the floor) until it is pointed enough to stab with, before the handle is wrapped for a better grip.
Sharpened plastic, broken glass, and wooden stakes (as when a pool cue or broomstick is
snapped) can also serve as functional shanks.
Criminals who carry shanks usually favor the solar plexus as a target for their attack, either
stabbing into this area hard before violently pumping the handle (commonly referred to as
"running the gears), or stabbing multiple times very quickly (usually in an uncontrolled frenzy).
A thick leather jacket will usually protect this area quite well. Criminals rarely attempt to slash
with a shank.
SPIKES:
Spikes come in a variety of designs. Some are similar to a large headless nail. Some have
handles or knurled grips. Some have a point on either end. Most are round with a simple point
at the end, but a few are triangular or square with sharpened edges and blood grooves. They
are simple, but nasty, weapons.
Double-pointed spikes are intended for throwing, and are referred to as shuriken. It takes
months to gain a reasonable degree of proficiency at sticking them in targets, but in actual
combat situations even an expert has only about a 50% chance of sticking one in a moving
target with accuracy. Heavy spikes can sink deep into soft tissue, and even stick in bone, easily
delivering a disabling strike. Double pointed spikes can also be grasped in either hand and used
for ripping and gouging. They are commonly carried in groups of three or four in forearm rigs.
Single-point spikes, including those with handles, can also be thrown — but a high level of
mastery is required to get them to stick with regularity and power. Single-point spikes are
almost exclusively used to stab with. In some ways the spike is superior to the blade; for
instance, it is more durable, provides better penetration through heavy clothing and bone,
requires only a minute with a piece of sandpaper to resharpen, and is far less expensive. Some
spikes are composed of either fiberglass or titanium, which would enable them to bypass
magnetometers.
Spikes with handles include ice picks, awls, and sharpened screwdrivers. They provide a much
more comfortable and reliable grip than the knurled and grooved grips on the solid metal
versions. Better grip means better penetration and less likelihood of droppage. Affixed to a
lanyard, they become like a "rope javelin" which can be swung, thrown, and retrieved. Many
awls are fitted with a "T" handle, and can be used as a punch knife.
Rigging knives have a blunt-tipped sheepsfoot blade, as well as a curved "marlinspike"
(designed to loosen knots) which is thick enough to be repeatedly driven through a car door
without sustaining any discernable damage. Simply pressing on a hinged "shackle" releases the
spring tension on the marlinspike, allowing it to be flipped open with one hand, after which it
will lock firmly in place. Being both legal and unobtrusive, a quality rigging knife is a fine choice
of weapon.
Spikes are sometimes hidden within common objects. Spring loaded spikes which lock into
position have been built into pens and combs. An umbrella is available with a handle that
detaches to reveal a spring steel spike over a foot long. Spikes are often found hidden within
pens, sometimes fabricated from an empty ballpoint with a thick nail wrapped with masking
tape stuffed inside.
Triangular spikes with blood grooves and sharpened edges were designed by the Allied
clandestine services of WWII as a hidden weapon for their agents. Not only would it both stab
and cut, but the suction-busting bloodgrooves allow for easy extraction, and the triangular
wound cavity is self-supporting (it will not close, bleeding freely). Reproductions of the "OSS
sleeve knife" can cost over a hundred dollars, but are well made and have value to collectors.
Lower quality copies, in both triangular and square versions, are available for around twenty
bucks.
Unlike most cheap knives, spikes (particularly those with substantial handles) are capable of
piercing bone as well as armor. Spikes can be driven through the cranium to attack the brain
(usually resulting in a "quick kill"), or slammed through the sternum to attack the heart. Heavy
clothing, leather jackets, and even soft body armor will do little to protect one against a forceful
thrust from a sharpened spike. Furthermore, the puncture wounds from a spike attack usually
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