In today's article, we're going to review the 7best self-defense canes on the market for every use case. We'll also walk you through the basics of becoming a trained cane fighter - if that's your goal.
Hidden in plain sight, your cane is a potential weapon that you can bring with you anywhere you go.
You can carry it through security checkpoints where other EDC gear (guns, knives, etc.) can’t go.
But what I like most about using canes for self-defense is the element of surprise. Because your attackers will see your cane as a sign of weakness or disability.
They won't see it coming.
To find the best self-defense / fighting cane, we went out and reviewed 16 different canes - wood, metal, and electric.
As a result, we picked out 7 self defense canes that are best in their specific categories:
- Ka Bar TDI Aluminum - Best metal self defense combat cane
- ZAP Stun Gun Walking Stick - Best budget electric / stun cane
- RMS Handcrafted Cane - Best "classic" hooked wooden fighting cane
- Bavarian Walking Stick – Best fighting cane with style
- United Cutlery Aluminum Self Defense Cane - Metal cane pick #2
- Cold Steel Walking Stick - Best brute force fighting cane
Ready? Let's get started...
Best Affordable Electric Shock Cane
The perfect self-defense tool for cane fighting beginners, and if you need assistance walking. This cane comes with 1 million volts to disable your attacker's muscles for 5-10 minutes.
Premium Electric Cane Pick
The ARC Angel Stun Cane is the easiest way to protect yourself without having to carry a gun. The cane is easy to use & charge up at home. And its 1.5M volt shock is extremely painful for anyone who might decide to attack you - humans or wild animals.
Best Aluminum Self-Defense Cane
One of the toughest self-defense canes on the market - Ka-Bar TDI Cane is made of 0.100-thick 5052-H32 aluminum, measures 39" and can be cut shorter for fit. Weight is approximately 2.15 lb. Wall thickness is 0.125". Made in the USA. Unlike wooden canes - this one won't break.
Best Wooden Self-Defense Cane
RMS Natural Wood Walking Cane is carefully handcrafted, tough, and hooked - everything you need for effective usage in hand-to-hand cane combat.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Compare The Best Self Defense Canes
| Image | Cane | Material | Handle | Electric? | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. ARC Angel 1.5M Volt Stun Cane | Aluminum | Straight | Yes | $$ |
 | 2. Ka-Bar TDI Self-Defense Cane | Aluminum | Hooked | No | $$ |
 | 3. Zap Self Defense Cane | Aluminum | Straight | Yes | $$ |
 | 4. RMS Handcrafted Natural Wood Cane | Wood | Hooked | No | $ |
 | 5. Bavarian Walking Stick | Wood | Straight | No | $$ |
 | 6. United Cutlery Self Defense Cane | Aluminum | Straight | No | $$ |
 | 7. Cold Steel Walking Stick | Aluminum | Straight | No | $$ |
Introduction: The Pain That Only A Cane Can Cause
(Take Me To Cane Reviews)
Even a simple block with your protective cane can cause your attacker serious pain. (especially if you manage to hit a bone)
With proper instruction, you can learn to do sweeps, takedowns and joint locks. That's advanced stuff, but your attacker won't stand a chance.
- You can also use the cane to hook your attacker's limbs and take away his mobility.
- You can crush his foot with the tip of your cane in close quarters.
- Finally, a strong cane blow to a vital area – head, neck, kidneys, knees – will end the fight really fast.
My point is -
A good self-defense cane is a lifesaver in situations where you don't have access to other weapons (like your gun and your blade).
Look up train station stabbings from China to London. If caught in one - wouldn't you prefer a combat cane over a rolled-up newspaper?
If you already use a cane... investing some money in a proper one is a no-brainer.
Because your cane is something that you use every day. It's a part of you. So why not get one of the best walking canes for self defense available?
Recommended Books
Raising Cane - The Unexpected Martial Art
For Octavio Ramos Jr, the cane is a hard-hitting self-defense weapon capable of incapacitating any opponent within a matter of seconds. This book is his take on cane fighting.
Cane Fighting The Authoritative Guide by Sammy Franco
Sammy Franco's Cane Fighting teaches you how to use the cane or walking stick as a fighting weapon for self-defense. A straightforward, no-nonsense book from a cane fighting master.
Best Aluminum Self-Defense Cane
One of the toughest self-defense canes on the market - Ka-Bar TDI Cane is made of 0.100-thick 5052-H32 aluminum, measures 39" and can be cut shorter for fit. Weight is approximately 2.15 lb. Wall thickness is 0.125". Made in the USA. Unlike wooden canes - this one won't break.
4 Types of Cane Weapons for Self Defense
There's more to walking cane self-defense than the hooked martial arts canes. And depending on your situation, one will be better than the other.
You have roughly 4 choices when it comes to self-defense with a cane:
- Electrical Shocking Canes
- Sword & "Hammer" Canes
- Gun Canes
- Tactical Combat Canes (for martial arts)
Here's a short breakdown of their strengths and weaknesses.
Electric Canes
Best Affordable Electric Shock Cane
The perfect self-defense tool for cane fighting beginners, and if you need assistance walking. This cane comes with 1 million volts to disable your attacker's muscles for 5-10 minutes.
An electric cane is a good choice if you haven't started you cane self-defense training yet. It won't stop your attacker, but will most likely scare him off.
You don't need martial arts skills to use an electric cane, which is why it's the perfect protective cane for beginners.
Gun Canes
A gun cane is exactly what it sounds like - a gun concealed inside of a cane. It's a lethal weapon, and you'll need a concealed carry permit to carry it in most states.
Your gun cane will get confiscated at a security checkpoint if you have to pass through one. This makes the gun cane unreliable for many situations (like the train station stabbings I mentioned earlier).
Sword & "Hammer" Canes
Sword Canes have the same problem. You won't get past security with it. Besides, what many people don't know is that the swords inside these canes are thin and frail (since they need to fit inside the cane). All in all, you're better off bringing a knife (or an actual sword, if that's your thing).
Now, the sharpest cane I can advise you buying is the hammer-pickaxe Kommando cane that I mentioned above. Sure, that thing looks like a weapon on the picture. But I tried one of them in the store, and the head is not as visible when you're holding it in your hand.
It's well-built and will last you forever since it's made of metal. It's an option worth considering, and I'm sure you'd find other uses for it besides self-defense (like breaking down an occasional wall standing in your way, or chopping wood).
Best Hammer Self-Defense Cane
The cane handle features a defensive war hammer head and a curved back spike, which makes it an effective self-defense cane and a breaching tool. The 30-Percent fiberglass handle is nearly indestructible and the axe head is attached to it with metal bolts.
If the Kommando is too brutal-looking for you, take a look at this bavarian walking stick with self-defense features. It replaces the hammer with an actual ax, all while looking sleek and fancy.
Tactical Combat Canes
Tactical combat self-defense canes are what we'll be looking at below. The real "hidden in plain sight" weapons that you can carry anywhere.
Recommended Training DVDs
Kelly S. Worden's Stick Self-Defense DVD
A simple & logical training progression with good production quality. Valuable to anyone who wants to carry a walking stick or cane for self-defense, whether they're a practicing martial artist or someone who needs a cane for mobility.
Defensive Cane Fighting Training DVD
This DVD explores the tactics and techniques of cane self-defense, including cane styles, origination of cane techniques, striking zones, footwork, one- and two-handed techniques, and practice routines.
The 7 Best Tactical Combat Canes For Self Defense For Sale In 2020 [Reviews]
1. Arc Angel Stun Cane - Best Self-Defense Cane For Most People (Seniors & Beginners, Electric)
- Handle: Straight
- Material: Aluminum
- Length: 34” - 40” (adjustable)
- Voltage: 1.5 million volts
- Weight: 2 lbs.
- Tip: Soft
- Grip: Top - Rubber
- Charges: 1000
The ARC Angel Stun Cane is the easiest way to protect yourself without having to carry a gun. The cane is easy to use & charge up at home. Its 1.5M volt shock is extremely painful – for both humans and wild animals that might attack you.
You don’t need any martial art skills to use the ARC Angel stun cane for self-defense. This makes the cane perfect for beginners and seniors. For comparison, mastering self-defense with a wood or metal combat cane will take you months (if not years). And even having mastered the art of cane fighting - you’ll still probably be vulnerable to attackers using electric weapons against you.
The cane itself is built out of sturdy aluminum that is extremely hard to break under normal-life circ*mstances, and can support up to 250 pounds of bodyweight. You can adjust the length of the cane from 34” to 40”. So you will easily find your sweet spot for length no matter how short or tall you are.
Finally, the cane itself looks like a harmless walking cane, which means that you’ll still have that element of surprise when the attacker first approaches you. It has no markings, nothing to arouse suspicion & make the attacker think that you’re holding an electric weapon.
Summarizing all of the above:
- No training required
- Easy to use
- Rugged construction & adjustable length
- “Harmless” looks
… It’s not hard to see why ARC Angel takes the #1 spot for best self-defense cane on the market for most people, especially beginners and seniors. And even if you want to learn kane-fu (the art of cane fighting), it’s still worth having a backup solution that works 100% of the time.
2. Ka-Bar TDI Self Defense Cane - Best Metal Self-Defense Combat Cane
- Handle: Wide Hook
- Material: Black Powder-Coated Aircraft-Grade Aluminum
- Length: 39” (can be cut to size)
- Weight: 2.15 lbs.
- Tip: Sharpened
- Grip: Top and Bottom
- Extra: Hollowed-out shaft for small-item storage
Ka-Bar TDI Aluminum Cane is one of the best metal fighting cane options available.
- It's unbreakable (it'll last you a lifetime)
- Subtle design - doesn't raise eyebrows
- Has everything a fighting cane needs
This cane weapon is made from aircraft aluminum and is black powder-coated.
The tip on it is aggressive - but not too aggressive. It's enough to do serious damage but won't stand out in the crowd.
The hook is very wide - good for neck and leg hooking – just as a fighting cane should have.
Aggressive holding grip - in a fighting situation you'll want something to grab on to.
You can store small items in the hollowed-out shaft – cash, spare keys, paracord, small knife – for emergency situations. Just keep in mind that the items will show up on scanners in courthouses and airports.
The only drawback: At 2.15 pounds, the Ka-Bar is heavy. The cane itself is hollow, but the walls are thick. It's still fast, but you'll need some forearm strength to maneuver it around.
But hey - if you are into walking cane self-defense... you'll need that forearm strength anyway. I'd see it as a training opportunity. Plus, once you get used to the Ka-Bar, any wooden cane will feel like a feather.
For me, the heavyweight is a small price to pay for a cane that's unbreakable. The Ka-Bar is a buy-it-for-life item. I haven't met anyone who's managed to break theirs. (If you have, let me know in the comments.)
I can't stress the looks enough. Especially when you compare this cane to other metal/composite canes - the Cold Steel or Ultimate Cutlery - it just looks really, really good.
And looks are important – you don’t want to walk around town looking like a psychopath killer out of a zombie movie.
Final note - metal canes are better for bigger people. a wooden cane might bend under you if you're on the heavy side.
3. Zap Self Defense Cane (1M Volt Zapper + Flashlight)
- Handle: Straight
- Material: Aluminum
- Length: 32” - 36” (adjustable)
- Weight: 3 lbs.
- Tip: Soft
- Grip: Top - Rubber
- Charges: 500
- Extra Features: Inbuilt Flashlight
The Zap self-defense cane is something that you get when you combine a taser with a walking cane. (And screw a flashlight on top.)
First off – this is not a fighting cane. It doesn’t have a hookthat's crucial for cane fighting techniques. But the cane is made out of aluminum and is sturdy enough to take a hit.
This is basically taser inside a cane. And that might be a good thing.
Because for a fighting cane to be useful, you need to have the proper training. Training takes time, practice, and effort.
So, at the beginning of your training, you won’t be able to defend yourself for a while. This is a problem. And the ZAP self-defense cane solves that problem.
With a press of a button, you can simply shock your attacker. The shocks are strong and penetrate clothing.
But most importantly - the shocks are loud. There's a good chance that the attacker will give up and run just from hearing this thing buzz. Heck, I know I would. Click play on the video below to see what happens when one friend decides to zap another (it's painful):
As you could see from the video, that guy got a really painful shock from the cane. The sound of electricity alone will scare off most attackers.
But here’s the real question:
Would the pain from the shock be enough to stop the attacker?
Maybe.
There's a good chance that your attacker will give up after that initial zap. Or that he won't even come close to you after hearing the buzz. But if he doesn't give up after a shock, you’ll have to fight him in hand-to-hand combat after he recovers.
In short, the Zap cane is a good alternative/replacement for your martial arts cane. It's decent against people, but I would also bring a bottle of pepper spray with me as a backup.
It's GREAT at protecting you from animals, though - like stray dogs, for example.
Imagine you’re walking your dog and another dog attacks. One zap with the cane will send any animal fleeing for its life. The cane really shines when used against aggressive animals.
- You can recharge it from a wall socket.
- A charge cycle lasts up to three months
- A single charge shocks up to 500 times. That’s 500 animals fended off.
- The cane comes with a safety switch, in case you have children running around the house.
4. RMS Handcrafted Cane - Best "Classic" Hooked Wooden Fighting Cane
Best Wooden Self-Defense Cane
RMS Natural Wood Walking Cane is carefully handcrafted, tough, and hooked - everything you need for effective usage in hand-to-hand cane combat.
- Handle: Wide Hook
- Material: Hardwood
- Length: 36” (can be cut to size)
- Weight: 0.9 lbs.
- Tip: Soft
- Grip: No
The RMS Handcrafted Wooden Cane a good budget pick for a classic self-defense cane. The cane is made out of quality hardwood, and is as sturdy as a wooden cane can be.
The hook is wide enough for hooking limbs. Which is all that you really need out of a self-defense cane, if you practice proper cane fighting techniques.
If you need a basic fighting cane - or you want to learn cane-fu - look no further than the RMS.
5. Bavarian Walking Stick Hardwood Ax Self Defense Cane
- Handle: Ax / Hammer
- Material: Oak
- Length: 35”
- Weight: 2lbs.
- Tip: Slightly Sharpened
- Grip: None
The Bavarian walking stick is a "brute force" self-defense cane.
This cane looks like an ax and will scare off most attackers. Because let's face it - nobody wants to get hit in the face with an ax. No matter how tiny the probability.
This cane is a good option for those of you who don't want to mess around with learning the cane self-defense techniques.
This thing costs a bit more - but the high-end design also justifies the price of the cane. It's a conversation starter for sure, and a solid option as a walking cane for self defense.
6. United Cutlery Self Defense Cane
- Handle: Hammer / Pickaxe
- Material: Composite (Injection Molded Fiber Nylon)
- Length: 39” (can be cut to size)
- Weight: 1.2 lbs.
- Tip: Very Sharp
- Grip: Top and Bottom
United Cutlery's cane is an alternative to the Ka-bar and the Bavarian self-defense canes.
This cane can smash nearly anything in your vicinity, but you won't be doing any cane fu martial arts with it. This thing is for smashing - period.
Concerning self-defense - I imagine that with enough training and practice, you could break bones with the hammer. And boy - I sure as hell wouldn't want to get hit with that pickaxe in the chest.
Bottom line: If you want to own one of the most dangerous canes on the market, get this one.
7. Cold Steel Tactical Walking Stick
- Handle: Straight
- Material: Polypropylene
- Length: 38,5” (can be cut to size)
- Weight: 1.6 lbs.
- Tip: Soft
- Grip: None
The Cold Steel Tactical Walking Stick is a blunt cane weapon of sorts.
It doesn't have a hook, so you won't be using any of your Cane Fu with this stick.
But boy, does this thing hit hard.
Most importantly, the Cold Steel walking stick is not heavy considering the amount of damage that it can do.
And if it fits your style - modus operandi - it's well worth checking out.
How To Choose A Self Defense Cane
So, here are 4 things that matter the most when choosing a protective cane (in that order):
- The Hook of the cane
- The Material of the cane
- The Shaft of the cane
- The Tip of the cane
Let's get started.
Note that this section only concerns the "proper" fighting canes - the ones that you can practice Cane Fu with.
Wide Hook Handle
A good self-defense cane will have a wide hook handle.
Canes with straight handles are not as versatile. Basic trapping maneuvers - hooking your opponent's leg or throat - are impossible to do with a straight cane.
Therapeutic metal canes - the ones with a slight hook that you can find in your average pharmacy - have the same problem. They're great for walking... but not designed for self-defense. The hook is too small to be useful - also making it easy to knock the cane out of your hand.
A normally hooked cane is what you'll want to use for self-defense.
But the hook also needs to be big - shaped like a half-circle. Having a large hook is crucial for trapping the limbs of your opponents.
Having a large hook area will allow you to twist the cane around fast. For situations where someone has grabbed your hand and you need to escape their grasp.
Note: The hook of your typical wooden cane from pharmacy curves inward - it's too small to trap limbs.
The wide hook is the only feature that your self-defense cane absolutely needs to have. Everything else you can negotiate.
Material: Wood vs. Metal
The material of the cane is important when it comes to self-defense.
Wooden Canes
Wooden canes are lighter than metal canes, but they can break during a fight (with a well-aimed strike to the middle).
Having said that, a wooden cane will be fine for most people. Because they're lightweight, wooden canes are the perfect self-defense canes for seniors.
It won't raise any eyebrows no matter where you go (and no matter how sharp the tip).
But wouldn't you want your cane to be unbreakable?
Metal Canes
Metal canes (usually made of airplane-grade aluminum) are tougher than wooden canes. They're unbreakable in all but extreme situations. At the cost of a slightly heavier weight, you're getting a cane that will last you a lifetime.
For survival situations - metal cane is the way to go. Besides being a self-defense tool, it will also function as an improvised crowbar. I'd rather have you strike one power shot at your opponent than sit there beating him down.
Personally - I like to know that I'm holding something that won't break - no matter what I do with it.
3. The Shaft Of The Cane
A self-defense cane will have notched gripping surfaces on the shaft (top and bottom). They're there to help you hold the cane during a fight.
Wooden self-defense canes may also have notchings on the entire shaft. A notched shaft is more likely to break the skin and cause pain - especially in areas with bones close to the skin (such as the jaw, forearm, shin, etc.).
4. The Tip Of The Cane
The tip of your cane (the one at the end of the hook) is a concentrated point of pressure.
Everything's simple here: sharper tip = more pain for the attacker
A basic move in cane self-defense is to stab the hand of the attacker that is holding you from behind with the tip of the cane to break free.
Softer tips are found on practice canes, but for self-defense, it's better to go for something sharper.
Self-Defense With A Cane Training / Fighting With A Cane
Books: Training How To Use A Self-Defense Cane
It's possible to learn the basics of using a cane for self-defense by yourself. Here are two books that'll get you started (we recommend you get both, they're worth it):
- Cane Fighting: The Authoritative Guide to Using the Cane or Walking Stick for Self-Defense by Sammy Franco
- Raising Cane - The Unexpected Martial Art by Octavio Ramos
These books are great for basic concepts and training, the next step would be attending a course or a video lesson.
Cane Self Defense Classes
American Cane Self Defense is by far the best and most comprehensive cane fighting course available. It is taught by the Grand Cane Master Joe Robaina.
Free PDFs And Materials
While these are not as comprehensive as the books and the course above, here are two cane fighting freebies I found on the internet:
- An older book from 1923 called The Walking Stick Method of Self-Defense
- Cane Self-Defense for seniors specific guide
Reading them won't hurt, but they're not detailed enough for learning actionable skills. They're better as supplementary materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Self-Defense Canes Legal? Do I Have To Register It As A Weapon?
Officially, self-defense canes are considered medical devices for seniors - not weapons. They are perfectly legal and you don't need to register them with the authorities.
If your cane has an inbuilt shocker, gun, or a blade - you'll need to check with your local law authorities. Depending on your state, you may need to register it as a weapon.
How To Make A Self Defense Cane?
Offgridweb has a great guide on how to make your own bushcraft cane to use it as a walking stick or a self-defense tool.
Can I Travel With My Self Defense Cane?
Wooden canes - Absolutely.
Metal canes are usually O.K., but there are some airports that require proof of disability if you want to carry a metal cane. So make sure you double-check the requirements of your airport before traveling with a metal cane.
What About Folding Self Defense Canes?
We don't recommend folding canes because they're weaker than the regular ones. You want something reliable, so get a tool that you can rely on.
Are Walking Sticks Illegal?
The short answer is: no, walking sticks are not illegal. Carrying a walking stick is completely legal in the U.S.A. However, if you assault someone with your walking stick, it might be considered a weapon depending on your state laws. Additionally, you might get in trouble for carrying more serious cane weapons - like sword canes or gun canes, for example.
Are Canes Good For Self Defense?
Canes are good for self defense if: (1) your attacker is not carrying a firearm, (2) you have the right type of cane and (3) you know how to use your cane.
For normal people, we recommend getting an electric shocker cane. The shock itself is painful enough to make any attacker think twice about coming closer when they hear that electric buzz from your cane.
With time, you can become a trained cane fighter which will allow you to take down most attackers with relative ease using a specialized wood or aluminum fighting cane.
Is A Walking Cane / Walking Stick Considered A Weapon?
No, a walking cane is not considered a weapon legally, it is a mobility device. The same goes for walking sticks. It is completely legal to carry walking canes and walking sticks, including bringing them on an airplane. If you assault someone with a walking cane, it might be considered a weapon depending on your state laws. Walking canes can be used as self-defense weapons with proper training.
What Is Cane Fighting?
Cane fighting is a martial sport started from "Canne de combat" - a French martial art. Cane fighting was standardized in the 1970s and uses a special type of fighting cane as a weapon. The cane is very light, made of chestnut wood and slightly tapered towards the bottom. Most cane self defense techniques we have today got their start from the French "canne de combat".
Can You Use A Walking Stick For Self Defense?
Yes, you can use a walking stick for self-defense. It can be an effective long range self defense tool, and used as a shield and strike weapon. However, unless you have practiced fighting with walking sticks, we recommend going for an electric shocker cane as your first tool. That's because it takes considerable strength, practice, and skill to be able to use walking sticks for self defense effectively.
How Do You Defend Yourself With A Stick?
You have the following options for defending yourself with a stick: (1) Get an electric shocker cane, it's painful and loud enough to scare away most attackers, and you don't need to practice martial arts to use it. (2) Sign up for a cane fighting class near you, and in 6-12 months you should be able to take down most attackers & cause enough pain with a regular-looking wooden or aluminum cane.
Where Do You Hit Someone With A Stick?
Good target areas for the stick are: crown of head, sides of head and neck, collarbones, arms, wrists, knuckles, elbows, hip bones, knees. Learn how to deliver strikes deceptively. You can appear to deliver a forehand strike to his left collarbone and really swing down and shatter his kneecap.
What Is The Strongest Wood For A Cane?
Oak and Blackthorn are the woods that most fighting canes are made from, as they're known for their toughness. If you want to go tougher than wood, though, then have a look at aluminum fighting canes like the Ka-Bar TDI Self-Defense cane that we've reviewed above.
