No weapon is any good if you don’t have it with you when you need it. One thing that people always have with them is their keys. They’re allowed everywhere. A popular idea is that one can use their keys as a personal-defense weapon when other weapons are unavailable.
A technique touted by many is to hold the keys with one or more protruding between the fingers as a means of protection. Although perhaps better than nothing (and that’s debatable), this approach gives users a false sense of security.
Obvious disadvantages to this technique include that using standard keys in this manner could actually cause more injury to you than to your attacker. The base of the key hitting your hand after impact would be painful and could easily cause injury. The jagged teeth of the key could also cut your skin.
Other potential problems can limit the effectiveness of using keys for self-defense as well. These include a loose grip on any random key and a dull key.
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TACTIKEY
The Tactikey from Tactikey, LLC is designed to turn a standard house key into an effective defensive tool. And it does so with an elegant simplicity. It’s small, discreet, and non-threatening in appearance. It can go anywhere the user’s keys can go. Tactikey simply slips over the base of the key.
The Tactikey is an outstanding tool for those who travel regularly. It will pass through security checkpoints without a second glance. It’s ideal for any non-permissive environment.
The Tactikey can be in your hand and at the ready in public without drawing scrutiny or unwanted attention. After all, it’s just an ordinary key, or so it seems. In actuality, it’s a force multiplier that provides an additional layer of personal protection.
One of the most attractive features of the Tactikey is its ease of use. Its patent-pending design is very intuitive to use, making it easy to get a secure grip on your key and hold it comfortably between the knuckles. The Tactikey allows the full transference of force through the tip of the key while reducing the potential for hand injury.
The Tactikey is billed as the lightest protection in the world. Made from rugged TPE 101 composite thermoplastic elastic polymer, the Tactikey weighs a scant 0.03 ounce and measures only 1×1.75×0.5 inches.
The Tactikey is currently available only for Kwikset® house keys, although the company is considering coming out with versions for keys from other major manufacturers. Don’t have Kwikset locks? No problem. You can pick up a Kwikset house key blank from anywhere that cuts keys.
I recommend having a separate dedicated key for defense and not using your house key for this purpose. The last thing you want is to lose or damage your house key in a fight. The key blank can be sharpened with a file for added effectiveness, though keep in mind potential legal ramifications.
The Tactikey is available in Blaze Orange, Carbon Black, O.D. Green, and Ultra Violet. It has a suggested retail price of $9.99. Tactikey, LLC offers free shipping in the U.S.
CRKT WILLIAMS TACTICAL KEY
Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT) has taken a different approach with its Williams Tactical Key. Designed by former Army officer and martial arts instructor James Williams, the Williams Tactical Key is a personal defense key tool and Phillips screwdriver disguised as an innocuous key. It’s concealed carry that fits on a key ring.
The Williams Tactical Key is constructed from stainless steel with a black fiberglass-reinforced nylon (FRN) handle. FRN is the same material used for polymer pistol frames. The Tactical Key is considerably larger and heavier than standard keys, measuring 3.577 inches in length and weighing 1.1 ounces. The stainless steel “key” is 0.110 inch thick. The Tactical Key has excellent ergonomics and is well balanced.
The Williams Tactical Key is designed to be held between the fingers with the handle in the palm of the hand in the same manner as a push dagger and is employed in the same manner. The concentrated force on the pointed end can inflict considerable injury on an assailant and can also be utilized as a pain compliance tool, depending on targeting.
Although the Williams Tactical Key looks innocuous and would likely not raise any eyebrows when carried, it’s a purpose-designed personal defense tool that would be prohibited in many weapon-restricted or secure areas.
The Williams Tactical Key has a suggested retail price of $9.99 and comes with a lifetime warranty.
SOURCES
COLUMBIA RIVER KNIFE & TOOL
(CRKT)
(800) 891-3100
www.crkt.com
TACTIKEY, LLC
www.tactikey.com
