The Key

“The Key to Self Defense”

The Key is a keychain improvised self-defense devise that does not attract undue attention. At first glance, the Key appears harmless because it looks like a key chain or a small child’s toy that is made from hard plastic in black, grey, and pink colors.

The Key was designed as a keychain to be carried and available for self-defense, without posing a potential danger to yourself or your loved ones.

The Key was created by martial artist Phil Strenkowski, as an improvement to the original Kubotan design. Using the Key to strike or press into pressure points is similar to using the Kubotan, Yawara stick, or SD-1.

The Key as an Improvised Self Defense Device

As a keychain, the Key self-defense device is shaped like a child’s large toy key, measuring  6″ long and 2″ at its widest point. The ergonomic grip of the Key is pre-molded to fit snugly in one hand, so it is less likely to slip or slide out of your hand when striking with it. The finger indentations allow for a snug Grip that can compensate for sweaty hands resulting from an elevated heart rate, especially when naturally fearful of danger or in warmer temperatures.

The two pointed ends allow for strikes (see images right):

• • The bottom point in a fist-pounding motion.
  • The top point in a sword thrusting motion.

Compared to the Kubotan, the ergonomic shape allows for easier maneuverability when grabbing the needed key to open the door.

 

Key Self Defense Considerations

Training on how to use the Key will closely resemble how to use the Kubotan, Yawara stick, or SD-1. The Key has numerous practical applications for personal safety that allow someone to focus on improving available physical self-defense options when threatened.

The biggest challenge when using the Key for self-defense is that unless you practice with it under stress, you may not remember what or how to use the tool in a real attack effectively. Unlike some protection devices, through proper training in its use, the Key can be quickly applied against an assailant if you are surprised by an attack.

Similar to all other weapons, you need the kubotan in your hands when attacked to be ready for the assailant. Assailants prefer that their victims are not prepared when they attack, no matter what weapon or gadget they might intend to use if in danger. Other times, the Key may be dropped, making reliance on the tool precarious.

Unlike the kubotan or Yawara stick, which may be illegal in some states and countries, the Key is currently considered a key chain and not a weapon. The Key can be used as an improvised weapon, similar to many other household items

Consider using the Key as an improvised self-defense tool instead of the kubotan.

A ‘Key’ to Women’s Self Defense

The design is smaller than a kubotan, and the finger grooves are closer which allow for a better fit in a woman’s hand for more striking power. For women, its shape allows for better use than the kubotan. As in any tool or technique, it is recommended the user practice identifying one’s range of movement and capabilities.

Women should receive proper lessons specifically relevant to how women are assaulted, which prompted the development of the Model Mugging program. A short class in Key or kubotan instruction may not address this issue. A martial art application of “how” to use the Key or similar object will also be impractical and unrealistic for most women. Most instructors may not show women how to use it while fighting on the ground. The ground, or lying down, is where women will quickly end up in a real attack.

Conversely, when women have proper training, the Key can inexpensively augment other self-defense skills.

The Model Mugging Basic course provides reality-based self-defense (RBSD) training, as developed by the original creators of the padded assailant.