The Monkey Fist

Picture from Wikipedia


The Monkey Fist has been around for hundreds of years. The term itself describes the knot tied as you see above (which resembles a...you guessed it, Monkey's Fist). It has been used by sailors as a way to heave a heavier line from one boat to another or from a boat to the dock. Known as a heaving line

The knot was usually tied around a stone, a marble, or a piece of heavy wood. The item used was normally determined by the size of the line used to form the knot.

Monkey Fists were used as weapons by sailors in bar fights in the 19th century and became weapons used by street gangs during the same period. Another variation use for the knot was to conceal and transport precious gems.

Now that the history lesson is over...

[I think this is a weapon that Hunter Thompson would fully approve of. After all he planned to order 200 lead-filled saps had he won his race for Sheriff in Aspen.]

As you might imagine I was watching an Apocalypse 101 reality show on TV when I saw one of the basic weapons for self-defense was...the Monkey Fist. They are light weight, cheap to buy and/or make. You can make these items if you are the crafty sort. They did some demonstrations and of course it peeked my interest because I am just wired that way.


You can do a search for "monkey fist" (DO NOT accidentally type in "monkey fisting") and find a whole host of how-to videos on how to make these and sites where you can purchase them. One site I have looked at is Paul's Outpost. The cool thing about these items is they can be used as a key chain and double as a self-defense weapon without being too obvious. It is something easy for women to use and pretty shockingly painful for an unprepared assailant.

Picture from Amazon

A Monkey Fist is made from 550 paracord and various size solid steel ball bearings. The one pictured above is a 1" diameter steel ball wrapped in the paracord "fist". The cost on Amazon is $10.99. As you could guess, getting whacked in the head with a solid steel ball would get the point across that you didn't appreciate being attacked.

Of course I had to buy one (not the key chain variety) to go along with my 26" expandable baton. Preparing for the Apocalypse one handy weapon at a time.

I do however have a key fob Fire Starter w/paracord.

Pass the word.....