Guppy 2024 Information
Category: Every Day Carry
The Guppy
My Ninja teacher, Master Ed Martin, introduced his self-defense tool, the Duk, around 1997. It was an “S” curved piece of plastic, and you put your finger into it to use it. I didn’t like that design and asked him for his permission to “Engineer it,” and he gave that to me.
The Guppy was the first one I invented. It had more to offer as a self-defense tool, not to take anything away from Master Martin’s Duk. The Duk was a great introduction to attacking pressure points with a non-compressible structure. However, as the test of time showed, there was more one could do with that initial concept.
The first major departure from the Duk was the use of kinetic energy, that is, using it like a hammer. It takes great advantage of transferring the kinetic energy of the “Hammer” motion to the attacker’s bony areas of the body. This is a huge advantage in the capability of a self-defense weapon.
It also had a thin or narrow handle, making it fit in hands very well. The thin handle ends at the pommel, which can be used to attack pressure points with precision. As it doesn’t have any sharp points, this tool passed right through TSA checkpoints with ease.
The back of the head is used to “Pinch” soft tissue into a capture position, thus allowing you to move an attacker’s body around with some ease. You can pull them out of your car or even off of another person by grabbing their lips, ears, or soft tissue under the arms, which causes pain and allows you to move them around.
Also, the top of the tool’s head can be used to push attackers off of you if they have you in a grab or a chokehold. You place the top surface of the tool under the nose and step forward to push them away.
The bulbous head part cannot only be used as a hammer against bony places on the attacker’s body but can also be placed between the fingers of a grab; twist the tool, and they will release you due to the pain.
We needed a way to carry this self-defense tool and, not known at the time, all the following models, so I developed a break-away lanyard.
This consists of two small cords that make loops on either side of a break-away “Snap” rated for up to 1000 breakaways. I placed a small brass washer into the snaps to help even the pulling load of the cord, thus making it more reliable.
To that end, we added two lanyard holes to the pommel, designed to affix the lanyard to the tool in a way that releases under strain. At the other end of the lanyard, you can place a spring hook that attaches to your belt loop, belt, or other such places on your body or gear. With one quick pull, the tool is in your hand and ready to use. The lanyards are sold as an option, but the tool is made to accept them.
One really good thing about the Guppy is when people ask you what it is. You don’t tell them it’s a self-defense tool, but rather a religious symbol, as it looks like a Christian “Fish,” so people don’t get concerned about having a self-defense tool around.
The Guppy is made of acrylic and weighs 1.5 ounces. It is 6 inches long and 3.25 inches across the head of the tool or hammer area. Let’s review the features list to see what this tool offers for self-defense.
Key Features:
- Hammer-like design for effective kinetic energy transfer
- Thin, ergonomic handle for comfortable grip
- Precision pommel end for pressure point attacks
- Soft tissue pinch capability for attacker control
- Top surface design for pushing away attackers
- Bulbous head for multi-purpose defensive techniques
- Dual lanyard holes for various carry options
- Compatible with break-away lanyard system
- TSA-friendly design (no sharp points)
- Made from durable acrylic material
- Lightweight: only 1.5 ounces
- Compact size: 6 inches long, 3.25 inches across the head
- Discreet “religious symbol” appearance
- Access to free, 24/7 online training resources
You have access to 24/7 online Defender training, FREE, on the website.
This is one of the more serious tools in the defender line. It must be approached with responsibility.
Any tool with sharp points cannot pass a TSA checkpoint. It is best to place your pointed Defenders in your luggage for check-on of any vehicle that requires TSA clearance. That being said, the Guppy has always passed through a TSA checkpoint.
This self-defense tool is extremely powerful and should only be used responsibly in genuine self-defense situations. Users must be familiar with and comply with all local, state, and federal laws concerning the use of a self-defense tool.
Additionally, it’s essential to review the TSA’s list of prohibited items on flights or similar regulations. Make sure also to understand the laws regarding the carrying of self-defense tools in any location where you intend to have them.
