Even after 12 years this video is current and informative. Blackswift is still in business and this video made me decide to purchase a Raven. This video describes very well the unique properties that make the Blackswift Raven such a comfortable and effective cane and tool. I had been eyeing other lightweight products, unaware of Blackswift's existence, and stumbled onto this video by chance. My Raven has arrived a few weeks ago and is just as light, versatile and effective as stated here. An excellent, ecxeptionally balanced and comfortable walking cane and a very fun tool to swing around. Thank you! Of the current Blackswift lineup I'd recommend the Raven over the Raptor and the SL. The Raven has a smooth polymer ball (like in this video) and it gives a comfortable grip when used as a ane. Raptor's mace head would probably be more uncomfortable. the Raven's solid fibre glass is more durable, although I'm tempted to later purchase an SL for the even lighter weight, but the Raven is light enough.
Very good explanation and training for people who are visually impaired, partially sighted and blind if they was in danger or threatened with attack keep it up man!
I have the Blackswift Raven and carry it with me at nights when walking,. The first thing I noticed was how solid it is....Just very stiff solid fiberglass....and the ball end is like welded on there. If you ever got hit with it in the head, well...I hate to even think about it...Like getting hit with a high speed billiard ball. It's just a very formidable weapon that doesn't look like a weapon. I'm 6'1" so, it's a little short for me to use as a walking stick, but I just carry it more like a riding crop. Combined with a tactical flashlight to blind your opponent, this thing would be devastating to an attacker, short of carrying a gun, but it's flat black and looks deceptively thin, so nobody would ever really notice it in the dark, and it really doesn't seem offensive....I love self defense tools that don't look like self defense tools...Good for stray dogs and other animals you'd like to keep at bay as well....Gives real peace of mind. Fine product.
Excellent video and demonstration of product...I'm at the age where I need assistance of cane at times but my African Walking Stick attracts too much attention. I purchased it years ago mainly for which you have stated as legitimate reasons to own a product just as this. I more recently purchased a 42 and 54 inch Sjambok, which is light fast, as a defensive tool, if god forbid I had to use as such, if I felt my life and safety was in danger and as a last resort, as my mind could think and register, in a quick changing dangerous moment, to the best of my abilities, however the bending of it does not support my weight to well as I walk around....this seems to be more appropriate and practical for its uses. Thank you very much! ( btw, I have Parkinson's disease and it's seems times some " certain individuals" see me as an easier target to take advantage of....this walking type of walking assister gives more confidents to walk around in public without fear...)
Thanks for doing this review! I was ready to pull the trigger on a "slim stick" and stumbled across your video. After watching the entire review a couple of times I ordered the BlackSwift... now I just gotta play the waiting game till it gets here. ;)
Steve P.... I have the Cold Steel Slim Stick, and , I do not use it much, because it feels too light and flimsy, to be used in a fight. I have a Raven with Polymer head on order, but not received it yet. In the meantime, I have, for years , carried a CaneMasters 39 inch Hickory crook. It has the snake head and I carry it Crook forewards. So far, I have not had a problem. I did purchase a City Stick some years ago, and gave it away, to a shorter friend. I am 6 ft 3 inches, and Unfortunately Cold Steel City Stick is too short for me. I have recently seen adverts, for a polymer Crook Cane, that comes as 39 inches, and has segments you can saw off, to suit your height. But before venturing into that, I will try the Raven.
I ended up purchasing one last year. Not quite as much heft as I'd like, but overall it's quite reliable. The end strikes remind me of a sjambok-esque strike: not gonna necessarily knock a guy out, but it's going to hurt and leave a mark.
I own 3. Two Ravens (Wood and Shiney Polymer) and a Raptor Mace I've customized. I use one of them for walking everyday. I'll probably get a SL Polymer handle also.
The important thing is the cinetical energy dissipated in the impact. K=1/2m•v^2 so the impact speed can be far more important than the mass. It will very intresting estimating the average normal impact speed with the two ends. For estimating the tip mass I will grab one end and let the other rest in a scales. great videos!! hug ftom Chile!!
Hey there, I was wondering what you might know about the company producing these canes? I am rather interested in the cane, however I can't find much information about their product save for this video and their own website. I left them a message, but no response thusfar. Are these canes still in production?
I just received mine a week ago I was looking at the tip when the cane just slip through my closed hand and the round handle hit the concrete floor leaving a small scratch. My neighbor was looking at my cane this morning when she not knowing rub the shaft against the concrete step taking some of the black paint off. SmH
+STEVE P Hi, Steve! Have you compared them 1:1? I don´t own a cold steel stick so I won´t judge it. But I own a Blackswift Raptor and it feels great and it´s good lookin´ too. I think the Raptor can stand any selfdefense that may occure and I don´t want to attend. :-) Because the Blackswift looks so elegant it appears also very discret and less martial. Not everybody wants to look aggressiv. And after an injury on my feet it does a good job as Support.
Even after 12 years this video is current and informative. Blackswift is still in business and this video made me decide to purchase a Raven. This video describes very well the unique properties that make the Blackswift Raven such a comfortable and effective cane and tool.
I had been eyeing other lightweight products, unaware of Blackswift's existence, and stumbled onto this video by chance. My Raven has arrived a few weeks ago and is just as light, versatile and effective as stated here. An excellent, ecxeptionally balanced and comfortable walking cane and a very fun tool to swing around. Thank you!
Of the current Blackswift lineup I'd recommend the Raven over the Raptor and the SL. The Raven has a smooth polymer ball (like in this video) and it gives a comfortable grip when used as a ane. Raptor's mace head would probably be more uncomfortable. the Raven's solid fibre glass is more durable, although I'm tempted to later purchase an SL for the even lighter weight, but the Raven is light enough.
Very good explanation and training for people who are visually impaired, partially sighted and blind if they was in danger or threatened with attack keep it up man!
I have the Blackswift Raven and carry it with me at nights when walking,. The first thing I noticed was how solid it is....Just very stiff solid fiberglass....and the ball end is like welded on there. If you ever got hit with it in the head, well...I hate to even think about it...Like getting hit with a high speed billiard ball. It's just a very formidable weapon that doesn't look like a weapon. I'm 6'1" so, it's a little short for me to use as a walking stick, but I just carry it more like a riding crop. Combined with a tactical flashlight to blind your opponent, this thing would be devastating to an attacker, short of carrying a gun, but it's flat black and looks deceptively thin, so nobody would ever really notice it in the dark, and it really doesn't seem offensive....I love self defense tools that don't look like self defense tools...Good for stray dogs and other animals you'd like to keep at bay as well....Gives real peace of mind. Fine product.
Excellent video and demonstration of product...I'm at the age where I need assistance of cane at times but my African Walking Stick attracts too much attention. I purchased it years ago mainly for which you have stated as legitimate reasons to own a product just as this. I more recently purchased a 42 and 54 inch Sjambok, which is light fast, as a defensive tool, if god forbid I had to use as such, if I felt my life and safety was in danger and as a last resort, as my mind could think and register, in a quick changing dangerous moment, to the best of my abilities, however the bending of it does not support my weight to well as I walk around....this seems to be more appropriate and practical for its uses. Thank you very much! ( btw, I have Parkinson's disease and it's seems times some " certain individuals" see me as an easier target to take advantage of....this walking type of walking assister gives more confidents to walk around in public without fear...)
It occurs to me that anyone with basic fencing training would have no trouble defending themselves with that tool. Great !
Good review. Enjoyed your video thanks for posting p
Thanks for doing this review! I was ready to pull the trigger on a "slim stick" and stumbled across your video. After watching the entire review a couple of times I ordered the BlackSwift... now I just gotta play the waiting game till it gets here. ;)
Steve P.... I have the Cold Steel Slim Stick, and , I do not use it much, because it feels too light and flimsy, to be used in a fight. I have a Raven with Polymer head on order, but not received it yet. In the meantime, I have, for years , carried a CaneMasters 39 inch Hickory crook. It has the snake head and I carry it Crook forewards.
So far, I have not had a problem. I did purchase a City Stick some years ago, and gave it away, to a shorter friend.
I am 6 ft 3 inches, and Unfortunately Cold Steel City Stick is too short for me.
I have recently seen adverts, for a polymer Crook Cane, that comes as 39 inches, and has segments you can saw off, to suit your height. But before venturing into that, I will try the Raven.
Raven is awesome!!! Thank you James
GENIUS....UR USING IT BACKWARDS! PRECISION BALL END STRIKES.IRISH HERITAGE
Good strong stick
I ended up purchasing one last year. Not quite as much heft as I'd like, but overall it's quite reliable. The end strikes remind me of a sjambok-esque strike: not gonna necessarily knock a guy out, but it's going to hurt and leave a mark.
I own 3. Two Ravens (Wood and Shiney Polymer) and a Raptor Mace I've customized. I use one of them for walking everyday.
I'll probably get a SL Polymer handle also.
I decided to order the raven based on your other video. James said it should be shipping tomorrow!
The important thing is the cinetical energy dissipated in the impact. K=1/2m•v^2 so the impact speed can be far more important than the mass. It will very intresting estimating the average normal impact speed with the two ends. For estimating the tip mass I will grab one end and let the other rest in a scales. great videos!! hug ftom Chile!!
The Blackswift has an option for a wooden knob instead of the black polymer in video. Does it have the same excellent flat bottom for finger grip??
How are they for grappling and throws?
Hey there, I was wondering what you might know about the company producing these canes? I am rather interested in the cane, however I can't find much information about their product save for this video and their own website. I left them a message, but no response thusfar. Are these canes still in production?
Reminds me of the slim stick
this stick reminds me of a sjambok
How is it as a walking stick?
I've got one I use for actual walking with a mace head. Great on everything but soft soil and sand.
I look fashionable too
United Defense Premium Adjustable Walking Cane
I just received mine a week ago I was looking at the tip when the cane just slip through my closed hand and the round handle hit the concrete floor leaving a small scratch. My neighbor was looking at my cane this morning when she not knowing rub the shaft against the concrete step taking some of the black paint off. SmH
I prefer titanium
...its a shilale
FIRST!
Cold Steel walking sticks are probably better.
+STEVE P Hi, Steve! Have you compared them 1:1? I don´t own a cold steel stick so I won´t judge it. But I own a Blackswift Raptor and it feels great and it´s good lookin´ too. I think the Raptor can stand any selfdefense that may occure and I don´t want to attend. :-) Because the Blackswift looks so elegant it appears also very discret and less martial. Not everybody wants to look aggressiv. And after an injury on my feet it does a good job as Support.
okay, i wasn't trying to be mean or nasty, i'm sorry if i was.
@ No prob Steve. I just wanted to mention how much I like my stick.
Too many umh’s
Weak Audio man.