The ice pick is not exactly a new development. They date from a time before most of us had ice makers in our freezers — or even freezers themselves. Yet, in the early days of refrigeration, they were a pretty vital piece of barware. They inherited a bad name due to spy novels and mob movies, but really, what hasn’t? Most people are just collectors of unusual or exotic weapons. So, keep that in mind as you look these over.
These simple tools have no cutting edge, no spring-assisted opening, and no fancy locking mechanisms. Instead, they have just one purpose: put a deep hole into something or someone quickly. As an added bonus, most are extremely inexpensive, but so are most screwdrivers you might take to a grinding wheel to make your own.
These ice picks or shivs are largely made of either titanium or plastic, so there’s a covet nature to most of them. Remember, just because it may pass through a metal detector, the same cannot be said of body scanners or physical pat down searches.
Strider Knives has always had a knack for making scrap work. In the old days when they made bigger, military-style, fixed blade knives, smaller pieces of metal would be transformed into smaller fixed blade knives.
Nowadays, they make these tapered spike-type pieces known as nails. Initially made from titanium scraps, S30V, MagnaCut, and other steels are used.
Traditional cord wrap and a Kydex sheath makes these easy to add to your EDC loadout.
PROS:
- An almost triangular point on a thick piece of steel means this will remain stabby for a long time.
- Rust-resistant steel with a cord-wrapped handle gives a good feeling of thrust while using.
- One of the few options we looked at with a usable sheath.
CONS:
- Availability can be an issue for some. You either catch these on a social media drop or attend a show where the crew is in attendance.
The Titanium Penatrator tire deflator is a discreet covert defense tool designed, tested, and manufactured by GG&G. It is designed to provide a covert tire deflator, or radiator leak initiator, as well as a defensive weapon that can be used in unforeseen emergency situations. In the passive mode, it looks like a large pen but by removing the pen cap a very sharp point is exposed that will aid in dealing with an unexpected threat.
Two models are available, one with a 2.6-inch hollow carbon-fiber shaft and one with a 2.6-inch hollow titanium shaft. Both are extremely rugged, corrosive resistant, and lightweight. The hollow shafts provide an effective route to let what’s inside outside. The handle on both models is manufactured from Delrin and is grooved so as to provide a positive grip in the most demanding situations.
The tip is protected by a standard pen cap, which serves to protect the user when in the passive mode.
I’ve kept this model in the cabs of various trucks over the past 15 years.
PROS:
- Titanium is a true space-age metal that’s stronger than steel due to its strength-to-weight ratio.
- Rust- and corrosion-proof, this one can smash up ice all week long and poke holes in virtually anything you stick it in.
- The contoured plastic handle helps makes it easy to hold onto.
- A standard BIC pen cap allows discrete pocket carry.
CONS:
- A bit shorter than some of the other “deflators” and a skinny handle
The Cold Steel Delta Dart is a one-piece injection-molded Griv-Ex defensive spike. The two most practical benefits are the fact that it’s very inexpensive and as a survival-type piece, it can be stored anywhere. You can stick it in a flowerpot by your front door for example and not have to worry about corrosion on a last-ditch self-defense shiv.
Cruciform blades date to medieval times, and a stab from a metal version would often result in a wound that could not be stitched properly. They became popular as a bayonet pattern in later years. Cold Steel’s take on this classic design appears to be a good one for stabbing soft targets.
PROS:
- I almost never weigh price as a pro or con, but it’s hard to beat $6 on a defensive piece.
- Lightweight and testing shows it effective at stabbing.
- Included key ring is a handy way to carry it.
CONS:
- It may not stand up to repeated use, as Griv-Ex isn’t exactly G-10.
- It has no utilitarian feature whatsoever.
- No sales to California.
Shomer-Tec specializes in covert-type items. They produce a lot of special things for various three-letter agencies you’ve heard of and more than a few you’ve never heard of. Yet, they don’t sit on their high horse and withhold these items from the general public, either.
The Titanium Deflater was originally designed for a government contract in the 1990s as a device for a covert operator to drain soft-skinned containers of liquids or gases (i.e., tires, fuel cells, gas tanks, etc.). With its hypodermic style point, it could also be deployed as a last-ditch self-defense item. It’s made of seamless titanium tubing with a plastic handle.
The Titanium Deflator is light in weight while being incredibly strong.
On top of that, it’s a non-ferrous metal that won’t rust or corrode. It’s titanium tubing in a plastic handle.
PROS:
- Titanium is a true space-age metal that’s stronger than steel due to its strength-to-weight ratio.
- Rust- and corrosion-proof, this one can smash up ice all week long and poke holes in virtually anything you stick it in.
- Knurled and contoured plastic handle helps make it easy to hold onto.
CONS:
- No sheath or convenient carry options unless you have one custom made.
Pat and Wes Crawford consistently come up with exciting concepts that they turn into practical knife and survival-type designs. One of them is the Push Pick.
The Crawford Push Pick is technically a multitool: it functions as an ice pick, a push dagger, a glass-breaker, and a Kubaton. Its aluminum handle is hollow with a threaded hole on top and a second one in the middle. The spike tip attaches to the top for an ice pick or through the middle for a push dagger. You can thread it upside down through the top for storage or use as a Kubaton/glass-breaker.
It’s one of those designs that’s so practical and easy to use that you’ll be left thinking, Why didn’t I think of that?
PROS:
- In true multitool fashion, the spike can easily be undone and secured in the proper position quickly and effectively.
- The 440C stainless steel spike is extremely effective against anything you try to pierce with it.
- On top of that, the knurled aluminum handle is surprisingly comfortable in hand and heavily knurled for a solid grip.
CONS:
- Strict martial artists may find the Kubaton too short or too thick.
- Other than Kubaton mode, it doesn’t carry well as a ready-to-use item.
Shomer-Tec specializes in covert-type items, so they get a second mention here with their Titanium Ice Pick. As the name suggests, this ice pick is completely made of titanium, so it’s light in weight while being incredibly strong.
On top of that, it’s a non-ferrous metal that won’t rust or corrode. It’s milled from a solid 0.394-inch rod of 6AL4V titanium.
PROS:
- Titanium is a true space-age metal that’s stronger than steel due to its strength-to-weight ratio.
- Rust- and corrosion-proof, this one can smash up ice all week long and poke holes in virtually anything you stick it in.
- Scalloped and contoured handle helps makes it easy to hold onto.
CONS:
- No sheath or convenient carry options. This one is definitely for use on the bar unless you have a sheath made.
Laci Szabo is one of those guys who has done it all: consummate martial artist, U.S. Marine, narcotics cop, and movie star. He routinely designs exotic martial arts weapons that actually work based on his eclectic background.
The Vampire Straw was born from the situation while he was working undercover vice and was completely unarmed when the suspect turned violent in an instant. Szabo pondered what he could have had covertly in the vehicle and came up with the Vampire Straw.
A thick, chisel ground hypodermic-style titanium tube with a knurled handle for a secure grip, the Vampire Straw functions well as a straw as well as a stabbing implement. The Leopard Shark refers to its unique heat treatment that gives it its color.
PROS:
- Titanium is a true space-age metal that’s stronger than steel due to its strength-to-weight ratio.
- Rust- and corrosion-proof, this one can smash up ice all week long and poke holes in virtually anything you stick it in — as well as function as a drinking straw that can punch through metal cans.
- Textured handle helps make it easy to hold onto.
CONS:
- Not as covert as you might think, this one made headlines a few years ago when someone boarded a plane with one. Leave it in the drink cup in your car.
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