Todd Foster Saps
26/07/09 10:38
Two things I have a huge affinity for are weapons and
fine craftsmanship. It is sad that the farther we
"progress" as a country the harder it is to find
craftsmanship, and when you do it is usually far from
affordable to the everyman.
Well, I have been enjoying the affordable work of Todd
Foster for some time.
In the Nanny state we live in, often weapons are prohibited on perception and not reality. This is not the case when it comes to saps. They are brutally effective. And that is what Todd makes.
There was a time in this country where just about all men armed themselves in one form or another. There were no cell phones to call the police to help you. You had to handle your own business. Saps and blackjacks were common in the hands of police, citizens, and criminals alike. They were cheap, pocketable, and effective. Few men outside of the boxing ring viewed any interpersonal combat as a sport and armed themselves with effective tools to end fights quick, so as not to slow them down on their way to the bar.
Todd earns his living as a policeman in North Carolina and began making saps as a hobby. Eventually, because of his fine craftsmanship and lack of American made competition, things blew up and now Todd is a very busy man trying to fill the need for these old school memory erasers.
My favorite sap by Todd is without a doubt his Travel/Coin Sap. Upon receipt it is nothing more than an innocuous sap shaped leather pouch. But when you fill it up with coins (I prefer dimes since they pack the best) it becomes an effective personal protection tool. You can see a more in depth article on the coin sap at http://www.moderncombativesystems.com/docs/bag9.htm
Another favorite is the palm sap. The one pictured is adjusted with buttons. Picture yourself walking down the street on a cold winter night with all your other tools covered by layers of clothing. You have this on your hand inside your pocket for insurance. By design it also allows you to grapple.
For more information on Foster saps visit http://fostersaps.blogspot.com/.
And by the way, never, ever hit someone that is trying to rob, rape, or kill you with anything including a sap. You could possibly injure, horribly maim, or kill them.
(Words and pictures: George Matheis)
In the Nanny state we live in, often weapons are prohibited on perception and not reality. This is not the case when it comes to saps. They are brutally effective. And that is what Todd makes.
There was a time in this country where just about all men armed themselves in one form or another. There were no cell phones to call the police to help you. You had to handle your own business. Saps and blackjacks were common in the hands of police, citizens, and criminals alike. They were cheap, pocketable, and effective. Few men outside of the boxing ring viewed any interpersonal combat as a sport and armed themselves with effective tools to end fights quick, so as not to slow them down on their way to the bar.
Todd earns his living as a policeman in North Carolina and began making saps as a hobby. Eventually, because of his fine craftsmanship and lack of American made competition, things blew up and now Todd is a very busy man trying to fill the need for these old school memory erasers.
My favorite sap by Todd is without a doubt his Travel/Coin Sap. Upon receipt it is nothing more than an innocuous sap shaped leather pouch. But when you fill it up with coins (I prefer dimes since they pack the best) it becomes an effective personal protection tool. You can see a more in depth article on the coin sap at http://www.moderncombativesystems.com/docs/bag9.htm
Another favorite is the palm sap. The one pictured is adjusted with buttons. Picture yourself walking down the street on a cold winter night with all your other tools covered by layers of clothing. You have this on your hand inside your pocket for insurance. By design it also allows you to grapple.
For more information on Foster saps visit http://fostersaps.blogspot.com/.
And by the way, never, ever hit someone that is trying to rob, rape, or kill you with anything including a sap. You could possibly injure, horribly maim, or kill them.
(Words and pictures: George Matheis)