In ancient china they had small sharp blades attached or glass to paper fans. Often these could be coated in poison for assassination or self defense.
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Interesting. A fiberglass fan, as suggested above by @Taiwan_Luthiers, would seem to be useful mainly for defense (blocking the opponent’s blade), but not offense (slashing). On the other hand, a paper fan with embedded blades would be useful for offense, but less so for defense.
There are also strikes done with the fan in a closed position, kind of using it like a small baton. Standard length for a tai chi fan is around 33 cm, about the same length as the shortest of batons.
I am sure if someone put in the time to do the right kind of knife defense training with a metal fan, it might work. However, the fan isn’t particularly long, the knife still has the advantage of being able to cut you. So I still think it’s a bad idea to get in close to apply your fan techniques. Look at the Jesse Enkamp video with Paulo Rubio that cake linked.
The quote is “if in the demo you successfully defend 100% of the time, it’s an unrealistic demo.” That basically translates to you are going to get cut more or less if you try, it’s just how badly you are going to get cut.
The guys that went up against the Taichung MRT attacker are incredibly brave. One of them had a umbrella. The guy who went in bare handed is a personal trainer, who probably had a little bit of non-pressured training, but he got cuts to his face, and narrowly avoided from being blinded for life.
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Agreed – sounds like an umbrella is likely the best everyday self-defense implement to have on hand in this situation, with the fan a distant second.
And there are plenty of videos on YouTube about using the umbrella in self defense and tai chi. Might be an interesting side hobby. It seems that there are also reinforced umbrellas available that are more suitable for self-defense situations.
That’s why I said earlier people’s best bet is to run but if they can’t run and are cornered…in my case use a bag of sorts and try to kick the attacker.
Most people don’t carry long umbrellas on the train/MRT IME, they’re too cumbersome and annoying when commuting, but some people might have one.
So called tactical umbrella is also heavier, and is probably not as good as an umbrella in keeping you dry.
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They simulated that in season 2 of Ultimate Self-defense Championship’s knife challenge. Every competitor got an around with a backpack. They didn’t do particularly well just because they got a backpack.
In all MRT attacks so far, the use of umbrellas, especially to form a wall, usually was what slowed down the attacker.
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This one is sold as a supposedly “tactical” umbrella, though it’s not clear to me if it is strengthened in any way. It looks cool though!
https://www.amazon.com/Umbrella-Tactical-Paragraph-Windproof-Umbrella/dp/B09JW8GN2W?th=1
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Wine bottle defense, can throw it, knock on the head or arm hurts. If turn out you do not need it you can drink it (just do not let it age too long)
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If we are just talking about knife attacks on the MRT, it is unlikely the attacker could sneak a large sword on to the train. So usually people would be defending against box cutters, fruit knifes or small daggers. I think that tactical umbrella would be an overkill.
Damn, that will definitely leave pretty bad scars 
all thanks to some psycho who probably shouldn’t have been walking the streets in the first place.
Some plastic surgery firm sponsored the guy to remove the scars for free. He is a hero and I’m glad someone stepped up to help him. He is a personal trainer and a powerlifting competitor, and he had to miss a competition due to getting injured.
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It’s also another umbrella you can end up losing, and end up on the free umbrella basket.
If anybody would stand there with that umbrella and waiting for the next MRT train, I would skip that train and take the next one… No sane person would carry an umbrella like that around 
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Reminds me of Gareth Keenan.
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I remember seeing an old 60s video of this newer one.
The 21 foot rule.
.
This funny one also showed up.
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Given the choice between a knife and a gun I know which one I’d prefer.
I know in the UK if you carried a tactical umbrella you’ll likely be arrested for carrying offensive weapon.
With one that’s obviously made to resemble a samurai sword, sure, that might cause unwanted attention and problems.
But how about one that is basically just an uber-reinforced umbrella that’s good for whacking, blocking, or keeping your distance? It’s hard to imagine that would get you in trouble.