monkey fist are for self defense ! but thet were used many years ago for pirates ships to make it short it was used yo sling a small rope to shore to pull the big rope to shore so they could pull the ship to shore so thier was no namage to the bow of the ship now they are made of para cord which is what parachutes are made from one strand will hold 550 pounds now we make them for key chains but there are many uses for para cord you can have it for self defense to hit some one with that might be trying to harm you see it hase a marlble or steel ball inside of it and a long string on your key chain that makes it easy to sling it and hit some one with the bracelets are survival cord like you may need a piece of rope to use for survival or make a tenet if you get caught out in bad weather or almost any thing esle you may need it for so tell your friends you know that they may want one to contact me at doby477@gmail.com thanks