Cory Sandhagen on the Importance of Self-Defense and Byrna

Cory Sandhagen knows firsthand the risks of physical confrontations. “I’ve seen a bunch of people get knocked out, broken jaws, missing teeth… I’ve even knocked people’s teeth out myself,” he says. “That’s not for me. I don’t need to be out there doing all of that stuff.”

For Cory, self-defense is about peace of mind—walking through life without constantly worrying about every interaction or potential threat. In real situations, once someone gets within arm’s reach, things can escalate quickly. That’s where Byrna comes in.

“I first saw Byrna on Instagram and immediately reached out,” Cory explains. “I like cool products, and I like to consider myself a little bit of an inventor. I don’t want to get into a fight with people, but if I can keep someone from getting too close to me, especially at a distance, then great.”

Close combat is unpredictable, even for trained fighters. Cory emphasizes the value of a tool that creates space between you and a potential threat. Byrna provides that gap—an effective, non-lethal way to deter someone before things get dangerous.

“It fills a space in the market where people can protect themselves without escalating to extreme measures,” he says. “Whether you’re right or wrong in a confrontation, it’s not a situation you want to have happen—or have to think about for the rest of your life.”

With Byrna, Cory highlights a key point: protection doesn’t have to mean violence. It can mean distance, control, and peace of mind.