Best LEGAL self defense weapon to carry?

[Adam]

If I wanted to win a streetfight at all costs, I would bring my fathers siamese scimitar to the fight. However, it is heavy to carry around with me, makes unsightly bulges in my pants and makes it possible for the police to pick me up for being a looney.

What is good and legal to carry with you for self defense? I tried fooling around with a key ring, it seems to me to work in theory. yes/no?

Pepper spray is by the way illegal to carry here.

[grandmaster mat]

fists, feet and the will to win! also elbows, head, knees, belt. anything

[Marku]

a belt wud be fun to use *whips there behinds* lol

[Cudgel]

a really big knife? Or even better a concealed firearm.

[Pugil]

In the UK: ------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is an offensive weapon?

An offensive weapon means any article made or adapted for causing injury, or intended to cause injury.

It's the Law!

The Prevention of Crime Act 1953 (Section 1(1)) states that:

'Any person who without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, the proof whereof shall lie with him/her, has with him/her in a public place any offensive weapon, shall be guilty of an offence.'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Did You Know?

That an offensive weapon is any bladed or sharply pointed instrument.*

Did You Know?

That things classified as offensive weapons can be carried in certain circumstances:

*

at work
*

for religious reasons
*

weapons worn as part of national costume


Did You Know?

That canisters of CS gas sold as self-defence to women are illegal in this country.**

That antique weapons become offensive weapons if carried in a public place with the intention to cause injury.

That a flick knife is an offensive weapon - no question.

* Under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (section 139)

** Under the Firearms Act 1968
------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's not worth it!

Question: " What happens if you are caught with an offensive weapon?"

Answer: "It depends on the weapon and the circumstances."

Did You Know?

That if you're caught carrying a weapon in a public place it's up to you to show that it wasn't made or adapted to cause injury.

That if you carry an offensive weapon for someone else, you're still breaking the law?

If you are found guilty of carrying an offensive weapon you are liable to: imprisonment, a fine or both.

If you are found guilty of carrying a sharp instrument or blade you are liable to: a fine of up of £1000.

If you are found guilty of making, selling, hiring, lending or giving a sharp instrument or blade you are liable to: imprisonment, a fine of up to £5000, or both.

If you are found guilty of unlawful wounding (causing bodily harm with or without a weapon) you are liable to: up to 5 years imprisonment.

If you are found guilty of grievous bodily harm (a serious injury) you are liable to: life imprisonment.

If you are found guilty of manslaughter, attempted murder or murder you are liable to: life imprisonment.

[cyclepath]

Only applying to goodold blightyi did the weapons bits on the YODA's site

http://www.cea.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ceaweb/index.htm

The basis of British law in relation to offensive weapons is opposite to the rest of the judicial system, i.e. in most other proesecutions the peosecution must prove beyond all reasonalbe doubt that you are guilty, in offensive weapons the onus is on you to prove innocent possession.

In all reality you can carry what you want, just dont get caught with it!!!

Carry things that you can use and claim that you were just carrying for an innocent reason.

eg. perfume or aftershave instead of a manufactured chemical irritant. a pen can be used quie effectively.

[waya]

Originally posted by Adam
If I wanted to win a streetfight at all costs, I would bring my fathers siamese scimitar to the fight. However, it is heavy to carry around with me, makes unsightly bulges in my pants and makes it possible for the police to pick me up for being a looney.

What is good and legal to carry with you for self defense? I tried fooling around with a key ring, it seems to me to work in theory. yes/no?

Pepper spray is by the way illegal to carry here.

Your mind is the best weapon you already carry. And you can't be arrested for it. 9 times out of 10 you can get yourself out of a situation by out thinking the pther party. Saves on medical and legel expenses.

[SoKKlab]

A cane or walking stick is mainly legal, but if you are young, the cops will hassle you for carrying it, particularly in Urban areas. If you can act, then fake a bad leg when they try to suss you out (just make sure you remember which one and stick to it).

At this point I'll be a responsible adult and say carrying weapons bad etc. But I would understand if you had yrself a 'situation' and you felt you needed a littlesomethingextra to even the score...

Remember plain old house keys are sharp and hurt alot when rammed into various bits of the body. And many other normal pocket items as well, without having to resort to 'Deadly' weapons.

[Jazman]

personally I just carry a decent sized pocket knife. Still need to go get a nice big one though, maybe later today... So carrying knives in the UK is illegal? I know I would have a problem with that and about 80% of the people I know...

[cyclepath]

you can carry a knife in the uk but the blade must be under 3" in length and be a folding knife with no locking or releasing mechanism.

So if a knife is of any use as a tool you cant carry it!!!!!!

[Jim]

The simple fact of carrying any 'item' with the intention to cause injury to another person (regardless of if it was a self defence situation) is constituted as being illegal.

The reverse isn't the same, however, so that if you were carrying a bloody big sword around with the sole intention of opening cans of beans, you could still be arrested with the same charges.

As Waya has said, your mind, and as Matt has said, your fists, feet, etc. Anything else you're leaving yourself open to prosecution. Further, if you even typed in this forum that you carry your keys to use on an attacker or mentioned it aloud to another person and you did use them in an encounter and the other person's legal rep. got hold of that information, they could easily use it to show pre-meditation on your part.

Things to think about, guys and girls...

[thiaboxr2]

A pocket Leatherman( multi-piece tool set ). Legal, Here anyways. You will still have to fumble trying to open it up in the heat of the battle.

A finger nail file. for your ' dirty fingernails '.

If you carry a comb, you can sharpen one end of it.

steel toe'd shoes or boots.

[SoKKlab]

I only use my keys to open the door...

[pgm316]

If you have a dog its a good excuse to have a chain dog lead in your coat pocket, maybe not if your in a nightclub though! ;)

Intent is the big problem, but you could carry a hard backed book, tin of beans, and various tools & equip might be of use. I'd carry a stick if I thought I was at risk. But I've never carried any weapons except the dog lead when I'm walking the dog.

[Solane]

I use to carry a stick when walking my old dog, but dont with the new one as she just wants you to throw it all the time. :)
My old dog wasnt much for fetching stuff you throw. the new one is though or would be trying to eat the stick. :)

[Nimrook]

Chinese fighting cane with the head of a dragon. I walk with a limp anyway so no reason not to carry a weapon with me in the process.

[Darkflight]

My instructor bemoans the fact that the police frown upon walking sticks, as he thinks they make excellent weapons.

We Brits are really in the deep end over weapons aren't we? If I ever learn kobutan techniques though, my Maglite will come in handy :)

[Nimrook]

exactly they do make great weapons and you can always pass them off as a tool. Especially if you have anything that impairs your walking

[johnson]

I know many people who use carabeenas (spelling?) on their key rings to use as a knuckle duster.

looks quite painful to me though

[BlackBeltCookie]

Someone pulls a knife on you, and you are empty handed -- or are you?

A credit card provides a nice sharp edge. The question is can you get it out in time? What if it is buried in the folds of a wallet?

I always carry a ball point pen. While it's not great for slicing, it is wonderful for poking -- into muscles, eyes, and other vulnerable areas. (Not that I ever have)

Do you have a comb? The tines could definitely rip the skin around the wrist. And they might hurt if raked across a villain's face too.

What else to you have?

I don't condone the use of weapons unless used under strict supervision in the confides of the dojang. But unfortunately the reality is that people on the street don't live by our rules.

[Nimrook]

never thought of my ATM card being a deadly weapon...

[Solane]

let your wife or girlfriend get hold of it and you will soon see how devastating it can be to your bank balance. :)

[Tosh]

Think that 6 inch chain will my Keys at the end is a Nu-Metal statement??

"Whack!"

Think again! :D

[Darkflight]

Agreed, my key chain is no fashion statement :p

[Brad Ellin]

let's see at this moment I'm carrying loose change in my pockets [metsubishi], wallet with a 10 inch chain [kusari], comb, 2 ink pens [one made with a stainless steel cylinder], one mechanical pencil, base ID and line badge [laminated plastic cards], house/car keys, palm pilot w/stylus, eyeglasses, leather belt. Why on earth do I need to carry a weapon? You carry a weapon you run into problems with Johnny Law not to mention a tendency to get hung up on the weapon and ignore all the possiblities (such as walking away or running away). And yes, I know how to improvise and use practically any ordinary object as a defensive (or offensive) tool.

[natxanadu]

Some SAS guy told me to carry a small can of womens deoderant (alchohol based), not very nice if it gets in your eyes, preferably your attackers eye's

[xplasma]

I would carry a Transformers (the Show from the 80s) and if anyone attack me and would hold it up and yell "Its more then meets the eye!"

If anyone didn't get the joke go away now.

[Sub zero]

That things classified as offensive weapons can be carried in certain circumstances:


weapons worn as part of national costume.
Not he ski in doo (I have no idea how o spell it) warn wiht a kilt.There illegal now apparently.:(

[Sub zero]

Originally posted by xplasma
I would carry a Transformers (the Show from the 80s) and if anyone attack me and would hold it up and yell "Its more then meets the eye!"

If anyone didn't get the joke go away now.

lol

[Cudgel]

okay lets see
A SI empty my pokets I find
A Dr. Grips ballpoint pen
A swiss army knife
a Zippo lighter
A large handfull of change
A liner lock folding knife with a 3 inch blade
My passport
My wllet with assorted currency and libray card
A comb
Another poket knife
and on my belt is heavy folding knife in sheath

Out of these things only one of them is there as a 'weapon', everything else is just incase need it.
But despite the fact that I have knives I have no problem of running away really really fast, thats why i did track so I could runaway. Baring that I would use my fists and feet (which are shod in steel toed work boots) to escape. And as I could fairly easily kill or permantly disable someone with out using a weapon I would only use it if a loved one was in danger,or a weapon was pulled on me and I felt tht they meant to use against me.


Oh and I loved Transformers They're Robots in Disguise

[Jazman]

someones got a nice knife collection... paranoid are we? :D

[Trent Tiemeyer]

I grew up in farm country, therefore my stern belief is that the pliers is the greatest weapon ever created. Completely legal, as easy to access as any knife, can be used for incredibly powerful, highly focused blows, and if you get hold of anything the fight is over.

Totally utilitarian in function, and a lot more options than the kubotan.

[YODA]

Originally posted by 1ONEfighting
I grew up in farm country, therefore my stern belief is that the pliers is the greatest weapon ever created. Completely legal, as easy to access as any knife, can be used for incredibly powerful, highly focused blows, and if you get hold of anything the fight is over.

Totally utilitarian in function, and a lot more options than the kubotan.

Hehe - I like it - I like it a lot :D

[KenpoDavid]

"and if you get hold of anything the fight is over." - just thinking about that is making me uncomfortable...

[aikiMac]

Originally posted by 1ONEfighting
I grew up in farm country, therefore my stern belief is that the pliers is the greatest weapon ever created. Completely legal, as easy to access as any knife, can be used for incredibly powerful, highly focused blows, and if you get hold of anything the fight is over.

Totally utilitarian in function, and a lot more options than the kubotan.
Dude, I love it! Reminds me of an old guy I once met who always had a large wrench in his back pocket. Looked benign, but the way I was told, his old buddies from the old days remembered how he used that wrench as a smashing tool in the great fight. Makes sense to me, but pliers is even more brilliant!

[YODA]

Originally posted by KenpoDavid
"and if you get hold of anything the fight is over." - just thinking about that is making me uncomfortable...


Yeah - it made me squirm in my seat too :eek: :eek: :eek:

[musclemania]

if it hurts it works

[khafra]

Need a mocking smiley on this site so I can thumb my nose at all you Brits--I can carry around a balisong with me anywhere...
But if you ride a bicycle most everywhere you go, you could get away with carrying a 6-foot, heavy duty chain in your pocket.
I'm still trying to figure out how to join the two of those and add a heavy ring at the other end, in a hurry. Ph34r my improvised Kyoketsu-shogei!

[Jewbacca]

I always walk around with my weapon in full view. I even screw around with it, flipping it around and doing whacked out tricks with it. I live in one of the nastiest neighborhoods in Virginia (richmond area, higher murder rate per capita than New York).

The best weapon to bring with you is a curved-top walking cane. Hapkido teaches a form for walking cane. A cane can be substituted for Hanbo with hanbojutsu techniques as well. In a pinch, it can double as a gigantic tonfa.

It's the only weapon I know how to use well. I'm the deadliest cripple this end of richmond! Wahahahhaa

[cane]

IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT LEGALITY AS WELL AS VERSATILITY AND PRACTICALITY; WE HAVE TO CONSIDER THE CANE; AS AN INSTRUCTOR OF THE CANE, I CAN SAFELY SAY THAT A CUSTOM CANE WITH A DEADLY PIERCING HORN CAN BE TAKEN ANYWHERE. I JUST BROUGHT ONE TO EUROPE. BE WELL, BE SAFE

[Jewbacca]

You don't even need a piercing horn or taper. If you know how to use the cane well enough, you can take someone with a blade down without any problem. I doubt you can carry a piercing weapon (even if it's a cane) on an airplane.

[Mu4D'D1b]

I'm a user of Kubotan and i was thinking it was the best legal self-defense weapon...but the pliers.....lollll

Just imagine the pain....ouch

[Sparkz2k3]

i got a question if you got caught with nunchaku on you would saying that they are for practice use like in circus shows but on the streets a good excuse?

[shonuff]

Maglite or Surefire flashlight. (a sub for pocket stick)
Comb or brush. (a sub for pocket stick)
Kubotans (often overlooked here in the US.)
Fountain pens. (sub for pocket sticks, stabs nasty)
flute (www.stickman-escrima.com)
cane (preferrably with nice and hard brass handle)
belt (you can use it to trap weapons and choke)
fan (tessen. but you can only justify it if it's hot. Metal fans are kind of suspicious. too)
Derby and knob canes are just as good as crook canes.
Chop sticks

[Eero]

Why would you like to carry a weapon?

[Cudgel]

Stray Dogs and Coyotes.
Thats my excuse.

[Shaolin Dragon]

Originally posted by Sparkz2k3
i got a question if you got caught with nunchaku on you would saying that they are for practice use like in circus shows but on the streets a good excuse?

Only if you could prove that you were on your way to practice (you wouldn't be allowed to practice just anywhere) and even then, if you used them on someone, even in self defence, the law would almost certainly come down against you.

[Kwajman]

Probably my key ring other than my body...

[Shade]

if you used them on someone, even in self defence, the law would almost certainly come down against you.

I would happily lay money on the fact that you WOULD be arrested and charged with anything from GBH/ABH to attempted murder.

FFS people get arrested and put in prison for defending their own homes against burglars.

Can you imagine what would happen to you if you used a weapon, particularly an illegal one, in a fight in a public place? The Home Office would have a field day.

[chicken]

In the uk thugs do as they like, carry what they like, while the law kisses their arse. If I walloped one of them I'd expect mine to be kissed too.

[Shade]

Originally posted by chicken
In the uk thugs do as they like, carry what they like, while the law kisses their arse. If I walloped one of them I'd expect mine to be kissed too.

Well it would be, but by Mr Big your new cell mate ;)

[Syd]

= Common sense; don't be where the trouble is.

[Sparkz2k3]

i heard nunchakus were legal in the uk but you have to have them in a lockable bag like a rucksack and if you tell your local police department your going to be practicing in public and where your ok to do so.

[Shaolin Dragon]

That's all true, but it still wouldn't excuse you using them on someone.

Shade, nunchacku aren't prohibited wapons, they are offensive weapons, but anything can be.

Prohibited weapons:
(a) a knuckleduster, that is, a band of metal or other hard material worn on one or more fingers, and designed to cause injury, and any weapon incorporating a knuckleduster;
(b) a swordstick, that is, a hollow walking-stick or cane containing a blade which may be used as a sword;
(c) the weapon sometimes known as a "handclaw" , being a band of metal or other hard material from which a number of sharp spikes protrude, and worn around the hand;
(d) the weapon sometimes known as a "belt buckle knife" , being a buckle which incorporates or conceals a knife;
(e) the weapon sometimes known as a "push dagger" , being a knife the handle of which fits within a clenched fist and the blade of which protrudes from between two fingers;

(f) the weapon sometimes known as a "hollow kubotan" , being a cylindrical container containing a number of sharp spikes;

(g) the weapon sometimes known as a "footclaw" , being a bar of metal or other hard material from which a number of sharp spikes protrude, and worn strapped to the foot;
(h) the weapon sometimes known as a "shuriken" , "shaken" or "death star" , being a hard non-flexible plate having three or more sharp radiating points and designed to be thrown;
(i) the weapon sometimes known as a "balisong" or "butterfly knife" , being a blade enclosed by its handle, which is designed to split down the middle, without the operation of a spring or other mechanical means, to reveal the blade;
(j) the weapon sometimes known as a "telescopic truncheon" , being a truncheon which extends automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in or attached to its handle;
(k) the weapon sometimes known as a "blowpipe" or "blow gun" , being a hollow tube out of which hard pellets or darts are shot by the use of breath;
(l) the weapon sometimes known as a "kusari gama" , being a length of rope, cord, wire or chain fastened at one end to a sickle;
(m) the weapon sometimes known as a "kyoketsu shoge" , being a length of rope, cord, wire or chain fastened at one end to a hooked knife;
(n) the weapon sometimes known as a "manrikigusari" or "kusari" , being a length of rope, cord, wire or chain fastened at each end to a hard weight or hand grip

[LilBunnyRabbit]

(a) a knuckleduster, that is, a band of metal or other hard material worn on one or more fingers, and designed to cause injury, and any weapon incorporating a knuckleduster;
(b) a swordstick, that is, a hollow walking-stick or cane containing a blade which may be used as a sword;
(c) the weapon sometimes known as a "handclaw" , being a band of metal or other hard material from which a number of sharp spikes protrude, and worn around the hand;
(d) the weapon sometimes known as a "belt buckle knife" , being a buckle which incorporates or conceals a knife;
(e) the weapon sometimes known as a "push dagger" , being a knife the handle of which fits within a clenched fist and the blade of which protrudes from between two fingers;
(f) the weapon sometimes known as a "hollow kubotan" , being a cylindrical container containing a number of sharp spikes;
(g) the weapon sometimes known as a "footclaw" , being a bar of metal or other hard material from which a number of sharp spikes protrude, and worn strapped to the foot;
(h) the weapon sometimes known as a "shuriken" , "shaken" or "death star" , being a hard non-flexible plate having three or more sharp radiating points and designed to be thrown;
(i) the weapon sometimes known as a "balisong" or "butterfly knife" , being a blade enclosed by its handle, which is designed to split down the middle, without the operation of a spring or other mechanical means, to reveal the blade;
(j) the weapon sometimes known as a "telescopic truncheon" , being a truncheon which extends automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in or attached to its handle;
(k) the weapon sometimes known as a "blowpipe" or "blow gun" , being a hollow tube out of which hard pellets or darts are shot by the use of breath;
(l) the weapon sometimes known as a "kusari gama" , being a length of rope, cord, wire or chain fastened at one end to a sickle;
(m) the weapon sometimes known as a "kyoketsu shoge" , being a length of rope, cord, wire or chain fastened at one end to a hooked knife;
(n) the weapon sometimes known as a "manrikigusari" or "kusari" , being a length of rope, cord, wire or chain fastened at each end to a hard weight or hand grip

*whistles innocently, and sidles away from any nearby police*

[shonuff]

the problem with anti-MA weapon laws is that the weapons they ban are no more dangerous than many everyday object. The nunchuks are only banned because of their portrayel in films. Politicians think that by banning these weapon it makes the populous feel more secure.

Pocket knives are still legal as long as they aren't spring loaded or butterfly knives. It's still impossible to ban staves since any long stick can be used as one. It's impossible to ban crowbars, baseball bats, chains, fountain pens, pocket sticks.

A thick metal chain is just as dangerous as a nunchuk but if a police officer stops you and finds it in your car, he can't arrest you or cite you. You can justify it's presense by saying you use to lock up your bike and forgot you left it inside. YOu can't do that with a nunchuk even though a simple chain is just as dangerous. A police officer finds a nunchuk in your trunk, you still get cited for possession. Kind of stupid. A thick chain can be used as a nunchuck.

Fountain pens can be used as stabbing weapons.

Many lockback knives can be drawn as quickly as switch blades.

A pocket stick is just as good as a brass knuckle and even more versatile.

Shuriken aren't even lethal!!! Why are they even banned? In ancient japan they were laced with poison in order to kill because shuriken are only capable to dealing superficial wounds. Throwing them also requires great amount of skill. Crooks are better off using BB guns.

[Shade]

Is all a bit bizarre to be sure. I can walk down the street carrying an iron and no-one would turn a hair. It could still be used to kill someone with though.

For some strange reason I have a fondness for my wife's rolling pin; the way the handle fits so nicely in my grip, and it is nice and solid made out of wood. Bet i'd get done carrying that down the street though (unless I was Jamie Oliver or someone of that ilk).

[Shortfuse]

at my old school and new one everything can be made and has been made into a weapon. they banned rubberbands and paperclips from students so i say if you can make it hurt effectively. then its a weapon. preferably your hands

[#1 Stutta]

I keep on seeing "knuckledusters". Those are like brass knuckles. To get the same effect, wear big rings like class rings, army rings, wedding rings, etc.

[Shaolin Dragon]

Those skipping ropes with the wooden handles would legally fall into category (n) in the list above, but nobody would stop you from owning or using one.

[El Tejon]

Adam, the best weapon is a radio.:D "War Hammer, this is Devil Dog. Grid 2-8-5 by 8-9. One round, Vee Tee frag, on my go . . .":D

Barring that I'll take a shotgun with #1 buckshot which is legal to carry about where I am. Of course, if you mean non-blatant weapons, or things that could be weapons, I would go with the cane.

Cane is probably the most useful weapon, plus one can carry it aboard airliners. :)

[Korean Ninja]

Dumb post made by a returning troll - BOOM!" He's TOAST!

[shuyun3]

fountain pen with a good sized nib

and a good watch as knuckle dusters

[Shai'tan]

Did any one mention an umbrella whit a steal tip?

[pest]

If I wanted to win a streetfight at all costs, I would bring my fathers siamese scimitar to the fight. However, it is heavy to carry around with me, makes unsightly bulges in my pants and makes it possible for the police to pick me up for being a looney.

What is good and legal to carry with you for self defense? I tried fooling around with a key ring, it seems to me to work in theory. yes/no?

Pepper spray is by the way illegal to carry here.


I think alot has been already such as pens and pencils. In a car/office/home/school alot of people have cd players and cd's, could cd cases work as weapons or even the cd's themself? For myself I carry a chain wallet more for anti pick pocket (yes im paranoid) type of thing, also decoration if thats your gig. Phone and computer cords or any string/cable/cord. This is probally less likly to be with in reach but how about baby powder for a nice agressors eyes? When your in your car, a window scraper long and short handel. Instead of pepper spray how about spray on deoderant. Thats all i can think of right now, im totally open to suggestion on these thoughts.

~Pest

[Nevada_MO_Guy]

A cane or walking stick is mainly legal, but if you are young, the cops will hassle you for carrying it, particularly in Urban areas. If you can act, then fake a bad leg when they try to suss you out (just make sure you remember which one and stick to it).

I think a cane or walking stick is a very good self defense tool. We all hope that we never get in a situation were violence is necessary, but in those rare occasions it is better, I think, to get the maximum effect with minimum effort...therefore the use of a weapon is an advantage.

If the cane or walking stick is of high quality and finish, can't you say that it is an accessory to your clothing...instead of faking a bad leg.
Just say you like it, that is why you have it......would that work in the non-USA countries represented in this thread?

In the US, wearing big metal belt buckles, wallet chains, steel tipped cowboy boots, huge rings, and studded watchbands etc... can be attributed to an individuals right of self-expression.

[-BALANCE-]

yeah see this is the thig. you might have trained all your life in any martial art but as soon as someone pulls a weapon out the whole situation changes...
carying a weapon or a makeshift weapon like a byro can be good. as seen in the bourn identity (ouch)....slides the pen out of his fist
its good to be concious of your surroundings and look for a weapon if you havent got one eg pick up a stick or a glass bottle from the ground
personally i think its not good to have a weapon if your not a good fighter because it can be used against you!! but then again pepper spray is perfect and doesent take much balls to use.

[kiaiki]

Opinion, not professional advice:
In the UK a walking stick is OK to carry, but don't overdo it - the police get funny about a 6 foot staff with a spikey end, but loads of backpackers walk around with folding and spiked sticks, even on city streets. No need to limp to prove you need one - yet!
The law does NOT explicitly ban locking knives with a cutting edge under 3"; it all hinged on one prosecution and one judge's opinion (i.e. a precendent) - the police have seen fit to interpret this as 'the law' and will take any locking knife away (Leatherman included) and/or prosecute. Personally, I wouldn't argue - just don't carry one which locks.

Carrying knives in general is going to be a target for police in the future - Blunkett is even tryingto make the punishment as stiff as for firearms!

Here's a few legal suggestions for things which might be weapons 'of opportunity':
Mini Maglite torch (of course) instead of kubotan
Metal comb
Large finger rings
Thick chain bracelet or necklace (use to slash or wrap around knuckles)
Other smal stuff can be used for striking - even your precious watch and mobile!

[quartermaster]

Opinion, not professional advice:
In the UK a walking stick is OK to carry, but don't overdo it - the police get funny about a 6 foot staff with a spikey end, but loads of backpackers walk around with folding and spiked sticks, even on city streets. No need to limp to prove you need one - yet!

I am wondering...is this from experience with the police, either direct or indirect?

[kiaiki]

Yes - not of a bad kind, I hasten to add. Some of them do aikido as well as their own training, and I've asked what they would do if... I also used to work for a few years as a senior employee in a school where I often had to face up to local thugs, drug dealers etc hanging about by the gates before the police ever arrived in their stab vests with sprays, batons etc. They knew what I faced and never once questioned the fact that I had a stick with me (blackthorn and heavy).

My estimation is this: The police, like teachers and social workers, etc get a lot of hassle from people who think they can get away with it. They have to control their feelings when under threat or just dealing with aggressive attitudes. A lot of it revolves around the impression you give. A middle aged guy who is polite, apologetic and co-operative may just get a weapon confiscated. A belligerent teenager in a baseball cap who argues and gets obstructive can expect a lot worse. I've only been stopped once, with a car full of weapons including tanto, katana etc. All the officer wanted to know was where we trained. He'd seen the sticker aikido in the car window and couldn't resist pulling me over for a chat. As for the weapons - in the car boot, in their bags and on their way to a martial arts class was fine. Now if I'd taken them into the pub...!

[jlcop]

[QUOTE=Adam]If I wanted to win a streetfight at all costs, I would bring my fathers siamese scimitar to the fight. However, it is heavy to carry around with me, makes unsightly bulges in my pants and makes it possible for the police to pick me up for being a looney.
QUOTE]
Interesting there used to be this guy we nicknamed "Conan" that would walk past the hospital I used to work security at in Seattle. He had a broad sword straped across his back and a couple of shorter sheath knifes on his belt. It was legal because they were not concealed. I was told he was actually a pretty nice guy and the police all knew him and didn't bother him after they had checked him out.

Back to your original question; Obviously it is going to depend on where you are on what is legal. Judging from the replys it would appear in the UK not much of anything although I really like the pliers idea.
John

[Pat OMalley]

If all else fails, and you train correctly, then the only weapon you can rely on is yourself. :D

[El Tejon]

Pat, geez, no need to depress me. I'm really in trouble. :D

[DragonZero]

A small can of hair spray would work. A quick spray to the assailants eyes would give you time to get away or plan your next attack. If you carried a larger can it could (depending on the model of the can) be quite painful to hit someone with. :p

[Krazy5051]

I regularly conceal a pair of nunchaku and/or throwing spike in my belt. I thoroughly believe if you live by the sword you will die by the sword and I am willing to accept the consequences for preserving my life against someone who doesn't deserve theirs.

I would only use weapons of more than two or three opponents attacked me. I would pay the price gladly.

Yours in martial arts,

Kid

[JTiedes]

i have a 32 ounce water bottle http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com/store/subcategory.asp?categorysubcategorycode=37 theyre about a foot talll and the bottle itself is nigh on indestructible, it has a loop to carry it with so i usually clip a carabiner on to mine and clip it to my belt. ive never been told i cant have it with me, and its not something people would wonder about like a maglight. swung by the loop this baby has serious damage potential, i would not want to be on the wrong end of one of these

[shuyun3]

cool. i have a couple of those from christmas. your preference is toward the 1.5 L or the 600ml version? 'I've been thinking about something like that.

thanks again

[JTiedes]

the ones i have are a full liter. the only drawback is sometime the loop snaps off of the top ot the bottle, but replacement lids are only $3 american. they could be devestating win full imagine getting hit in the face with a baseball bat like swing! can any one say broken jaw!?

[Stxsas]

Simple stabbing implement.

http://www.cas.astate.edu/draganjac/bic.gif

I dont think it is illegal and it would be hard to prove in a court that you bought/carried the pen intending to use it as a weapon. Oh oh and it does have other uses, errrm like writing.

[YODA]

I carry the steel reinforced model :D

http://www.gamany.co.kr/gagagam/img/offce/pen1/45-01-1.jpg

[El Tejon]

The pen is mightier than the sword. :D

[K_Coffin]

Nalgene and pens are both great suggestions that I use personally when available.

However, I'd pity the man that tries to harm me on my way home from work.http://www.estwing.com/images/d1004.jpg
Because that's the first thing he'd see (And maybe the last, depending on situation.)

[Florida Warlock]

Your natural weapons are the best weapons you possess...
1-the hand(that's a given)
2-the elbow(one of my favorites)
3-the shoulder(powerful when you put your weight into them)
4-the waist(transmitting power into strikes, from your legs to your upper body)
5-the knees(another of my favorites!)
6-the feet(I'm out of shape, all my strength is in my legs now... it's all I got)
7-the head(try not to lose too many brain cells)

AND they're all legal to have with you! :)
note: try not to kick people at the head with combat boots...

And when I'm not in the mood to be honorable, I use a pen(I'm a writer).

[K_Coffin]

Yep, but honor's in the eye of the beholder. Me? I care more about getting home alive. If someone wants an axehammer in their head for their troubles, it isn't my problem. I don't look for trouble, I just want to survive.

[YODA]

Yep, but honor's in the eye of the beholder. Me? I care more about getting home alive. If someone wants an axehammer in their head for their troubles, it isn't my problem. I don't look for trouble, I just want to survive.
Do you train with it?

[K_Coffin]

I train with something similar (Kyoketsu Shoge). It's tough to find a practise axehammer, but I'm looking....

[l_h01234]

Hi there i would just like to sy that you may want to try carrying a parker pen with you or a credit card. If these are used correctly you can get deverstating effect which will lead to your attacker being defeated by you. The pen can be used as a kobutan and the card can be used for attacking atemi waza.

[Fish Of Doom]

i would use a hard elastic cord, i say again and again and again THEY HURT LIKE BLOODY LIVING BREATHING HECK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Keikai]

I regularly conceal a pair of nunchaku and/or throwing spike in my belt. I thoroughly believe if you live by the sword you will die by the sword and I am willing to accept the consequences for preserving my life against someone who doesn't deserve theirs.

I would only use weapons of more than two or three opponents attacked me. I would pay the price gladly.

Yours in martial arts,

Kid


Yes but been only 12 years old you would only get a couple of months in a kids detention centre anyway!! :D

And living by the sword does not mean taking a pair of nunchuks out when you hang around street corners with your mates drinking a can of tennants and playing with shopping trolleys!!!

[Cudgel]

I train with something similar (Kyoketsu Shoge). It's tough to find a practise axehammer, but I'm looking....

EWWWWWWWWWWWW roofing hammers are sick. Every time I enter hardware store I have to tell myself NOt to buy one.

But as for training with one. You said you use in your line of work correct?
And you do study something similar to it.
there you go training.

Now as for finding a a practice one I think i have a link somewhere where one could buy a practice tomohawk.

http://www.americantomahawk.com/index.htm

look for teh laguna tactical 'hawk from there you will see a link to a practice 'hawk.
I hate how certain ites make it impossible to get a link to the EXACT part of the site that you want. :bang:



h and I have a practie 'hakw I made its a farily good aproxamation of a real hammer or axe a littel light but its a prototype.

[K_Coffin]

Yep, they're great tools. I'm a roofer, so obviously you could consider it training. I swing that thing around so much I've got a pretty good feel for the weight.

[ninjas-r-us]

wow.....the uk wepon policy is very crappy no knife? thats REALLY dumb


cane/walking stick

why? they cant take it away from you, but dont go swinging it around like a bo that justs ask for trouble its as effective as a sword, jo, ect think on it, most wepons are modeled around that size object

how? by one or make one, i recoment coldsteel.com pricy but MADE for fighting....walking is just a bonus

[ninjas-r-us]

another thing to ponder on
the idea behind wepons

the idea of a wepon is

to lengthen, sharpen, or harden somthing of the body or to add more points of impact to ones self

famouse exsampels

spear, lenthen the reach of your arm

sword, leanthen, and sharpen your arm and in some cases harden



now think of some of the less known wepons, and some difficult wepons


3section staves, one of the most difficult wepons to become skilled it, its so hard many master find it pointless

kusarigame: sythe and chain and weight.....lengthen yes...convientet? no

manrikigusari.....was he high?

[Woodsman.]

I grew up in farm country, therefore my stern belief is that the pliers is the greatest weapon ever created. Completely legal, as easy to access as any knife, can be used for incredibly powerful, highly focused blows, and if you get hold of anything the fight is over.

Totally utilitarian in function, and a lot more options than the kubotan.

Wow . . . That is absolutely brilliant and I am kicking myself right now for not having thought of it. Doubly great for our British friends. I'm taking this concept a step further though, from now on my medium size vise-grip locking pliers shall never leave my side . . . It would be great for defensive methods too, with a non-locking pair you would have to be in close range but with these I could crimp them in place and leave them hanging there while I beat a bold retreat . . .
Boy, that makes me look pretty sadistic, haveing this for a first post . . .

[xen]

personally i think the UK policy on knives is not as daft as it sounds.

knife fights are brutal and messy...here in the UK we have this thing called the NHS, where if you get injured you get fixed for free! I like that, it's handy. For example when I was practicing with my katana years ago, i stuck it through my thumb. There was quite a lot of blood and a mate drove me to A+E and they fixed it up a treat.

Why should the NHS have to stitch up people who get in knife fights? Teenagers full of bravado with no concept of what they are doing carry knives and think they are cool. Next thing you know, little jonny has sliced open davids face cause they were arguing over nothing at all!

If you feel you need to carry weapons, look long and hard at the life you are living and the people you mix with. If you have a facination with using weapons, join the military, but before you do, talk some people who have been in combat and ask them to share a slice of reality with you.

To learn to handle weapons in the context of martial arts shoud lead you to a place where you don't ever want to get involved with them outside the dojo.

AND NEVER CARRY A WEAPON YOU AREN'T PREPARED TO USE.

if you pull out a knife and start waving it about chances are it'll end up stuck in you!

final point, there was a TV program interviewing some of the British commando's from WW2. This old boy described the first time he stuck someone with a bayonet. He was stood in a doorway, the enemy came round the corner, and he was carrying the bayonet in his hand. Training took over and he rammed it into the enemies belly. Then he froze. He said the shock was incredible...they had been trained to stick it in, but no-one told him how he'd feel as his hands got covered in blood, the body went limb and he had to pull the bayonet back out...

[Infrazael]

Just a question. Are nine-linked whipchains legal???

[Cudgel]

i think they might be classed with nunchaku but then again you could just say its your very very long wallet chain. So Im not sure. taht and the laws will vary from state to sate in the States.

[fast-edge]

Hi there
Anything can be used a weapon in crisis situation , pencil,back pack, credit card(they can be sharpened enough to cut skin, ect ect .

Still , the best way to avoid dark back alley is not to enter them.

[oni_sensei]

Well, in Queensland at least, all pretty much a "weapons" as such are prohibited. No concealed firearms, no pocket knives (without a good reason), no OC spray, nada, zilch, zip. A walking stick is about it. Even makeshift blinding powder will get you in deep with the police. We can't even carry something as useful as a kubotan. But, I suppose that's where a pen, and shobo skills come in handy. Improvisation is the key to survival nowadays.

[MarioBro]

Well for closer contact if you want an object to help make devastating punches, we have many flavours here in Canada.

For our starter kit, get a roll of quarters. It will make your punch a little more solid and add a good bit of weight.

For our advanced users, get a roll of Loonies (one dollar coins). This will add a good amount of weight to your punch and make a very solid impact fist.

For our pro kit, pick up a roll of Toonies (Two dollar coins). These babies will send your opponent down to the northern states in one punch and they would swear they were hit by Evander himself. Recommended for those with a slightly larger fists.

For a good combination carry a roll of quarters or Loonies in your jabbing hand, and a roll of Toonies in your power striking fist.

[Florida Warlock]

Check out this site:

http://www.centuryfitness.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10051&storeId=10051&categoryId=13663&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=13661&crumb=13501-13524

copy/pase -if it doesn't work, go to centuryfitness.com/weapons/self defense

You may want to buy a book with this or something, seeing as you need to know various pressure points to use this weapon effectively.

These look really good, and if necessary one of these can go into someone's eye. And, they go right on your key chain. I suppose you could use keys in a similar way.. but these are cooler. :)

[MDN]

My dad or cousins guns do the trick.

[Petie D]

pulling anything from a pocket means putting your hand in your pocket, which lets your fence/guard down. hows that gonna change the situation?


there was a boy who wanted a sword, he REALLY wanted a sword, but he was told that it was not the sword that matters, but the person who wields it, he now has a wooden sword, for practice.


The best weapon you can carry is yourself.

which is ironic, because how you carry yourself will determine what kids of situations you get into, who approaches you and how they treat you :)

[Cudgel]

be a wolf not a sheep and the other wolves will leave you alone.

[Ross.B]

I dont know if they are legal but i would take a pair of Sai :D

[Hannibal]

They aren't and yer' nicked sonny! :)

[Anth]

Sai illegal? :eek:

Thats the last time I ride to training with them over the handlebars of my bike! :D

[jome]

these days. We are hard at work in about 10 more. I usually carry a walking stick, 3 sided hollow metal (tapered) with a cane crook (useful as a hand-guard). It weighs 12 ozs and is not "concealed", yet it is a sword, believe me. If I feel like being "nice", the guy might just get his arm or leg broken, instead of getting shot 5-7 times.

[Thomas]

Best legal weapon? I'd have to go with the cane. In my opinion, Canemasters (http://www.canemasters.com/) makes some of the best canes around and good videos too. Also the ICHF (www.ichf.com/videos/Videos.htm) videos are good for the cane too.

[Iai-do master]

lol

[JeetKunDo]

Well since we're all trained or training in a martial art arent we ment to feel safe walking around with just our hands and feet for defence. If you cant handle someone with your hands and feet, grab the nearest hard object and smack them with it. Or if you know you cant win without a weapon, and you don't have one on hand just run.

[Thomas]

lol
I don't understand what you are laughing at. Could you please elaborate?

[Cudgel]

Well since we're all trained or training in a martial art arent we ment to feel safe walking around with just our hands and feet for defence. If you cant handle someone with your hands and feet, grab the nearest hard object and smack them with it. Or if you know you cant win without a weapon, and you don't have one on hand just run.

Maybe because some of us are studying an ARMED martial art based around WEAPONS that arent hands and fists. ANd there is more to useing a weapon than picking up a hard object and laying the smack down on someone.
But running is always a good idea.

[Stolenbjorn]

And now people can be allowed to shoot people -legally and get away with it, provided that they feel threathened.

The al Quaeda-dudes can now kill americans legally, as long as they stay away from aircraft and bombs. (Because in order to be a member of al quaeda, you are very likely in a situation where you feel threatened by USA and its international politics :rolleyes: )

-way to go, bush! :woo:

[jome]

who is threatening me or mine, hmm? Anyone can slip or misjudge a move, and lose at hand to hand, or with contact weapons. Why should an elderly or handicaped or frail person not be able to defend themselves, smart ass?

[Anth]

Jome - please do not start calling people, ie personal attacks. I know it is only minor, but please read the Terms of Service: 4.3 Abuse / Flaming / Derogatory Comments:
Abusive Comments, personal attacks, flaming, or derogatory insults or comments are strictly forbidden.
4.3.1 It is fine to disagree with another member’s point of view, but please do so in a mature and civil manner.

[Stolenbjorn]

who is threatening me or mine, hmm? Anyone can slip or misjudge a move, and lose at hand to hand, or with contact weapons. Why should an elderly or handicaped or frail person not be able to defend themselves, smart ass?Well, I'm not insulted, I started it, so it's OK, I think.

Yes, in USA elderly people are allowed to carry handguns, and therefore it probably is the best legal weapon to carry in USA.

There was a BIG thread about guns and the legality of guns some months back, and you could revive that one, if you want to go into it. You can read all about my wiew on USA and its society and Gun policy there.

I am so lucky that I live in a country where self defence only is an academical activity; there's no need for self defence on the streets in Norway (it's like in Michael Moore's Canada; I never lock my car or my house), as both police and criminals behave civilized as opposed to USA -that's at least the impression I get from USA, when reading the posts of pro-gunners. It seems that if I ever am to visit USA, I'd need a month course freshing up my assault-rifle-skills, buy myself an assalultrifle, and then mabye stay in the clear of ultra violent criminals that only is waiting for an oppertunity to kill me regardless of wether I simply hand over my valuables or not. And that stuff about grizzlys...come on! There are plenty of wolves, polar bears and brown bears in Norway as well, but they shun people and unless I want to go living in a tent in Svalbard the Norwegian wildlife leaves me probably more alone than I leave the nature alone.

[jome]

a regular basis. There's always one or more at the dump in the early morning. I never said anything about rifles or bears. I"ve had men at gunpoint 4x, and I don't drink or do anything else to cause trouble. I've nearly had to use the gun several other times, but my bearing indicated that the punks would lose, so they went on to bother somebody else. So you happen to be LUCKY (for now) about crime, so what? Beirut was peaceful once, too. So was Saigon. things change, and suckers who can't provide for themselves lose.

[Anth]

And jome - this thread is about LEGAL self defence weapons. By your stand on guns, I am guessing you are from America where guns are legal (I say "guessing" as you havent filled in your profile). As has been mentioned to you, not everyone is in a country where firearms are legal, with the majority of MAPers being in the UK.

A gun discussion thread (http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3289)

[jome]

emigrated long ago. After WWII, they couldn't WAIT to return to the sheep status that they had before the War. The USA had to GIVE them thousands of guns, millions of dollars, millions of men, or you guys would be speaking German. UKe'rs can't LEGALLY carry a pocketknife, so what's your point?

[Legless_Marine]

Caution and forbearance.

[Thomas]

In my personal opinion a gun isn't the best "legal" weapon for many people... mainly becasue it is so difficult to manage a level of force application to using it. As soon as you pull a gun, you have two choices: shoot or not shoot. In many cases, you may not be justified in shooting someone. I prefer a cane or a stick because I have more personal control over the level of force I choose to use.

Granted I do carry a pistol sometimes, especially in the countryside where animals are more of a hazard and occassionally if I have to be in an urban area where I want the extra protection, especially late night.

Gaskell: I understand your concern and wish for the thread to focus on UK laws, but I think in the interest of a Martial ArtsPlanet, places other than the UK should be discussed as well within the context of the original post. (I think the original poster is from Denmark anyway!)

[Davey Bones]

I'll add this about guns as well, if it hasn't already been stated. And this, I suspect, will be universal to all posters as it's more of a psychology thing:

If you carry a gun, you best be prepared to use it. Period. If you are being attacked, and you are the one to break out a firearm, expect the encounter to increase in intensity. And that means there is a greater likelihood of injury. To YOU.

Also, and I think this is fair, if you pull a gun in self-defense, you will prolly be the guy arrested. Yes, I know, you'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6, but I at least have to mention it.

[Thomas]

I am so lucky that I live in a country where self defence only is an academical activity; there's no need for self defence on the streets in Norway (it's like in Michael Moore's Canada; I never lock my car or my house), as both police and criminals behave civilized as opposed to USA -

The US does have a lot of crime and there is a need for self defence skills in my opinion. However, based on some of the following stats, I don't know if I would believe that ther criminals in Norway "behave civilized." :rolleyes:

Basic Crime stats:
http://ruljis.leidenuniv.nl/group/jfcr/www/icvs/data/i_VIC.HTM

Rape epidemic
http://www.abrahamic-faith.com/Islam%20exposed/sweden-norway-rape.html

International Violent Crime Rate (table III)
http://www.killology.com/art_weap_sum_worldwide.htm

Norway Crime
http://www.nationmaster.com/country/no/Crime

[Stolenbjorn]

However, based on some of the following stats, I don't know if I would believe that ther criminals in Norway "behave civilized." :rolleyes:
AAARGH; you're not supposed to check it out for yourself :eek: That's the privelidge of people like me from minor countries that nobody have ever been to or heard about, that we can come up with rash claims withouth having to answer for them later :o

Well, I guess that there's violence in Norway too, but I still think I have a point (will try not to be as bombastic from now on: )

*In order to be safe in Norway, it's far more imperative to be able to know where not to be and when, to go out with friends, and to behave polite and nice than excelling in a MA or carrying a pistol.

I've been out 1000 times on statistically dangerous friday and saturday nights, I've been sitting besides a drunken/high drug-criminal that was loading his Colt.45, approached by a drug addict thinking I was selling drugs, just not to him (and was therefore rather agitated), I've been thrown around by a drunken guy as a thanks for towing him ashore after he'd run out of petrol on the fjord -and I ALLWAYS GOT AWAY UNTOUCHED, because I behaved. I didn't escalate the situation, I behaved passive, took verbal abuse let them do their bit of collar-shaking, etc.

Yes, I dare say that criminals in norway (excluding sex-crimers, -sorry to say; ethnical-street-gangs in Oslo and bank robbers on a job behave somewhat civilized. And why is that? Because nobody carry a piece, knife or other impliment of escalating a potentially dangerous situation here in Norway, and the criminal can afford to make a low intensity action without risking someone killing them.

Finally, I have to adress one of the links you posted the one about immigrants to Sweden and Norway raping...

I don't like posts that puts a stamp on minorities. I cannot speak for Sweden, but in Norway, we've been recieving people from quite violent areas, like Somalia, Rwanda, Irak and Afghanistan. I'm not making excuses for those that kill and rape, but we're talking about people that have lived in mad areas in mad times, where normal (after both cristian and muslim standards) don't apply. My job is to teach theese groups Norwegian, so I know a bit of what I'm talking about here. That some of theese snap is no wonder, and should make us critisize the immigration and health-authorities for not calibrating their psychososial framework rather than the ethnical groups.

[Thomas]

Nice post!



*In order to be safe in Norway, it's far more imperative to be able to know where not to be and when, to go out with friends, and to behave polite and nice than excelling in a MA or carrying a pistol.

I would say this is a truism across country borders. The reputation that the US gets for its violent crime (backed by statistics as well) should be looked at in context of its huge size. There are places in the US with horrible levels of crime and danger and there are places with very little. Where I live, there is very little violent crime in the towns and almost none in the countryside. Our numbers (and percentages) are much lower than say New York City.

[TheCount]

What is good and legal to carry with you for self defense?

Try your fists

[Ninja*Rina]

you could also try your mobile phone, if it has an aerial thingy sticking out the top, it would hurt alot if you got that in the eye.
Try think about what you carry with you when your out, and try think of ways to use that as a weapon, especially if you arent very confident about just using your body, and your mind, although make sure any 'weapon' you have is easily accessible in a fight, like in your pocket or carrying it in your hands.

Also, try going to this website to read your rights as to what your actually allowed to do in a fight.

http://www.blackbeltacademies.com/news_details.asp?newsID=20

Courtesy of Mark Davies at the Blackbelt Academy.

[TheCount]

A deoderant can if its at hand can be good, so can pens, keys etc.

[Stolenbjorn]

A deoderant can if its at hand can be good, so can pens, keys etc.
TOgether with a Lighter, it becomes very effective indeed :p

[Happyguit]

Yawara

Short stick, approximately 6 - 8 inches long, 1/2 inch diameter. Close-range weapon, used for blocks, strikes, locks, chokes, strangulations and throws

We train with the yawara stick ( with keys attach to it )at our dojo...there is seven type of grip and it's very usefull when you know what to do with it. :D

[Cudgel]

TOgether with a Lighter, it becomes very effective indeed :p


FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :love: :love: :love:

[Bright shadow]

The best legal weapon you can carry is your mind and body. Always have your wits about you and you'll be ok. And if your not, punch and kick like crazy or run away! :)

[Stolenbjorn]

Yawara

Short stick, approximately 6 - 8 inches long, 1/2 inch diameter. Close-range weapon, used for blocks, strikes, locks, chokes, strangulations and throws

We train with the yawara stick ( with keys attach to it )at our dojo...there is seven type of grip and it's very usefull when you know what to do with it. :D
Interresting!

I bet you that if we two came together sometime (not very likely, though, as I live in Norway, and you live in Canada :cry: ) -we'd see that your yawara stick fighting and "my Fior di Battaglia"-daggerstuff resemble eachother very much. The length of "my" daggers are longer than your thingie, but what you say about blocks, strikes, locks, chokes, throws (and possebly breaks ;) ?) seems very similar. It'd been fun to see some pics of some of your techniques. A link to Fiores Daggersection is here: http://www.varmouries.com/wildrose/fiore/section2.html

[Cudgel]

thats probaly because yawara stick techniques are derived from using a tanto in its scabard.

[Stolenbjorn]

What about a jojo?

[l3LUE-ghost]

id say go with the cane, even if it wud look wierd. it is like the stick, which is used by all styles, and it is legal. plus there is that extra hook at the end, which will be good for grabbing the attacker. all ud have to do is find a story on why ur carryin the cane

[Kakita Aiguchi]

all ud have to do is find a story on why ur carryin the cane

'Cuz u like to look like a loony! :D

Anyway, if you live in England or another rainy country where you can always carry an umbrella with you, take one of a suitable size and change the cane with an appropriate one.
Voilà, now you have a perfect custom-made umbrella of death.
Easy to use, always by hand, perfect concealment.
Only drawback: if you actually USE it for self defense (pray that you'll never need to), the only part left intact after the fighting will be the cane. You'll need to buy a new umbrella for sure.

[l3LUE-ghost]

'Cuz u like to look like a loony! :D

Anyway, if you live in England or another rainy country where you can always carry an umbrella with you, take one of a suitable size and change the cane with an appropriate one.
Voilà, now you have a perfect custom-made umbrella of death.
Easy to use, always by hand, perfect concealment.
Only drawback: if you actually USE it for self defense (pray that you'll never need to), the only part left intact after the fighting will be the cane. You'll need to buy a new umbrella for sure.

at least u get a new cane ;)

but what about a kubotan keychain, they would be big so "u wudn't lose ur keys" are concealable, and would hit quite hard. not the biggest weapon, but it does add some power to ur hit

[wazzabi]

at least u get a new cane ;)

but what about a kubotan keychain, they would be big so "u wudn't lose ur keys" are concealable, and would hit quite hard. not the biggest weapon, but it does add some power to ur hit

are those things legal? they can get pretty big, some of them are almost a foot long :eek:

[l3LUE-ghost]

actually, six inches,

im goin to Europe soon for a vacation, and i would like to know if a Hestitan (http://karatesupply.com/key_chains.htm#back) would be legal in Rome. i am being told that it is a very dangerous place. therefore i would like to pack some protection. a simple non sharp six inch black alloy keychain would be my weapon of choice, and would it be legal everywhere else?

[Nevada_MO_Guy]

im goin to Europe soon for a vacation, and i would like to know if a Hestitan (http://karatesupply.com/key_chains.htm#back) would be legal in Rome.
Not sure about rome, but just letting you know that a Hestitan or Kubaton can not be carried on an airline or be in the carry on luggage.

http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:YZ9Vx3SOpxoJ:www.tsa.dot.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/Permitted_and_Prohibited_Items.pdf+faa+restricted+ items&hl=en&start=1

[Jang Bong]

Which brings you back to the walking stick. My instructor tells a story of an instructor taking a bundle of canes onto a USA aircraft within the past two years - no problem ;) (They proabably thought he was a cane salesman)

We spent almost half of this mornings lesson learning techniques with the cane OOOOoooohhhhhh!!! Wood vs Bone - the wood wins by a technical knockout (the nerves that get in the way)

On another forum my signature is "The walking stick??? Oh! Just strained ankle :Angel: "

[uki]

If I wanted to win a streetfight at all costs, I would bring my fathers siamese scimitar to the fight. However, it is heavy to carry around with me, makes unsightly bulges in my pants and makes it possible for the police to pick me up for being a looney.

What is good and legal to carry with you for self defense? I tried fooling around with a key ring, it seems to me to work in theory. yes/no?

Pepper spray is by the way illegal to carry here.

the wooden cane.

[l3LUE-ghost]

Not sure about rome, but just letting you know that a Hestitan or Kubaton can not be carried on an airline or be in the carry on luggage.

http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:YZ9Vx3SOpxoJ:www.tsa.dot.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/Permitted_and_Prohibited_Items.pdf+faa+restricted+ items&hl=en&start=1

i stuff on that page has been removed already, but i wasn't planning on carrying it with my on the plane ride, I wudn't need it there. but, is it allowed on your checked in baggage

[Albert]

A Cane

[Scarmiglione]

for the places that a kubatan ae illegal heres a suggestion. I have my gym membership on a little plastic card (about half the size of a visa) on my keychain. So i took a razor and serrated 2 of the edges, i waited for my brother to start an impromptu fight (typical sibling rivalry :D ) gave him the upper hand then whipped out my new contraption. Worked better than i thought it would...his wrist took 6 stitches as the plastic cut to the bone. its ok tho, i bought him dinner after :rolleyes:

[Albert]

You sliced open your brother! LOL Thats kind of funny... And thats a really good idea by the way, the razors on the card, i never would have thought of it, but now ive got a new weapon. :)

[Nevada_MO_Guy]

i stuff on that page has been removed already, but i wasn't planning on carrying it with my on the plane ride, I wudn't need it there. but, is it allowed on your checked in baggage
Try this link:
http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?content=0900051980049d28

It is allowed in checked baggage.

I was surprised that cigarette lighters are banned now....along with strike anywhere matches.

[l3LUE-ghost]

ty for the info, even tho i found out that i probly won't need it, they are mostly pick pocketers not attackers

[rebecca kane]

fists, feet and the will to win! also elbows, head, knees, belt. anything
fists elbows head feet teeth try out a rapid arnis grading it's the best place to practice!! lol!!
Usually anyone who carries a weapon has the intent to use it and in a way makes them a bad guy!!
I train with weapons and this only gives me a greater awareness of how they could be used aginst me!! In my opinion Martial arts should only be trained for self defence purposes.

Imagine a scenario where someone attacks you with a weapon, however, you wern't quick enough to get your "Self defence" weapon out> You were left if lucky unconcious, at the worst dead!! Imagine that there are no whitnesses except you and the attacker. The Police search you and a deadly weapon is found upon your person, The Police will arrest you for carrying a weapon with intent to use it. You will be seen as the criminal and the police will more than likely believe that you incited the attack. You are left to pay the price and the attacker gets away scott free.

best regards
bexter :D

[Cudgel]

you woudlnt happen to live in the UK would you?

[xander02]

The style of clothing I have is Jeans/trousers with a long sleeved shirt and suit jacket, and I hang chains from my belt loops on clips, so if confronted, I can easily unclip the chains, and wrap them around 1) My hand, if I see a knife, or 2) their head, if there is no knife.

It is legal to carry chains in this manner in UK, even though 9/10 people wouldn't hesitate to unclip their chains and use them in a fight if confronted.

[fugepilot]

"Hello Sonny, is this your Dutch-Army folding/locking entrenching tool?"
Yes Officer, it is for digging my car out when I'm offroading. :D

[dutch80au]

how bout a torch! sound wierd? i have an aluminum torch that runs in 4 "d" cell battries (like security guards use) always sitting next to my drivers side seat of my car, and when i'm on nights the wife knows its in my bedside draw.
obviously its not something you can carry in your back pocket without being noticed but if it was available it would be the first thing i'd go for. heavy, solid and if held correctly you can first blind an attacker then strike, blind, strike, blind, strike, and then run!
they can also be used in alot if wrist lock or arm bar techniques.

nothing illegal about a torch. (untill you beat the daylights out of someone)

[CrowZer0]

umbrella, try a kobutan on a key ring for "self defence", broadsheet newspaper:) or big rings on ur finger muahaha

[JKN-Taylor]

My HPD (Houston Police Dept.) friend carries on him: a gun, spray, and an extendable baton and tells me that his most effective, most frequently used weapon is his heavy duty Maglite (flashlight/torch/whatever).

He already has it out, shining it into the criminal’s eyes... if the guy tries anything, my friend just brings the back end down on him (as many times as it takes to de-escalate the situation ...lol)

I personally stopped carrying weapons when I progressed further into Kuk Sool. I used to always have one of these on me http://www.riversmallies.com/reviews_mh6.html It was very low profile… it even made it past a “pat down” when I was wearing a light coat. For the time, It was a great sense of security but I began to realize that if a situation escalates you don’t always have the sense to use “just enough force” to protect yourself and those you care about.

What if, in the blur of adrenaline, you killed an unarmed antagonist before you had the sense to realize what you’ve done?

If I feel threatened (the “vibe” before a confrontation), I still look around for objects I can use to my advantage, if I need it.

Because my sister-in-law wants to live “the thug life”, and my wife refuses to let her fall on her face, I end up in more possibly threatening situations than I care to be in…I have found that carrying yourself well is the greatest deterrent; Not like some body-builder chump that can’t keep his arms close to his body, but strong. I keep a relaxed focused stare, I try to be courteous and show respect and the desire to be respected and it’s seems to get me (a white spikey haired punk… look at my sig) out of every “yous front’n dawg?!” situation I’ve been in...thus far.

o.. and I like the pliers thing… I don’t think I’d ever want to fight a guy with pliers.

Another good, unconventional weapon could be Jumper cables (the kind with strong springs and jagged teeth) ~_^ ooooo the possibilities.

[R@IDEN]

Hi,

I dont condone weapons being used in anything other than self defence but for legal (ish) weapons you could use :-

Coins - Thrown in the face would certainly distract an attacker!!!
A belt - Metal bucket would cause an attacker a few issues! Could also use to pin an attacker.
Keys - A form of knuckle dusters!

The benifit of these is that most of us would be carrying these most of the time!
Although these are all non weapons I believe once they were used as a weapon the police would still take a dim view!

[odaeariel]

I find a wrist band with spikes on it can be pretty useful to have in case of being attacked. I also have a ring that is sort of like a claw (goes over my entire finger) which would be rather painful to be punched in the face with, I would imagine.

[Lurch]

If you want to carry something you can use as a weapon but won't get you into trouble, consider carrying:

small can of deodorant - nasty if it gets in your attacker's eyes

small can of hairspray - as above, but your attacker will need to go to hospital to get the resin out of his eyes. I used to work in a factory where we made the stuff, and it's nasty - glue dissolved in alcohol.

Mini maglite - a useful aluminium bodied torch about 5 inches long which can be used as a kubotan. Don't put a wrist-strap on it if you are in the UK though, as it then becomes an offensive weapon.

Leatherman or similar - also useful as a kubotan - don't bother trying to open it.

Add to this most of the items listed in the other posts - keys, coins, pens, combs (NOT sharpened, though) etc, and you have a fair selection.

You can, in the UK, legally carry something that would usually be considered as an offensive weapon if you had a legitimate reason for carrying it.

You can carry a weapon if you have reasonable and genuine belief that you are going to be attacked, for example if you have been threatened by someone you truly believe will carry out their threat and so forth.

[Lord Spooky]

If you want to carry something you can use as a weapon but won't get you into trouble, consider carrying:

small can of deodorant - nasty if it gets in your attacker's eyes

small can of hairspray - as above, but your attacker will need to go to hospital to get the resin out of his eyes. I used to work in a factory where we made the stuff, and it's nasty - glue dissolved in alcohol.

Mini maglite - a useful aluminium bodied torch about 5 inches long which can be used as a kubotan. Don't put a wrist-strap on it if you are in the UK though, as it then becomes an offensive weapon.

Leatherman or similar - also useful as a kubotan - don't bother trying to open it.

Add to this most of the items listed in the other posts - keys, coins, pens, combs (NOT sharpened, though) etc, and you have a fair selection.

You can, in the UK, legally carry something that would usually be considered as an offensive weapon if you had a legitimate reason for carrying it.

You can carry a weapon if you have reasonable and genuine belief that you are going to be attacked, for example if you have been threatened by someone you truly believe will carry out their threat and so forth.


Any chance you can back all that up with some valid documentation?

[Lurch]

Any chance you can back all that up with some valid documentation?

Yup.

Prevention of Crime Act 1953 s.1
Any person who without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, the proof whereof shall lie on him, has with him in any public place any offensive weapon shall be guilty of an offence.
Important points concerning the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 s.1:-
• This offence involves the carrying of a weapon in a public place. A public place is defined as anywhere where the public have or may be permitted to have access whether for payment or not.It is important to define what is meant by an offensive weapon. The Act defines what they are :-
(a) articles that were made for causing injury to a person and are offensive weapons in their own right (for example, a flick knife, a bayonet or a hand gun)
N.B. some sheath knives would be considered to be offensive weapons in their own right. It all depends on the design of the article in question and it is for the jury to decide whether it is an offensive weapon in each individual case. The courts have decided that certain other types of articles (e.g.. flick knives) ARE offensive weapons in their own right. Lock knives and pen knives are NOT offensive weapons in their own right.
(b) articles adapted for use for causing injury to a person (for example, a bottle that has been broken so the broken end may be used to cause injury)
(c) an article being carried by a person who intends to use it to cause injury (for example, a hammer)
• A person who has a good reason (reasonable excuse) or lawful authority for carrying the offensive weapon is not committing a crime. However the onus of proof is on the person carrying the weapon to show that they were carrying it with an innocent purpose. The reasonable excuse (or lawful authority) must be identified with the carrying of the weapon, and not with its use. Carrying an offensive weapon for "self defence" in case of attack is not a reasonable excuse. It is not a reasonable excuse to be carrying the weapon because you had been using the article for an innocent purpose earlier and had forgotten to put it away afterwards.
• In the following situations the courts agreed that the person carrying the offensive weapon had reasonable excuse:
(a) a person who had a machete and a catapult with him to kill grey squirrels that he would use to feed his birds of prey that he kept under licence
(b) the weapon was being carried as part of fancy dress by someone going to a fancy dress party. There are many other similar situations when carrying an offensive weapon would be permissible. On Scout camps you would probably be considered as having a reasonable excuse if you were carrying, say, a sheath knife or a machete to use to make camp gadgets. However carrying such an article on camp (if a public place) without such a purpose or for any other good reason would be against the law.
• Lawful authority is a reference to those people who carry weapons as a matter of duty such as a soldier with a rifle or a policeman with a truncheon.
• The maximum penalty for a conviction of this offence is 4 years imprisonment for offences committed after 4 July 1996 and 2 years for offences committed before then.
• Age is not a relevant factor so far as this offence is concerned. The only important point to remember is that children under the age of 10 are deemed not to be capable of committing crime. They are below the age of criminal responsibility.

Section 139(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988
This provision makes it an offence for a person to carry an article with a blade or a point in a public place unless they can prove any of the following:-
• That they had lawful authority or reasonable excuse for carrying it
• That they were carrying the article for use at work
• That they were carrying it for religious reasons
• That they were carrying it as part of national costume
This offence is punishable by a maximum of 2 years imprisonment for offences committed after 4 July 1996 and a fine only for offences committed before then.
Please note the following points:-
• Folding pocket knives with blades not exceeding 3 inches are exempt from this provision. This means that it is not an offence to carry a pen knife around with you. Age is not a material factor in any respect - anyone can own or carry a penknife no matter what age they are. The only occasion when the police would take action would be if the person is using the penknife illegally such as to cause criminal damage or to injure someone.
• Lock knives with blades of any length and folding pocket knives with blades exceeding 3 inches are covered by this provision together with any other article that has a blade or is sharply pointed, such as a stanley knife.
• Carrying an article with a blade or a point for "self defence" in case of attack does not constitute a reasonable excuse, nor is it a reasonable excuse to be carrying it because you had been using it for a job earlier and had forgotten to put it away afterwards.

Sale and hire of dangerous weapons
It has long been a criminal offence to sell or hire certain types of offensive weapons to the public. These items include flick knives, knuckle dusters and blow pipes. Recently it has also become an offence to market knives in such a way that indicates they are suitable for combat or that would otherwise encourage the use of such knives as a weapon. (See the Knives Act 1997). However certain defences specified in the Act may apply.

It is also now a criminal offence to sell the following items to people under the age of sixteen:
(a) any knife, knife blade or razor blade (but see the note below)
(b) any axe
(c) any other article which has a blade or which is sharply pointed and which is made or adapted for use for causing injury to the person
These offences were created by section 6 of The Offensive Weapons Act 1996.
Please note - folding pocket knives with blades less than 3 inches in length are again not affected under this legislation. It is not an offence to sell such a knife to a person under 16 years old. Razor blades permanently enclosed in a cartridge or housing exposing less than 2 millimetres of the blade (e.g. an ordinary disposable razor) are also not affected.


Most of the 'weapons' I listed are perfectly legal to carry as they are not weapons in the conventional sense. Carrying a torch is not unreasonable if it's something you have with you most of the time and can find a reason to use. Ditto deodorant. If you're carrying hairspray, make sure that you use the stuff, otherwise it'll look suspect. A leatherman is a multi-purpose tool, and if the main blade is under 3 inches, then it's fine.

For the full text of the various Acts, see the following:

Criminal Justice Act 1988: www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1988/Ukpga_19880033_en_1.htm

Offensive Weapons act 1996: www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1996/1996026.htm

Knives Act 1997: www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1997/1997021.htm

See also: www.cps.gov.uk/legal/section12/chapter_c.html which is a useful guide on the law from the Crown Prosecution Service

And: www.police-law.co.uk/rainertech/policelaw.nsf/Index!OpenForm

[Lord Spooky]

Cheers :)

[blue eagle]

I'd rather not carry around a weapon. it's more fun fighting with your barehands against most opponents anyways. The most common weapon used nowadays are firearms. if they carry a gun and point it at you, any weapon would be too slow to draw anyways. a handgun would have to be unloaded and safety locked to carry around safely. imagine trying to load it when someone's attacking, that'll take about 1 minute. You are better off either coffing up cash or running.

[Thomas]

a handgun would have to be unloaded and safety locked to carry around safely. imagine trying to load it when someone's attacking, that'll take about 1 minute. You are better off either coffing up cash or running.
I agree with the idea that it's bets to cough up the cash when facing a gun, but I disagree about carrying an unloaded pistol. Depending on the safety features, it's best to carry it loaded and be well practiced in drawing and removing the safety. For example, on mine the hammer has to be pulled back to full c ock (there is a "half" for safety) and there is a switch to lock it when it is c ocked. Different pistols have different safeties and its best to examine them carefully before getting one to carry. But, do carry loaded, just exercise caution.

[fugepilot]

Or... snap your Achilles tendon :eek: , then as you recover you always have a stout walking to hand. :D

[hellcatassassin]

i useually use anything im wearing as a weapon!
belt~whip techniques
necklace~ (depending on the length and weight you could use either whip chain techniques or nunchaku style)
spike wrist band ~ brass knuckles
sash~ use to trap and entangle enemys limbs and wepaons!
fan~ obviously fan techniques
umbrella~ i have made my own style for this one! ^^
unbent safty pins~ throwing needles (takes awhile to get used to)
and if all else fails just use yours hands ,feet, knees etc.

[Nevada_MO_Guy]

This flashlight looks like a nice replacement for a kubaton, hestitan, yawara stick.

[tolchocker]

I doubt you can carry a piercing weapon (even if it's a cane) on an airplane.


my mum got her bag searched at the airport and they found a pair of nail scissors (pretty lethal they were, long, thin, and sharp) they allowed them through on the basis that the blades them selves were to small to cut deep (but the scissors themselves could stab a good few deadly inches into you)

stupid sometimes