Are we scared or so?

**crafty** · 03-09-2012, 07:09 AM

I’m just wondering why people are looking for tactical blades for EDC, sleeping with knives in their pajamas and guns under their pillows and other “defensive” weapons on their bedside table. I’ve read it in several posts, but I just don’t get it.

Edit: initial 2 posts are not to be a troll or insult. I'm just trying to get insight and understand the motivations of others.

**crafty** · 03-09-2012, 07:15 AM

Just some extra text for the ones that like to read

Yes I carry a folder, but not for tactical reasons. To me it’s just a tool; I just want to prepare lunch, use it for cooking, open a letter or box, carve a stick, etc. If I would ever come in a close combat situation I would most probably not use my knife as defensive weapon, if that option would even comes to mind. Yes they can be effective, even if untrained, but you’ll never know the skills of your opponent. I’m not trained in knife fighting, so just swinging it around I could hurt myself or loose it in the fight and get my own knife used against me.

Then what’s the chance you’ll ever need a weapon in a self-defense situation? It depends of course on the area you’re in, and on the street it’s probably more likely you encounter a situation than in your own house. But what is really the chance, aren’t we just blinding ourselves from the truth thinking that we live in a badass world with gangsters on every street corner that wants to kill us for the 1$ bill in our pocket and rape our girl? Yup there are plenty of crazy creeps around and definitely some neighborhoods you should avoid. But running anxious around with having a weapon close by does that really make our life (and world) more safe? I hope my neighbor isn’t too trigger-happy when I want to deliver a package at his door, which I accepted earlier during the day for him.

So how many of us here (without being on duty as cop etc) did actually need a weapon for self-defense? (Yup I know there are some examples in the news of people saving their ass because they had a weapon for self-defense, but are those situations not just exceptions.)

**powernoodle** · 03-09-2012, 07:15 AM

The purchase, carry and usage of knives anesthetizes us from the emotional turmoil that resides within each of us. We make up excuses to justify it, by talking about blade steels and grinds and G10 and ergonomics. But its really all about feeling better. Knives, guns, multitools and flashlights allow us to manipulate our environments, and in so doing they distract us from our inner angst and the unspoken fear of living in an uncertain world. Some folks anesthetize themselves with booze or drugs or internet porn. We do it with Para 2's and Enduras.

Is it really just a coincidence that Charley Mike went from meth user to knifemaker? I think not.

**EricV** · 03-09-2012, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by crafty

Just some extra text for the ones that like to read

Yes I carry a folder, but not for tactical reasons. To me it’s just a tool; I just want to prepare lunch, use it for cooking, open a letter or box, carve a stick, etc. If I would ever come in a close combat situation I would most probably not use my knife as defensive weapon, if that option would even comes to mind. Yes they can be effective, even if untrained, but you’ll never know the skills of your opponent. I’m not trained in knife fighting, so just swinging it around I could hurt myself or loose it in the fight and get my own knife used against me.

Then what’s the chance you’ll ever need a weapon in a self-defense situation? It depends of course on the area you’re in, and on the street it’s probably more likely you encounter a situation than in your own house. But what is really the chance, aren’t we just blinding ourselves from the truth thinking that we live in a badass world with gangsters on every street corner that wants to kill us for the 1$ bill in our pocket and rape our girl? Yup there are plenty of crazy creeps around and definitely some neighborhoods you should avoid. But running anxious around with having a weapon close by does that really make our life (and world) more safe? I hope my neighbor isn’t too trigger-happy when I want to deliver a package at his door, which I accepted earlier during the day for him.

So how many of us here (without being on duty as cop etc) did actually need a weapon for self-defense? (Yup I know there are some examples in the news of people saving their ass because they had a weapon for self-defense, but are those situations not just exceptions.)

The level of naive thoughts here is insane. You do realize that the difference between you and whatever family just suffered a home invasion on the news is luck right? Its morally reprehensible to be unable to protect you and yours. And I'm not talking knives or guns here, but just the state of mind you have to be in to make that statement.

**Professor** · 03-09-2012, 07:56 AM

Internet porn saves another marriage every 3.5 seconds. Or so I'm told.

Prof.

**Unistat76** · 03-09-2012, 08:00 AM

Originally Posted by crafty

So how many of us here (without being on duty as cop etc) did actually need a weapon for self-defense? (Yup I know there are some examples in the news of people saving their ass because they had a weapon for self-defense, but are those situations not just exceptions.)

It's not the chances of needing to defend yourself, it's the stakes if you do. My chances of getting into a deadly car accident are relatively low, but I wear a seat belt. I've never had a kitchen fire, but there is an extinguisher next to my stove.

You too easily dismiss the cases where people do defend themselves. Statistics are made up of real people in life and death situations. I guarantee that those folks are glad they had the where with all to defend themselves when they had to.

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/artic...6728804395.txt

This happened in Royal Oak, MI, a suburb of Detroit. Not many people would consider Royal Oak a dangerous place, but as you say, bad guys can be anywhere.

You say "What are we afraid of?" I say, "As an armed citizen? Nothing."

Fortunately, you don't have buy guns and knives for self defense if you don't want to. Fortunately, I can.

**Unistat76** · 03-09-2012, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by powernoodle

The purchase, carry and usage of knives anesthetizes us from the emotional turmoil that resides within each of us. We make up excuses to justify it, by talking about blade steels and grinds and G10 and ergonomics. But its really all about feeling better. Knives, guns, multitools and flashlights allow us to manipulate our environments, and in so doing they distract us from our inner angst and the unspoken fear of living in an uncertain world. Some folks anesthetize themselves with booze or drugs or internet porn. We do it with Para 2's and Enduras.

Is it really just a coincidence that Charley Mike went from meth user to knifemaker? I think not.

I disagree with this 100%. I'm sure you are right for some folks, but I buy knives to use for practical reasons or for recreation. My guns and knives are not talismans that make me feel better just buy having them around. They are not some sort of drug analog so I can ignore the realities of the world I live in.

**Myal** · 03-09-2012, 08:10 AM

my knife is a tool , its there to do a job ... what the jobis varies day to day , hour to hour .
I dont carry it for defence , but there has been a couple times when I thought I was going to have to use it for that , tho it was the very very last option for me to try ... I found offering prayer and bible study defuses most situations , its unexpected , no macho image about it , gives them pause for thought , and allows everyone to walk away with no loss of face .
I have had far more close calls with other drivers on the road than I ever have had with people face to face .. I carry first aid gear and some recovery gear in my car as prepeation to deal with the after effects of them , if we survive .

**JayGoliath** · 03-09-2012, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by powernoodle

Is it really just a coincidence that Charley Mike went from meth user to knifemaker? I think not.

CM= shock value. Bravo!

**mountainbound** · 03-09-2012, 08:17 AM

i was in a popular retail store this summer, in a part of the country considered affable, and relitivly crime free. i was picking up some fishing lures and noticed a few fixies had gone "missing" out of there packages. while waiting in line, a fairly irate customer was whining about some such silly thing to the poor girl at the register. the guy standing behind her in line (in front of me) was sporting his lighning bolt prison tat. its ink you get for causing some quality violence for your gang while incarcerated.

so the moral of the story is: there an armed killers standing behind you in k mart, but your more concerned with your rewards card. its not paranoia if there real.

**klute** · 03-09-2012, 08:19 AM

To the OP: You ever been jacked? I guess not.

Good lookin out.

**nickortizzle1035** · 03-09-2012, 08:22 AM

I like to carry tactical knives for a couple of reasons. #1: I love the look of titanium, G10 and a DLC coated blade. #2: because they seem to be heavier duty than most traditional or gentlemen's knives. I want a knife that I can use like a fixed blade and not have to worry about ruining it. I don't carry mine for defense I carry it for general cutting tasks like 90% of the people on this forum. Should the unlikely need arise, I could use it as a last ditch effort to defend myself.

***Esav Benyamin*** · 03-09-2012, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by Unistat76

This happened in Royal Oak, MI, a suburb of Detroit. Not many people would consider Royal Oak a dangerous place, but as you say, bad guys can be anywhere.

Your response was excellent, and perfectly answers every question of this type.
I will mention that Postal Service people do remember Royal Oak.
http://royaloak.patch.com/articles/a...stal-shootings

**nickortizzle1035** · 03-09-2012, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by mountainbound

i was in a popular retail store this summer, in a part of the country considered affable, and relitivly crime free. i was picking up some fishing lures and noticed a few fixies had gone "missing" out of there packages. while waiting in line, a fairly irate customer was whining about some such silly thing to the poor girl at the register. the guy standing behind her in line (in front of me) was sporting his lighning bolt prison tat. its ink you get for causing some quality violence for your gang while incarcerated.

so the moral of the story is: there an armed killers standing behind you in k mart, but your more concerned with your rewards card. its not paranoia if there real.

you just described my average work day at DSG.... all I do is find stolen knives and deal with customers who feel they are entitled to everything their little hearts desire.

***Esav Benyamin*** · 03-09-2012, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by crafty

I’m just wondering why people are looking for tactical blades for EDC, sleeping with knives in their pajamas and guns under their pillows and other “defensive” weapons on their bedside table. I’ve read it in several posts, but I just don’t get it.

Ask Theo Van Gogh.

**mountainbound** · 03-09-2012, 08:40 AM

we incarcerate more people than any other country exept russia. the vast majority of those guys get out. ive seen bottom rockers on prospects for a major motorcycle gang on cape cod, full patch members hanging out on the beach. ive seen guys high on pills/meth/whatever in just about every rest stop ive ever stopped in around the country. we are a gun culture, its true. but ask a filipino if a folder is a good weapon? there are plenty of guys in this country that have learned how to make that spydie endura a nightmare. they learned there trade in bars, and back allys and perfected it in the joint. theres one in every town....i know, im one of them. and i live in wyoming now, welcome to america, violence is everywhere, its just not allways obvious.

**Dorito Monk** · 03-09-2012, 08:43 AM

I buy knives and make sure to carry at least seven at all times to fulfil my urban tactical sheepdawg emergency defensive EDC role. That vital role I play in society doesn't stop when I come home, so I make sure to have knives and weapons everywhere all over my place all the time, especially in the shower and by my bedside, because muggers are everywhere and you never know when a crack thirsty jenkem addict will hop out of your medicine cabinet, bent on culturally enriching your family. If it weren't for extreme tactical urban sheepdog emergency defensive (gawwwd forbid) EDC role users like me the world would be a WROL hellhole because the sheeple are stupid and ELL EEE OES are standing on a THIN BLUE LINE between us and chaos!

**mountainbound** · 03-09-2012, 08:47 AM

ive seen you at kmart...

**Dorito Monk** · 03-09-2012, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by mountainbound

ive seen you at kmart...

You might have seen me and my elite team of highly trained tactical sheepdawg emergency urban operators at your local shopping centre, but do not be alarmed, citizen, we are there for your protection.