Knife or pepper spray best for trouble?

Lavan: Thanks for satisfying my curiosity, but don't be too hard on yourself. You didn't go out without thinking about it, you took a small calculated risk. And you have to give yourself bonus points for both having a knife with you and for making the good decisions that kept things from becoming violent.

I certainly advocate having as many options as is practical, but none of that can substitute for situational awareness and making smart decisions based on it. For what it's worth, I think you did good. :)

--Bob Q
 
i would say the OC is better, i carry punch, a emerson CQC8, a kahr P9 and a reload myself 24/7.

stun guns imho are trash, but the NEW taser might be ok, wanna check one out myself.

greg
 
I've sprayed about 130 or so people in training with 2 million SHU pepper spray. NOT ONE could not:
Radio for assistance
Repeatedly punch a training bag
Find and use a water bucket

And this was in the controlled environment of a training session. I've sprayed people with almost a full 2 oz. container of the same OC straight in the face and had them get in a car and drive.

I like OC, but it is strictly a 'plan A', and needs a mechanically effective plan B to follow when/if it fails.

Larry
 
I like the pepper spray. I've used the spray several times on drunks and hooligans. I really enjoy watching them choke and spit. In fact, I haven't had that much fun with chemicals since I had to go into the gas chamber during basic training. I also have a stun gun but have yet to use it on trouble makers. Yeah I like the spray... no blood, no mess, and usually no 911 call. :D
 
I used to think pepper spray was for sissies. That was about 15 years ago. Having grown older, and maybe a bit wiser, seems to me that anything you can add to your "tool box" to add to your advantage is always a plus.

For those folks who will not use a firearm, or for those legally prohibited(?!) :confused: from owning one, such as in Washington, D.C., pepper spray gives one "stand off" distance to make contact with an assailant without being within reach of said assailant. While it in itself may not be the equal of a handgun, within the close confines of a home or apartment, it's better than nothing.

Even it doesn't totally incapacitate the assailant, I'd rather deal with one who was working at 50% of their ability instead of 100%. There are additional benefits, it's almost completely nonlethal, and in almost all cases leaves no lasting effects. It's unfortunate in our society today, that in the act of defending one's life, one may be liable for supporting your attacker, or your attacker's family for the next 20 or so years, if a judgement ends up going against you in civil court.

No, I'm not against guns or knives, etcl, but I think pepper spray has its place in the self-defense tool box.
 
While I certainly don't recommend brandishing a gun, this may have been a case where revealing it would have ended the confrontation.
 
I've been sprayed a couple times, at my own request, by spray I purchased myself (yeah, just how bored do I get? :D) My eyelids turned into bank vaults, but I only had a little trouble breathing one time, when I dunked my head in the cooler of water I had filled. Seemed holding my breath gave my diaphragm the idea that it didn't have to work for a few seconds :eek: I don't think the pain would be enough to stop a truly aggressive attacker. I was standing around, talking about how much it stung immediately after I was hit, so I was functional. The loss of vision was the major thing. If you hit someone before they can get a hand on you, they probably won't have a chance at finding you if you get moving immediately.

I also think people need training in the use of spray. It's no handgun, but you still have to point and shoot with some speed and accuracy. I'd rather the stream or foam, since the assailant might end up right on top of you when you use it. I don't think spray n pray with a fogger is a good option, since you could affect yourself, or a companion, hindering your escape.
 
I noticed that ASP sells pepper spray trainers that are exactly like the real cannisters they sell, except it's just propellant to practice with.

I wonder what are good levels of Scoville Heat Units to look for when getting something like this?
 
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