OK, I'm not carrying a balisong anymore.

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Awareness is always your best defense. However, no one can remain alert all of the time.

From what I have heard and read about over the years, this is how most self defense situations arise. You are at an extreme disadvantage, meaning surprised and out numbered.

Planterz - You make the assumption this was an attack for no reason. Is it possible you got on someone's bad side?
 
Planterz, did you catch the evening local news. The cops got 2 armed guys in a white Cadillac SUV on Flowing Wells. Take a look and see if you can ID the car or bozo and have charges filed.
 
first off, i'm glad u r ok for the most part.

very bad situation u were in... not much, if any notice for a course of action that would have avoided the confrontation.

true enough the, MT Scarab can be deployed much faster than the BM42, BUT, i believe u would have had the same problem retrieving the Scarab (even with the lanyard) as u did with the 42. with how u described the confrontation, i don't believe that ANY weapon that u had that was not in hand would have been effective... as u have already pointed out. the only defence at this point is open hand techniques. when u r surprised by an attacker, the first line of defence should be to disengage and gain distance. in ur particular case, this would have been extremely difficult because u were attached to ur bike (something to keep in mind in the future). the only thing i could see u doing to defend urself was to use ur arms/hands to defend urself, specifically ur face, as u tried to kick off the bike/shoes.

also, if u thought drawing the balisong was difficult in the position u were in, then i am going to make an assumption that drawing a firearm would have been most difficult. i carry a fiream at work and it is not the first weapon i think of going to all the time. if u do get a firearm, please invest in some training so as to become proficient. as for the IWB holster for the knife or gun, it does take longer to access the weapon...a trade off for concealment.

another thing u might want to do is to learn how to use ur bike as a standoff device/weapon.

glad that u r thinking about what to do in the future though! helps to have pre-loaded plans for that "oh sh#t" scenario. u will react much faster if u do.

PS, the HK P7M8 is an excellent handgun for defence... love mine! a little heavy for it's size though.
 
Dirk said:
Planterz - You make the assumption this was an attack for no reason. Is it possible you got on someone's bad side?
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As I said earlier, I don't know anybody that drives a vehicle of that type. I don't know anybody with a giagantic afro. I'm pretty certain that they weren't following me as I left work (I was about 1/2 mile away from my store where it happened), as I can tell when someone's behind me (headlights). If I were being followed, I would have noticed that someone was slowly tailing me. As far as I know, this was completley random. Someone just felt like beating on somebody. The guy said something like "this is my neighborhood", but that area is not a gang neighborhood.

Severtech--thanks for the heads-up. I'll contact the police tomarrow and check it out. I know the SUV was a GM brand, but I couldn't tell which one (the Caddy fits though). This happend on the 3rd Street bike route just off of Country Club. That's certainly within an hour's distance of Flowing Wells and Roger.
 
I was angling more toward the hired muscle idea when I asked that question. Maybe someone isn't happy with you and doesn't want to be tied to an assault. It may not be likely, but it is something to consider.
 
chris in mo said:
From reading the event a couple of times my recomendation would be a neck knife. It would be easier to get a hold of and into action. If an attacker grabs your knife there is the distinct posability of them injuring themselves on the blade during the grab. The neck knife is not fool proof but in the situation described I think it would have been the best option. Not a folder in a neck sheath either a small fixed blade neck knife.
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A neck knife at this time wouldn't work for me. I can't conceal a fixed blade (AZ law) without a Concealed Weapons Permit (for firearms, but it extends to other weapons as well). I can't really wear it outside my shirt, because it'd dangle too much while riding. And again, I really don't want to advertise that I'm carrying a knife.

Perhaps though I could mount a sheath system to the frame of my bike (either the frame or the handlebars). Something to look into...
 
Just picked up the Monday paper which has the story (the shooting, not mine), and photos of the 2 arrestees. Neither has a 'fro.
 
Planterz said:
A neck knife at this time wouldn't work for me. I can't conceal a fixed blade (AZ law) without a Concealed Weapons Permit (for firearms, but it extends to other weapons as well). I can't really wear it outside my shirt, because it'd dangle too much while riding. And again, I really don't want to advertise that I'm carrying a knife.

Perhaps though I could mount a sheath system to the frame of my bike (either the frame or the handlebars). Something to look into...
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Will AZ not allow open carry of a fixed blade knife? I they do you could do the exposed neck carry but use a sheath which secures to the center of your chest with an elastic cord that wraps behind your back. Something like this:

http://www.survivalsheath.com/sheaths/chestknife.htm
http://www.survivalsheath.com/sheaths/images/knifechest3_sm.jpg

I know some places don't allow concealed carry of a fixed blade but they will allow open carry. This might be too much to mess with but it is about the only way I could think of to have something immedieately available when you are your back struggling. The thing to consider is that the knife is obovious which might avoid an assault in the first plce and it is also exposed and available for somene attacking you to grab and use on you.

The problem with off body carry is that if you are knocked from or have to abandon the bike you lose the knife as an option to defend yourself.
 
I have seen cases (on TV) of people who were attacked by strangers for no other reason than the attacker felt like beating on someone. Then there are the stories of thugs (seems like it's usually really bored & stupid teens) who think it's funny to attack people (anyone remember the ones going around shooting people with paintball guns?) and videotape their adventures. People don't always need a reason to behave like that.
 
Glad you're OK.

Sounds like a gang initiation to me. You say it is not a gang neighborhood, but that hardly matters as these people could be far from home looking to attack anyone.

Here we have senseless attacks such as these to intitiate into various groups. The most brutal is a slash attack. It's called "getting your milk/food". When a person wants to become a member of a gang they need to first "get their milk/food" which means they need to slash a stranger from mouth to ear. We had one happen at a bus stop not too long ago. They don't take anything, they just run away. Doing this demonstrates willingness/dedication to the gang. Scary stuff.

Sounds to me that you were a victim of a variant of this. Be glad you weren't the lady that was cut here.

Might want to use standard pedals when riding home at night too.
 
Why does everyone find it so hard to believe that idiots jump people for no reason at all? Happens all the time around here. Pepper spray is better in that situation than a knife.
 
love4steel said:
Why does everyone find it so hard to believe that idiots jump people for no reason at all? Happens all the time around here. Pepper spray is better in that situation than a knife.
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There is a reason for everything. Whether it be gang initiation, showing off, or just for kicks/fun - there is a reason behind it.
 
For bike riding, you may want to look into clips andstandard pedals, instead of riding clipless. I personally use pedal clips, simply because I prefer to be strapped onto the bike instead of locked in. The power transfer from foot to pedal isn't as efficient as clipless, but it's much better than standard pedals. With a standard pedal, the quadriceps do about 80% of the work, the hamstrings do 20%. With pedal clips, the numbers are changed to a 60/40 ratio. Something to think about, at least.

Oh, and I am glad that you were not harmed to a greater extent. I know what you mean about remaining strangely calm in a bad situation - I got my leg crushed by a boulder a couple years ago and was (relatively) calm while it happened. Hopefully, you won't have to experience this sort of thing again. On the flip side, as you learned, weird crap happens when you least expect it, so it's wise to be prepared.

Out of curiosity, how are you doing mentally/emotionally with the attack? Don't be scared if you experience various emotional fall-out for a while. In fact, if you find you're more emotional (whether it's manifested as anger, depression, paranoia, fear, a heightened awareness of danger, etc), talk about it with someone you know who has experienced a similarly shocking situation. The emotions which you may be experiencing are completely normal, but people who have never gone through a trauma/shock simply cannot understand what it's like.

Take care,
TroutTamer
 
Trout Tamer said:
Out of curiosity, how are you doing mentally/emotionally with the attack? Don't be scared if you experience various emotional fall-out for a while. In fact, if you find you're more emotional (whether it's manifested as anger, depression, paranoia, fear, a heightened awareness of danger, etc), talk about it with someone you know who has experienced a similarly shocking situation. The emotions which you may be experiencing are completely normal, but people who have never gone through a trauma/shock simply cannot understand what it's like.
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I'm doing alright. I'm pretty certain that the assault was completely random (at least, my involvement was random). I doubt they'll try the same thing again, and I don't think that anyone is "out to get me", but that didn't stop me from taking a different route home tonight. The irony is that I started taking the quiet side-street bike route instead of the busy main street because I didn't feel safe on it (drunk idiots, people like to throw things at me--drink cups, McD's bags, and even a grapefruit). Regardless of the route I take in the future, I'll be much better prepared. You can pretty much assume I'll be more on my guard. Plus, I just won a Surefire L2 off eBay ($133 Buy it Now!!!), which'll come in handy.

Since I don't have my MT Scarab to replace the bali in my pocket, I thought I'd try something different. Carried clipped inside my pocket, but unlatched with the spring-latch sticking straight up for easy grasping. It seemed like a good idea until I put an inch-long, 1/4 inch deep gash into my pinky finger reaching for my pen. :mad: What a wonderful week...

As for the shoes/pedals, I don't think I'm going to change. I'm too used to them now. Even when I was getting attacked and falling over, my instinct kicked in (with the help of Newton) and I unclipped. I have them set up relatively loose (SPD type btw) so during a fall I'm likely to unclip even if I'm not intentionally doing it myself. Besides, if I have to make a fast getaway, I want be clipless.
 
"I'm doing alright. I'm pretty certain that the assault was completely random"

Yes, it did sound like it was completely random. I am gald you are faring well, emotionally. It is ironic that you were taking the quiet route for safety. In fact, when I got my leg crushed, I was stepping off a rock ridge; the particular part that I picked looked like the safest area to step down from... hmmm... :confused: :mad:

As per using clipless, go with whatever you are most comfortable with. Clipless would be nice for a quick getaway, as long as you can swiftly clip into 'em. I think I'll stick with my clips, though :)

"You can pretty much assume I'll be more on my guard. Plus, I just won a Surefire L2 off eBay ($133 Buy it Now!!!), which'll come in handy."

Yep, whenever I go back out to the mountains (which isn't all too often, yet) I am definitely more alert and cautious. That Surefire definitely shoudl be of assistance.

"Carried clipped inside my pocket, but unlatched with the spring-latch sticking straight up for easy grasping."

For biking, I think I am going to use a neck knife, maybe worn in one of those cool sheath systems that was linked to earlier in this thread. I have read about one guy that lost a Delica while biking; the knife just worked loose while he was riding. Plus, I think that a small fixed blade would be more useful while out on a bike, anyways.
 
Planterz,
First, I would like to say that I am glad you came out of this ordeal as well as you did. It could have been a lot worse. Random violence does happen and this sounds like a good case in point.

Second, I don't know if you are aware that the German police force is turning in their HK P-7's for the new HK 2000's. This means that there are surplus KH P-7's available for about $700.00. The ones I have seen were in very good condition. The HK P-7 is a great gun.

Third, make an effort to protect yourself and others in the future. You have seen what can happen first hand. You can also look in the newspaper or watch the evening news and see that bad stuff happens all around you. If a concealed carry permit is available make the effort to get one. Get instruction in self defense (unarmed, with the knife, and if you get a gun become proficient in its use). Next time you will be prepared to protect your self or others. Read some books by Jeff Cooper, and Mass Ayoob. They booth have alot of good info on self defense. If you are going to use your knife for self defense get James Keetings excelent draw point DVD's.

Many people realize that there are bad people out THERE, but think that nothing will ever happen to them. The majority are probably right. You got a wake up call and sounds like you got off pretty well. Make arraingements so that in the future you will be prepaired to protect yourself and others.

Tom
 
I am glad you are alright. You may want to consider a legal sized fixed blade (if your state allows any).
You may also want to get the impact attachment for your Surefire from tadgear.
Stay safe.
 
Glad you survive to tell the tale, my friend. Next time, watch out for the danger signs. Stay safe. :)
 
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