I would imagine something around 7 inches, pointy but strong, with a guard would be good. Maybe something like an Entrek Buffalo. Worn on the belt. On the other side have a good folder or fixed blade in case you are pinned down and cant reach the side with your main knife. A blade that is too long would be difficult to use in such circumstances.
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recommendation for a knife to defend against a mountain lion
- Thread starter mtnlion
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other memory
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This thread needs pictures. Instead of wrestling alligators we need a professional mountain lion wrestler.
The OP asked a simple and honest question. Many people have taken the time to post on-topic information and offer serious, well-thought-out ideas for the OP to consider. And the OP has come back more than once to thank those posters for their contributions, so it's obvious that the OP values their suggestions.
For the most part this thread has remained on track and has been a mature, adult discussion. I think it would be nice to keep it that way.
For the most part this thread has remained on track and has been a mature, adult discussion. I think it would be nice to keep it that way.
Boar spear or long handled billhook. Easier to get from gardening store than a naginata.
At least 6" bayonet-dagger-bowie-pig sticker.
Bear spray.
Hunting line Airedale(s), possibly wearing cut-collar. Pits, rotties & huskies are the biggest human killers.
At least 6" bayonet-dagger-bowie-pig sticker.
Bear spray.
Hunting line Airedale(s), possibly wearing cut-collar. Pits, rotties & huskies are the biggest human killers.
RamZar
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Mountain lions and cougars can be found even in the middle of Los Angeles! Here's a National Geographic picture trap of one in Griffith Park:
Some information from California Department of Fish and Game:
Staying Safe in Mountain Lion Country
Mountain lions are quiet, solitary and elusive, and typically avoid people.
Mountain lion attacks on humans are extremely rare. However, conflicts are increasing as California’s human population expands into mountain lion habitat.
http://sagehen.ucnrs.org/Documents/visitors/wildlife/lion.pdf
Some information from California Department of Fish and Game:
Staying Safe in Mountain Lion Country
Mountain lions are quiet, solitary and elusive, and typically avoid people.
Mountain lion attacks on humans are extremely rare. However, conflicts are increasing as California’s human population expands into mountain lion habitat.
- Do not hike, bike, or jog alone.
- Avoid hiking or jogging when mountain lions are most active—dawn, dusk, and at night.
- Keep a close watch on small children.
- Do not approach a mountain lion.
- If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run; instead, face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms; throw rocks or other objects. Pick up small children.
- If attacked, fight back.
- If a mountain lion attacks a person, immediately call 911.
http://sagehen.ucnrs.org/Documents/visitors/wildlife/lion.pdf
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Just hike with a fat friend...
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Good advice!...them be big felines....i personally would carry either of these...Svord,or Hattori ...balanced..just my 0.2.......FES
Bigfattyt
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Indeed, follow the link in my post and read reports of the known attacks for the past 120 or so years are mostly non fatal.
Most are injury reports. In some, people killed the attacking cougar with pocket knives, in one a rock and frying pan, in another a woman, all alone, killed the cougar that took her from behind with tweezers. Another attack on a 77 year old man, from behind, he was able to get his hands in it's jaws and get the cat to release his neck! He fought, and got the cougar in a choke hold for a few minutes until another man was able to get it with a .22. His story is pretty fun to read. If the worst happens, I'm not giving up, just because some one else died, or you tell me I can't win.
I'm not saying a cougar attack can't kill some one. I know that they do kill people, because I live in WA, where people get killed every year, but most survive. But spend some time and read the reports in the link. You will see the survival/injury reports far outweigh the deaths.
I will tell you something else, I have lived in several areas that are considered cougar country. I have hiked in cougar country, camped in cougar country, rode my bike in cougar country.
I have been approached by my fair share of bears, and am more worried about them than cougars, by a long shot.
I have seen cougar up close, from a few feet away. They were not "wild" in that the neighbor kept them in a a big enclosure. They were not "pets", in that they would try and eat him. He used to put on a leather suit, with a neck guard, and face guard, and go in and "wrestle" with his cougars. Without the gear, he would not go in the cage. He had them for a few years, but the cost and danger were pretty high, and he does not have them any more. They were never "pets" to him, and would have killed him given the opportunity.
I am simply annoyed at people who suggest that some one must lay down and die if attacked by a cougar.
When I am out and about, in cougar and bear country, I usually have a fixed blade or two, and usually a .357 or a .40 (some times a shotgun if I have the space and weight is not an issue).
If a cougar attacks me or a family member I'm not planning on laying down and letting it win. I have seen way too many reports of even small little ladies fighting them off to think that way.
Could a full grown cougar kill me? Absolutely. Could I kill a full grown cougar? Yes. With a weapon, and a little luck, I hope I could.
The OP said her husband is out in cougar country, and has concerns and cannot carry a gun. Well, a sharp pointy medium to large fixed blade, and pepper spray are better than harsh words.
Do I think this guy is going to have to fight off a cougar attack with a knife? I sure hope not.
But I tell you, if a little lady can kill one with a pair of medical tweezers, and nothing else, than I'm gonna carry a knife (and probably a gun), and feel pretty good about my self.
I have had bear try to climb into my rig with me more than once. I have had a bear come out onto the dock where I was swimming, and I had to dive under the water and swim up under the next dock over and hide. Throughout my life I have seen my fair share of bear while out in the mountains.
I have never seen a cougar in the wild. Only their tracks, and the neighbors in his run. (that was in cougar country).
I feel the same way about people that say "a knife won't do you any good against an attacking dog". Bull. Again, it is better than harsh words and bare hands.
Carry what you can. Try to be aware.
If a cougar is hunting you, you might not see it. It might get you from behind, and you won't hear it until it is chewing on your head from behind.
But again, and again, from all of the the country, I see reports, interviews, photo's, and accounts of people much smaller and less physically strong than me fighting them off and surviving. Sure, people also die from these encounters, but I'm not going to stop going out just because I might run into a cougar, or a bear. If I can, I will have knives and a gun.
Good luck surviving a jaguar attack, the third biggest cat species.
In the early 20th century, the jaguar's range extended as far north as the Grand Canyon, and as far west as Southern California.[56] In February 2009, a 53.5 kg (118 lb)Jaguar was caught, radio-collared and released in an area southwest of Tucson, Arizona; this is farther north than had previously been expected and represents a sign there may be a permanent breeding population of jaguars within southern Arizona.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar
In the early 20th century, the jaguar's range extended as far north as the Grand Canyon, and as far west as Southern California.[56] In February 2009, a 53.5 kg (118 lb)Jaguar was caught, radio-collared and released in an area southwest of Tucson, Arizona; this is farther north than had previously been expected and represents a sign there may be a permanent breeding population of jaguars within southern Arizona.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar
Just posting my personal opinion but I would advise against a folder and lean more towards a fixed blade, a lot faster draw. A good Khukuri would be great or if weight was a real issue then a KABAR would be my personal choice. Also bear spray would be a good thing to carry around as well. Here's a link to stories of people defending themselves successfully from animals with a khuk, interesting read courtesy of Himalayan Imports: http://www.himalayan-imports.com/assets/images/Animals.htm
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How about an Axe? Sorry I did not read all the responses to see if this has been suggested. An axe would provide a sharp as well as a blunt edge to hit in case of attack when one is not able to correctly position a knife to slash. Also it would give u a longer reach and would not be out of place in the woods.
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Hunting line Airedale(s), possibly wearing cut-collar. Pits, rotties & huskies are the biggest human killers.
Airedales aren't very popular dogs, if they ever become as popular as the other breeds you mention, I'd think they'd be just as big of "human killers". We had a big one once and he was extremely rowdy and more human aggressive than any pit bull we've owned. In fact he was smart, quick, hard as a rock all over and would stand up to anything, man or beast. My Dad took him coon hunting and he would kill them in a flash. He would flush rabbits out of brush if you wanted him to, if you missed he'd sometimes catch the rabbit and bring it back. The only reason they aren't in the news like the other breeds is because they aren't popular and popularity is the worse thing for large capable dog breeds.
Boar spears, naginatas, billhooks,poleaxes, halberds...
Boar spear or long handled billhook. Easier to get from gardening store than a naginata.
Here is what you need:
The knife is a Bark River Boone in Bocote/A2... you can have it in his pack, for what good it would likely do anyway. Cats stalk their prey and attack from the back and go for the neck - normally. They are adept at choosing a size prey they know they can conquer - normally. Relatively thin skinned, they avoid attacking anything that can injure them, as an injury can prevent food gathering - a death sentence. The 'real' cat protection in the picture is the S&W PC627 UDR - a 2 5/8" eight-shot .357 Magnum. In the woods, I keep mine holstered and loaded with .38 Special +P 158gr LHPSWCs - designed for the real world woods threat - the two-legged predator/snake. I can legally carry a pocket protector - usually an Airweight 642 five-shot .38 Special with those same rounds, so it's with me a lot - even at the grocery store. I suppose some folks cannot carry a firearm - some just won't. It's your decision - it's your life. Rest assured, a cat that attacks a human will be hunted down and destroyed. Better you do it in saving your life than a stranger - after discovering your remains. I don't hunt - but I won't be a victim!
Stainz
PS I love domestic cats, despite my allergies & asthma. We bought our new garden home in July because the HOA would allow us to keep our seven inside-only cats. - seriously!
The knife is a Bark River Boone in Bocote/A2... you can have it in his pack, for what good it would likely do anyway. Cats stalk their prey and attack from the back and go for the neck - normally. They are adept at choosing a size prey they know they can conquer - normally. Relatively thin skinned, they avoid attacking anything that can injure them, as an injury can prevent food gathering - a death sentence. The 'real' cat protection in the picture is the S&W PC627 UDR - a 2 5/8" eight-shot .357 Magnum. In the woods, I keep mine holstered and loaded with .38 Special +P 158gr LHPSWCs - designed for the real world woods threat - the two-legged predator/snake. I can legally carry a pocket protector - usually an Airweight 642 five-shot .38 Special with those same rounds, so it's with me a lot - even at the grocery store. I suppose some folks cannot carry a firearm - some just won't. It's your decision - it's your life. Rest assured, a cat that attacks a human will be hunted down and destroyed. Better you do it in saving your life than a stranger - after discovering your remains. I don't hunt - but I won't be a victim!
Stainz
PS I love domestic cats, despite my allergies & asthma. We bought our new garden home in July because the HOA would allow us to keep our seven inside-only cats. - seriously!
I believe Labradors are the most popular breed. Pitbulls kill more people.
Bull terrier types- originally bred for killing other dogs. I edc a large knife to protect my Jack Russell from more Pitbull attacks. "Its for rabbitting, constable". Yeah. Right.
Rotties & other non-livestock guard mastiffs- originally bred for killing people.
Airedales, poachers dogs- originally bred for hunting & as defence against gamekeepers bullmastiffs. British class war. They would be more popular if they were allowed in any colour, like one of their immediate ancestors, the Otterhound.
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Opening post, gunboyHere is what you need:
The knife is a Bark River Boone in Bocote/A2... you can have it in his pack, for what good it would likely do anyway. Cats stalk their prey and attack from the back and go for the neck - normally. They are adept at choosing a size prey they know they can conquer - normally. Relatively thin skinned, they avoid attacking anything that can injure them, as an injury can prevent food gathering - a death sentence. The 'real' cat protection in the picture is the S&W PC627 UDR - a 2 5/8" eight-shot .357 Magnum. In the woods, I keep mine holstered and loaded with .38 Special +P 158gr LHPSWCs - designed for the real world woods threat - the two-legged predator/snake. I can legally carry a pocket protector - usually an Airweight 642 five-shot .38 Special with those same rounds, so it's with me a lot - even at the grocery store. I suppose some folks cannot carry a firearm - some just won't. It's your decision - it's your life. Rest assured, a cat that attacks a human will be hunted down and destroyed. Better you do it in saving your life than a stranger - after discovering your remains. I don't hunt - but I won't be a victim!
Stainz
PS I love domestic cats, despite my allergies & asthma. We bought our new garden home in July because the HOA would allow us to keep our seven inside-only cats. - seriously!