[Gus Dddysgrl]

This may be an unrealistic situation, but hey why not?

Say you are in a situation where you have no, I repeat NO, weapons of any sort. No knives, no guns, nothing that falls under the typical weapons catagory. What would you chose to make into a weapon? Take some common, ordinary object and make it into a makeshift weapon of sorts to defend yourself with. (Note the purpose of the weapon is self defense) What would you chose?

I will post my answer later when I've heard what others have said. I think this will be interesting to see what people would chose.

Thanks

Gus

[hillbilly]

An automobile.......it is a 2000 lb killing machine capable of speeds of over 100 mph. You can get away from attackers or smush them into jelly with it.

If the attackers are up close and personal, say in my house, I'm picking up the nearest everyday claw hammer. A claw hammer to the head is a one-shot-stopper, even more effective than a knife thrust, or an poorly placed or small caliber pistol shot.

hillbilly

[Grey54956]

Drop a nice sized lock (or a rock) into a heavy sock...

The Sock-A-Lock is uber-tactical.

[jercamp45]

Yawara stick/kubotan.......pressure point city
Rolled up magazine can be applied to pressure points too.
Same applies to mop and broom handles
Ashtrays make handy throwing implements.
A can of veggies, soup, gravy can also do some damage....
Pot of boiling water/hot coffee......
No2 lead pencil/bic pen........not for the squeamish.....ear canal-eye socket.
salt or pepper shaker with lid loosened-toss contents into eyes
bumper of automobile at high speed
plastic bottle, flammable fluid, cannon fuse=flame grenade
book of paper matches...lit and thrown as a distraction.... makes a nice improvised detonator too with a bit of fishing line.
Length of chain...swung about...tough to master
ahhh, give me time...I'm sure I have a few more items stashed in the improvised file in this caffiene soaked, nicotene aireated, sleep deprived, foggy data bank of mine.

Jercamp45
Neophyte Nasty Caca Thinker Upper

[sm]

Since no description of area,location given...
Its a given my brain is a tool, agree with using a vehicle. My feet give me distance...then it is whatever I can get my hands on. In real life, though I was packin', I used a notebook. I have broken off a vehicle antenna and used that. I carry a ceramic mug or beverages in glass containers, have used that. ( thanks to NO CCW in hosp). In courthouse once I bopped a guy in the face with a pest control cannister , exterminator writing up his notes and just sitting on floor when some whako went berserk.

Got hands and feet to hit, kick punch. Rolled up magazines, anything. Can I use a hard plastic parking card the size of credit card that just happens to be in my shirt pocket...one edge and corner is real sharp...dunno how that happened...;)

[Bravo11]

re1973,
You have actually had to defend yourself that many times using
field expedient weapons?

[MJRW]

cordless dewalt reciprocating saw

[RustyHammer]

I think we've found Mc Giever! (re1973)

[Balog]

In addition to those listed above... Any club like object (crow bar, pipe, hockey stick, wrench etc). WD-40 or any other flammable aerosol and a lighter. A modified lighter (ie flame is approximately 12" to 14" high) is pretty good as well. A chainsaw. Any cord-like object (phone cord, belt, rope, wire etc) can be used as a garrote. Any chemical product can be thrown in the eyes. Shoes. Frying pans, dishes, baking sheets, forks, spoons, sporks, foons (the sporks are the most tactical:rolleyes: )

[Chuck Dye]

Not exactly responsive to the real question, but when I first read the thread title, I thought "continents!" I prefer to get a continent between me and the badguy. Oceans are an acceptable substitute for continents. As always: avoid it, evade it, escape it, deal with it. Dealing with it generally comes last.

That said, I almost always have a minimag light and a stainless steel pen and pencil set in my pocket. Unless I need to defend myself in a very familiar environment offering better alternatives I can quickly access, I am likely to reach first for the mechanical pencil as a ripping and stabbing implement

[Mark Tyson]

A good, solid stick. They can be found almost anywhere.

[sm]

Lets just say I grew up in a business that people wanted what I dealt with. Add dumb gun laws and metal detectors. Blend in having to be in places with all the above, and yeah, over the years one is gonna be involved in "events". It that law of average dealie.

I don't do that work anymore, some think I might , or still am tho'. School of hard knocks, seeing a fellow in same business after kidnapped and riding around in his own trunk for 4 hours...well one gets used to being in yellow a lot...I shift to orange real fast. Another fellow does not heed warning of pros in area...comes home and loses teeth when a shotgun bbl shoved in his mouth .

See why I hate any and all gun laws? I also believe in Improvise, Adapt, Overcome.

So I still keep a low profile in public, another reason I don't compete anymore, don't go to some public ranges...someday maybe the old life will fade away...but the situational awareness and watching six I won't ever stop doing.

[semf]

In courthouse once I bopped a guy in the face with a pest control cannister ,
As a Certified Pest Control Operator for the state of Fla. I have to inform you that this is misapplication of pesticide and a violation of federeal satutes. But they do make excellant dog attack deterants.

I like short handled heavy ended weapons ,similar to black jacks, applied to joints and pressure points. Jacks are the ultimate first tier defense weapons.

[sm]

Well in the "Eyes of Texas" back in late '70s they didn't seem to mind. Exterminator kinda surprised, the judge "didn't see nothing"...so he says... ;)

[Gus Dddysgrl]

re1973- I'd say you have a list of experience that is quite impressive, but I'm not sure it's one I'd want. I sure would't want to have to keep the low profile.

For me- I would use anything so far listed. However, my top choice would probably be a field hockey stick. If you have never handled one of them you should. A similar thing would be to use a baseball bat. However, the field hockey stick may be better to handle and hurt more than a baseball bat. Ask anyone that has been hit with one or hurt someone else with one.

I do agree though that the brain is the best weapon and should be kept sharp at all times.

Gus

[Skunkabilly]

Gus:

http://www.contactdefense.com/Coursesdetail.asp?id=10&pageno=1

Sure it's just a flashlight, but a piece of aluminum on is harder than my soft little paws.

Underarmed, sometimes; unarmed, never.

[Mike Irwin]

A banana.

With a stick of dynamite in it.


Short of that, my meat cleaver... A wonderful little cleaver... Quick handling, excellent for slashing and chopping, not so heavy as to be hard to maneuver.

Only problem is that it's not a very effective stabbing weapon...

[keyhole]

Electric chainsaw. No startup noise.:evil:

Prefer wiffle ball bat. Can whup for long time, get fustrations out, and after all, what jury will convict you of maiming/killing someone with a plastic bat?:what:


Great way to get yer fustrations out also!


In the real world, I prefer a 12 guage pump for home defense. Birdshot.

Outside, it's tactical Tupperware, or my favorite 1911.

[hksw]

A 2'-2½' section of ¾"-1" conduit.

[foghornl]

If you are in the kitchen, but away from the knife drawer, the 12" diameter 'deep-dish' cast-iron skillet is a formidible weapon....


And, no thank you, I decline to discuss how I know....:what:

[chris93473]

:what:

[Ladybug]

cyanide + hydrochloric acid -> mix it all up in a bottle, throw it at the guy and run like crazy :uhoh:

or just run like crazy

[teppo-shu]

A screwdriver - better than any knife. Most "duty" knives are so sharp that a close-engaged BG may not even feel it or know he's been cut. With a screwdriver there won't be any doubt. Buys you a few seconds to exit the situation.

Also D-cell Maglite is very handy.:evil:

[Quartus]

Conduit is too flimsy, hksw, if you are talking about the standard thin wall EMT. I know.



Walking stick/cane, if you know how to handle it, is very nice. You can break things. Like shoulder joints, for example. Elbows. Knees.

[Langenator]

At close range, and for a limited period of time, road safety flares can be very effective. Very hot, very bright flame-and burns HURT.

If I had to chose a club-type object, I'd go for an aluminum kid-size bat, the ones you see at T-ball games. Adult sized bats tend to be kind of awkward to swing one-handed.

Throw anything throw-able at an attacker. Sand/dirt/flour to the face can buy you a couple of seconds, and that may be all you need.

[LiquidTension]

Belt. Hit 'em with the buckle. Ouch.

[Dionysusigma]

Block of C-4 and a stun gun:evil: :uhoh: :what:

Realistically, a stick or even a chair will work. Depending on the weather, my seemingly 50lb leather jacket also works quite well.

But if all else fails, always carry a lighter on yourself (even if you don't smoke) and a little bottle of Binaca :D . So inconspicuous that defense in court is too easy. For added effect, carry 1/2 a pack of cigarettes as well, and when even your closest friends testify with "Hey--I know you don't smoke!" you retort with "Well, what do you think I was using the Binaca for?" ;) :p

Just my $.02

[TonyB]

I once saw a mental patient take out 3 staff members with a phone...he swung the reciever around and hit them all in the face.......so I'd probably try that............although cordless phones ????Crap......ok,looking around my office I see,computer,coffee cup,ok coffee cup to the head.......
At my partime job(before I carried)I always thought I'd throw the register at a robber who threatened to kill................now............double tap,357mag.:cool:

[CrudeGT]

Any coat works for catching and tying up the hands of an attacker (at least is worked for all those asian guys in the movies ;) ), if i was at home I'd go with a pillow case with about 6 or 7 full beer cans in it. ( i hate to waste the beer, but if i got no other choice, than I go no other choice). the belt works goo too. and my 20lb leather trench works good for blocking blows, that thing is so thick i can bearly feel a paintball hit me when I'm wearing it.

[BamBam]

A wet cat. Throw it on the BGs face.......instant results.

[MagKnightX]

A sack full of doorknobs, perhaps?

If I had time, and natural resources, depending on the wood and availability of rope-fibers, I'd either make a bow and a couple arrows, or an atlatl.

I don't go anywhere without my keys. I've been meaning to get one of those little retractible-keychains, like janitors have. Garrote and flail.

[jacketch]

I have a cut down ax handle, a 26" long hickory stick, that I keep handy in my car. The main use for it is to knock the mud off the tires of my mountain bike before I stow it away. Keeps the mud out of the vehicle. Good for cracking skulls if defensive requirements call for it:rolleyes:

[hksw]

Conduit is too flimsy, hksw, if you are talking about the standard thin wall EMT. I know.

Stainless 0.060" walls. It's what I practice with for Arnis (1" dia). Seems durable enough to me.

[greyhound]

Practically, (and remember this Maryland) a can of Fox OC spray is the best I can do.:rolleyes:

Carried a pretty nasty folder for a while; realized with no training I'm more likely to cut myself than a BG so stopped kidding myself and started carrying the Yuppie Leatherman model for package opening instead.

Entertain a fantasy that my pacifist Greyhound (who is an 80 lb big boy after all) will develop a protective streak late in life.:D He is jet black and saved my butt from some "disadvantaged youths" who if the leftists are believed were on their way to Bible study at 2:00 AM once. (From their comments they assumed he was a Doberman). I had no concept of SA at the time....

[Baba Louie]

Thrown Rock?
Rock held in hand?
Heavy rounded Rock on a stick?
Pointy rock on a long stick?
#2 wooden pencil?
Cowboy buckle on a stout leather belt?
Length of Garden hose or rope?
Broken bottle?
Anything I can pick up?

I watched a kid in high school pick up a desk chair with evil intent on his mind...
Lesson learned.

Adios

[Erik Jensen]

being an owner of a wily Lavender Oriental cat, I've got to go with BamBam's idea. I can't count the number of scars I have from giving cats baths and such. never declaw your cats. those claws can come in handy one day! ;-)

[Black92LX]

my belt with my Professional Rodeo Cowboy Assn Buckle on it.:neener:

[DorGunR]

My mean a$$ dog.............Sic em boy! ;)

[cool45auto]

Didn't you guys see "The Bourne Identity"? A ball point pen goes a long way.:)

[JoshM]

Electrical grade Fire Extinguisher- I saw a guy get shot in the face with one, he went down in a screaming heap. Though immediately blinded he was lucky, no permanent vision loss.

Empty or full it also makes a nifty club.

[CWL]

dog
kitchen cutlery
assorted sticks, canes and bats
flashlights
ropes, chains, dog leashes
polycarbonate tubing
fat felt-tip markers
metal pens/pencils/stylus'
hot coffee
charging unit from my laptop swung by the cord
sjambok

[Chris Rhines]

A field hockey stick is a really good choice - I haven't handled one since junior high Phys Ed, but I recall thinking that you could mess someone up real bad with one...

My first thought was a hickory shovel handle, sawed off to around three feet. If I was feeling really nasty, I'd drill out one end and epoxy in six ounces or so of #9 lead shot (if'n I could without ruining the balance.)

Second choice would be a piece of stiff rubber hose filled with sand.

- Chris

[Gus Dddysgrl]

With a field hockey stick I have broken a nose and gave 2 black eyes. Sorry to say she wasn' too happy when everyone took her picture that night since it was homecoming and she was the queen. I honestly didn't try it, but we didn't get invited back the next year to play them.

I would use anything, but a hockey stick is my first choice.


Gus

[Charles S]

I think a good flashlight would be hard to beat.

If in a car that is about the best weapon you can have.

I personally think your mind is the best weapon you have.

Charles

[Phantom]

A really sharp hatchet with just a hint of rust on the edge.
The psychological effects of the rust add to the deterrent,
Plus a well placed blow will sever a limb, and can penetrate
body cavities. Most everyone has firewood to cut, right?

[Atticus]

I've got an old iron fireplace poker that looks (and feels) like something Conan the Barbarian would wield.

[CWL]

Now that you mention hockey stick, during high school, I did catch a hockey puck right in my package launched from a from a slap shot. I was down for hours and didn't feel right for a week. People who know how to use hockey sticks scare me!

[Combat-wombat]

I have three pieces of ore from some mine.

Those, in a sock, can do some serious damage.

[4v50 Gary]

Booby traps before they even get close to me and then it's immolation.

[Stetson_CO]

My soon to be father-in-law is a master electrician. He gave me an 18" long piece of electrical cable...its solid but balanced. I do not know what it is specifically. As soon as fiancee finishes her CCW classes we will bothcarry our CCW guns and a length of this cable.


c):{

[winstonsmith]

I watched a kid in high school pick up a desk chair with evil intent on his mind...

Yeah, I did that once.

As far as improvised weapons go, we had this ongoing formal debate in one class for about a week or two. I was a moderator. So, I have to have a gavel right? So I carried it around :D Never had a situation where I needed to use it, but still better than using a shiv.

I was in a bad neighborhood where I saw one "disadvantaged youth" hit another with a large portable stereo (coloquially known as Ghetto-blasters). Seemed to have the wanted effect.

I carry an approximately 15-30 pound backpack everyday. Cumbersome to swing, but if it lands a hit then it's all over.

I once was being followed by 3 guys, saw a pipe on the ground, and challenged them. They decided to find weaker prey. Read the story here: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&postid=356162&highlight=pipe#post356162


Brain is the weapon. Everything else are transitory tools.

[chris93473]

golf clubs would work for me....those older steel ones that is not those expensive titanium ones (there also not as strong too).

electric fan, portable heater, ac unit, engine block (small engine) , muffler pipe, iron, staple gun, stapler, microwave, my weights from my weight set (i'll start with the 10lbs weights and go heavier), the bar from my bench press, my reloader (if i can get his head inside the reloader....just pull the lever......ALL the way down.) :evil: my really fat physics book i kept 4 semesters ago, car jack, soap bar, electric shaver/razor, cinder block, window (i'll slam the window down on his hand as he trys to enter), trash compactor (i'll let you use your imagination), pry bar, i'll pick up a liberal and thow it at him, chain, mountain bike (bunny hop on top of him), i'll shove his hand or leg down a disposal unit, coat hanger, shock absorber, my gun case (i'll all metal), spray paint, can of paint, air compressor, lighter and hair spray, beehive, couple of cherry bombs, M-120's, roman candle, throw him inside a nuclear reactor.....whatever i can get my hands into or where i can go.

[Dr.Rob]

Improvised weapons that I've used:

Belt wrapped around fingers leaving 6 inches hanging free with the buckle (this a USMC thing I'm told that was used in the zoot suit riots)

Large metal backed 3 ring binder. Stayed intact.

Steel napkin dispenser. Did not stay intact.

Improvised weapons I've heard (anectdotally) are very effective:

Potato in a sock. No way an Irishman can be convicted or carrying a potato right?

Roll of nickels wrapped with tape. (poor man's brass knucks)

Shovel (ww1 entrenching tool/spetznatz shovel)

Beer Bottle (had a buddy get hit over the head with one.. while it didn't take him out it certainly got his attention)

Trash can lid. (saw a guy accidently shield punched with a trash can lid... ouch)

Old bakelite telephone: the original blunt instrument.

Maglight: that's what it's for.

Steel pen.

Chair. (seen many a chair thrown.. ask Geraldo how it feels not to duck)

Car keys (make a fist with em sticking out between your fingers)

[Quartus]

a large portable stereo (coloquially known as Ghetto-blasters).


Or, as a fine gentleman of color in my Reserve outfit called them...



Nairobi Crew-Served Radio



:D


That line still cracks me up 20 years later!

[CMichael]

A pencil to the throat or eye could work rather nicely ;)