Coincidence

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hso

hso

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I took this picture today to illustrate that carrying a heavy padlock was far more explainable than the other items in the picture.


20220326_231802.jpg

Then I found myself illustrating the fact.

I had headed out this afternoon to a bakery downtown immediately after taking the picture and had dropped the padlock in the door handle pocket. When I got to the bakery the parking lot was mostly empty and as I hopped out of the car a middle aged male talking to himself loudly and waving his arms about started to approach. He picked up pace and moved straight towards me. I simply took the lock and let it drop to the end of the cord as I closed my door. He stopped, put his hands up and said, "Sorry man!" and made a straight line back the way he'd come. I had had the feeling the behavior had been an act to aggressively solicit "charity" and his sudden clarity seemed to support that feeling. The couple of other folks nearby never noticed a thing and I pocketed the lock and walked into the bakery.

As we've pointed out, choosing a tool that simply looks like a tool until it needs to be used defensively has advantages, but demonstrating the will and confidence to use anything at hand defensively is also very important.
 
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A bar of soap and a sock might be an alternative.
Click to expand...
There are lots of alternatives, the point is that some alternatives are very hard to explain as anything other than a weapon while some are not.

For example, if you're going to stop by the hardware store later to have a spare key made for your padlock, it could make perfect sense to have the padlock to test the new key and an old key to use as a pattern with you. On the other hand, trying to explain why you have a bar of soap in a sock might be a bit trickier.
 
Context can help to.

I usually have a claw hammer in my car. A claw hammer by itself can be seen as a weapon. I have a full tool belt for framing houses as well though.

I don’t suppose that wielding a hammer at anything but a nail would be mistaken for anything but what it was though. Unlike in the OP where a lock was deployed and no passerby was the wiser at what the intent may have been.

I don’t suppose there are too many items out there that can meet these criteria:

- They can be hidden in plain sight
- They can be carried, wielded or brandished without drawing too much attention
- Passerbys won’t take notice but possible miscreants will be run off by the presence of such item.
- Their possession will not put you on the negative end of any defense incident aftermath and investigation.
 
earlthegoat2 said:
I don’t suppose there are too many items out there that can meet these criteria:
Click to expand...

JShirley has pointed out that a water bottle fits those criteria. It need not be metal or have a handle like the 24 or 30 oz ones found at REI CoOp.

A flashlight does as well. You don't have to have a large MagLight that you can't casually carry on-body (also in the car on the driver side) to make a defensive tool, but it is handy if you have the training.

Canes are a favorite of several THR members. My blackthorn was in the passenger side of my car and my Unbreakable Umbrella cane was in the back seat.

My 140lumen PowerTac Scholar Pen was in the sunglasses holder. That way it goes in the placket of my shirt when I head to work instead of being left behind at home. I use it almost every day as a pen or flashlight.

The disadvantage with all of these is that they require some training and practice. Of course if you're using them to protect yourself I expect that's not too much to ask.
 
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I have a disability license plate , my red oak Live stock cane , that is shorted to "MY" length and a brown belt in Hapkido that was accelerated by the 7th degree Master as at 70, 5 years ago I requested that I wanted to concentrate on it's use and associated kata , and he accepted :) . Really having one in really bad places in Mexico and South I was never afraid , allthough the first thing I try to get is a large decent bladed knife also. I can't take the knife on flights however and I CAN take the cane-anywhere ! Pretty much I would try to have whatever weapon my adversary has if they get within it's reach :)
 
hso said:
I had headed out this afternoon to a bakery downtown immediately after taking the picture and had dropped the padlock in the door handle pocket. When I got to the bakery the parking lot was mostly empty and as I hopped out of the car a middle aged male talking to himself loudly and waving his arms about started to approach. He picked up pace and moved straight towards me. I simply took the lock and let it drop to the end of the cord as I closed my door. He stopped, put his hands up and said, "Sorry man!" and made a straight line back the way he'd come. I had had the feeling the behavior had been an act to aggressively solicit "charity" and his sudden clarity seemed to support that feeling.
Click to expand...
Entirely possible that the gentleman you encountered had done some prison time. In medium and minimum facilities where inmates have lockers in their cells, the padlock (in a sock) is often a weapon of choice. Might've been some recognition factor there...
 
hso said:
I took this picture today to illustrate that carrying a heavy padlock was far more explainable than the other items in the picture.


View attachment 1068281

Then I found myself illustrating the fact.

I had headed out this afternoon to a bakery downtown immediately after taking the picture and had dropped the padlock in the door handle pocket. When I got to the bakery the parking lot was mostly empty and as I hopped out of the car a middle aged male talking to himself loudly and waving his arms about started to approach. He picked up pace and moved straight towards me. I simply took the lock and let it drop to the end of the cord as I closed my door. He stopped, put his hands up and said, "Sorry man!" and made a straight line back the way he'd come. I had had the feeling the behavior had been an act to aggressively solicit "charity" and his sudden clarity seemed to support that feeling. The couple of other folks nearby never noticed a thing and I pocketed the lock and walked into the bakery.

As we've pointed out, choosing a tool that simply looks like a tool until it needs to be used defensively has advantages, but demonstrating the will and confidence to use anything at hand defensively is also very important.
Click to expand...
What a great reminder that I needed to put a good stout lanyard in place to keep my boat locks and that keyring together.
 
A friend of mine carries a leather coin purse that does double duty as a sap.
Even though carrying is not generally a problem here, there are obviously places it is not allowed.

As it has already been stated, Parking Garages and long walks into Hospitals, Court Houses etc. can get interesting at times.
 
I have frequently carried lanyards with sturdy carabiners on one end, and either keys or sturdy small light on the other.

And I have carried both through areas with extensive security. Many times.

I have also been known to put a lock on my carry-on, and usually wear a Wilderness belt.

John
 
The above are damn stinky weapons if your adversary isn't a chump. I wish that all people intent on doing me harm, chose a lock on a string.

If you're healthy. Get some HTH training instead. I'm more afraid of your hands, than a can of soda in a sack.
 
5929DC5B-AFB6-4EA4-8C12-F99064A434DF.jpeg I carry a water bottle. I dehydrate easily. In Nevada, no one would give it a second thought.

by using the hang strap, looped over the thumb, it’s a solid grip. Old British truncheon grip.

Wandering off the Vegas strip, some derelict headed my way babbling greetings.

Looked at me. Looked at how I was holding the bottle.

Wished me a good day.

upload_2022-4-1_20-46-57.jpeg


upload_2022-4-1_20-46-57.jpeg
 
Zerodefect said:
The above are damn stinky weapons if your adversary isn't a chump. I wish that all people intent on doing me harm, chose a lock on a string.

If you're healthy. Get some HTH training instead. I'm more afraid of your hands, than a can of soda in a sack.
Click to expand...

Spoken like someone who doesn't understand the damage flexibles can do. FWIW, I took away a bottle of soda in a sock from a client in my Crisis Support Unit in 2017.

I promise that a lock on a string means a trip to the hospital or the morgue.

John
 
Another that’s legal to carry anywhere.

I happen to enjoy iced tea. I like lemons in it. So, carry your own. Scurvy and all.

One of those little squeeze bottles of Real Lemon?

About a ten foot range.

upload_2022-4-1_22-2-55.jpeg
 
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