Frightened & Defenseless

I live in a modular home, albeit way out in the country. And I was in construction for quite a while.

There's really not anything you can do to "harden" the home as its pretty easy to gain access regardless. Best bet would be a top notch security system but even then you're waiting for help to arrive.

If she willing, and it sounds like maybe she is, to learn about guns that would be the route I would take. I don't know what your experience or ability is but if it we me I'd give her a few 101 courses and if that worked out start her with some drills.

I hope everything works out for her/you and feel free to keep asking questions.

 

Nice. Cold Steel actually had some pretty awesome neck knives, push knives, etc... they weren't works of art by any means but well designed and practical and very affordable. They didn't hold up well in humid climates, especially if they were worn near the skin so maintaining with a light coat of oil was recommended but other than that... I'm pretty sure Cold Steel folded, or sold out. I always kicked myself for not picking up a few Arch Angel's when they were sub $100 balisongs. Now they go for $1000-$1400 and sometimes more for certain models...

 

Dog and a Google Nest system for $500. Nothing beats a dog as a deterrent, plenty to rescue.

 

You guys just reminded me of a cool knife a friend of mine gave to me. I don't know who makes it, probably made in Pakistan but it actually feels like a well made knife. I'm sure the steel is 440 but still kind of cool.

 

Entering late and I’m sure I’ll repeat some points, but here goes..

1. It’s midnight, she and her kids are up and the doors are unlocked?

2. You say she is the kind to curl up in a ball and whimper if attacked.

First thing this lady needs is a “mindset reset” and some reality checks. She’s a mom...she needs to be a momma bear!

Get her a copy of Jeff Cooper’s timeless classic “Principles of Personal Defense” and tell her to read it. I made my daughters read it. It is a short, concise read. It is excellent!

https://www.thearmorylife.com/principles-of-personal-defense/

My sincere best wishes to you and your family for safety and health!

 

I'll check out the read and pass it on to her. Yeah, she is actually kind of a big scaredy cat and it she usually locks up at night but she is in and out to smoke on her porch, that and the house she lives in now is about 5 houses down from the house we grew up in so it's always the same old faces, everybody around you've known your whole life, nothing ever happens here kind of town. Til one day it isn't. I'm sure she has gotten herself a good jolt and won't repeat the same error.

I want her house to be a lil more secure and for her to have some kind of plan and a fistful of something for when what nobody ever thinks is gonna happen, happens.... I know I've read cooper's stuff before, but apparently not enough because I can't recall any of it specifically. I'll check out that book and pass it along

 

Has it been mentioned yet?
Cornered Cat dot com

 

No doubt. Good to know. It's exactly as you say, i guess I never really looked that closely and just assumed it was a flea market special....

 

Frightened & Defenseless

This sort of characterization drives me crazy. Unless she is a quadriplegic or other type of invalid (which it would seem your sister is not), there is no reason any adult at home should be defenseless. Homes are full of all sorts of weapons and other objects that may be used for defensive purposes. As noted, mindset is the key. With the wrong mindset, even having a knife or gun may not be of much help.

 

I went over that briefly, she has no aggression in her and would not fare well in any kind of conflict. She is very small and has no fighting spirit that I've ever seen. It's a predicament.

 

Yes, fortunately she is. Unfortunately I haven't been over to reinforce the house with some of the measures discussed here, but I will soon. For now at least she is being vigilant about locking up and being alert....

 

I have occasionally contemplated this very idea as part of an overall plan with no conclusions drawn.
It seems one would need to be acutely cognizant of the knife yet still need to grapple with all their might.

Perhaps if without a firearm...the better investment of raw strength might be to fight like a scalded baboon?
That scenario would allow one to concentrate ALL effort on the fight and not "minding the edge" of the knife.

 

You can fight like a scalded baboon with a knife, it's called bull dogging. It's actually an effective offensive technique for inflicting alot of damage with minimal training required, based on a technique used to pretty good effect in prisons and then further refined by the USMC. It's not an especially graceful method, but as long as you're not the one draining out in the parking lot I guess it's a win.

Definitely get some knife training if it's available, skill trumps caliber and blade length in just about any scenario. I feel fairly comfortable in terms of using a knife for self defense but you never know who your opponent will be and what their skill set is so get as much training as you can. Research and practice is valuable as well.

 

That's my take as well. There's little point to even being armed if you won't locked the danged door! Even a flimsy door and weak lock will delay an intruder for a few seconds and force them to make a lot of noise. And even in a rental place (house or apartment) one can at least surreptitiously replace the door hardware with longer screws. If you don't lock your doors and allow people to simply walk in then it's going to be dumb luck if you reach a gun in time.

FWIW, I'm convinced that only strong doors and sturdy locks prevented me from having to shoot someone about ten or twelve years ago. LOCK YOUR DOORS!

 

Recent example of a good dog that helped defend family against an intruder:
https://www.foxnews.com/us/texas-dog-fights-home-intruder

 

Yes, probably 22 minute drive from her house is NIMMA. It's a 40 minute drive for us. My 12 year old daughter has been going 2-3× per week for 5.5 years. I would love it if my sister would go, but she never would.