Hardware Store

[JHK94]

I recall in grade school, we used to sharpen the sticks from Popsicles on concrete. We just thought it was fun to make them sharp and throw them in the mud (like people do
with knives.)

Did we go to the same grade school!?! Because we did the same thing

 

[TimboKhan]

Wasp spray a self defense deterrent is an absolute MYTH! Police departments worldwide use pepper spray because the inflammatory effects of this agent work on those which cannot feel pain (very important). The inflammatory effects of pepper spray cause eyes to close involuntarily and produce a loss of breath sensation. Pepper spray has been proven effective on deterring and incapacitating aggressive, combative, intoxicated and drug induced individuals for over 20 years.

Two things: First, SM is talking about weapons at hand. Given a clear choice between pepper spray and wasp spray, I feel certain (though I guess I don't know and don't want to speak for him) that he would choose the pepper spray.

Second, the bigger "myth" is that pepper spray will deter and/or incapacitate a victim. It sucks, to be sure, but it isn't particularly difficult to fight through if you are really determined. I have been pepper sprayed, maced and CS'd on a number of occasions (all training excercises, mind you), and can tell you that while it ranges from mildly irritating to deeply unpleasant, if I were really trying to get after someone none of the three would have stopped me. Slowed me down some, maybe. "Incapacitate" or "deter" me? Not a chance. I will concede that there are a certain percentage of criminals for whom getting pepper-sprayed would be enough to make them go away.

Now, I am not saying it is pointless. That would be dumb. I am just saying that there is a reason cops carry tasers and guns and don't just rely on pepper-spraying people to get their point across.

 

[Gord]

That all said, use of wasp spray in self defense may land you in a lot of civil and potentially legal trouble since it isn't designed for less lethal use as a self defense spray.

mike2010's post was worded very poorly and alluded (at least to me) to there being a specific Federal law prohibiting wasp spray for self-defense usage. Anyway, the underlying premise is still ridiculous:

Of course ya gotta be alive to worry about that.

Exactly. You're probably not going to have the happiest time in front of a jury for beating someone to death with a baseball bat (tennis racquet, pool cue, Shop Vac extension attachment, desk lamp, great-aunt Maude's old photo album) but sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do with what's at hand, and that's the foundation of this thread.

In that context, exhorting me not to spray someone in the face with wasp spray because wasp spray hasn't been specifically approved for spraying people in the face with doesn't really inspire me to much except feeling really bad for that person's parents and/or children.

 

[Beaux Nehr]

Besides the beverage containers and the cane, what else on that list can a person in their right mind carry?

 

[JShirley]

I believe ALL aerosols now carry warning labels, since they all can be huffed to make stupid people even stupider.

I'm tough, and I have a high pain tolerance, and I am extremely determined, but the last time I was pepper sprayed, I couldn't see anything for 15 minutes. I *was* still potentially very dangerous for about three minutes- if I could get my hands on you. Don't know what it was about that pepper spray- my vision was affected for almost 48 hrs. The first time, I only had skin irritation after 30 minutes.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

The Classic Hardward store is a treasure trove of handy things to use to make you home harden and to use in a pinch. This all goes back to our Nations early years when You had to use what you had to survive. My Great Grandparents knew this and taught it to me. When I lived in a cheap apartment in college goodies like doorstops and Nice 8 inch #12 Screws anchored my door in the frame when I went to bed at night.