What do you carry when you can't carry a firearm?

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Other than work I carry my firearm just about everywhere... when I leave the house. But 100% of the time, I have a capable knife. I cycle through lots of them, but most are 3.5 to 4 inches with a beefy blade. Stuff like Spyderco's Paramilitary.

I recently saw some video of a dog attacking a child and mother in their own driveway. I was thinking to myself that if I were in that situation I probably would not be armed with a gun to defend ourselves. And if I were, I might not wanna use it in close quarters like that with my kid right there. I would, however, have quick access to a knife.

Now I don't carry a blade as a weapon primarily. It is a tool and I like to collect them, but I like knowing that it can stand in as one in case of an emergency. I am not trained in knife combat, but I think I could use it to reverse an attacker's decision if I really had to.

I also carry a quality flashlight. A Fenix pd25 is what has been in my pocket for the last year or two. A Victorinox Manager (blade, scissors, nail file, ball point pen, etc.) and a small bic lighter are in the bottom of my pockets too. No, I don't smoke (anymore) but I like having the ability to quickly produce a flame if I need/want to.

And then there are places like Jshirley mentions. Like airports and even some of the bigger government buildings around here, maybe even schools. Those places really suck. Good thing I very rarely go to those places.
 
Corpral_Agarn said:
My brain for one.
With just that there are weapons all over.

Good water bottle is a nice start. Steel construction, insulated. Heavy too.
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+1 on the weapon between your ears.
Although I do almost always have a 3" folder in my change pocket, it would be my absolute last resort as a defensive weapon- not enough reach. I would much prefer to have both hands open for grappling, or grabbing an environmental weapon (I.e. whatever's long, strong, and at hand.)
 
Ontario RAT-1 folder, Milwaukee Inkzall felt pen, livestock cane I bought from Tractor Supply, 5.11 steel-toe ATAC boots... Here's the funny thing- I work in hospitals, airports, schools of every grade level, banks, governmental facilities, and a fair number of those frown on the pocketknife. None of them take a second look at my tool kit, which contains hammers, chisels, utility knives, pry bars, screwdrivers, extension cords, punches, wrenches, and more; I'm probably better prepared to defend myself at work than I am at home.
 
Illinois is a patchwork of varying municipal knife laws regarding blade length and opening mechanism.

The state prohibition on switchblades was lifted, however there is no pre-emption clause in the law which means municipal laws still stand. In Chicago that could mean up to 6 months in jail and a $200.00 fine for a blade over 2 inches long.

So I carry my Gerber 200 :)

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I pretty carry the same stuff all the time. When I can legally carry a gun I add a gun to what I normally carry. Depending on my carry mode I might have to leave my SOG Paratool at home since it typically occupies the same space on my belt that my carry gun does.

I always have a knife or two, flashlight, a variety of screwdriver bits, bottle opener, magnifying glass, writing utensil, phone, etc.
 
ALWAYS a flashlight, and always a good 3"+ lock blade, and lately a handy dandy folding utility knife as well.
And my brain....

As handy a weapon as it can be; I'm surprised they let us walk around with belts around our waist
 
Officers'Wife said:
Never underestimate a thorough upset woman with a shoulder bag containing three hand wrenches, a pair of fencing pliers and a river rounded fist size rock. But then there is a faction that claim the pliers are deadly weapons.
https://www.ruralking.com/10-fence-...MI6a2Rsfuq1gIVVQeGCh16hg1GEAQYASABEgIed_D_BwE
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A pair in my jeep.
A pair in my tractor.
A pair in my truck.
I was driving a fence staple with one in may, 1983 when it popped from the hedge post and punctured the Iris of my left eye. 14 stitches, 7days in the hospital, but they saved my eye.
Wear safety glasses.
 
Armored farmer said:
A pair in my jeep.
A pair in my tractor.
A pair in my truck.
I was driving a fence staple with one in may, 1983 when it popped from the hedge post and punctured the Iris of my left eye. 14 stitches, 7days in the hospital, but they saved my eye.
Wear safety glasses.
Click to expand...

My Dad was very quick to tell us how great great grandfather lost an eye making fence. It was part of stern parental lecture #7 that ended with - statistically you are more likely to get hurt or killed on this farm than a policeman is on his beat. The only thing saving you is the few cubic inches inside your head... etc. I always swore I would never ever inflict those lectures on my children... I do on a nearly daily basis. And just to stay on topic, that few cubic inches inside your skull is still the most deadly weapon in your arsenal that you always have if you just bother to use it.
 
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I rarely carry a firearm. Always carry a small flashlight and a pocket knife. I got a small coast hp-01 a while ago and it's been working great for me. While I like carrying a multitool, I prefer a knife that can be opened onehanded and has enough of a handle to grip on for my banana hands.
 
While I like carrying a multitool, I prefer a knife that can be opened onehanded...
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I also like one-handed openers--and that's why I started carrying a multi-tool.

I used to carry Swiss Army knives, but when one-handed opening folding knives became available, I started carrying one of those. I realized I I still wanted the other attachments that I had been able to use with my SAK so I began carrying a multi-tool in addition to a one-handed opening knife. Admittedly, it was more to carry, but it did provide additional capability.

These days, there are multitools with a one-handed opening knife blade.
 
There is not really anywhere I go that I can't carry a gun but could carry a knife or some other defensive tool. When I can't have a gun and knife I still have years of muay Thai and BJJ, being physically fit, and situational awareness.
 
I have not carried a sidearm once in all the years since I retired from police work (Oct 1995). If that's a mistake I'll the first one to find out.

I always carry a full sized one handed locking folder in my pocket (unless I'm in a place where it's prohibited...).

I've been a full time fishing guide for 21 years now and find my folder very handy on a daily basis working the saltwater portion of the Everglades.
 
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