What's in your (throw down) wallet?!

[Creature]

I am considering carrying a throw down wallet.

What besides a few dollars should I stick in it so that it looks more "believable"?

So, as they say on TV..."whats in your wallet?"

 

[Muzzy_B]

Don't carry one as I'm not completely sold on the idea that it would work, especially if a BG has been studying the hand movement to my actual wallet for any length of time. He may know immediately that it's a fake when my hand moves to the wrong pocket, and this may escalate the situation. However, I would be very much open to reviewing any statistical information that may prove otherwise.

 

[CWL]

I don't carry one because I don't need any more junk in my pockets, but if you want to make yours look more realistic, put plastic cards like your library card, grocery card, etc. to make it look & feel like you have credit cards in there.

Just don't put anything that has your real address in it.

 

[ravencon]

If I ever perceive the need to carry a "throw down wallet" I'll know its time to move.

 

[trueblue1776]

Throw down wallet? Like a wallet you carry when you're about to throw down?

Can somebody explain this?

 

[exar]

Can somebody explain this?

A distraction used to get the assailants attention off of you while you do something defensive (like run or draw!).

 

[Muzzy_B]

Throw down wallet? Like a wallet you carry when you're about to throw down?

Can somebody explain this?

A decoy that you hand over, drop, throw, or what have you during a mugging, theoretically allowing you to keep your real wallet while you get the heck out of dodge or draw. You'd be better off just handing over the real deal if someone already has the drop on you.

 

[bad LT]

My ideal throw down wallet is a snub 38 in a coat pocket

 

[trueblue1776]

Thanks, that's what I was thinking.

 

[rxraptor02]

Credit card companies send out the blank/fake cards. Save a few of them up and put them in to fill it up. I would also keep like 5 one dollar bills in it.

But it is an extra thing to carry around.

I have thought of doing this when in the city.

 

[redneckrepairs]

mine is 9 rounds of 9mm , after my years in LE i do not subscribe to the premise .

 

[2RCO]

Here's a better Idea--Don't carry cash or your Social Security Card and keep a list somewhere secure with your card #'s and phone #'s for your Banker. You can have them shut off in seconds and if they are under the Visa System you aren't responsible for anything over $50 usually most banks and Credit Card companies will waive that in a theft. They Rob me they get my wallet but those cards are useless within half an hour max.

 

[Jdude]

The space where my throw down wallet would go is occupied by extra ammo.

 

[Green Lantern]

Creature - ironic that you reference a credit card commercial, as credit cards have a possible answer to your question. Like rxraptor says, check all the applications they mail out, and you'll find 'fake' credit cards.

Other options - old movie store cards, old insurance cards, old 'store' cards (Bi-Lo card, Ingles advantage, etc)...

Though I would make sure ALL info relevant to me was scratched out/destroyed (and any magnetic strips too)!!!!

Some money probably helps, makes it scream less "fake" anyhow.

I've carried one daily for a while now, it's no big deal - just a tiny little bulge in the back or cargo pocket. Usually the former, and I can't IMAGINE carrying anything else there, especially spare ammo/magazine. OUCH! Mine's so thin, I could probably carry it in the same pocket as my "real" one.

Just seems like a cheap and easy form of 'insurance' that just might come in handy some day in some situation.

 

[Eyesac]

hehehe "throw down wallet" ... hehehe

Part of me thinks it's a good idea, but the other half of me thinks carrying fake sets of stuff for badguys is silly.

 

[Zoogster]

Might work, might not, I have seen store clerks killed on video because the register did not have much cash in it when a BG decided to rob them.
Protecting your cash by not handing much over in a fake wallet might put you in more danger.
Things are not always predictable and they might keep you covered, stay alert, look in and not see enough, and then decide to make up for it by taking jewelry or seeing what else is in your pockets. Imagine how the man with a gun in your back is going to feel when he stumbles upon another wallet with more in it?

If it is just going to be used as a distraction to draw you could just as easily use your real wallet. A shot perp is not going to get far with it.

I think I would care more about losing my license than anything else. Credit cards can promptly be canceled, and I do not usualy carry much cash on me. If you deal with a good company they should not charge you for any criminal purchases on your credit card provided they consider you a reputable customer.

Now having to go deal with the DMV to get a new license... That alone is worth fighting for.

 

[MIL-DOT]

i don't see this as being necessary here, but wandering around someplace like mexico city or other large 3rd world city, i'd have to call this a good idea. come to think of it, i used to use a "decoy" stash of money when i was living in mexico. i knew my small studio apartment wasn't really secure, and i left a big pile of one dollar bills in a top drawer. sure enough, i finally got "hit" and they took my little radio/CD player ( good riddance) and the 20 or so one dollar bills, but didn't touch the $400 scuba regulators under the bed !! also, for wallet stuffers, don't forget buisness cards.

 

[rantingredneck]

I don't carry one, but like others have mentioned if I knew I was going into a particularly bad place I would consider it and would consider all those fake cards that get sent out plus a few bucks. I've got enough old video rental membership cards to fill one up.

I'd hate to give over my real wallet since it has my ID and CHL and lifetime hunting license in it. All those things are a PITA to replace, but my major problem is they all have my identifying information and address plastered all over them. What if the crook decides he wants more of me or my stuff and comes calling in the middle of the night at a later time. The credit and bank cards can be turned off, but moving isn't easy.

Maybe it's time for me to rethink all this and how useful it might be.......

 

[oregonshooter]

Don't have an extra wallet for throwing, but I do keep my bi-mart card, coffee punch cards, etc and <$20.00 in bills on one of these for the occasion.

http://www.knivesplus.com/gerberknifegb-41548.html

 

[Kurt S.]

I carried one while I was on an extended business trip in Rio de Janeiro. I had an expired TDL, some expired credit cards, about 20 reais in bills (about $10 USD at the time I think) and about $10 in US singles.

I carried about $100 total in both currencies, my real drivers license, one credit card, and usually my passport in a different pocket. I had a wall safe in my hotel room closet that I kept the rest of my money, credit cards, and some other ID papers in (birth certificate copy, color copy of the first page of my passport & entry stamp, copy of my visa application, and copy of visa request).

Never carried one in the UK or Canada. The times I've been in Mexico I have not felt I needed to for various reasons.

When I was in the Navy I didn't care enough about it.

I'm not sure if I'd carry one here. I've thought about it but without fake id's and fake credit cards it seems pointless. I am more afraid of identity theft and letting some badguy know where I live than losing some cash anyway.

 

[Elmer Fudd]

I thought this was covered pretty well in these threads a while ago:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=277118&highlight=throw+wallet

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=277917&highlight=instrumental+violence

I would pay particular attention to Ken's comments on instrumental versus expressive violence. If you try some lame trick like throwing your wallet you have elevated the mugging from likely "just business" to disrespecting someone that likely takes that very seriously, especially if in front of his buds. Not a smart way to try to get an edge. If it gets to the point of handing your wallet over you are at a severe disadvantage, and your fate is largely out of your hands, unpleasant as that thought is.

I would go with the flow, comply willingly and respectfully, and wait for your moment.

 

[Elmer Fudd]

Read through this thread also, on GT, to get an idea about what really works, and what is a bad idea to pull when staring at a gun:

http://glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=753890

I would love to take some Force on Force training.

 

[aguyindallas]

This isnt a theory I subscribe to, but I suppose old credit cards from CLOSED accounts would work. I am NOT talking about just expired cards, but rather cards that are truly from CLOSED accounts. Pics of random people might work too.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Elmer Fudd said: I thought this was covered pretty well in these threads a while ago:

. . . . . .


I would pay particular attention to Ken's comments on instrumental versus expressive violence.

It's interesting to see my comments reasonated with someone. Thanks for the hit.

Creature said: I am considering carrying a throw down wallet.

I have to ask, why are you considering one? What would be the purpose for it, and how are you intending to use it?

 

[YammyMonkey]

I don't have a "throwdown" wallet, but I keep 2 separate money clips. One with my debit & credit card & $40, the other has my DL, CCW, hunting license & emergency cash. Like was mentioned earlier, they can have the $40 & the (soon to be canceled) cards, it's a small price to pay. Neither take up much room so they go in the same pocket & the DL clip rarely, if ever comes out in public. I don't dress/act/drive a car that would imply I'm worth much more than the $40 & 2 cards.

Any input/critiques/criticism on that method?