well, I agree that if it must go bang right away, a revolver is the safest bet. But if it needs to go bang more than six times, a 1911 is probably your best choice. Avoid knives at all costs, they are worse than a weapon of last resort. That is what you use when even your bat is broken and the clouds have opened up and the heavens have said you are completely out of luck. And never ever ever throw a knife. Unless you are Jame Bond, a knife is not really a good self defense weapon. If you don't care about, weight, concealability, or size, you might as well keep a side by side shotgun with you. Those are pretty reliable and get the job done.