OK.

I live within walking distance of my school, and there are often functions there at night. Whenever I walk at night, I carry a personal alrm (as metioned in another post on this forum) and a telescopic baton with me. It seems to be just an extendable, flexible spring, but it is EASILY capable of breaking a knee/collar bone/ego!

I carry it because:
- I live in south africa <img src="images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />
- I often walk the five minute journey alone (I know that it is not the cleverest thing to do)
- the baton has a longer reach than a knife
- It easily fits unnoticably in my blazer pocker
- i have had basic lessons in it's use as a self-defense weapon, and I know it's limitations/uses.

What do you guys carry for self-defence in and urban or outdoor environment? I usually make a walking stick when I begin a hike, so I guess that could also count as a self-defense weapon, in addition to a few knives.

I used to carry a Mauser C96 wartime commercial in 7.65 with handloaded winchester silvertip hollowpoints. Nowadays I just walk at a brisk military pace, stretching my 6'2" frame to full stature,twitching my left eye and mumbling loudly about being a forum moderator,periodically spinning on my heel and yelling at imaginary government officials <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I simply maintain a hightened sense of my surroundings and avoid vulnurable situations. My main fear in all honesty are other drivers exhibiting road rage ( you @*#$, You could SEE I was drifting over on you to make that sudden turn without a signal while on the cell phone. Don't YOU honk at me you @#$%*).I live in California, land of fruits and nuts and SUVs that humble armored cars in old Fritz Lange movies.

I read some interesting posts on flexible weapons on another forum and it got me interested. Someone mentioned carrying a chain or piece of paracord with your keychain on one end and a heavy metal clip on the other for use as a sort of flail/mace. I think this would work well, so I started by braiding some paracord. My keychain fits on the end alright although i'm not yet sure how to finish the ends. At the moment they are tied in big knots but these would get in the way of my belt and be uncomfytable. I havn't yet got hold o a metal clip, i'll probably use a carabina. I also carry a couple of knives. I am looking to updating my self defence weaponary but i'm not yet sure how.

<img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />LOL <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Well, my brother (an even bigger sportsman than me!) carries his 'waterpolo cap number number' (for god luck) on his neck/keys layyard in the form of a miniture snooker-ball keyring (a number 5, BTW!). I just notice that this fairly heavy keyring is a deadly missile! In addition to a bunch of sharp keys on the end, I'm sure that this could be a very effevtive weopon.

problem - you need space to swing the 'mace'

with the baton, I can also stab/poke, as part of it is rigid. But to be honest, I think that it is more of a detterent than an actual weapon. If a criminal wants something from you enough to challange you when you show him a weopon, chances are that he will probably get it from you, or at least hurt you trying.

The thing I like most about flexible weapons is the versatility. You can use them as a garot or to tangle up limbs in adition to being used like a mace.

These may not be legal or available everywhere, but I carry an ASP Key Defender, which is a kubotan with pepper spray inside of it. I find I can carry it discretely in my pocket and I like the fact that it is non-lethal and incorporates 2 weapons in one.

Hey.... I never thought of the tangle-up thing! good idea!

Do you know if any commertial weapons that work like that?

I've never seen any commercial weapons that work like that. In fact I don't see many commercial weapons round here! You're not allowed to carry offensive weapons in UK anyway. Although you can buy police batons in surplus shops.

Excuse my ignorance, but what is a kubotan?