I'm worried for you, Spuds. Jerk with an attitude can quickly turn into jerk with a lawyer. I'd urge you get familiar with the self-defense law of your state/locality.

A stick can kill. I wouldn't use a stick to defend myself unless I am convinced that I might receive grievous bodily harm. In other words, if I will use a stick, I will use a gun. If not, I will do everything I can to get out of there. A hurt ego is better than a mountain of attorney bills or a prison sentence. Everyone I know (indirectly) who defended himself in what most would consider legitimate self-defense situations ended up in jail. Think about the consequences.

Secondly, you need training, even if you think "oh, I'll just scare him off." Usually people who carry visible weapons for deterrent value can't pull it off, because they don't project the right mindset. Predators will see that for what it is. Training will help you with the mindset. And if push comes to shove, you'll have some skills to back up your intent. No, you don't have to become a stickfighting master (I assume that's what you mean by Bruce Lee), but you'd be surprised how much training it takes to be effective.

I wouldn't recommend a stick for you yet.

It seems like you are thinking of a particular situation -- some guy's dog is bothering you? Are there other ways to solve this problem?

I carry a 1LB(?), 6"Lx1"D walking stick that was a tap root. Tap roots are very hard wood.

1 friend uses a cane made of 1/4" piping with the handle curved over like a Shepherd's Staff.

I bought a friend a 5'Lx1 1/2"D walking stick.

Both friends use their cane/staff to protect themselves from dogs while on their neighborhood walks.

spuds ... thanks for the link on the unbreakable umbrella. pretty interesting. it's not cheap - but I might look into it.

a stick is particularly useful for defense against animals ... mean dogs, stray critters that look sick or rabid.

a walking cane is unlikely to attract much attention from the police. there are rattan canes on the market - I just don't happen to own one so I can't swear as to how strong they are.

cheers,
Pete2

Just be aware, that if whack someone with a stick, then YOU have just deployed a weapon that is considered lethal force (whether or not you killed him). Your assailant would be justified in using lethal force back against you (in the eyes of the law, assuming he would claim self defense, which any smart criminal certainly would, true or not).

Situation: He comes up to you and demands your wallet. You respond by whacking him with your stick. He pulls out his gun and shoots you dead. He tells the police that he stopped to ask you the time and you began beating him for no reason, so he responded in self defense. You, of course, can't counter his account of what happened, because you are dead.

Don't think it doesn't or can't happen. Just a month ago my wife and I attended a course taught by a self defense / shooting defense lawyer. Real world legal cases were discussed. We covered all kinds of scenarios like the above example - discussing what would happen if you responded with your fists, a gun, or whatever. And what laws you'd have to watch out for - Murder, Manslaughter, Negligence, Assault (lots of different degress of that), Menacing, Brandishing (actually, there is no law about brandishing here in Colorado, but we discussed it relative to other states), etc.

We also discussed, "What it you are found innocent of <whatever> charge in court later?" Then eventually you will be free. You will have lost a lot of time. And you will have put out about $150,000 for a defense lawyer, court costs, etc. That's for criminal charges, if you were found innocent. A civil suit filed against you would be additional expense. And you'd be surrised to learn how many ways YOU could be considered the criminal when deploying any kind of weapon, be that a gun or a stick.

Bottom line: You better be the victor in a battle, you better call the police to report the incident before your assailant does, and you better keep your mouth shut, ... tightly.

I would recommend at least doing significant research, if not attending a class by a self defense attorney (if you can find one), before thinking "Well, I can just bash him with my stick - no harm in that."

Bingly,thank you for your concern.

Im big on avoiding confrontation.

Most jerks with an attitude,overly aggressive panhandlers and 4 legged varmints will quickly adjust attitude when they see you are prepared and capable of upping the ante,esp when it comes as a total surprise,puts their plans right out the window.Most arent the brightest bulbs out there,hence their situation in life. Most people are still rational enough to know there are easier targets and its not a hill to die on.

Most low level criminals are not Rambo,they are opportunistic cowards.Drug addicts,cockroaches that crawl out at dusk,that is the situation we sometimes find ourselves in... in situations as innocuous as walking to vehicle after shopping.

But if someone thinks they can assault without risk,they will.

Its for the lower threat deterrent Im looking for,and this will provide that as opposed to totally unarmed.

Just a part of escalating defensive measures,start small and work up the ladder,Im big on layered defensive actions.Options,and several of them is how we run our lives here.

Im prepared for getting out of dodge to fighting for life and have tools for each level,just another tool depending on what the situation dictates.

To fight is always last choice,but to be a victim totally defenseless is not an option.BTDT,its no longer an option I will entertain.
=========================

Nobody thinks that.

Victim,not happening to me,end of discussion,not happening,I have a wife and life to protect,and will.If I go down it will be fighting,not cowering begging for my life.

I was not saying you were thinking like that, it was intended to be a generic comment. My point being, if one is going to deploy something that is a lethal weapon in the eyes of the law, might as well deploy one that is most useful. A gun beats a stick, even though in the eyes of the law they are the same (when used as a weapon). But where you live does not allow you the better defensive option, so it's a moot point.

Just remember that if you have to use it, keep hitting until there's only one side of the story

BTW, an Irish Blackthorn is a nice choice...

One important aspect of deterence is your overall confidence with any weapon you carry. if you really look like you know what you're doing and you've got the potential to inflict serious harm - most criminals are not going to go for it. I agree with the idea that they are generally looking for an "easy mark".

You may be better of with a taser. Those are legal and my be carried concealed in CA.

Check out


http://www.canemasters.com


A cane is a very good defense tool that can be carried everywhere.