I´d choose the multitool because it has a wider range of tools and uses. The main blade of the tool has to lock. Weapons are not a top priority in my EDC.

In my urban location, would have to go with the multi tool, though I would feel funny not carrying a pocket knife.
My best friend's wife once wrote on the calendar in red ink when she asked me for my knife, and I didn't have one on my person. <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
It was rather unusual, and I don't think it has happened again- <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Read this by Don Rearic (search down the page for A Forgotten Art, Plier-Ryu-Jutsu<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> ...the title is a joke, but not the rest.)

Hum, both the baton and pepper spray (small can) take up no room, go on the belt and under the [censored] so Im not sure what your qualm is with concealability. Anyway, Im talking about more of the legal and moral obligations of using a knife in a self defence situation. This is mostly academic really since any real mugger or what have you would probably have a gun and attack you from behind. The old batman comic hold up where the thug stands five feet away menacing a switchblade doesn't really happen ^_^

You're obviously not familiar with maiming laws. In most states, you'll do more time for crippling the bad guy than for killing him, and crippling is VERY easy to do, even unintentionally, when you start swinging a stick at someones knees. Even in Anti-gun Illinois, crippling with blunt trauma weapons carries a harsher sentence than point-blank with a 12-guage.

Troy

Nic:

Gotta be careful how you spell "shirt" around here. Leave off the "r"?

My moral obligation is to me continuing to breath, period.

You want to spice up an attackers lunch with pepper or hope you were a good ball player with the baton be my guest. My attacker is breathing through several new holes I cut in him. Batons are heavy and bulky and require training and pepper spray in anything but a large can useless, think bear spray <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />.

If i had a concealed carry permit he'd be breathing though even bigger holes and develop the worlds fastest lead alergy.

Flip

Canadian, remember?

Goatrider: heh, whoops

Flipper: Situations aren't always cut and dry. If you feel morally able yourself, good for you. Im not saying "what about the poor attacker who thought he'd get an easy score!" Im saying some people do not wish to do others harm and may tragically hesitate. Myself, if someone came at me with lethal or harmfull intentions, its open season. Other ocassions however may merit less of a reaction. how bout you get back to your car in the parking lot to find someone leaning in to grab your stereo? Is it worth knifing him in the back maybe causing death, maybe crippling him? Is it better to just bash out the back of his knee causing untold pain and possibly destroying that knee for life? Maybe it would just be better to let him take the stereo, but what message does that send? Your willing to be victimized, we live in a society that is crippled with apathy and will not protect itself? How bout you see a fight between two guys, do you jump in with your knife? Do nothing? Call the cops even though you don't know anything about the situation? Do I know the right answear? No. Im just saying things need to be thought through more than "I'd kill the guy!". Iif you don't think things through, you should not carry weapons.

Nic,

Of course situations need to be thought through. Like I said the blade gets pulled or not depending on situation.

Lets be serious a good SAK can do most utility jobs a folder can do just fine.

Many people carry both but the folder is in easy reach and has a thumb stud one hand opening and locks in place for a reason <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> and it ain't for opening boxes.

Flip