A Sharpie marker is about the same size and weight as a kubaton, only much cheaper, isnt an outward weapon, and has multiple uses. I must admit that I do visit other communities where everyone is all hyped about their new little pointy sticks, but if I carried one, I would still probably rely on my knuckles over it in a fight.

The whistle idea is good, I am going to get one.

I am not the kind of guy to go waving around my equipment, but I still don't feel comfortable carrying a knife into school, when I have seen people kicked out for just as much. I doubt that in the eyes of the Dean, a small 3' folder from Microtech is any different from an 8' Bowie. And yeah, I have heard "Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6", but my goal should be to avoid that as much as possible.