Like others here, I have given thought as to what improvised weapons I could employ to defend against an attacker. For this exercise, let's automatically exclude firearms, knives, and any other purpose-built weapons. In fact, let's think of those items that would be allowed into a courtroom or onto an airplane.

Besides the obvious items I might carry on my person that are purpose-built weapons, I can envision using the following items (I also have 4 years of hand-to-hand combat training and a knowledge of "pressure points" that would make these items even more efficient):

Human Brain (always #1)
Fisher Bullet Space Pen (thrusting weapon)
metal carabiner on keychain (striking weapon)
Bandana (swung, loaded with keychain)
tightly rolled magazine (ever see the movie 'The Bourne supremacy')

Other items would vary depending on where you are, and what items are close at hand.

What say ye?

Pens and mechanical pencils are universally accepted and can be nasty in a fight. I have a Pentel P205 that is super pointy and would definitely penetrate skin.

I have always been a fan of the nearest chair.

I live in Oakland CA and when I am walking back from the store with a six-pack of beer I have often thought this would be a bad time for someone to attack / mug me because I either have one large heavy object or six smaller ones to throw at their head. Either way I hurt them or at least distract them. But then I would have to turn around a go get more beer.


Weapons aside a good kick to the knee can collapse the knee real fast. This disables the attacker, injures them for life in many cases and hurts like hell. If you have ever blown your knee out to any degree you understand.

Oh and I always loved Sean Penn's can of coke in a sock from Bad Boys.

I worked with one guy that swore by a roll of quarter when he got into fights. Said it was kind of like punching with brass knuckles, though how he'd know (was he at the recieving end of a "taste test?") is a mystery.

Steel toe boots. Or, to be allowed on a plane, a composite toe. You can buy low boots, or even some loafer/business shoes, with hard toes.

Most items described are available in a Traditional Scottish Pub.

A billiard ball in a sock

A good set of teeth - useful for biting and chewing off the soft flappy parts off your opponents body.

Associated sports equipment (Cricket Bat or Golf Sand Iron which is considered best especially if you keep it well sharp using a file.)

Your wife’s stiletto shoe heel. (Swung across the temple or crown of the head – most effective if done from behind)

A pencil in the eye. (Pointy Stick) Pencils are superior because once a length of pencil has been inserted into the body it can be broken off and reused elsewhere on the body.

A Pencil in the nose especially if pushed with some force upwards into the Sinus Cavity

A pub glass or broken bottle pushed into your assailant’s throat, neck or face. (aim for the carotid artery - assailants right ascending is best)

The Pointy end of a Dart - use as directed with Pencil - can also be thrown but not recommeded. You may miss and give your assailant an opportunity to do unto you want you was going to do unto him.

Billiard Cue - Generally has a sharper pointy end than a pool cue. Specifics not required here - will leave up to the imagination.

A leather belt or Boot Lace when used as a garrotte. (Best if used in combination with a stick i.e. Broom Stick)

Then there is the famous Glasgow kiss which as a last resort, should cause the assailant to fall to the ground whereby a swift kick into the genitals which is quickly followed up by jumping onto the assailants head. Sometimes the repeated elevation of a paving slab above the assailant’s head then releasing the paving slab under the influence of gravity is useful if you want to keep your shoes clean. Once the assailant is out cold you can then siphon some petrol from nearby car into a container i.e coke can and then set the assailant well alight. Chances are by this time the assailant will have been well disabled allowing you to make your escape.

A WALKING STICK, OR EVEN A CANE.

A leather belt with a solid metal buckle. My old man has held his own in a few barfights and swears by that. Gives you three feet of extra reach and used properly can nullify that shiny knife/boxcutter used by an attacker. It's allowed on airplanes and in courtrooms and you can always have it with you. Use the buckle side on the people that are really nasty.

"In fact, let's think of those items that would be allowed into a courtroom or onto an airplane."

Oh, rats! There goes my frozen-dead-cat-weapon idea.

A long scarf, twisted, used as a garrote. Thin fabric, woven, not knitted.

Any group of smallish heavy objects in a sock, scarf or large handkerchief, used as a sap.

But I've got to admit that the good kick in the knee is probably my favorite. He can't defend his knees very well.

And once you get him down, kick the s**t out of him. (Start with his throat.) Marquis of Queensbury rules do not apply.

Sue

Yeah. I like the idea of keeping some extra distance between me and them. Clip a master lock on that buckle, and you will definitely "leave an impression".

I have always thought that the grip of my colt 1911 would work well. I always have an aluminum climbing carabiner on me and have found that my knuckle fits perfectly in it. I strongly believe that the best way to win a fight is not to place yourself in a position where you have to fight.

http://www.donrearic.com/main.html

Lots of stuff on there.

Don't forget the power of a well swung B-I or B-II size fire extinguisher. There is usually one of them around.

Your belt, wrapped once around your hand, with the buckle extended, swung in a figure eight motion is the equivalent of a nun chuck when used correctly. There is a ton of kinetic energy in it (think of how a trebuchet works.

Japanese peasant farmers were the masters of improvised weapons. The bo staff, nun chucks, sais sword and tonfa were all farm implements. During the time of the Samurai, regular citizens were not allowed to have weapons (sound familiar?) so they adapted their everyday tools. The Shaolin monks tuned their use to a science.

What I'm getting at is, it's not always the object, but the training and the intent of the person wielding it.

I worked for AT&T back in the day everybody rented their phones from the phone company. I'll never forget the lady who called in to let us know that her mother no longer had her rented phone (one of those old rotary jobs) because she had been killed with it and the police were holding it as evidence. There are lots of things that can be used to bludgeon.

A squirt in the face first might not be a bad idea...

"...And once you get him down, kick the s**t out of him. (Start with his throat.) Marquis of Queensbury rules do not apply..."

Great point. Just because he/she is knocked down, does not mean that the fight is over. You have to insure yourself a safe getaway. But you also have to know when to stop, or you will be defending yourself against a homicide charge next...

I got onto four different flights a couple of years ago with low topped "hiking" shoes with steel toes, no problem. They of course went thru the x-ray gizmo, then back onto my feet...