tactical weapons: knife vs ASP vs OC spray

[elbows_and_knees]

which do you prefer? They each have their advantages and disadvantages.

the ASP has a greater reach, but leaves you exposed more if you miss

the knife can do great damage but has a short range

the spray has medium range, but may miss its target. it will still burn him if you are using fox, but I personally don't know alot of people who use fox. I use freeze +p. I'll be getting fox next, though.

[glockmeister]

I prefer tactical folder. OC spray is ok, but what if you are jumped and are tangled up with a guy? Same kinda goes for the baton. Also a knife doubles as a tool. such as to cut through a seat belt, but the wrapper off your new CD, cut the steak at the local resturant when the cutlery they give you is inadequate..etc..

[Samuel]

I agree with Glockmeister on the knife, doubles up as a very handy tool.

Though there is alot of laws regarding knives here in the UK which means carrying one around legally can be abit of a problem.

I have a 3in semi-serrated folder which I keep in my draw and use as a tool, and I have a 1.5cm mini folder which I keep on my keyring since 1. Its small and 2. it comes in handy to open envelopes and the such.

But the little 1.5cm wouldnt help much in self defence and the 3in one is pushing the limit with the autoritys here.

Infact both are bad in the eyes of the law since they both lock out. which are deemed more dangerous, But I seem them as safer since if your using it, you dont really want it closing back in your fingers if you slip.

Sprays etc are illegal over here too. Sometimes it seems if you want to be within the law you just have to bite the bullet and get your posessions robbed and yourself beat to a pulp. Well that is unless your at home

The bill passed to allow us to use "Reasonable" force to protect ones home is atleast a step in the right direction.

[elbows_and_knees]

I prefer tactical folder. OC spray is ok, but what if you are jumped and are tangled up with a guy? Same kinda goes for the baton. Also a knife doubles as a tool. such as to cut through a seat belt, but the wrapper off your new CD, cut the steak at the local resturant when the cutlery they give you is inadequate..etc..

a baton is great in close. you can hit and dig with the butt end of it. Also, what if you are jumped, but they are still at a distance, i.e. you are surrounded? the baton is better in this scenario as well.

even if you are tangled, you can spray someone. Heck, spray your hand and rake his face with it.

good discussion so far though, keep them coming!

[UseoForce]

I guess it would depend.

If I want conveinence or if I strongly anticipate a life-threatening confrontation, the knife, certainly.

If I'm working security or something, probably the spray. Probably fewer liability concerns that with a baton.

Of course I would prefer a firearm over any of the above.

[elbows_and_knees]

If I'm working security or something, probably the spray. Probably fewer liability concerns that with a baton.

actually, there can be more. the spray lingers, and there are always bystanders. when you spray in an area where there are many people, a few may get hit indirectly or walk into an area afterward where the cloud is lingering.

Of course I would prefer a firearm over any of the above.

I recently read a study that said within like 20 feet, a knife stood a better chance of beating an undrawn gun. So, within 20 feet, gun vs knife, knife wins if the gun is holstered.

[glockmeister]

a baton is great in close. you can hit and dig with the butt end of it. Also, what if you are jumped, but they are still at a distance, i.e. you are surrounded? the baton is better in this scenario as well.

even if you are tangled, you can spray someone. Heck, spray your hand and rake his face with it.

good discussion so far though, keep them coming!

Well yeah, I thought of this as I was typing my response, however, even though a baton is great against multiples, I would have to think twice when it comes to being in a grappling situation. The bad guy can grab a baton and then the two of you are using strength vs. strength, especially if he has you mounted and has a hold of your baton, there is a good chance he can wrench it away from you and now beat you bloody with it. Not so with a knife, someone trying to grab the blade of your knife and he will lose some fingers.

Pepper spray can be good but if you hit the guy with that when you are in clinch range and chances are you are gonna also give yourself a healthy dose of the stuff and now you are at a disadvantage as well. especially if there is more than one attacker, you may have disabled one, but now your eyesight is shot and how do you deal with the other?