Since I can't carry on campus...

[Beiruty]

On campus, I use a spork. Never underestimate the power of a plastic spork.

What is a spork? We need a visual guide, pleazzzzz....
Here you go:

[Beiruty]

I carry Kimber pepperblaster v 1.0 with its original pouch whenever I can't carry EDC. I need to get 2 more V2 of said p.blaster.

[C-dub]

Most of the time I am unable to carry (I'm active duty on Fort Bliss, hence no carry), so I generally carry a good fixed blade knife with a minimum blade length of 3 inches. Combine that with some basic self defense classes (most colleges offer something along those lines, even some martial arts Intramural activities) and you should do just fine in MOST situations. It is not as comforting as having a pistol on your hip, but that is better than nothing.
Also don't be too put out by mace, it will still do its job at extreme close range (even in the wind), and let me tell you.....it sucks to get hit by that stuff
Your best weapon though would be your situational awareness. With that you will be able to pick up on potential situations and formulate a plan of action before you even get close to a confrontation.

Good suggestions. I have done enough MMA to be really annoying in a fight but I would probably be overpowered pretty quickly. Hence the reason I want something on me.

Annoying someone in an MMA match and surviving an attack are two different things. There are no rules when being attacked. Remember those places you are not allowed to hit in MMA? That's what you go for in an attack with the same goal that we have with our firearms. That is, to stop their attack so we may get away.

I also like the knife, but a good strong flashlight can be more easily explained and used. A flashlight, if bright enough or also has a strobe setting, can be very disorienting. There is a new one out by NEBO, with a belt clip that I like. It uses 3 AAA batteries and has a strobe setting and is 250 lumens at full power. You can probably find it at a local hardware store, not Home Depot or Lowes, or a gun show. That's where I picked up mine.

http://www.buy.com/prod/u-s-army-f4-50- ... 13349.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Beiruty]

C-club: I had to order your new NEBO, it is my 4th. 1 for dad 1 in each of my cars and now 1 on my belt.

[74novaman]

When I was living on campus, I kept a good solid folding knife on me. My personal preference is a folder with a solid lockup and over a 4" blade. If you have the ability to easily conceal a fixed blade knife, that would be even better, but a folder is easier to explain to anyone as a "pocket knife".

I also kept my rifle/pistol locked up in the trunk of my car (lived on campus, had no other place to put them). Check your schools student policies on that one though. My school didn't mention anything about weapons in personal vehicles, so it wasn't an issue for me.

[C-dub]

C-club: I had to order your new NEBO, it is my 4th. 1 for dad 1 in each of my cars and now 1 on my belt.

You're one up on me. I only have 3.

[C-dub]

C-club: I had to order your new NEBO, it is my 4th. 1 for dad 1 in each of my cars and now 1 on my belt.

BTW, it might be time to get those eyes checked and maybe the glasses need to be a little bit thicker. It just came to me why you called me C-club in stead of C-dub.

[tacticool]

What is a spork? We need a visual guide, pleazzzzz....

Tactical Sporks for the win!







Do not click unless you are over 18.
http://larrycorreia.files.wordpress.com ... /spork.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[AustinBoy]

I am a fan of Fox Labs Pepper spray. http://www.foxlabs.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (no affiliation)
They have 2oz cans that are the perfect size.

I buy the "spray" or "cone" version but they also have a "stream" version. (think Windex spray vs stream)
I would think the stream version would do fairly well in high wind but I really dont know.
They also have innert (sp?) practice cans available. You could give it a try without getting hurt.

Give them a call and ask. They are VERY helpful.

Good luck and stay safe.

AB

[The Annoyed Man]

Pepper spray, and also, a BAK.... "Big 'Ol Knife"

[recaffeination]

Pepper spray, and also, a BAK.... "Big 'Ol Knife"

Does TAM stand for "The Ol Man" now?

[snatchel]

Pepper spray, and also, a BAK.... "Big 'Ol Knife"

Does TAM stand for "The Ol Man" now?

Haha. Cue the Sir Mix-A-Lot

[karder]

I also vote for the Kimber Pepperblaster. I got one for my wife along with a couple of the blue dye trainers. We shot the trainers on a windy day (30-40mph gusts). From what I saw with the trainer, blow-back should not be a problem. The liquid shot out with a lot of force and did not appear to be much affected by the wind. No blue dye on either of us. The fact that it is shaped like a gun and points well, is also a plus to me. I can't speak for the effectiveness of the pepper mix and would rather the wife carry a 9mm, but it is going to be a Pepperblaster for now.

[NEB]

I second a good, powerful flashlight (in the mid-to-high 100 lumen range) as it will definitely disorient any normal person in the dark. As a plus, they can also be used as an impact weapon in a pinch and many are designed with just that in mind with reinforced and structured bezels.

Also, a kubotan with some very simple training can be a great impact and pressure point weapon that fits on your keychain and is VERY effective up close.

A knife will work in a pinch, but personally, it is my last go-to option (though I am ALWAYS carrying a knife). You would be deploying what in my own mind is deadly force, and you better be sure that it is warranted. Aside from that, taking someone on with a blade is a risky, personal, and messy situation.

[74novaman]

I second a good, powerful flashlight (in the mid-to-high 100 lumen range) as it will definitely disorient any normal person in the dark. As a plus, they can also be used as an impact weapon in a pinch and many are designed with just that in mind with reinforced and structured bezels.

This is a good idea. Much like cockroaches, criminals and evil doers are not fond of the light.

For example, if someone was following you back to your car late at night, turning on a bright flashlight, pointing it in their face and asking in a very authoritarian tone "Why are you following me?" might be enough to deter those looking for easy prey.