Knife Advice
 

Well...to give a small amount of background on my situation, I live in a tougher neighborhood that has gotten worse in the past few months and a few events in the past month have led me to consider purchasing some kind of knife for protection in case the worse happens and I need to protect myself.

I would like to know what would be the best purchase and how I would go around doing this. As of now, I am thinking of getting a switchblade or something similar because I don't want to have an open blade lying around my room (I do not plan on carrying it outside with me) and I do not want to spend a large amount of money (under $100 for sure, under $50 preferable) because I do not have the funds.

So any recommendations on what type of knife I should get, where I should get one (I was thinking of a gun store but I'm not sure), legality, and any other advise?

If you don't have experience with a knife, I'd go with a bat instead. Or mace. Or brake cleaning spray. (Learned that one here on the Cellar.)

You have to get awful close with a knife.

a switchblade That's jail time in most states. imho. In your home, go bat or firearm. Only in the house.

I'd save up for a Taser

I'd go with Tae Kwon Do.

Pierce. Picture the scenario. Are you really looking for a weapon for defence, or to threaten an attacker into submission/ retreat? I agree with Glatt & Buster that something like a bat (and an attitude) is far better at persuading a would-be robber that he's picked the wrong house. And more effective at a distance if substance abuse gives the attacker a false sense of invulnerabilty.

However if it's truly self defence - ie you are worried about your physical well-being, then I'd go with Syc. Use your body as a weapon, then there can be no worries about intention.

If you're not convinced you have the attitude to wield a bat as a dangerous weapon, or the discipline to train in self defence - move. Better a live realistic Pierce than a wounded or dead heroic one.

Just buy a gun.

Ask Merc for advice...or one of those other loonies around here. Or people who work with loonies. ;)

unless your knife goes "BANG!" and sends projectiles at your would be assailants... I'd skip the knife altogether. Keep a meat cleaver next handy if you want, but a blade is pretty pointless in the hand of an unskilled person. IMO

although one of those Klingon knives from The Wrath of Kahn would be pretty awesomely scary.

They shall fear your mighty Bat'leth!

http://cellar.org/2004/kli_batleth.jpg

You shall do MIGHTY COMBAT

http://cellar.org/2008/batleth.jpg

People will RESPECT you and your vertical blinds

http://cellar.org/2008/batlethblinds.jpg

Until the transportation safety man takes it away.

http://cellar.org/2008/tsabatleth.jpg

Pierce, I would seriously advise against getting a knife unless you know how to use one.

da nan nan na, na na.

You can't touch this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JomHWt7p6-c

Another good already-in-the-home weapon: batteries or a bunch of coins inside a sock. You can do some serious damage swinging that around, though it does require a little more coordination than a baseball bat.

If you don't want to spend a year becoming very proficient in martial arts, I'd recommend taking a self-defense class. My mom made me take one as a teenager, and I still remember the techniques. Defensive use of your body without needing any strength or skill. Plus, you get to practice on a guy in a big padded suit, which is fun.

Yep...I'm a hammer girl!! Lucky I met a hammer man....:)

Econo-size can of Aqua Net + Bic lighter = flame thrower