What Weapon For HD OTHER than a firearm?

[outofbattery]

Is a 185lb English Mastiff a HD weapon? If so, I'm going to change the puppy's name to BUD for back up dog.I've had this Home Alone fantasy of rigging the attic stairs hatch to rain a torrent of bowlingballs down the stairs.

To be serious,I once kept a can of oven cleaner bedside.I figured if it burned the crap out of my hand then a face full of the stuff would smart enough for me to administer a proper 5 iron beating if necessary.Of course this was before I was old enough to buy guns or chemical spray.

 

[TimboKhan]

I keep my trusty old Marine Corps Ka-bar near me at all times, when in my room. In fact, its laying about an inch away from my hand right now!

To be serious,I once kept a can of oven cleaner bedside.

Dude, thats actually an effective, albeit sort of cruel, idea! When I was in 6th grade, a kid at our school got sprayed in the face with oven cleaner by some jackass on the last day of school, and it tooled him but good. Actually, I never saw that kid again as his family moved, but its my understanding that it did do some permanent damage. He was kind of a goofy guy (we called him Fester, as his old man made him walk around with a shaved head), but he was a nice kid, and universally we all thought that sucked. I always wondered what happened to the kid that sprayed him. Festers dad was a hardcore biker, and I imagine he didn't take to his kid getting acid burned very well.....

 

[Thin Black Line]

If my 9mm fails, my nightstand is nearby....or even my pillow.

 

[meef]

Cold Steel makes a nice 1917 Series cutlass with a 25" blade.

I imagine it would work well enough in a hallway (thrusting) or in a room with more space (hacking and slashing). Fast, light and deadly - works for me.

http://www.coldsteel.com/19serswor.html

 

[telomerase]

You left out the best one

Just turn on the MRI. It will rip all the intruders' ferrous weapons out of their hands as well as pulverizing them with flying chairs etc.

(I guess you have to live in a lab for this to work. Still, it's a lot more practical than pointy sticks against AKs.)

 

[ocelot777]

Moan

You guys are so fortunate. Here in the UK EVERYTHING is illegal. I voted for 'improvised household object' (or whatever it was), because you might 'get away' with it (assuming you survived, though possibly not even then . . . ). Having said that, I keep a dissecting razor next to my pillow, so I guess I should have voted for 'concealed knife' or similar.

I've had actual experience of the UK 'justice' system in this context (him, knife; me, well . . . me) and as a result I'd actually use (you've guessed it) me (worked quite well the last time, apart from the consequences). Oh well . . .

 

[CT Yankee]

ocelot777, raw deal! On a happier note, welcome! I love this forum and you will too!

I'd definitely go for a large knife. Small enough to move around and not hinder your movements, but large enough to pack a punch. Plus, unlike a blunt object, even if you don't hit your mark, the blood if going to freak that BG out, hopefully causing him to quit.

 

[JShirley]

A knife has only an offensive mission as a weapon. For defensive usage, something with more reach should be employed.

John

 

[crt360]

Maybe a nice pitchfork.

 

[Tokugawa]

I reccommend a nice Nami no hira Yasuyuki wakazashi. It will allow a full historical reenactment as well as free sushimi!
and for the UK folks, "accidentally" bump into them with a hard object and then "accidentally" spill a very very large teakettle filled with boiling water all over thier face and genitals. You do like tea, don't you?

 

[rs3604]

I use a sword but if your gonna use one for defense I would really suggest you get some expert advise on using one first, there was a guy in a city near where I live that , not too long ago, stabbed two people with a sword and managed to not kill either one, which was really good because he was the bad guy, but I can't see how you can use a sword and fail to kill

 

[AStone]

Ocelot,

Welcome to THR.

Bummer about UK. Ever considered US? I'd look at northern Washington to get a similar climate (even if colder in winter).

Pitchfork as a SD weapon. Hmm. That could work.

<Pitchfork story> I was about 11 or 12. I was running through a pasture in SW Tennessee. Suddenly, I tripped, and fell down. As I fell, I saw a large "stick" flying in the air in front of me. Simultaneously, I felt a dull pain in my right foot.

Within 2 sec after I landed, after I was able to raise my head off the ground, I noticed that there was something attached to my right foot.

Upon closer examination, I discovered that 'something' was a pitchfork that was stuck through my right foot. The tine was run completely through my foot, with 1" sticking out the top of foot.

Calmly, but with some anxiety, I pulled the pitchfork back out of my foot, and hobbled home, then to the doctors office for a tetanus shot. <Makes note: need tetanus upgrade>

I'm glad the pitchfork penetrated my foot instead of my heart or brain. I acknowledge that a PF could be a weapon.

I'd still rather use a 12 ga. or 9mm or .357, but - in a pinch - a fork would do.

Like Pax says, the most important weapons are a good mind, some creativity and a will to live.

N~

 

[TimboKhan]

"accidentally" spill a very very large teakettle filled with boiling water all over thier face and genitals

LOL!!! +1 on the scalded genitals doctrine.

 

[bad LT]

If I could only pick one I would pick either a very large knife (large Bowie knife) or a small sword (gladious). However I am not limited to only one. My armory includes the above plus a 12 gauge, all strategically located in my residence.

 

[Sewerman]

how about a very well trained german shepard named Baby Bear

 

[Krenn]

By order of preference:

1. A HEAVY crossbow, built to modern machine standards. unfortunatly, I haven't found one yet. (The LIGHT crossbows available at archery stores don't count: not heavy enough.

2. A Small sword or rapier... or, if neccessary, a low-weight, small-curve sabre. perfect for holding face-to-face 1-1 duels... which is about what you'll be doing in a normal home's hallways, stairs, and door frames, since there really won't be much room for flanking manuevers.

Note: "small sword" DOES NOT mean 'Short Sword" a small sword is a very light blade, designed for stabbing or quick, sharp cuts. usually 30-36 inch blade length. a small sword is the immediate descendant of a rapier, the main difference being that it's lighter.

3. A fixed blade knife, 5 inch blade length minimum

4. a well-delivered martial kick. (accompandied by apropiate graples and punches)

 

[Ala Dan]

Another vote for a thrusting weapon like a spear~, as it makes for a most
excellent defensive weapon in CQC.

 

[Smuggs]

First I wand to say that I stumbled onto this forum during a google search and spent the next hour reading I keep a "sword rapier" on the wall next to my bed. this weapon is slightly heavier than a traditional rapier but the extra weight lets use it for snap cuts a bit better. I think the Agasi (short handle) or any short thrusting sword would do well. with proper training with these weapons you will learn what tactics will work and what will not in your own home. I have seen several people mention the SCA and anyone who has played "sword and board" will know that a flat snap cut to the neck takes a lot less room than one would think so a full broadsword is viable. I think the best thing about a sword is the intimidation factor in facing someone who looks to know what they are about

The deciding factor should be proficiancy with the weapon in the environment it will be used

 

[AStone]

I think the best thing about a sword is the intimidation factor in facing someone who looks to know what they are about

I heard that. As long as they're not holding a (name your caliber) pistol. (Remember the scene in Indiana Jones, the dude with the sword trying to intimidate Jones, who pulled out his pistol and {bang}?

Welcome to the High Road, Smuggs.

Nem

 

[Dirty Bob]

I think the factor that makes non-firearm weapons viable is that you pick the ground in home defense. At close quarters, a handgun may be at a disadvantage, in that swords and spears can do hellacious damage in a moment's time. I'd rather be shot with a small (.22, .32, .380, etc.) handgun than be stabbed with a sharp, broad-bladed sword or assegai. A FMJ bullet may slip past an artery or intestine, but a sharp blade is likely to sever it.

Imagine a scene from "American Me" with a large bowie instead of a tiny shank.

Regards,
Dirty Bob

 

[Boom-stick]

I came across this forum on a google search and it rocks. Being from the uk we're very limited on what we can and can't have, but so far I think I've managed to find away round most things, the HD list of non-firearms comprises an ASP baton, brass knuckles, bowie's, x2 Kukris (one handmade from Nepal!!) a selection of automatic knives, a balisong and a half leopard attack cat!!!

Don't mess with the Cat!!!

I do shoot as well (legally), found some loop holes in the law that allow me to have some pistols, got .22 mini-revolver and .44 mag competitor.

 

[Smokey Joe]

UK pistols????

Boomstick--Fascinating that the UK has loopholes in its no-pistols law! I was under the impression that there were NO pistols in Blighty except in the hands of the police and military. (pun intended ) And of course evildoers.

I'm frankly glad to hear of it.

 

[Boom-stick]

The UK laws as they stand allow firearms with an overal length of 24" and minimum barrell length of 12" or more so Competitor pistols and T/C encores with 23" barrels or the new 12" barrel Taurus revolvers with a steel arm brace welded to the frame to give it it's overal lenght are fine. Muzzle loaders are also fine and some clever folks over here have developed some very interesting ones. But the only semi-autos you can have are .22lr or shotguns.
A few hunters have now also won legal battles against local police forces and are now allowed handguns for use in the dispatch of wounded game. So maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel.

You can also own any handgun or pistol made before 1909 but you can't keep it at home unless it's in an obsolete calibre, otherwise it has to stay at an approved range (only 2-3 are in the whole country). Or you keep anything that is of historical interest, providing it is part of a collection (again, not kept at home) and that can include limited editions, unique engraving etc... on any age pistol, the new heavliy engraved walther P99 for example.

A friend of mine was told he couldn't keep his pistols becouse he's collection wasn't big enough to be called a collection.......he now owns 97 pistols!!!

As you can see, where there's a will there's a way.

 

[Medusa]

Longarms, such as a halberd, have an advantage - imagine one running down the hall pointing it downrange and screaming "Banzai"
Should scare all living crap out of the BG.

 

[fistful]

Yeah, Medusa, scare 'em enough so they shoot ya!

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=159610&page=1&pp=25