Saved by sgian dubh?

[Abax]

I think a lot of people missed the point of this story. It's an entertaining tale, not a request for advice.

Abax

[Yaish]

Newkilt, you did a dang fine job!

As has been mentioned, predators want prey, not a challenge. They don't go after the young strong bull with sharp horns, they go after the old, the very young, the weak, or the injured.
You showed them the old bulls still has horns too.

That's one reason why when I do wear a sgian dubh, it's one with a decent blade that can be used for more than just decoration. From opening a package to defending yourself, if it can't pass the muster it's just extra weight.

Some of the other comments literally make me sick to my stomach. I hope none of you ever have to defend yourselves or your loved ones, or for that matter even a complete stranger. Man was able to give up his teeth and claws for a bigger brain and fingers. It was only after he discovered a pointy stick and a sharp stone could he take over the world.

I will say for those who through choice or circumstance find themselves disarmed, remember that anything can be a weapon. If you look about I am sure you will find something that can easily become a force multiplier. Stones, sticks, pens, keys, bottles, flower pots, trash cans, etc...

[Ozman1944]

Of course with my luck, if I tried something like that, I'd probably stab myself in the leg!

[JS Sanders]

<< Call a cop, call a fireman and call for a pizza. See which one gets there first. >>

Yep - I carry a weapon because a cop is too heavy.

Slainte,
steve

[sharpdressedscot]

Five bucks on the fireman!!


Cool story, very entertaining!

[Mr. Woolery]

Good, so everything turned out okay this time. Let me offer everyone a little "real world" advise:

SNIP

4) If you are of limited physical ability and find yourself regularly in situations where self-defensive measures may be necessary, consider the following:
(a) avoid going to those places, if at all possible. OR
(b) obtain a permit to lawfully carry a concealed firearm or other, non-lethal, deterrent (ie: pepper spray, tazer, etc.).

If anyone really thinks that they can run off a bunch of punks with 3.5 inches of pointed steel, then let me suggest one other thing you might want to have tucked into your sock. A large can of Vasoline. It'll make having something shoved "up there" a lot less painful when you are overwhelmed by a bunch of thugs who are street tough and not afraid of a few cuts or scratches.

One of the best self-preservation tools is your cell phone.
SNIP

So, who decided that I am not allowed to go to public areas and take a walk? I'm not at fault if some losers decide to misuse these areas. Since when are the GOOD GUYS (that's me) supposed to crawl in a hole and hide from possible danger and let the BAD GUYS win by default?

A cell phone is a lousy self-preservation tool. It is a good way to inform the authorities where to pick up what is left of you, but that's about all.

As to the vaseline and your implication that a knife is a poor way to defend yourself against multiple larger attackers, I suggest that the punks in the story that started this thread knew better. That's why they left.

And again, if I am holding the handle, what part does the other guy have to grab in order to take it away from me? THE SHARP PART! The part that is sticking out of my hand. The part that I am not holding onto. And it won't work.

For the cost of one month's cell-phone service, I can buy a very effective knife. And which one will really save me if the chips are down?

-Patrick

[Macnut42]

Note to all bullies and thugs: A Gentleman in a kilt is a force to be reckoned with. You may well be reckoning in a hospital bed. Don't mess with a Kilted Scotsman!

Well done, Sir.

Sean (a.k.a. Macnut42)

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

So, who decided that I am not allowed to go to public areas and take a walk?

Common sense, that's who. If you choose to walk in public areas that are not safe, then you are looking for trouble. And in all probability it will find you.

I'm not at fault if some losers decide to misuse these areas.

Some might disagree with you. If you know that there is a bad area in your town, it's up to you to bring that information to the authorities and get the cops to crack down on the bad guys. All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.

Since when are the GOOD GUYS (that's me) supposed to crawl in a hole and hide from possible danger and let the BAD GUYS win by default?

Let the BAD GUYS win WHAT? Any clear thinking individual should be able to see the folly of taking on a group of presumably unarmed men with not much more than a letter opener. Discretion, believe it or not, really can be the better part of valor.

My ten years with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department taught me one thing: there is no such animal as an UNARMED thug. To believe otherwise is to recklessly endanger you life.

A cell phone is a lousy self-preservation tool. It is a good way to inform the authorities where to pick up what is left of you, but that's about all.

I have to disagree; it's not a gun, or an ax, or a big rock, but as a psychological tool it does discourage or slowdown those behaving in a threatening or potentially aggressive manner. For all they know, the cops could already be on the way.

As to the vaseline and your implication that a knife is a poor way to defend yourself against multiple larger attackers, I suggest that the punks in the story that started this thread knew better. That's why they left.

Neither one of us knows for certain why the thugs left. Likewise, neither one of us knows what the outcome would have been IF the thugs had chosen to attack. But I would be willing to bet that very few kilted individuals walking in the park and armed with a sgian dubh would possess the necessary ninja skills to take on five men at once and come out on top.

And again, if I am holding the handle, what part does the other guy have to grab in order to take it away from me? THE SHARP PART! The part that is sticking out of my hand. The part that I am not holding onto. And it won't work.

You're right. It won't work. When five guys jump you all at once your knife just won't be up to the job, even if you are another Jim Bowie. And as you are getting punched and kicked-- and possibly killed-- your last thoughts will probably be something like "What am I doing here in the first place?"

There is an old Ethiopian proverb people might want to remember: Jackals feast on the lonely lion.

[TheSp8]

Personally, I think you did right. In the early days of this country and in most European countries, the sheriff was there to collect taxes and serve warrants. Personal protection and combating crime was the up to the local individuals. I don't think modernization has improved matters. The Supreme Court has ruled that the Police are to protect society by tracking down miscreants after the fact. Individuals are on their own. If it was a park that was a known hang out for hoodlums and drug dealers then don't go. If it is a park that is considered safe according to the area then he has as much right to walk there as any and shouldn't cower in his house and worry. He had awareness, the knife, a walking stick, and his determination not to be a helpless victim, that is why he was left alone. With all respect to any LEOs here, I'll stand to my own protection as has our kilted brother. Another saying, a single wolf wll attack a herd while jackals wait to attack a hornless calf. Our brother was the wolf.

YMOS,
Tony

[Yaish]

"It may be better to be a live jackal than a dead lion, but it is better still to be a live lion. And usually easier." -Robert Heinlein, in Time Enough for Love.

BTW, several of Heinleins books feature characters in kilts.