Is this a good self defense?

https://ift.tt/tmqQvMc

Submitted 2026-08-17T07:59:37Z by SternKill https://ift.tt/N8VEXGs

Thoughts on less lethal?

For context I carry a firearm whenever I'm not at work, as my job doesn't allow them, but I am shit scared I would ever have to use it. Although lets say I am in conflict at some point, may that be at work or if I'm out with the gun on me. I live in a "duty to retreat" state and have no problem running away if need be as apposed to shooting someone and having to prove my innocence. Also the law in my state says you must match the level of threat in order to "legally" defend yourself. So what do y'all think about less lethal options? Tasers and OC spray/gel stuff like that. On it's surface it doesn't sound like a bad idea to carry lethal and less lethal because lets say I'm in a conflict where I can't get away, if someone is charging at me with a knife or god forbid they have a gun I'm gonna shoot them, but if they are trying to fight me, I don't wanna kill them nor do I think it would hold up in court. Not asking for recommendations, just what y'all think.

Submitted 2026-08-17T02:46:02Z by CodyT_556 https://ift.tt/UPRaBQd

Best self defense knife on the market ?

https://ift.tt/L1gOrBe

Submitted 2026-08-16T13:40:29Z by KingGlizzyYSL https://ift.tt/oj2Flz6

Karate vs Kickboxing for self defense?

Hi!

Recently i'm having a dispute in my head regarding which option is better for a street self defense scenario. I have been attending this special self defense karate dojo for a while and I love it. It is Shotokan based, practices a lot of Kata, as well as applying Kata movements to a self defense situation, joint locks etc. The instructors themselves are former police officers so I assume they know their stuff when it comes to actual self defense. They also drill striking combinations as well as some throwdowns. Training overall is very fun, the community is great and there are lots of people attending. So far so good right? My problem with this dojo however is that there is almost no real sparring and realistic drills for applying those methods. Its all mostly scripted and choreographed. Like do these 3 punches and the other guy deflects and counters in this way. I did some light sparrings 2-3 times when the dojo was preparing for a competition.

Kickboxing on the other hand is straight to the point practical. Body conditioning - drills - sparring. I just miss the traditional aspect, which it lacks. In a real street fight scenario you dont have time to think about complicated joint locks and blocks, your mind reverts to the most basic movements you know, unless you drilled those complicated moves for years and years and your opponent is drunk or highly incompetent in fighting. Overall I have seen kickboxers perform really well against ''street thugs''.

Now don't get me wrong, I know Karate is applicable in real fighting, there are many traditional practitioners that participate in Karate Combat like Rafael Aghayev for example but his gym focuses on preparing for full-contact competitions while retaining the traditional aspect of the martial art but unfortunately I dont think a gym like that exists where I live. My trainers always say ''here we develop the mind, not brute force, boxing and kickboxing is a sport, you dont wear big gloves on the street.'' Ok thats fine but in order to apply the techniques you teach me there should be more realistic practice, right?

Which would you pick if you were in my shoes?

Submitted 2026-08-15T12:34:53Z by Blood_Knight1523 https://ift.tt/jC675ug

Would this work

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Submitted 2026-08-14T19:53:21Z by Akthesmasher10 https://ift.tt/lpSErFj

How can I carry pepper spray?

Recently started carrying a small bottle of Sabre pepper spray. It sports a Twist safety and I don't know if I should carry it in my pocket. I sometimes carry a backpack, but it wouldn't do much good in there lol, any ideas?

Submitted August 11, 2026 at 10:00PM by Chibi_Radio https://ift.tt/xuYL5lz

I armed myself following several altercations this year.

Hi everyone, I'm French—sorry if my English isn't perfect.

I'm 35, and I've almost never had issues with other people in France.

But things have changed over the last 2 or 3 years. Specifically since 2026, I've been confronted—perhaps 4 or f5 times—when I wasn't at fault, and I had to back down and leave the scene to prevent the situation from escalating.

It happened twice while driving, once with a neighbor, and once with a delivery driver.

The last incident was this past Sunday.

I never want to let myself be intimidated by anyone again.

This time, I decided to buy 3 "Guardian Angel 3" pepper spray units; I plan to keep one on me at all times.

Do you have any stories to share about this kind of device?

Have you ever used one?

Did a potential attacker back off at the sight of the spray canister?

What was your attacker armed with?

Thanks.

Submitted August 11, 2026 at 06:11PM by Adventurous-Date2988 https://ift.tt/w95Aazt