Great thread...

I believe that weapons training is useful for the mere fact if you happen to have access to the weapon, you'll know how to use it. I started carrying a small lock-blade several yrs ago out of concern for my personal safety. Although staff are not allowed to carry weapons (@ the state mental hospital - penal code section), I was threatened w/ death by a large guy who was there for a number of forcable rapes (add to that an unproved murder - so-called friendly-fire in V.N.). The reason I'm still alive is not the knife but my awareness & precautions. However, I had another option.

How many of us keep a spare tire in our trunk that we've never used? That's how I see my knife. I've used it as a tool several times but never used it in SD. Training the template is also critical. I think about the scene in the movie "Cellular" (I think that's the title)...Kim Basinger is held captive in her attic & the captor attacks her after discovering she's been trying to summon help w/ her cell phone. She cuts his axilary artery (arm pit) & he's thinking WTF as he's ready to bash her. She then tells him that he'll be bleeding out within a couple minutes - she knows this because she's a bio teacher - & he does. (I know, it's just a movie but the concept is true).

Although I agree with you 100% hedkikr, there was a post in the Martial Arts forum a while back about carrying a knife and it seemed most of the people there disagreed.

Besides it coming in handy opening boxes, cutting knotted shoe laces, and cutting the security tap off of a DVD movie I've bought I have never had to use it in a self-defense situation. It is nice knowing I have an option, and that I know how to use it.

Sticks, knives, swords--nuts!

I just carry around a long board with a nail in it.

It's practical if you carry a sword or some other weapon around with you all the time