No problem, my friend. My odometer just rolled over 72 yo and there was a time when I, too, feared no one. My health isn’t great but I can still do the things I used to do but what once took half a day now takes 2 days or more with a great many breaks in the process. I’ve had my Permit To Carry since 1976 and I have had a Buck 110 on my hip since 1971. Not the same one but it’s still there. I can still walk fairly well but I have to be careful on stairs. It appears that you’re doing what you have to do to be as prepared as possible given your handicaps. Keep it up.
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Wow. Happy to hear it turned out OK for you. Could have easily gone bad, such as what if there was no racket or defense tool; just your own hands.
Might not apply here, but you reminded me of that old idiom:
" It’s not the size of the dog in fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog ".
No doubt good “big ole boy” saw your strong spirit, which may have helped him realize, you’re no “push over”.
Luv.
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I wanted to point out. I’ve trained with Karambits since I was 15, and with the time and opportunity, I had a chance to choose a blade, I still chose to use an improvised weapon rather than one of the knives I had on me and it’s not because I was untrained. I chose to go to a weapon with more reach because, as has been mentioned, even if you “win” you have a very high potential to be be in the ER. Just like the guy who “lost”.
Very rarely does anyone “win” a knife fight clean.
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Not to go too far off topic, but I have a child going away to college. Knife blades must be under 2 inches. This rules out even normal sized multi tools. He has the smaller line of Gerber multi tools so he’ll take that for odd needs around his dorm room.
Any recommendations on a sub 2 inch locking folder?
This would be general use knife not for self defense.
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You might want to check out Smokey Mountain Knife Works. They seem to have everything from “tiny” to the “fantasy, ridiculous.”
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Thanks. I love Kershaw speed safe knives and carried one for years. However, local press where I live indicated a man got charged for possession of one under the knife laws of our state. Not actually illegal, but DA in my county filed charges anyway. Will have to check the laws in the state my son will be in college
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A sharpened Flat head or Phillips screwdriver makes a good Dirk. 
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This apparently happens a lot in some parts of CA even though they have a law on the books that specifically states that assisted opening knives are legal:(
The chive that @Enzo_T pointed out looks like a better sub two inch than what I have. But the one I have has worked well for me:
Looks like Amazon still has some in stock for a really low price:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00I1XOTXC?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
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I carry a roll of quarters wrapped with clear office tape. A newspaper or magazine are also really good and finally a belt with a good sized buckle.
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I always carry a pen both for signing paperwork and as a potential improvised self defense tool.
I like the one below because you don’t have to bother with taking the cap off but it is still just a sturdy metal pen that no one will give you any trouble over carrying. It comes with an online link to instructions on how to use and what to target.
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Thanks. I appreciate this.
The knife question wasn’t really for self-defense. Looking for a utility pocket knife, but I appreciate the recommendation.
My son will be at a very conservative private university in a conservative state. I’m not worried about his physical safety on campus. For his freshman year, he won’t need to leave campus much.
Sophomore year and beyond he will be regularly off campus due to the nature of his degree program that requires many hundreds of hours of practical experience in the field. He will be in non permissive environments for many tactical type tools. He may not even be able to have his cell phone out. I did just buy him a smart watch with a cell signal.
I’ve never been a big tactical pen guy. I am a pen snob and only use Pilot G2 pens. I do like this bolt action pen. Probably wouldn’t try taking in on an airplane, but unlikely to get a second glance most places.
My son uses a different type of pen. I need to get him a metal pen that uses the ink he likes.
I am also building him a dorm room emergency kit. Not exactly a bug out bag, but something like that.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B086YKRHJG?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
(Edited to fix the link.)
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I also think a tactical flashlight without an aggressive bezel is still one of the best EDC defensive tools that you can carry everywhere.
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While odds of trouble are likely incredibly low you can never be 100% certain.
I live in a virtually crime free town and I still make sure to at least have my pepper gel, pen and a pocket knife on me when I’m hanging around the house.
A sturdy flashlight is a good idea so long as it isn’t so large that it gets left at home. But I prefer the pen. It is a little less out of place to walk around with in your hand during the day if you sense trouble approaching. It also focuses all the power of a strike into a much smaller area and can penetrate deeper. Both of which could potentially stop a threat quicker than the added blunt force from a typical pocket flashlight. Though either one is a good force multiplier for repeated hammer strikes over just using the bottom of your fist.
Also I have seen some interesting pain imparting techniques that a pen can be used for when facing a threat that doesn’t necessarily justify inflicting significant damage.
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for a EDC utilitarian knife i always loved these knives, was big sad when they discontinued them. sadly even all of the new old stock is gone at this point as bst i can tell. The sheepsfoot/wharnkleef style blades are very easy to keep razor sharp and are awesome for cutting gaskets and all kinds of random day to day tasks.
Kershaw Needs Work Assisted Opening Knife 1820 (3" Bead Blast) - Blade HQ
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I typically carry a Spyderco Endura now. It’s under 3 inches since one of the states I frequent has a sub 3 inch blade length law.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09Q6JQRLS?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
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At least get him a cool looking 2" blade. 
Smith & Wesson 5in High Carbon SS Fixed Blade Knife with 2 in 1 False Edge Blade and Stainless Steel Finish for Outdoor Tactical Survival and EDC
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I’ve got sun Spydercos that are made I “ USA Earth” ( glad they let me know what planet USA is “ But I had Spyderco made in Japan and my son got it from me and claims they are the best ones. IDK but the little folder I got can take a edge like nuttin I ever saw, I’ve got a cpl Kershaws that sharpen up real good to, one has a clamshell grind on the blade, never seen one like that before.
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