I’m still not totally convinced, I’ve inadvertently strobed my self in the eyes with 9000 lumens and whilst a split second shock it wouldn’t have prevented me from doing something.
I still think Sawmasters suggestion about a spray can of something like hairspray or something like that is one of the best answer so far, ever better if you light the spray first ; -)
Maybe we need a review on what’s more effective, the strobe in one eye, hair spray in the other test,see which is the better method
Maybe even test the something heavy in a tied up sock, just for completeness of the test
Anyway its certainly a good discussion, especially for members in UK/Europe as self defense and the right to defend yourself is pretty much frowned upon by the authorities, where in most cases sadly the attacker often has more rights than the victim.
So whatever you do/carry has to be well researched to avoid finding yourself in trouble
I’m not writing this as a key board theorist, but as some one with 24 years law enforcement experience. When someone has set their sights to attack you it’s going to happen. You have a few seconds at best, most likely they walked up behind or beside you and you don’t even know it. They are not going to tell you, they are not going to start with pokes and tickles and work up. It will be quick it will be violent. Wasting a second or two to flash that light will be counter with blows to the head. The flashlight by itself is a tool. In self defense the bright flashy part is worthless. As a strike weapon it’s much better than nothing. Would I use a flashlight for self defense, yes. Go for all those soft squishy parts; head, face, neck. This idea of having some gadget is foolish. Only use proven weapons; fist, feet, guns, pepper spray, etc. Take a few self defense classes the one that leave bruises and make you sweat. Jog, cause with fighting or running it’s CARDIO, CARDIO, CARDIO.
Those wanting to test the blinding capacity of any flashlight. Ask someone to punch you in the face while you try to blind them with a flashlight.
…and in addition, even something as defensive as a stun gun isn’t always as effective as expected. I have a good friend whose nephew made a video of himself being shocked with a consumer-grade stun gun. He willingly took four shocks, and laughed through the process. He was not incapacitated, and was not deterred from being shocked repeatedly.
A-6 wouldn’t be a bad idea since it starts on moon then can go straight to it’s highest mode ….moon mode is barely perceptible and turbo is crazy bright with strobe right behind that .
I would probably use the brightness of the light on high and then the tail of the light as a weapon since it’s sharp . I think the point is well made that it would take a fairly high degree of talent to use a flashlight as a weapon …otherwise the entire thought of using a light for self defense would just be a joke .
IMHO a strobe only buys you a second or two . what you do in that second to use that advantage is another thing .my guess is that it’s not enough to allow someone to run away …maybe just enough to pull out a bigger weapon .
I know at the mall around here they sell brass knuckles as “belt buckles” as I don’t know the laws in Europe if that’s a option or not. Pepper spray should be legal to purchase there. If not plenty of other aerosols should be available. When I was younger working as dish washer. I got a chemical burn on my arm from scrubbing bubbles. Skin swelled and turned waxy for about 3 days. A travel size can if they make it like the travel size Lysol real small 3-4 ounces or around there to the eyes/face will instantly stop anyone I guarantee it.
I like the two d cells in a sock thing as well. In school of infantry there was a kid being bullied never really been in a fight or anything. Kind of ironic for infantry usually alpha male, but anyway And he was cornered by his locker and dropped his lock in a spare sock. And wacked this guy in the eye with it. Cracked his eye socket just like what happens in us prisons with locks. Very effective. Just like the blanket parties in boot camp like full metal jacket. A var of soap in a sock is highly effective as well. And doesn’t leave to many external bruises. You could carry a couple bars of soap in a sock in a jacket pocket and wop someone with it. Or anything really lock, soap, battery, bar stock aluminum, hell even couple rolls of quarters. Billard ball Easy explanation I keep my change in a sock, or my hygiene/cleaning sprays products when I travel I’m ocd on washing my hands/toilets/sinks/doors. The flashlight part may give you a extra couple seconds to get your primary weapon out. Or you could get a light with a very sharp strike bezel on it. I believe they make them for a c8 I think the p12gt is still a good option. The strobe is mode memory you can have it turn on in strobe or hold the mode button for one second and it comes on. It has a strike bezel that I’d call medium wouldn’t have any problems at a airport The s2+ is nice as well I’d get one custom nodded though with a6 or bistro to reverse to strobe quickly. And have a lot more power to disorient for a second or two. Some of the klarus lights may work well also. I just noticed a list of things yly can’t carry in above post. Can you carry a baton? Most collapse down to just a few inches
At the end of the day the old saying holds true. I’d rather be judged by 12 then carried by 6. Even though the laws are messed up you have to ensure you and wife live another day even if it means legal issues.
For goodness sake, has anyone been in a real fight here? (Appologies to the experienced ones)
Forget the movies - you will not have time to deploy a flashlight and turn it on to desired flashy mode, neither most times will you have time to go into a pocket or unzip your purse to fetch your retort. It will not be a gentlemans duel where you introduce each other and agree to sort it out. Fine motor skills go out the window for muggles as soon as shtf. Honestly. I’ve lived both sides of the tracks, been witness and involved in some crazy situations and i am always trying to be a better man and trained for both, if you pulled a flashlight out on me while i wanted to take from you i would beat you an extra couple of steps to teach you not to be so stupid in future. The only defensive weapon you should be thinking about is your body if you’re lucky and had a millisecond to see something coming unless you’re carrying something in your hand at the time. Be wise, be mindful, be observant, don’t be in that situation in the first place. The biggest deterent to would be scum is composure and looking like you could…
Practice smashing your fist, fingers, knee, elbow, head into something like a firm punchbag 10,000 times and you will have an air of confidence and much better understanding of how things work.
Sap gloves are more “defensive” in nature, not as shocking to show to a jury vs a pair of scary-looking brass knuckles.
“Death Wish” (1974).
And you can get “bank bags”, basically small burlap/canvas sacks that are used to carry loose coins (eg, from laundromats, arcades, etc.). You can legitimately fill those with a few rolls of quarters (loose).
“Bank bags, quarters… hey, I used what I had on hand to brain the SOB but good.”
@CRX: Yes I have, unfortunately they can sometimes be rather unavoidable (always my first choice when it’s possible- I’ve got nothing I need to ‘prove’ to anybody). That’s why I preach situational awareness and readiness (using your brains first) as the best way to go Only once did I not see it coming and my thick skull (literally) saved my hide. A 45ACP can’t save you unless you can deploy and use it before you need a proctoligist, nor can a flashlight or anything else do any better. When you focus your response which weapon you want you’ve already lost the fight and in a pinch anything is a weapon when used well enough. The focus must be on always staying ahead of the game and always being ready to play it out to the win no matter what :smiling_imp: After you’ve got that right then you can consider what weapon you might want to have handy and learn how to use well.
:smiling_imp:
