No weapons. Only wits. And an able body.

Thankfully I have never needed to take weapons with me on a trip. If I thought I would need something to protect myself with, I would take something like a pencil or pen. Otherwise, I would just use whatever is available around me. Anything can be used as a weapon if you just use your imagination.

It worked for Jason Bourne

I generally carry a knife even when I'm not exploring. Not necessarily for self defense, it's just something that tends to come in handy. I've considered trading it out for a leatherman for more functionality. I agree with those folks that think that carrying a gun is more trouble than it's worth, though perhaps if I lived somewhere like Detroit I might have a different opinion.

I like to carry a pack of cheap menthols.

I don't like menthols, but I've found that a lot of homeless/drug addicted dudes do. Makes a great peace offering of sorts, and some dudes will chill and talk with you, cause realistically, they rarely actually want to hurt anyone, it's just circumstantial.

Plus a 4-cell maglite can hurt a motherfucker if need be, and is probably the most innocent of all B/E tools.

I only ever carry one thing:

Sha Sha

I carry my Leatherman multi-tool on me all the time, but does that really count as a weapon? It could in a pinch if need be, sure.. or I can just beat someone over the head with my horribly heavy tripod.

Posted by Turd Furgusen I only ever carry one thing: Sha Sha http://images1.tic...om/live/771143.jpg

I met a guy the other day that carried Zip_Lock bags of sand and cayenne pepper. He thought it was necessary to give me one.

Posted by relik I met a guy the other day that carried Zip_Lock bags of sand and cayenne pepper. He thought it was necessary to give me one.

A blowgun with tranquilizer darts are a must too XD

I normally just carry a Radical_Ed. Takes care of business, and ammo is easy to come by - I just pop by a liquor store when I'm heading out.

You don't want to step to me bro :p

Posted by Ansion I normally just carry a Radical_Ed. Takes care of business, and ammo is easy to come by - I just pop by a liquor store when I'm heading out.

I don't drink liquor, bro. Bring beer, preferably an IPA with an ABV at least 6 or more. I'll take care of yo biznatch.

haha Well, where I live "liquor stores" sell beer as much as liquor and wine. One stop shopping superstore!

I carry a leatherman multi-tool sometimes but as many others have said it's more of a tool than a weapon.

And remember kids, if worse comes to worst and the heat is closing in you can always throw your gun or knife away. Creeks, drains, etc. Come back for it later...or don't.

Pepper spray usually does the trick. If not than I'll bring a friend who'll bring a weapon (If needed) and Thank God It's never been needed. I've only ran into other people a couple of times and they were fairly nice.

I keep a crowbar in the trunk of my car (I figure it doesn't hurt to at least bring it along even if I'm not bringing it in the location) and sometimes my friend brings a knife. I always tell him to leave it in the car, but once in a while he'll bring it in if it's a really sketchy place with little to no security/police risk.

Posted by redbreeze I keep a crowbar in the trunk of my car (I figure it doesn't hurt to at least bring it along even if I'm not bringing it in the location) and sometimes my friend brings a knife. I always tell him to leave it in the car, but once in a while he'll bring it in if it's a really sketchy place with little to no security/police risk.

Honestly I think knives are more practical as tools than weapons. If it came down to defending myself I'd rather have a length of pipe or rebar I found in the building than a knife. It's all about reach.

Posted by Herm I carry a leatherman multi-tool sometimes but as many others have said it's more of a tool than a weapon.

EVERYTHING is a weapon.
thats the best advice youll get about anything any where

I used to carry a small folding knife when I first started to explore, due to the gang and drug activity I've witnessed in the area. However, now I'm comfortable going unarmed, because the likelihood of me getting into a situation where words aren't a better tool is very low, and it would be tough to explain if I were ever caught.

I don't carry any weapons. So far the people I met while exploring were good people, let's hope it stays this way.