>>2442947on second thought you are right. a spear is the only thing that is actually viable or will do anything BEFORE the animal has already grappled you.
the ideal self defense tool for backpacking and camping, where or if you can't have a gun, would be a hand made spear made from a well-chosen walking stick. pointy side up. decorate it with crystals and make it look like a hippie thing like anon said
>>2442866 no one including park rangers will question it. anon was right all along.
discrete, reach, proven effective historically, "worn weight" and useful.
paired with a smaller knife stored accessibly at all times in case you have to grapple, also more intimidating to deter crazy people.
>>2442963i take my post back and question the effectiveness of a machete, gladius, or hatchet. in the right situation it will fuck an animal up like you say, but its too conditional. looking at recent animal attacks people survived and injured or killed the animal with an edged weapon that i can find in english language news/etc, they almost always involve grappling with the animal and having an opening or opportunity. wild animals are faster and stronger than you, and the window of range these weapons are most effective can get cut off quick, but is too short to deter the animal in the first place.
smaller edged weapon such as a pocket knife would be most effective.
>>2442975yes exactly
the only situations there is evidence of man winning vs bear like that involved juveniles and sub 2" pocket knives. i think the most recent one in america was with a swiss army knife based on what the guy said in interviews.
disclaimer this post is mostly armchair and larp. i've done tons of escrima and non larp knife classes/sparring but a wild animal is totally different. trying to stick to what is evidence based. spears have been used for ages to much effect against large animals, for defense deterrent and hunting. pocket knives have been used by hikers in recent years to survive.
