You don’t have to out run the bear, just your slowest companion. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Over short distances, a bear can out run a horse, so I wouldn’t plan on beating the bear.

Of the knives I own, my choice would be the DFLE. Its large blade would make a large wound channel, and it’s very fast in the hand. Before I had my good knives, when I was in Abilene (TX) I would go for nature walks alone in the wild 10 miles from town, and a mile or so off the road. I carried a 6 foot heavy broom handle, with the end whittled to perfectly carry my Cold Steel Bushman so I could quickly turn my walking stick into a spear. To protect the base of the stick while using it to walk, I got a copper endcap of the proper size from the plumbing department, and attached it to the stick with clear silicone. I knew there were javelinas and possibly mountain lions among who knows what else in the area, so this setup allowed me a reasonable means of protection since I didn’t have a gun with me.