+ 1

I say taser.

+1 for firearm. A knife is primarily a tool, and only used as a weapon in desperation or very special situations. Chemical sprays, as noted, are fickle allies.

I vote for the Lady Smith option or some kind of .38 revolver. Semi automatics are nifty, and you can get them in crazy small sizes... but the reality is that they require a lot more maintenance to keep them working and there's a lot more that can go wrong with them when you pull one out. Revolver is pretty much guaranteed to work provided it hasn't swam in salt water or something equally tragic and obvious. IMHO it's the better option for people who don't really want to make handgun ownership a part of their life, only to have it around laying around in a drawer "just in case". Though I guess the down side, as the shooter gets older, is having the hand strength to steadily pull through a double-action shot or the hand flexibility to [censored] the hammer for single-action. Hm.

(on the other-other hand: history tells us that in the vast majority of cases, simply having and presenting a firearm solves the problem right there)

My dear old grandmother lived out in the country in Tenn. She carried a short Winchester when she was in her 80s. She never missed, either. She said she just wasn't good with pistols, so she never trusted the Colt my uncle gave her. Of course, she was born in the 1880s. Times have changed. When I am called upon to arm ladies, I usually recommend a small frame S&W 38 spl. The ladies seem to like them. My widow neighbor now sports one with a laser grip. Now she out shoots me. Don't mess with rifle or pistol packing women. They will shoot you!

Forgive me, Horn Dog: after reading that I had a visual memory of the film Gone With the Wind. "Don't worry about me," says Vivien Leigh as she mounts the carriage and places her pistol atop her skirts. "I can shoot straight, so long as I don't have to shoot too far." <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Palm Pistol. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

As a first step, I would recommend a good loud whistle on a chain around her neck. Scare the scumbag away with lots of noise.

make no mistake, a knife is NOT merely a tool. It is and always has been designed to be used as a weapon. the knife is the oldest form of technology on this earth. i treat all my beloved busse kin knives as weapons, first and foremost, then utilize them as tools.

always respect the blade. it takes no prisoners and never make a sound.

Rec- this is why I have asked my fellow Dawgs on this subject. This lady is the widow of a war vet and is VERY special to me. She needs to get her exercise- I am just being a bit protective by purchasing her the best that you guys suggest and training her. It is truly a shame she is not safe to go walk- but that is how it is . I truly appreciate and value all suggestions-Thank You <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

understandable ORDAWG1. just telling ya like it is... a knife is NOT the way to go, especially for a old lady. a j frame smith would be ideal, as others have stated. good topic though

Yes- and I appreciate it. Might have to be a bit persuasive- but leaning that direction for sure. Kudos on your Big Busse <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> -Thank You

thanks man... after seeing a picture of P-easy's - im starting to think that its not as thick as i was hoping for... the busse site says .25 thick and his pics dont show that <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Yah- I know you like Fattys- so was a bit surprised for sure. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> Still is a great blade though.Don't know if it will outperform the SOD- those are HOT. You will love it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />