[Gayle]

I used to fence (epees, not wooden stakes) and not unsurprisingly i was told that carrying the sword had to be done in a certain way or it would be classed as an offensive weapon. Obviously, i can agree with that, BUT if I had been attacked whilst carrying one I'm fairly sure I wouldn't have discarded it and let a mugger get on with it, I would have used it myself.

One of the reasons they say women shouldn't use any weapons as protection is because the chances are they would be overpowered and the weapon used against them.