[allaroundhunter]

Dakota, forget getting her to carry a knife. The chances of that turning on her are much higher than pepper spray. Heck, without some training there is a good chance that you'll be seriously injured with your own knife should you pull it in a fight.

My girlfriend is not a confrontational individual, but she carries pepper spray. She has pulled it twice, and each time that has made the guy to turn and run fast enough to trip. One time there was a police officer there to tackle the guy, but the other one ran and didn't stop.

When my girlfriend is alone I have taught her to be fairly alert (and that has obviously worked well). However, when she is with me she relaxes a little bit.