How do you Protect Yourself when you're Scrapping?

Hey guys, I saw this in an old thread and wanted to bring it up again for fresh thoughts. Personally I keep a semi-automatic 12 Gauge on a gun rack in my truck, which is more psychological than anything else. I've never had to use it, but I have been in quarrels with teenagers more often than not when they notice it. They usually shut up fairly promptly. I often bring one of my pit bull/mastiff mixes when I'm dumpster diving or doing curbco and it never hurts that I'm a very athletic 6'3 male. What do you guys do?

i have an old horse shoe peg i keep against my seat.....it is good and heavy....i actually use it for stripping things ,,it makes short work of ac units and it also cuts house trailer roofs and other light tin very well......i keep it close at hand just in case i need it......ive had to get it out once or twice in the past but ive never had to use it.......

most of my deals are cash business so i have to carry large amounts of cash sometimes...if and when i have a lot of money on me i always pick up an uncle or cousin and bring them along...just haveing an extra body with you will make bad people re think things sometimes.....

lately i try to use paypal as much as possible...if a place accepts it i always pay that way...i just prefer it

No doubt scrap yards buy , and they happily buy your stolon stuff . Scrap is fast money .
As to Pits well how you rase them but I am stead fast with the breed . I have had many .
When you have a true APBT with true Pedigree what you find you have often is a dog that loves people if not a bit shy with people . But bold with any dog
they wont take crap from any dog . A 40 pound APBT can disable a 125 pound dog . True APBT are game
Now once you add another breed be it a mastiff German Shep any thing . now you have a Mutt and thats all there is to it .
The personality is now not gonna be a true APBT . Human boldness and willing to bite people will be real with a APBT mix. There are exceptions to any dog but generalized,
breeds do have standards that are changed with mix breeding
My male dog is mostly red nose pit but grandmother was Cain corso . So he has a little edge thats different then APBT ( American pit bull terrier ) But looks 100 % Pit
My female is APBT with some americian bull dog .Very pit like but just a littlle more dog then a true Pit. One day to own a true APBT is worth it . then you will know the truth . Heck the Mixs are causeing the real breed most of the problems .

The white male has a very good nature. He loves people and will try to nurture smaller dogs. He really just wants to be friends until he's given a reason not to be. The brown female, his sister, was the runt of a litter of 13. She's very suspicious of everything. She doesn't like other dogs and she doesn't like people until she's forced to integrate with them.

As far as the breed, I love pit bulls. I had pits as a child and they were always sweet dogs.

Needle nose pliers and a crazy look in my eyes.

Usually one of 2 handguns and an short crowbar in the seat next to me. Never had a confrontation and don't go lookin for one but I always like to be prepared. Never be a victim.

The best protection is to use the old noggin:

1: It takes two to make a fight.

2: Choose your battles wisely.

3: Be a person of dignity.

4: Keep a perspective on things. If you get into a scrap over scrap you're fighting with someone else over the trash.

I save the bang bangs for home defense.

The face munchers come with me if I'm out at night, an it's not during the season. Our neighborhoods can get pretty empty come winter what with the majority being summer rental homes. The pups an the bat come with me at night, during the day it'll depend where I am going. If I'm heading off the sandbar I might bring one of the dogs, the bat is always along. same with various other items could be used in self-defense. I've said it before..the dogs look sweet(avatar is one of my face munchers) but screw with me or the wife an they go all bat ****.

Some parts of the sandbar I bring a dog, as they are more rural an far from any help if you need it. I've lived this long by not taking chances so I try to be cautious an wary to a degree. If I don't feel comfortable I don't go, is pretty much my rule. not one I've had to use much but it seems to work. I listen to my gut to. Same thing I reckon..lol.

Far as during the season..there is usually always tourists around, or the cops(small place, so see them more). An it's day light longer. Usually I have no troubles, but as the saying goes..better safe then sorry. Oh..if i go to the mainland an up near the state line or into the city an hour away I let my wife, an a friend or two know where I'm headed an when I expect to be back. I know weird but hey..if i go missing lest they know where! Ha!

I'm always watching my surroundings an people around me. It's done me well so far.

Sirscrapalot - Plan for the best, expect the worse.

One tool, my Arkansas Tooth Pick, sharp and close to me when I can. If I can't get to it got a few pipes in the back of the truck.

Thankfully had little problems with others -I'm only 5'6" but 180 lbs and look harder than i think i am.Polite and reasonable but will stand my ground, If you don't play fair i will walkaway if thats not good enough then will kick you in the 'soft bits',punch , bite and roll around with you in the road.
Trust me i don't look for trouble or ask for it , i would like to walk away but will be nobodies fool (tried that got me nowhere)

British - peace loving man - But attack me and i will fight back.

When I first read the thread, I thought I was going to say leather gloves and safety glasses. Now I am going to say my wits, pepper spray and a LCP.

not to sound dumb but what is a lcp ??????????????????? also i really like what scrappah had to say,,,using your head is a big assett in anything you do

Originally Posted by wadarbr549

not to sound dumb but what is a lcp ??????????????????? also i really like what scrappah had to say,,,using your head is a big assett in anything you do

Ruger .380 auto...

I have always been into sports and believe in playing fair and a "level playing field". I have never had a problem of a physical kind with anybody while engaged with scrapping. I keep my eyes open, my ears alert and brain in full working mode at all times. I don't go into places that I don't belong. I stay out of dark corners and never do scrap gathering after sundown. I don't engage or converse with negative and aggressive individuals without overwhelming numbers and good cause on my side. I do live and work in the "big city", I have had my fair share of negative encounters. I handle myself well, don't play fair when others choose to be aggressive towards me and mine. I personally will try to "walk away" and play another day, if I can. If someone insist on going physical with me, they will find they made a bad choice. I will first introduce them to "Louis", we will play baseball and he will be OUT! A "Louisville Slugger" is my first line of defense, I do have a backup, but that would be unfair play or would it?

I have found that the best protection is to be fully aware of your surroundings and know when what you are after is not worth the risk. That said, I always have something heavy with me although I have never had to pick it up.