Column

It’s a staple of the female wardrobe, a go-to outfit for many occasions, a tried-and-true fashion statement that flatters every style, every decade and every frame.

What first drew me to the Spartan was its unique blade shape, like a tiny copy of a Greek kopis sword. It looked cool enough that I was willing to buy one to try.

Winter can affect how we protect ourselves, and it makes good sense to consider all of the potential issues.

The idea behind Clay’s Budget Blades is to review products that are a good value, but not necessarily cheap. No gas station knives will be presented here, nor anything from QVC.

Now there’s nothing wrong with protecting our possessions; that’s why we have safes and insurance policies. But defense in the home should be focused on protecting human life rather than property.

Undoubtedly, being at the range with my eldest daughter was an incredible feeling. But I know that I won’t always be able to be there by her side. I won’t always be around to guide her, help her or protect her. She’ll be on her own one day all too soon.

When a new Magic Bullet is launched and makes media waves, I always apply two filters as to whether it’s worth chasing down. The first filter is “Are the police using this?”

Christmas shopping is hard. And expensive. Sometimes, finding the right balance between cheap, available, and thoughtful is all but impossible. That’s why gun stuff (that’s the technical term) is such a great option. The industry offers everything from expensive, I-never-have-to-buy-you-another-present-again firearms for the folks you like to $3 patches for everyone else.

While I can’t necessarily translate my unscientific study to the nation as a whole, I’d have to estimate that at least 80 to 90 percent of the permit holders that I know personally don’t carry regularly or even carry at all. The question is, “Why?”