For self defense, I think it is hard to beat the Ka-Bar TDI.

For a pocket knife with style, Ken Onion's line through CRKT is pretty classy and even functional.

Emerson makes some pretty functional tools as well.
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I am still not a cop.

EZ Thread Yarn Balls

"I don't care how you catch them, as long as you treat them well and with respect." Lani Waller in "A Steelheader's Way."