# Is carrying a bag of marbles/ball bearings a viable method of self-defense? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 24, 2013, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-bag-of-marbles-ball-bearings-a-viable-method-of-self-defense/651244 "2013-02-24T12:33:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-bag-of-marbles-ball-bearings-a-viable-method-of-self-defense/651244/1 "2013-02-24T12:33:41Z")
The plan being, if someone attacks you, you run away and pour out the marbles behind you? ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-bag-of-marbles-ball-bearings-a-viable-method-of-self-defense/651244/2 "2013-02-24T12:54:45Z")
During a acorn bloom there were so many on the forest ground that it was easy to slip on them in sections, change forest ground to hard surface and acorns to marbles or ball bearings, and I can see that is could work. Now if it is possible, which I say yes due to the acorns, to cause a fall, the other end of the question would be is the number, size,weight of the marbles/BB’s you need reasonable to carry and deploy. I would guess that depends on the circumstance. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-bag-of-marbles-ball-bearings-a-viable-method-of-self-defense/651244/3 "2013-02-24T12:56:22Z")
It would certainly work if you happened to be chased while in a cartoon. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-bag-of-marbles-ball-bearings-a-viable-method-of-self-defense/651244/4 "2013-02-24T13:42:40Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > It would certainly work if you happened to be chased while in a cartoon. If I were in a cartoon, I’d carry a tin of paint and paint a tunnel. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-bag-of-marbles-ball-bearings-a-viable-method-of-self-defense/651244/5 "2013-02-24T13:59:33Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > If I were in a cartoon, I’d carry a tin of paint and paint a tunnel. No, you should paint a hole for them to fall into. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-bag-of-marbles-ball-bearings-a-viable-method-of-self-defense/651244/6 "2013-02-24T14:02:38Z")
And a bag of marbles would be great to beat someone with. But to run away? Wouldn’t they just go around? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-bag-of-marbles-ball-bearings-a-viable-method-of-self-defense/651244/7 "2013-02-24T14:03:43Z")
A box of tacks? ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-bag-of-marbles-ball-bearings-a-viable-method-of-self-defense/651244/8 "2013-02-24T14:11:02Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > And a bag of marbles would be great to beat someone with. But it’s not certain that you could beat him with your bag of marbles. What would you play for starters? Ringer, chasies, dropsies? ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-bag-of-marbles-ball-bearings-a-viable-method-of-self-defense/651244/9 "2013-02-24T14:15:36Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > A box of tacks? Caltrops. Pointy side always up. If you are using marbles as your defense you better plan to always be on a hard flat surface or they will just squish into the ground or roll away. And hope your attacker doesn’t shuffle his feet. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-bag-of-marbles-ball-bearings-a-viable-method-of-self-defense/651244/10 "2013-02-24T14:30:56Z")
Last year I learned to tie a monkey fist knot. I made one with a 1 1/2 inch ball bearing in the center. [Turns out they are illegal in a few states, similar to the restrictions on switchblades!](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slungshot) ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-bag-of-marbles-ball-bearings-a-viable-method-of-self-defense/651244/11 "2013-02-24T14:37:46Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > And a bag of marbles would be great to beat someone with. A pillowcase with unopened soda pop cans works pretty good too. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-bag-of-marbles-ball-bearings-a-viable-method-of-self-defense/651244/12 "2013-02-24T14:45:36Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Last year I learned to tie a monkey fist knot. I made one with a 1 1/2 inch ball bearing in the center. > > [Turns out they are illegal in a few states, similar to the restrictions on switchblades!](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slungshot) If humans can’t have monkey fists… ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-bag-of-marbles-ball-bearings-a-viable-method-of-self-defense/651244/13 "2013-02-24T14:53:29Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > No, you should paint a hole for them to fall into. 🙂 Don’t be silly, how can you paint a hole? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-bag-of-marbles-ball-bearings-a-viable-method-of-self-defense/651244/14 "2013-02-24T15:00:19Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > And a bag of marbles would be great to beat someone with. But to run away? Wouldn’t they just go around? At the very least, it’ll delay them. > [@Loach](#): > > Caltrops. Pointy side always up. > > If you are using marbles as your defense you better plan to always be on a hard flat surface or they will just squish into the ground or roll away. And hope your attacker doesn’t shuffle his feet. But caltrops will remain dangerous to everyone who passes by, that could be considered as a weapon. > [@kayaker](#): > > Last year I learned to tie a monkey fist knot. I made one with a 1 1/2 inch ball bearing in the center. > > [Turns out they are illegal in a few states, similar to the restrictions on switchblades!](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slungshot) Hmm if I could find large steel ball bearings, I’d use them to [burn holes in paper](http://stevemould.com/burning-paper-with-giant-steel-balls/). ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-bag-of-marbles-ball-bearings-a-viable-method-of-self-defense/651244/15 "2013-02-24T15:04:40Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > Hmm if I could find large steel ball bearings, I’d use them to [burn holes in paper](http://stevemould.com/burning-paper-with-giant-steel-balls/). Search for ball bearings on Amazon. They’re reasonably priced and lots of fun. Buy some para cord while you’re at it. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-bag-of-marbles-ball-bearings-a-viable-method-of-self-defense/651244/16 "2013-02-24T15:21:15Z")
i use monkey style self defense. i carry a bunch of bananas with me. peel and throw. ---
**Author:** ![thunderdog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8797f3/32.png) [@thunderdog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thunderdog)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-bag-of-marbles-ball-bearings-a-viable-method-of-self-defense/651244/17 "2013-02-24T15:31:47Z")
If you have two bags, you can throw them in the air and your attacker will run away. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-bag-of-marbles-ball-bearings-a-viable-method-of-self-defense/651244/18 "2013-02-24T15:44:45Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Search for ball bearings on Amazon. They’re reasonably priced and lots of fun. Buy some para cord while you’re at it. They’re about $20 each? [2 inch Diameter Chrome Steel Bearing Balls G100 Ball Bearings VXB Brand: Precision Balls: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific](http://www.amazon.com/Diameter-Chrome-Bearing-Bearings-VXB/dp/B002IFV8QA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361720458&sr=8-1&keywords=ball+bearing+large) Funny you should mention paracord, I just bought 30 m today. I just finished replacing my shoe laces with it, now I can carry paracord wherever I go! ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-bag-of-marbles-ball-bearings-a-viable-method-of-self-defense/651244/19 "2013-02-24T16:12:35Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > They’re about $20 each? [2 inch Diameter Chrome Steel Bearing Balls G100 Ball Bearings VXB Brand: Precision Balls: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific](http://www.amazon.com/Diameter-Chrome-Bearing-Bearings-VXB/dp/B002IFV8QA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361720458&sr=8-1&keywords=ball+bearing+large) > > Funny you should mention paracord, I just bought 30 m today. I just finished replacing my shoe laces with it, now I can carry paracord wherever I go! I paid much less for 1 1/2 inch. There are different grades. I got a pack of ten for around $15. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-bag-of-marbles-ball-bearings-a-viable-method-of-self-defense/651244/20 "2013-02-24T16:57:11Z")
Ball bearings in a leather bag is a classic blackjack or sap. Very, very effective close range weapon. I’d really hate getting hit in the face with another mans ball sack. 😛 Wait! let me rephrase that. 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-a-bag-of-marbles-ball-bearings-a-viable-method-of-self-defense/651244.md?page=2)