# Would a glue board be an effective defense against knives? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 2, 2013, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-glue-board-be-an-effective-defense-against-knives/662427 "2013-07-02T06:40:43Z")\ **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:** [July 2, 2013, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-glue-board-be-an-effective-defense-against-knives/662427/1 "2013-07-02T06:40:43Z")
I was thinking about defending against knife attacks. You could wear a vest or carry a chopping board, but those won’t stop the attack. If people continued to slash/stab, one of the strikes might hit an unprotected area. How about armor that incapacitated the knife? So I thought of a board with a gel on one side (no specifics yet, this is just an ideal material). The gel is easy to penetrate with a knife, but once cut it bonds with the knife, like glue or chewing gum. The knife can no longer be used. Wouldn’t this be better than normal armor? Also, are there any epoxies that set in \<1 second? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-glue-board-be-an-effective-defense-against-knives/662427/2 "2013-07-02T07:09:30Z")
You could probably do something like this with non-setting tacky adhesives and a non-woven stranded material designed to stick, unravel and tangle, but the possible flaw in all of this is that it allows your attacker to stab you once (more than once, if they’re carrying more than one knife). ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-glue-board-be-an-effective-defense-against-knives/662427/3 "2013-07-02T16:38:01Z")
Would you wear this over your whole body? Also why wouldn’t the knife be usable? Even a dull stick can be used to stab. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-glue-board-be-an-effective-defense-against-knives/662427/4 "2013-07-02T16:46:14Z")
what happens when a curious kid would poke you with their finger; adoption or amputation? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-glue-board-be-an-effective-defense-against-knives/662427/5 "2013-07-02T16:46:20Z")
> [@Lanzy](#): > > Would you wear this over your whole body? Also why wouldn’t the knife be usable? Even a dull stick can be used to stab. But the glue armor would work against fresh fruit. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-glue-board-be-an-effective-defense-against-knives/662427/6 "2013-07-02T17:38:41Z")
Let me know when you find a gel (or whatever) that will instantly bond with a steel blade tightly enough to hold it against a lateral pull and a material that will contain said gel that is wearable, pierceable, and won’t just break apart when the knife is withdrawn. I will not be holding my breath. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-glue-board-be-an-effective-defense-against-knives/662427/7 "2013-07-02T18:20:48Z")
Any plan where you get stabbed once is a BAD PLAN. ---
**Author:** ![Cartoonacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-glue-board-be-an-effective-defense-against-knives/662427/8 "2013-07-02T18:37:10Z")
> [@LawMonkey](#): > > Any plan where you get stabbed once is a BAD PLAN. I think I’ll have this made into a T-shirt. ---
**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:** [July 2, 2013, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-glue-board-be-an-effective-defense-against-knives/662427/9 "2013-07-02T18:37:37Z")
I’d mention my preferred armament in a knife fight, but it might derail the discussion. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-glue-board-be-an-effective-defense-against-knives/662427/10 "2013-07-02T18:42:28Z")
> [@LawMonkey](#): > > Any plan where you get stabbed once is a BAD PLAN. Nowhere near as bad as [this one](http://lonelymachines.org/mall-ninjas/). > [@](#): > > _One poster responded, ‘If Plan A is to take multiple .338 shots to the back, you_ really \*need to come up with a Plan B.” Needless to say, alot of folks started seriously wondering where this guy worked” - ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-glue-board-be-an-effective-defense-against-knives/662427/11 "2013-07-02T20:39:39Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I’d mention my preferred armament in a knife fight, but it might derail the discussion. Hugs? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-glue-board-be-an-effective-defense-against-knives/662427/12 "2013-07-02T20:41:45Z")
You want to wear a rubber vest and have your opponent wear the one with glue. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2013, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-glue-board-be-an-effective-defense-against-knives/662427/13 "2013-07-03T03:30:40Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > but the possible flaw in all of this is that it allows your attacker to stab you once (more than once, if they’re carrying more than one knife). > [@LawMonkey](#): > > Any plan where you get stabbed once is a BAD PLAN. It’s no different from current stab vests and bulletproof vests. In fact this design would only let people stab you ONCE, while stab vests let people stab you repeatedly. > [@Lanzy](#): > > Would you wear this over your whole body? Also why wouldn’t the knife be usable? Even a dull stick can be used to stab. I was thinking of making it into a plate you could put into a backpack, like [http://www.amazon.com/LifePlate-Bullet-Proof-Backpack-Insert-Certified/dp/B00C8W7EVQ/ref=pd\_sim\_sbs\_sg\_1](http://www.amazon.com/LifePlate-Bullet-Proof-Backpack-Insert-Certified/dp/B00C8W7EVQ/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_1) I’d put handles in the back, so you could use it as a shield as well. The knife wouldn’t be usable because it’ll be stuck to the gel (think embedded in chewing gum). It’s removable, but it’ll delay the attacker. Also, if removed, the gel remaining on the edge would blunt it. Now, the attacker won’t be expecting his weapon to get stuck, so you can: [ol] [li]Yank the board and knife away from him.[/li][li]Release the board, and suddenly he’s trying to figure out what happened to his weapon.[/li][/ol] Meanwhile, you can counter-attack or run away (preferably releasing a bag of marbles behind you). > [@johnpost](#): > > what happens when a curious kid would poke you with their finger; adoption or amputation? Since the material would need to have a chemical reaction, it can only be used once, so accidental reactions must be avoided. I’m thinking of having it in layers that react when cut. Normal objects are not sharp enough to cut the layers. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2013, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-glue-board-be-an-effective-defense-against-knives/662427/14 "2013-07-03T04:30:29Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Nowhere near as bad as [this one](http://lonelymachines.org/mall-ninjas/). I knew this was going to be about Gecko45 before I clicked the link. . ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2013, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-glue-board-be-an-effective-defense-against-knives/662427/15 "2013-07-03T08:44:02Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > I was thinking of making it into a plate you could put into a backpack, like [http://www.amazon.com/LifePlate-Bullet-Proof-Backpack-Insert-Certified/dp/B00C8W7EVQ/ref=pd\_sim\_sbs\_sg\_1](http://www.amazon.com/LifePlate-Bullet-Proof-Backpack-Insert-Certified/dp/B00C8W7EVQ/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_1) I’d put handles in the back, so you could use it as a shield as well. If it’s going to be a rigid board already (as opposed to something flexible that hardens instantly on puncture), you’re probably better off trying to mechanically trap or impede the blade - something that works like a finger trap (albeit on a different scale) maybe. > [@](#): > > Meanwhile, you can counter-attack or run away (preferably releasing a bag of marbles behind you). We already discussed this elsewhere. There are not many situations where marbles would be very useful in disabling a pursuer. Your ideas do have potential merit, however - if you spend your whole life carrying around a lot of dead weight, this will improve your general fitness and muscle tone - discarding all this weight when confronted/attacked should leave you feeling superhuman and fit to run off with great energy. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2013, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-glue-board-be-an-effective-defense-against-knives/662427/16 "2013-07-03T09:37:54Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > If it’s going to be a rigid board already (as opposed to something flexible that hardens instantly on puncture), you’re probably better off trying to mechanically trap or impede the blade - something that works like a finger trap (albeit on a different scale) maybe. Hmm but I can’t think of any way to capture a smooth knife, or any knife when slashing. You might be able to capture one of those barbed knives with steel wool. ---
**Author:** ![sylmar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@sylmar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sylmar)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2013, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-glue-board-be-an-effective-defense-against-knives/662427/17 "2013-07-03T11:10:00Z")
Seems impractical. The vest would have to really bulky (thick, heavy) to interact with enough of the knife’s surface area to lock it securely into place using friction or adhesion. That predicated on your attacker being cooperative and using only plunging thrusts and that they only assault your chest area, no slashes/thrusts at the face or arms. The required bulk would restrict your ability to move/defend yourself and with the knife stuck in your vest, that would seem to be a convenient handle/focus point for your assailant to use various come-along type techniques. Maybe genetic engineering? > **[Magneto (disambiguation)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magneto_(comics))** > > A magneto is a permanent magnet electrical generator. > Magneto may also refer to: ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2013, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-glue-board-be-an-effective-defense-against-knives/662427/18 "2013-07-03T12:04:00Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > Hmm but I can’t think of any way to capture a smooth knife, or any knife when slashing. You might be able to capture one of those barbed knives with steel wool. Mechanical grip will do it if the force is great enough, consider a sandwich made from three layers of rigid material with holes in it - the knife blade passes through the holes, then something\* triggers the middle layer to be pulled very violently and permanently out of alignment with the outer two layers - if the material itself is strong enough, the blade will be trapped - even if it’s smooth and slightly tapered. \*An explosive charge, perhaps initiated by the spurt of blood from the initial stab wound. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2013, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-glue-board-be-an-effective-defense-against-knives/662427/19 "2013-07-03T15:22:41Z")
> [@Cartoonacy](#): > > I think I’ll have this made into a T-shirt. I have to be honest here and admit that I borrowed the notion from Girl Genius, where “any plan where you lose your hat is a BAD PLAN”. (Though I cannot for the life of me find the comic where this originally was spoken.) ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2013, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-glue-board-be-an-effective-defense-against-knives/662427/20 "2013-07-03T22:33:57Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > You want to wear a rubber vest and have your opponent wear the one with glue. Boing-fwip! [/ted] [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-glue-board-be-an-effective-defense-against-knives/662427.md?page=2)