Well in kansas the wind is always blowing, sometimes it's blowing in your face. And no, i have several knives that i would say would make a great self defense weapon, one of them is a Emerson la griffe, it's a fixed blade with a one inch blade that has a hole in the handle you put your finger through. Nearly invisible, very concealable and flat in the pocket, and fast to deploy. I don't think someone could take my lagriffe away from me so it's very good for self defense.

I also believe that if someone punched or grabbed me and i opened a 6 inch cut in their arm and said, want some more or are we through? That most people would want to take themselves to the hospital. Hardly life threatening.

As for the skill required, not true. Say will, not skill. Conceal the knife until the last moment and be determined to use it. Suprise, speed, and maintaining the initiative will win for you in a self defense situation.

I have never stabbed or cut someone so most of this is coming out of my ass and the books that i have read, some by people who actually know what they are talking about.