When I started the AT, my father wanted to make sure that I had a big knife to fend off larger animals, such as wild boar. Truth is, unless whatever you carry is (1) immediatly accessable and (2) you know how to use it properly, you are probably better off without it. Clanging hiking poles together can be helpful in scaring off bears and other animals, but I wouldn't want to try and spear a black bear with my Leki.

-chomp