[riddleronroof]

Who needs this? Mary Poppins in a bad neighbourhood?

[grubbs]

I walk 20 mins every day to work in Baltimore and was slightly interested.

But then I realized I'd rather just give someone my cell phone and wallet instead of a fight to the death with an umbrella..

[fortysixdegrees]

I think this is my favourite unlikely HN comment of all time

[jack_pp]

you don't have to fight to the death though, most perps would be deterred by most victims if they actually fought back or even gave the impression they'll fight back

[fortysixdegrees]

Meth.

You don't understand 'most perps'

Just run

[brudgers]

If you bring an umbrella to a gun fight, I know which way to bet.

[ygjb]

I mean, Mary Poppins came to the house of an English banker in the early 1900s... I can't think of a worst neighborhood in terms of criminals...

[bravura]

Who needs this?

a) People who want to discretely carry a weapon.

b) People who realize most umbrellas are hot garbage, and understand that an umbrella that won't break if you even stand on it are probably going to last a while.

[riddleronroof]

I don’t know about the latter. Living in NYC, my umbrellas either break because of the wind, or, because I forget them somewhere.

But maybe others have had better luck?

[SEJeff]

In Chicago they sell some pretty heavy duty umbrellas because the wind is very strong. I've since left Chicago and do cherish the umbrella I got there for how heavy duty it is and the fact that even monsoon level winds will not flip it inside out due to the reinforcement in the frame and fabric.