Mace vs Pepper Spray
There is a common misconception that mace and pepper spray are the same thing. While they both cause pain to the attacker and render them immobile for a short time, there are significant differences between the two. Mace is a brand name that produces irritant sprays and gels, which includes pepper spray as one of its ingredients. On the other hand, pepper spray is a separate self-defense tool that uses Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) as its main ingredient. Mace originally contained a form of tear gas, but now it is being produced with OC, making it similar to pepper spray.
Key Takeaways
- Mace is a brand name that produces irritant sprays and gels, while pepper spray is a separate self-defense tool.
- Original Mace contained a form of tear gas, but now it uses Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) as its main ingredient, making it similar to pepper spray.
- Pepper spray has always been an effective defensive tool for women, with its main ingredient being OC, the same chemical that makes chili peppers hot.
What is Mace?
The original Mace contained a form of tear gas and was first used as a brand name by Smith and Wesson in 1962. It was promoted as a self-defense spray that was aerosol-based and used a small amount of tear gas (also called CN gas). However, Mace is now being manufactured with OC as the main and active ingredient, making it very similar to pepper spray. Today, Mace is a brand name produced by a company called Mace Security International.
What is Pepper Spray?
Pepper spray has always been an effective defensive tool for women to protect themselves from potential harm. The major ingredient in pepper spray is OC, the same chemical that makes chili peppers hot. The amount of OC delivered in pepper spray is 15 times more than when one normally eats pepper, which explains the intensity felt by the attacker when sprayed on their face and eyes.
What is the difference between Mace and Pepper Spray?
- Definitions: Mace has evolved from a tear gas-based spray to an actual pepper spray, while pepper spray has always been a defensive spray.
- Main Ingredients: Mace originally used CN gas or tear gas, but now uses Oleoresin Capsicum. Pepper spray has always used Oleoresin Capsicum as its main ingredient.
- Effects: Mace did not initially cause inflammation of capillaries leading to temporary blindness, breathing difficulty, intense burning sensation, and nausea, but the new Mace is more improved. Pepper spray causes inflammation of capillaries leading to temporary blindness, breathing difficulty, intense burning sensation, and nausea.
It is important to understand that while there were differences in the formulation between pepper spray and Mace in the past, today’s Mace brand is produced by a different company and is essentially the same as pepper spray, with both containing OC as the major ingredient and working on a similar principle of temporarily incapacitating the assailant.
