What items did they use, and why did it make them feel the need it pack it?

After the attack, Johnny carried a switchblade. The Socs had frightened him enough that if he ever found himself in that position again.... he would use it to defend himself.

And Johnny, who was the most law-abiding of us, now carried in his back pocket a six-inch switchblade. He'd use it, too, if he ever got jumped again. They had scared him that much. He would kill the next person who jumped him. Nobody was ever going to beat him like that again. Not over his dead body...