A Judge told an Ambleside man who sparked a violent confrontation on his own doorstep he had been "phenomenally stupid".
40-year-old Dwayne Keenan found himself embroiled in an incident involving two brothers on 11th July 2015.
Carlisle Crown Court heard Keenan argued with the pair before returning home.
But later, when he saw them near his property, he was so scared for his safety he carried a wooden bat and kitchen knife outside.
There were no injuries, but one brother felt threatened.
Keenan pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article and affray.
And at the crown court on Friday, he was given a seven-month prison sentence.
This was suspended for two years and Keenan was ordered to complete a 35-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
Recorder Abigail Hudson noted that Keenan, of Kirkfield Rise, Ambleside, had not intended to use either the bat or blade.
But she said: "It was a phenomenally stupid thing to to take them outside, massively worsening what was an already difficult situation."