Spyderco Forums

On the idea of self defense, does anyone know, or have experience with collapsible batons? are they generally legal to carry in most places, or what are they considered as?



just thought about them cause i had a dream of using one last night.

I don't know about the states, but where I am, it's illegal to carry any sort of self defence 'weapon', whether it was sharp or blunt. heck, we're not allowed to carry knives as an EDC.

but I have been carrying my expandable baton for the past 5-6 years, and have only used it for self defence once. they are great to have, coz they are compact, and they can really do some damage if they are not deterred when they see it!

it's probably good to get some training on the tactical baton too, it will help heaps.

It's definitely good to have as second line of defense. my first line is pepper spray <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>


-Impyboy

I think its illegal to have one in here but I have a 16 inch one in my car, never been used

I want all <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Edited by - patogordo on 8/21/2002 5:06:19 PM

They are sold here in British Columbia, Canada but are supposedly illegal for self defense purposes. One of the stores that sells them asked for a verbal 'disclosure' statement on why I wanted to buy one. The clerk advised me to state that I was carrying it for 'dog defense' and NOT self defense if ever questioned by a LEO. Another store clerk gave me a bundle of BS of how one of these 'beauties' saved him from a drugged crazed maniac. I think I'll save my money and put it towards another Spydie.

I started law enforcement in 1983 using a 26-inch hickory baton, and eagerly awaited the day the department let us use ASP batons. Deploying a collapsible baton can certainly be intimidating, but in actual use, they pale in comparison to a solid stick. Obviously, in most places a civilian cannot legally carry any type of club. That leaves walking sticks/canes, which are legal just about everywhere, even on airplanes. These are just thoughts, not a recommendation or endorsement, and my hometown listed here is not my employer.

Rex,

Thanks for your thoughts about collapsible batons vs. conventional sticks. I bought a collapsible 16" baton a year or so ago, and carry it on late night walks. I started out looking for a hickory one. When you describe your hickory stick, do you mean the Monadnock style?

Thanks, Jeff/1911.

Impyboy,

Would you care to share your self defense experience using the baton with us?

Jeff/1911.

I carry a maglight for unedged defense... used to have a 4-D one, but it was lifted on a field exersize with cadets. I just got a 2-AA one this summer b/c I couldn't get a 4-D for under $100 in Red Deer(at least not where I was looking).

a 16" ASP is my next purchase for unedged defense, and I have an interesting chart if anyone wants a copy. It's a baton strike chart...

Hey vamp could you send me the chart of the baton moves, btw your email to reply does not work

I want all }{

My email listed works, I just broke up the forum version, due to the pile of viruses running around earlier. Just read and email what you read. at = @ and so on...

Hi there,

my only one time i had to use my baton was about 4 years ago, when i had my first baton - 16inch, (i now carry the 21 inch after the first one got stolen).

one night, I walking thru the city with two other mates, we walked past a bunch of 5 people going the other way. They were holding beer bottles, and were quite intoxicated at the time. as soon as they passed, they thought they would pick on us by abusing us verbally.

We ignored them, not wanting any trouble. anyway, they started to follow us, still calling names. suddenly, my mate was pulled away and two of these guys started laying into him. my other friend wanted to run away, but i couldn't leave my friend there. I jumped in front of the other 3, asking them to leave him alone. these other 3 started mocking me, making hand gestures and noises like Bruce Lee. I took out my baton, and flicked it out, hoping to deter them. They still made fun of me saying "oooh, he's got a baton!"

Meanwhile, the other two were still kicking and hitting my mate, so I turned to one of them, and hit him with the baton twice on the arm. As soon as i turned back to the other 3, and one was really close. I remembered in the instruction manual not to hit anyone in the head or neck, but i was desperate, and swung the baton around and hit the guy in across the neck.

I told my friend to run, and we ran down the road as they threw their bottles at us.

It's definitely a night to remember, and my mate thinks i saved his life.

thankfully, I haven't had the need to use it again.

that's my experience with the baton. and i never leave home without it.

-impyboy

I've carried the straight baton, the side-handled baton, and the Asp. The major advantage to the Side-handle baton, is the capability of the blocking moves. The ASp however, is a lot more comfortable to carry. Sometimes, just the sound of opening the Asp will calm a situation down, especially when opened by a pissed off 5'9" red-head. Then again, sometimes just being a "pissed-off" red-head will calm things down. <img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Linda

<img src="http://www.spyderco.com/forum/spyder.gif" border=O> Integrity is being good even if no-one else is watching <img src="http://www.spyderco.com/forum/spyder.gif" border=O>

Linda,

When I was a Deputy Sheriff (now retired), if I went out on a call that involved a "pissed-off red-head female", I ALWAYS "let" my pardner handle the call while I stood back and "observed"...(It was GREAT being a training officer/SGT...LOL!!).<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>.

Dann Fassnacht Aberdeen, WA glockman99@hotmail.com ICQ: 53675663

Edited by - glockman99 on 8/26/2002 6:36:37 PM

I do so enjoy this forum...grin.

Jeff/1911.

Dann,

I've been with the SO for 19+ years and my best friend is a Supervisor with a local U. S. Marshal's office. She also is a red-head. When we get together and go on our little adventures, trouble runs the other way. One day I was helping her apprehending a fugitive at the local Greyhound station. The perp picked out the guys no problem, but ran straight into us when he was trying to evade the guys. You should have seen the look on his face. As Mastercard says "Priceless." <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Linda

<img src="http://www.spyderco.com/forum/spyder.gif" border=O> Integrity is being good even if no-one else is watching <img src="http://www.spyderco.com/forum/spyder.gif" border=O>

good question midget. the law in Hong Kong has specifically mentioned you cannot even OWN a collapsble baton even if you keep it at home. its one of those listed "prohibited weapons'' in this part of the world.

However, the irony is that while it is illegal to carry such a weapon, or even a straight baton in the street, i found that it is perfectly legal for people to carry huge pieces of walking sticks or canes...i think although sticks have long been out of fashion, it is a sensible way for a substitute.

Ahem.... Glasshartt.... would you like to tell the nice people WHERE you got that nice 21" ASP that you have carried on your belt for the last 7 years.

PS. you really don't want to piss off this red head or her best friend... trust me I know.

For some excellent info on batons,canes,et. go to www.selfdefenseforums.com/forums several threads there on impact weapons.

A short stick is great for self defense, you can strike, stab, or grapple with it. And it offers range, and escalation of force! However, it is hard to carry a 21 inch baton comfortably and concealed. The ASP collapsible baton is a great solution. However, they are generally determined to be illegal from many civilians in different countries, I'd love to have one.

Wouter

I live in a rural area outside of city limits and when I go for a run in the early mornings, usually before daylight, without fail I am always challenged by more than 1 large ferocious-sounding dog. I had always kept my FRN Endura SE in hand when one would approach me but have never actually been attacked yet. A friend of mine gave me one of the 16 inch ASP batons and now it accompanies me on my runs as well. So far the dogs have been all bark and no bite luckily for me, but having that baton sure gives an added sense of security.

Mark.