There are many weapons out there that you can use to defend yourself. There are stun guns, punch rings, and more. However, not all of them are legal for local citizens. There are many different laws that may prevent you from carrying such self-defense weapons on you.
Out of all self-defense weapons, a baton is the easiest to use. It is also legal in most states. It is also the most convenient to use. Many people associate the baton or the self-defense wand with law enforcement. In actuality, you can use it for many different reasons. Batons come in various shapes and sizes and are generally very easy to use. However, before you own one, you should know the baton nomenclature. Knowing the names of the parts can help you learn how to wield them correctly. Even though using a baton is pretty intuitive, you should take out the time to know the basics. If you do not, you won’t be efficient in attacking your assailant. Therefore, you should know baton terminology and the correct methods of using it. That way, you can better protect yourself if the need arises.
What is a Baton?
A baton is essentially a cylindrical club constructed from various different materials. On the market, you can find batons made of different materials. Wood, rubber, metal batons, and even plastic batons are all available. Mostly, batons are used as a compliance tool by the police force. The general public, however, uses it as a self-defense weapon.
You can use a baton in various different ways. Due to the shape and size of this club-like weapon, you can offensively strike your attacker and also jab it at them to help create some distance. Additionally, you can also use it for bludgeoning. You can also use a baton for purposes other than a weapon. If you are ever stuck in a car or need to break a window, you can use a baton as it will work perfectly. Batons are generally easy to use. This is because they have an overall simple construction, and they are easy to conceal. You can also collapse some batons to become short, so they look like keychains and can be hung alongside your keys. This concealment option gives it a great advantage over other kinds of self-defense weapons that cannot be concealed as well.
Other names for a baton and its parts
There are many different names for a baton and you must know a baton is being referred to when a person uses any of these words. Here is a list of all the names that people usually call batons.
- Rod
- Wand
- Truncheon
- Blackjack
- Stick
- Staff
- Club
- Nightstick
- Mace
- Billy club
- Cane
- Self-defense stick
- Bludgeon
- Sap
- Sand club
- Slapjack
There may be other names as well, but they are not as common as those listed here.
Furthermore, if you are to own a baton, it is also essential to know the names of all the parts of a baton.
The top of the baton is known as the blade. There are no sharp parts here. Instead, there is a small cylindrical tip, that protrudes out of the head tube. The head tube is a thinner tube attached to a thicker tube, which is known as the medium tube. These three parts are usually the collapsible ones, and you can easily contact them into one another, and all of them can then fit into the integral sponge. When collapsed, these batons can become very small and hence, portable. The other end of the baton that is attached to the integral sponge is the tail hood. This part is a wider cylinder.
How are they used?
To use a baton, it is essential that you grip it correctly and swing it with enough force onto the correct body part. If you do so, then your strikes will be effective, and you will be able to successfully either; cause pain or incapacitate your attacker. Usually, a safety baton is designed to cause muscle pain and spasm.
When you grip the baton, it is important that your fists are tight and you are swinging with your entire upper body. Using the entire top of your body is important as it allows you to have enough power to cause some serious damage. Additionally, ensure that your thumb is tucked into your fist when you swing.
When you use a baton, you can either cause pain to your assailant or you can incapacitate them. If you want to use your baton to cause pain, then the best way is to strike on meaty and fleshy parts of the assailant’s body. You can swing your baton towards either their thigh or their upper arm where there is a lot of muscle. Alternatively, you can also aim to incapacitate your attacker. When your assailant is much bigger than you, and you feel as if you are stuck, simply causing pain will not allow you to escape to safety. Therefore you must try to incapacitate them. To do this, you can swing the baton onto less meaty areas of their body to break their bones. The elbows, feet, and hands are the best options.
Popular kinds of self-defense baton
There are many different kinds of self-defense batons available on the market. However, if you want to buy one for self-defense, you should choose one that fits you and one that you can use easily. Here are the different kinds of self-defense batons.
Expandable Batons
These batons are usually nine and a half inches when collapsed, and with the flick of a wrist, you can expand them. When expanded, these batons can be up to 26 inches long. Most of the expandable batons are made using metal. These batons are usually cylindrical and have a wide outer shaft. This shaft connects to two or three inner shafts that are thinner than the previous one. Such batons may or may not have a solid tip on the outermost shaft. This tip helps in maximizing the power of a strike and can make your impact strong enough to incapacitate your attacker.
Automatic Batons
An automatic baton is much like an expandable baton. However, instead of extending to its full length using your wrist, it uses a button that you can press so that the baton extends to its full length. This length is around the 21 inches mark. Automatic batons are usually made of solid steel, which aids the construction and allows for the mechanisms that allow the baton to contract and expand. Additionally, most automatic buttons have a safety switch that you can use to lock the baton into place so that accidental presses do not expand the baton.
Stun Batons
The next kind of baton is the stun baton which allows you to stun your attacker as well as strike and jab them. These kinds of batons are rechargeable and have a stun gun in them, which has around 3 million volts. Additionally, these batons also have an LED flashlight installed, so that they can stun and blind your attacker as well as be able to incapacitate them. This kind of baton can truly do everything at once. Usually, these batons have a lifetime warranty, so buying one is a safe bet.
Keychain Batons
Keychain batons are the smallest kind of batons that are sold. When collapsed, they are a mere five and a half inches long. However, when expanded, they can be around 12 inches long. Usually, keychain batons are made of solid steel and are silver in color, with a keychain ring attached to them so that you can add your keys on to them. This kind of baton is extremely inconspicuous and useful since you can carry it around with you everywhere you go without having to remember to keep it. Furthermore, it adds an element of surprise, which can save you if you are in a dangerous situation.
Flashlight Batons
The last kind of baton is flashlight batons that can expand up to 21 inches. When compacted, they are 10 inches long, and hence, you can take them along with you if you wish. These kinds of batons have an LED flashlight and a glass breaker. The LED light is great to temporarily blind your attacker so that you can make a run for it. Furthermore, the glass breaker allows you extra security because if you ever get stuck and need to break a window to escape or help others escape, now you can.
Who uses a baton?
Mostly batons are used by law enforcement, who use them as a way to control. You will find that security personnel, bodyguards, military soldiers, etc. carry a baton along with them. However, many citizens in most states are also allowed to own a baton. However, the main purpose should always be to protect yourself and not harm others unprovoked. Therefore, before you buy a baton, do check the laws regarding owning and using one.
Conclusion
Out of all the self-defense tools out there, the baton is probably the most useful one. One of the main reasons is that it has many different options that you can use. However, knowing how to use a baton and the baton nomenclature is extremely important as that helps you learn how to use it effectively. The article above lists all that you need to know about the different baton names and various different types as well.