Expandable BATONS suitability

[beungood]

Anyone have any experience with using different brands and lengths of expandable Batons and thier suitablity to the way we use Rattan? Any likes or dislikes re weight balance feel...etc

[Erik]

Anyone know if they're legal in California?

[Cool Dude]

There are several brands out there in the market. Some are made in the U.S., Europe, Mexico, China & Taiwan to name a few. Lengths vary from 18 to 28 inches. Some brands have a design flaw, collapsing after multiple strikes. I have demonstrated this myself to a group of instructors but will refrain from mentioning the brand.

"Suitability as in the way we use Rattan", with all due respect, is a little broad. It depends on what particular FMA style/system the individual has associated himself with. Some styles use 36in.long rattans which is out of range for batons. Some styles has the Rattan pocket stick in their stickfighting curriculum (also known as "Pasak") for extreme close range fighting. This is similar to using the Expandable Baton in the retracted mode. How one uses the Rattan will depend on the style which will dictate if there is suitability or not. Well, at least in my opinion. I could go a little more technical but I think I may only be confusing you.

As far as the weight and balance, feel... it is totally a different "animal". You will feel awkward and will be surprised to find out that the grace, speed and power you are able to execute using a rattan stick are non-existent. But with proper training, it can be done!

Do I like it? Yes, I do, I trained with it. For me, baton training is stick combat. Hey, we can put the martial into baton training, right?

It is legal in CA only when at work and if you have the license for it - ex. Guard License and baton training certification.

Respectfully,
Roger Agbulos
MARTIAL ARTS INSTITUTE Impact-Weapon Instructor/Tactical Baton
DeCampo Eskrima Instructor JDC-IO USA
LAMECO Original Core Group Member

[beungood]

My thinking was if the Winchester was a little longer and weighted more from the middle and end it would swing more balanced and flow a little better. And the weight would give it a little more bite when striking muscular body parts(thigh,calf, arm, deltoid)in addition to being that much harder on the good bony targets that are authorised good targets. I don't like the ASP that much seems flimsy and toy like. I still carry a 28" wooden baton an old timer gave me when he retired. it has heft and flows good.

[beungood]

After speaking with our defensive tactics instructor I was told we were limited to ASP products but that the lenght is up to us. My lieutenant loaned me a 31" black steel model to train with and compare. It feels alot heavier than the 26" shiny version I was issued when a rookie. it is only 1 " longer in the collapsed mode. When extended the extra weight seems to make it feel more balanced and it flows a little better tan the 26" model. My next step will be to let my Pekiti Guro take it for a test run and see what he thinks..

[Airyu]

Here is an interesting article relating to Police batons in actual use by Officer Mark Conroy, Sayoc Kali Full Instructor, Level 7.

Taken from ”The Jersey Journal” Tuesday, December 4, 2001

15 Year Old drug Suspect tried to cut cop, police say

The quick reactions of Police officer Mark Conroy may have saved his life when a 15 year old boy wanted on drug charges swung a knife at his neck Sunday night, officials said.

According to reports the boy started acting edgy after police pulled up to the corner of Bayview Avenue and Martin Luther King Drive at 6:30 p.m.

At the time they were searching for someone while investigating a drug incident police said. Reports said that after they arrived, the youth acted “nervous” and reached into his left jacket pocket suspiciously before he started to run away. But his path took him right by Conroy, who ordered him to stop running, officials said.
Five feet from Conroy, he took out a silver bladed knife – which some officers later described as a steak knife-and swung the object toward Conroy’s head/neck area, reports said.

Conroy ducked and nearly tackled the boy, officials said, forcing him to run into a parked car on the block of Bayview and drop the knife along with seven glass vials that appeared to contain cocaine.

Soon the 15 year old was running again, this time headed south on Bergen Avenue, and then into an alleyway with Conroy in pursuit, reports said. In the alleyway, the boy continued to ignore Conroy’s commands to stop and at some point turned and charged the police officer with “clenched fists” police said

All he met was the force of Conroy’s police baton, reports said, striking him on his forearms , forcing him to the ground until backup units were able to help with the arrest.
Both Conroy, who complained of injuries to his left shoulder, right shin and right hand, and the boy who complained of pain in his right forearm, were transported to Jersey City Medical Center for treatment, police said.

The boy faces several drug count as well as aggravated assault, assaulting a police officer, according to reports was taken to the Hudson County Youth Center in Secaucus.

Gumagalang
Guro Steve L.

www.Bujinkandojo.net