Is the big black 31 inch baton the biggest best one to get?

Does it make a difference what colour the baton is.

Like I notice the gold ASP batons cost more sometimes is that just a different colour paint not a different type of metal ?

The only difference is the coating. Anodizing or nitride coating costs extra.

If you have a chance, try out several different sizes. I carried one that was (I think) about 26" after trying ranges from 18-30 something inches.

Color shouldn't make much difference.

It may go without saying, but make sure they are legal in your area, and take a class on their use if you don't already have training.

"Big:"

I propose that a baton of 42 inches in length and greater than one inch in diameter might be "better."

Have you read any of the firearm posts about 380 ACP versus the "bigger" calibers?

-So it goes with batons to a degree. The smaller weapons can be used in a manner that can be "up to" lethal, how ever, if you need "stopping" power, the larger the better.

Please remember that "We all just can't get along" all the time, and that you may in today's adrenaline or chemical induced street excitement, encounter some Rodney who will resent you bruising his jail tat limbs and be totaly uncooperative!

I recommend an oak rod or other solid stick over any hollow core cylinder ; even the metal ones. And a finish; not a coating that will crack or peel in the long run.

The short, single hand held, "cosh" has momentum for it's impact energy
-mostly, while the longer pole can be double gripped to transfer the body weight through them for impact. That makes for a significant difference.
For comparison, think of an amateur boxer with fast arm smacks against the heavy bag.

Looks and sounds impressive.

Now consider the pro boxer, say Tyson, who has his weight behind those fists.

Even the small sap can stike lethal blows to vunerable anatomy, but to stay in the effective and persuasive arena of safe and compliant strikes, you need to speak softly and carry that big stick.

My opinion of batons is similar to my opinion of SD ammo: Get the cheapest that'll do the job. It's a metal stick. What could possibly justify spending big money on one? I honestly can not figure how ASP justifies charging what they do. Jeez.

As far as length, think on where you might use it. For example, if you commute on a bus, a shorty might be best for using in a tight space. If you hike alot, a long one should be better due to being in a more open space.

I picked up a shorty no-name baton at the gun show for $20 once. Works for me!


-T.

Get a piece of 1-1/4" oak dowel, cut it to your length liking.

Or get a big Maglite.

This is more if Im in an apartment or hotel and for whatever reason don't have a gun so i might need to employ other tools temporarily.

why oak dowel why wouldnt you use a steel axle or something metal?

would the airweight aluminium be best?

Im not planning to carry this just to keep inside my car, house, flat, hotel,etc.

I prefer an asp to a steel bar or wooden bar for one main reason...portability. I always tended to carry a mid range one of 18" inches (expanded) or so that would end up at 9" collapsed. That being said, I prefered it to a knife in many cases due to the reach. I also wasn't worried much about stopping power, because I was planning to use it on whichever main joint they offered me first...wrist or ankle...then a quick slap to the head. A piece of steel 18" long will carry easily enough power to do the job.

why oak dowel why wouldnt you use a steel axle or something metal?

Oak is hard and dense, and will put the hurting on someone. It also has the advantage of being cheap, and you being able to cut it to you preferred length easily, and to custom-carve a handle for you.

An ASP or other high quality baton is also thinner than any dowel thick enough for the strength to use as an impact tool. This slim profile will maximize impact on the target.

Don't get me wrong: I've spent more time training with sticks than any other weapon. An ASP is just a better choice for almost anything, until you get up to sticks over 3' in length.

John

A warning to the posters here.

In my home state, as well as most others, what might be considered as a weapon, whose lethality would occur in the middle to even the beginning of the "force escalation;" the sand bag or black jack, is classified as a "Prohibited Offensive Weapon," and even the Police must have certified instruction in it's use -because of it's ability to kill even when not intentional!
This goes for the sticks, etc. being discussed here too.

Therefore -if you would use your impact weapon on joints that are offered, and they would not be offered by the way, and then a "slap" in the head,
it might result in unintentionaly killing or rendering permanently disabled some one whom you merely wanted to discourage or stop.

You must first, ahead of any armed self defense, be instructed by a certified instructor in the safe use or lethal use, that is life taking possibility that such a weapon enables.

Further, investigate and verify your governing laws concerning such actions.

A slap in the head is not a slap on the hands!

Batons are not the best it's just the collapsibiility that is mainly interesting.

Getting a long thin piece of steel like they have in brick block buildings would be a better example.

But the collapsibility if you live in a small dwelling is a consideration.

http://www.ykmw.yungkong.com/dynamic_cpt/product_v1/photo/product_475ca19d2ff3c.jpg

Is metal usually better for such weapons?

Like I see they make sticks and stuff at cold stell made out of ash, fibreglass and polyprolene.

Is this just for the purpose of something being legal to carry on the street. Like if they were serious they'd make them out of metal?

Im not planning to carry this just to keep inside my car, house, flat, hotel,etc.

Then there's no reason to buy a collapsible baton over a stick, pipe, socket breaker bar, T-ball bat.

I've carried both ASP and Monadnock. Both in 21 inch models. I've had the ASP close once when trying to subdue an attacker. I switched to the Monadnock since it offers a locking mechanism. It has been 100% thus far. I found the 21in model to offer a nice compromise in terms of weight and usability in close quarters.