Due to several things outside of my control, I cannot carry concealed to or while at work. Which means my decent walk from where I park to where I work is unarmed. I've taken to training with and carrying a collapsible baton and was curious of others do as well? If not what do you do for similar situations?
I "qualified" with the ASP 26" collapsible baton in 1988. I carried one daily in that config until 2016, when I retired from law enforcement. I instructed the use of them for two decades. The goal of using this impact weapon, is dysfunction; to stop an attack through striking joints, muscle groups and common peroneal nerve junctions.
The success of stopping attacks with a collapsible baton, is in my opinion, questionable at best. The baton lacks the mass to effectively produce the dysfunction that you want. I am 6'02", I have always been well muscled, and not afraid of a fight. I have bent a baton on an attacker, and not gotten the results that I needed. I found the collapsible baton to be a panacea. It was part of the State's use of force policy, and I taught it as such.
I trust my fists and feet more than a baton.
What often happens, if the attack is pressed, and strikes are ineffective, the user often resorts to striking the head of the attacker. Death can be a result.
If this is the self defense option that you want to choose, I would find a dojo that can give you guidance on its use.
Just a candid response from an old warhorse, for what it's worth.
JeffG