Advice on a baton... part two

[lemaymiami]

Recently a thread on batons by Macadore was closed before I could add my two cents worth.... I think there's an addtional idea that you might want to consider. Instead of a manufactured baton, I'd opt for a piece of green bamboo in at least a 1" diameter. For bicycle carry I'd use light tie wraps to secure it to the frame where it would be easily accessed and not concealed in any manner. I'd want to use the longest frame member to allow the longest section of bamboo possible.

My Dad in his declining years kept a three to four foot section of bamboo handy by the front door... As a retired officer (28 years Engineers) who served around the world he noted that you couldn't break the bamboo and it was light enough that it could be used to good effect with multiple strikes very, very quickly if needed.

I carried an ASP for a few years as part of my duty gear and think the bamboo might be superior....

 

[hso]

Rattan may have actually been what your father kept by the door since bamboo will split when dry, but rattan (a relative of bamboo) won't except under repeated and vicious impact.

Using zip ties or tie wraps would probably slow the draw down to the point of being too slow. There are numerous bike clips sold in bike shops to secure tube pumps and they would allow the rattan to be drawn easily while still carrying it securely. If nothing else, velcro webbing is also readily in bike and camping shops to secure things.

 

[Turn Key]

Speak softly and carry a big stick

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/speak-softly-and-carry-a-big-stick.html

I like your thinking on the bamboo stick for self defense. Although it may look better to the 'Sheeple', but in my opinion it is very hard to beat an ASP for a quick strike to a bad guy.

I gather your bike is where you'll mount your weapon of choice...

Have you thought of a can of Pepper Gel or even better yet "Wasp Spray"? With Wasp Spray you increase your range by 5 or more feet and it is very devastating to dogs and humans.

Food for thought, G_d Bless

TK

 

[AStone]

I'll buy rattan sticks soon.

Right now, on my day pack, which I carry everywhere,
reachable with my right hand over my shoulder,
I carry a 21" piece of hardwood dowel
(a former tool handle) with carved grips.

I can draw it in less than 2 sec.

I practice basic eskrima
with it on trees in the park.

Yeah, hardwood will split and splinter,
but if you know how hard to hit, it won't,
and it beats a fist in terms of hardness and reach.

Regardless of composition,
sticks are fast and unpredictable.
They hurt and stun.

It helped me avoid conflict
in a convenience store recently
when a dude pushed me intentionally.
Just the sight of that stick
on my pack, along with my serious expression,
convinced him to apologize and walk away.

Rattan is next for me.
But for now, hickory worked.

I'll keep reading ...

 

[lemaymiami]

For HSO, if you have light enough zip ties you'll be able to hold that improvised baton securely but still be able to break it free if its needed... The ones I have are right at 1/16" in width and easily broken by hand.

 

[hso]

They make security seal type ties for cargo that are easily broken if you prefer using zip ties. My bike pump holder is held onto the frame with velcro straps and then the pump is held with velcro straps to the holder.

 

[conw]

I advise against wasp spray. Especially against dogs; that's just wrong. Oc is effective on them. Maybe if oc and other options were out of the question wasp spray would work sorta but to me you're asking for a major lawsuit.

 

[Erik M]

Im almost positive (dont have a can at me at work) that wasp/hornet spray has a clause on the container that states that if you use it in a manner other than what it is intended for you can face federal prosecution..I believe I read that on the general forum somewhere before I actually picked a can up and confirmed it.

 

[macadore]

Would this be considered a club and therefore be illegal in Texas?

I had a barking dog run beside me for about a block last Saturday. He was in barking mode rather than attack mode so I just let him run until he got tired. I have had that happen several times. I don't want to shoot someone's pet unless I have to and I don't feel comfortable shooting from a moving bike. I am still considering clipping some type of striking weapon on the bike that I can pull and use while in motion. The next dog may be in attack mode.