I'm 70. I'm 5'6" tall. I'm thinking that my baton is a lot better than nothing.

I find it a bit strange that in a country where civilians are permitted to carry firearms, a baton could be illegal.

In Poland, an expandable baton as well as many other self-defense tools, such as pepper spray, is legal and I think it is a good thing, because there is something to defend yourself just in case.

Matt, I'm a retired cop. We carried the ASP brand, and they worked fine. You get what you pay for. The primary reason that some cops won't use it is because of excessive force complaints / lawsuits.

If the government doesn’t want you to have them - you know they are effective.

I used an ASP A50 to protect myself from an attack by a German shepherd and a husky mix. On first contact the husky spooked and ran back, the GSD lunged and I used a parrying movement to divert its head with the edge of the baton, it regained balance and lunged again, this time I preformed a thrust just above the jugular notch and the dog was done. Not seriously injured, but done. The owner who’s been letting them “off leash” actually thanked me and apologized. I think people are thinking of the baton incorrectly and don’t know what to do with it and that is why it is ineffective and dangerous. My granddad was a five combat jump WW2 vet from the 82nd airborne and the man would not go anywhere without a self made billy club or walking stick. My father in law is a 35 plus year police veteran and S.W.A.T Founding member and he swears to this day by a straight stick (he doesn’t use modern technique). To me if you know what you’re doing it’s very effective. It’s also very easy to procure a baton like implement anywhere. I hate to see it disparaged and police especially receive bad training. Through human history a rod or club has been a staple defense tool (That’s what 5,000 to 10,000 years of proof). So I take issue with saying a baton categorically is an ineffective tool. I would be more likely to say that modern first world humans have lost defensive viability due to just a few generations of a soft environment.

I was monadnock certified and I was taught to go for knees and elbows. You shatter somebody’s knee or elbow they are finished attacking. They don’t want to attack anymore. If you try to get close enough for a stomach strike you are gonna lose. I can end the confrontation with one knee or elbow strike. I can break the forearm. Break the tibia.

They passed a law in 2017 in TEXAS. batons switchblades ,brass knuckles, Bowie knives, swords, butterfly knives, machetes, Ninja stars and nunchucks and self defense keychains,trench knives are all legal now.

Great video, I like your charisma and explanation

Why would you want to go to contact with someone if you are using a baton ? if you have a boxer in front of you , he will knock you out as soon as you are at his arm's reach. Baton is used to avoid someone coming too close to you, You do fast swings with the baton at your torso height, so the guy who want to hurt you gonna have his hands broken in a matter of seconds

The most beautiful take down I ever saw was with a baton on a guy running from a fight. The cop just took a couple of steps and popped the fleeing guy in the back of the leg. He went down like a sack of bricks. Onlookers gave a collective gasp and responded with a polite golf clap. It was expert work.

It is why I like a tactical flashlight - you can flash it into the eyes of the bad guy (attacker). If he is drunk or high, I think that would be effective on the eyes - shining him with it, and you can also strike with it too. Also it is much harder to block it or take it away. Also, flashlights are legal everywhere and you can even take it into a bar.

An umbrella - including an expandable one - would work for most of these techniques, even though most aren't very sturdy. And isn't illegal. You carry it in case of rain, but if attacked use what you have.

This was a great one Matt. I have actually never used these batons for any techniques and I think I may have only had one in my hands perhaps one or two times. So, I sort of forgot about these, but I'm interested in these again now. Thanks for the great material as always!

Illegal in Canada includes batons, pepper spray, tasers, nunchucks, throwing stars, switch blades, etc..

Please do an updated video. They have updated laws all across America and most states are now legal.

I found this video extremely informative. Thank you for the lesson.

I like how you can give your opinion without having to run down other MA instructors. There are a lot of big egos in the MA world and self-defense world and it is nice to see someone say hey, I am not necessarily right, but take a look and decide for yourself.

I have carried one for years at night on walks to protect myself from dogs. I need it once or twice a year. I have never had to hit a dog. But I expect if you hit a person on the hands, elbows or knees hard enough they are gonna stop long enough to hit them again and run.

In Taiwan, expandable batons and daggers are both illegal, but you can still own and carry them as long as you don't take it out in the public on normal occasions (It's not illegal if you don't get caught lol). Also regarding the baton you use in the video it's probably made by a company named "EST", it's a Taiwan based brand making expandable batons and other equipments for LE personnel and is known for the bombproof quality of their batons.

Hol' up... your telling me that beating the flying f*ck out of someone with a two foot metal *rod* is LESS effective than poke in the tummy...I don't know who these people think they're fighting, but ain't nobody tanking a hit to the noggin with one of these👀

Matt, can you demonstrate techniques using a yawara stick in the future? I think the technique of the metal baton when collapsed would be the same. (You showed us some today.) All these weapons would be illegal to use. ( If it's life or death, you will have to use it anyway.)

I totally agree, how law enforcement and private security do not train enough. I teach security courses in Australia. In our courses we are to direct our methods of strikings to fleshy parts of the body. Basically no head shots or bone strikes. I have seen with my personal eyes and experiences that fleshy parts strikes doesn't always immobilise or stop the offender. In Australia you must be either a member of police or a licensed security officer.

A wise man once told me...the expandable baton is best deployed as a reflex tool.

I respectfully disagree with you. Striking the hand, wrist or forearm will quickly disable a knife attack. But, like you showed, if an unarmed perp closes the distance, then, a thrust with acceleration(force), in the configuration that you hold it, will be quite effective. IMO, it is not A or B. he answer is C, both A and B, depending on the relative distance and whether or not the perp has a blade or club already drawn.

I have a 5 cell D cell MagLite and it has saved me more then once when I was a Deputy Constable.

This is a great self defense weapon against the average attacking person or animals! It was rare in my 32 LEO career I encountered a person high on pcp or related drugs in 2023 every self defense tool is necessary

Definately not trash !!!

I commend you for making this video. This is very educational and will save a lot of people a lot of trouble

As someone who used this tool for 15 years, I can say that although I have never hit anyone with it, I can only imagine its damaging potential. The pounds per square inch delivered by a 6'2, 280 pound male like myself would be absolutely devastating. My partners cant even hold the bag when I hit it. The force generated is intense..... Couldnt see anyone taking a hit from it, its literally shattering whatever it hits.. Moreover, the return strike is simply a clearing strike, it is not designed to damage your assailant, its just a "Reload". Even the cross check is devastating and designed to knock the air out of your opponent. In a trained hand, I am certain it will be effective. However, I am not a fan of OC spray.

Maine = yes Also, no one markets them as tire thumpers anymore. They're hiking sticks now.

Excellent tactics for those of us veterans who have been trained with bayonet tactics. Mostly, parry, parry, thrust. Works with any baton like device, flashlight, cane, whatever. I really like having the ability to parry blows with a device rather than my forearms.

This concludes the BS portion of our program ! Jabs with a friction baton that can collapse are ridiculous. Keep your distance and use repeated power strikes to make the assailant keep his distance. To control a person, hit only "green areas". If you are under attack, strike whatever you can reach if need be. If the assailant has a knife, try to hit the knife hand or arm if reachable. Fight as if you were boxing, employing your empty hand when necessary. Get a baton of high quality or risk having your cheap one fall to pieces ( literally). Get one with a power safety tip. Strike with the tip, not the small section. Strike full force. Forget about the silly two-hand blocks and pokes taught in training. If you can't deploy the baton, strike with the closed baton. Consider an Auto-Lock model so it won't collapse. Note : In untrained hands, a baton is legally considered a deadly weapon.

Thanks for the info!,will definitely train your techniques.

Arizona 100% legal to carry, conceal and use as a self defense tool for civilian use.

Doh! Never thought of thrusting motion ✅

Matt I practice a style that I had to teach myself out of a book . I bought the book in 82’ from the widow of a us navy seal . I bought 8 martial arts books from over a period of two months , as we were working on the same boat. The book is long but weak on the principle technique. It’s written by an LAPD officer and Takayuki Kubota of Kubotan fame . It was developed by him for the LAPD. It fell into disuse , I’m not sure when , because I can’t find any info on that . The main complaints about it were that it was too lethal , and too complicated it seems . Good martial arts footwork is necessary, but isn’t that the case with any weapon ? And what baton/ nightstick made from hard wood isn’t lethal ? It’s a very Japanese take on the nightstick , and is designed to swing a heavy stick so you don’t do soft tissue damage to yourself. The book is by Paul F Macaul and Takayuki Kubota , and is still being sold

Hey Matt. One last comment/quote. “One can lead a horse to water, but can't make them drink”. And, self defense is a choice, not a requirement or law in any state.✌️

I would like to see you demonstrate using a Alpine multifunctional telescopic stick.. That's the one I have, it's kinda heavy and kind of long.

Community Service Officer in Sweden here. I carry an expandable baton on my duty belt, but I also carry the old-school Swedish police baton made of reinforced rubber with a massive steel core. That baby packs a serious punch they say; I have never had to hit anyone with it, because every time I have had to draw the baton on someone, they have always become very compliant when they see that thing.

Good video Matt , your right 👍

Ironically, they are legal in New York, however you can't carry them openly.

Matt, so are you trying to say that Kali strikes don't work either??? Or, do you just mean that most expandable batons available to the public are pieces of crap? If the strikes are done properly, to the correct part of the anatomy, they do work.

The original "patrol" club, at least for the U.S. Army was designed, we were taught, to break before cracking a human skull. I still have the one I carried. One thing you had to watch as an MP leader was young MP's drilling a hole down the length and pouring in lead. If not, they were notorious for carrying 8 D Cell flashlights. Keep in mind we were "policing" military equipment, they did not want us to permanently damage assets (troops). The Army training (with the old club) revolved around carries & strikes at the joints (where they hinge). We all would have liked the PR-24, but the Army (at the time) would not authorize it because it potentially has 2 offensives strikes. I have an "ASP" as a less than lethal option it's legal with a CCW in PA. Just a quick note the "riot baton" was much longer and not designed to break when doing "the Stomp and Drag." (Another MP mission (and National Guard)).

The police that ride bicycles use the metal expandable baton. But officers who do car patrols carry the 26" wood baton. Police are not taught to swing at the head. But if you raise your arm to swing, high , it looks bad on camera. The order of use of force is: verbal control, physical force, pepper spray, carotid restraint, baton, and deadly force depending on your department policies. So using the baton must be justified. That's why the police choose not to use it.

Another great video! Nothing beats the old school baton. Maglites are not great for fighting. I was a tactic trainer for my department🇨🇦. The biggest issue with the steel baton was poor body mechanics and no time on target. You must hit and stick to let the weight move flesh to cause impact trauma. The collapsible baton was made as a transition weapon between spray and gun. They will collapse if a hard object makes contact with the middle section.

I believe what you have there is a 27in which I believe is the legal limit for one of these unless you're in law enforcement and you can get a 3-foot one or even longer I bought mine at the Army Surplus / camping store here in Portland

I think everyone should have gun at all times

It was called a night stick. It should be a defense tool. If it can save you from a fist to your face… your choice😊 very effective in preserving you.

Nothing is legal anymore

Me, not as effective as a straight stick, collapses when thrust, and yes illegal in NY

In Germany only Law Enforcement Officers may have this, but they may have this just only if they have become it from the department which they are working for and only while they`re doing their job time.

Nothing is legal for self defence in Australia. Expandable batons are not legal. Some places even forbid kubotan that's blunt.

You can carry one in North Carolina but you can't carry it concealed unless you are on your own property.

Awesome tactics! I totally agree with you!

Matt love your videos. Very informative 👏

As someone that has used a baton. I really dont like batons and i like the old solid one the best. Poke strik. But really you need to aim at specific point on body. Some one crazy or high you might have to brake bones to do anything. Or a head / neck strike which is deadly force anyway. The only thing i can think of that i would rather have a baton instead of oc would be to block a knife. A baton vs knife is really the only good use i can think of off hand. And i would rather have oc and a gun for dealing with a knife.

Came by this 3 year's too late. But these are illegal in the uk . Sadly. As we are going through an upsurge in street crime . As an uk citizen we can't have any form of weapons to protect ourselves. .The laws of self defence are against the victims not the criminal

Expandable batons are legal in Colorado. I believe it's a great weapon instead of carrying a gun around town.

I think hitting the knees, the skull or other nerve bundles should stop an attacker. Im not an expert but i think that a street fight won't last that long for me to hold it with both hands. Great video tho

I’m armed security and I carry a baton. Very good information, thanks! I recently got myself a taser so I can’t see myself pulling the baton. I’m in Tennessee and it’s legal with certification in my state, but I agree…not the most effective tool on my duty belt.

It Is Good And Awesome To Carry A Extended Baton For Self Defense.

Excellent video, thank you 👍

It's not a trash ...I rather have it than nothing at all ;) 😉 ..it can neutralize a person who wants to hurt you if you know how to use it right and not to kill ...

Unfortunately they are illegal in California. Even tho our criminals are being let out of the prisons. 😬🙄

As someone who understands mma and distance management I don’t see the risk reward benefit of jabbing with the baton. If you miss you’re in the clinch and there’s so many things to grab onto with clothes, jackets, especially gear you’re wearing. Think about it. It’s so natural for humans to instinctively grab onto things when closing the distance and taking a shot. I recommend using this weapon at a longer range. Once someone grabs onto it it’s useless you’re likely in a tangle, tripping over each others feet and going to the ground. And you’ve no power behind your swing laying on your back. I’d keep the distance at about two arms length as the sweet spot. And only over hand swings but make them count and fast blows to avoid the suspect grabbing onto it. In Muay Thai fighters will close the distance and when taking too damage clinch the other to stop the attacks from firing. This can be an issue especially with a baton unless you keep at a distance with longer range attacks.

Hey Matt could you perhaps do a tutorial or a review on this particular product in the future it is called the Tactical walking stick and it looks pretty awesome to me but I'm wondering if you could provide a breakdown regarding the Tactical walking stick. It usually comes in a carrying case with up to eight steel threaded tubes with different attachments available and the thing looks awesome. I believe the company that manufactures the Tactical walking stick is called the prime Adventure

Very true...stopping power of a weapon is really a thing to consider in actual fight scenario.😊👍

How can a baton be classified as a "deadly weapon" and simultaneously "trash" or ineffective? Your continuous touting of using the butt end to strike ignores one basic fact: you have to be in really close to deliver a strike like that. What do you think your opponent is doing when you're in that close? The "billy club" strike on the head and shoulders seems to be all even trained "professionals" know how to do. As you've stated: not very effective. On the other hand, a quick "stick fighting" strike to the wrist/forearm or knee will disarm or disable an opponent very quickly - nobody fights very well after you take out a knee, regardless of how much adrenaline or drugs they have in their system. This technique was taught by some military schools in the 50's using a stick or even a rolled up magazine. If it was effective with either of these two "weapons," imagine how effective it is delivered with a steel rod. As THE MARTIAL ARTS CHANNEL commented below: . . . if you have a baton in your hand with which you could strike that knife away, or break his knee cap, then you better use it as such."

What is the ideal length to get...anywhere from 16" to 36"....?

Hey Matt. Keith here. A few days ago, I ask if expandable/tactical batons are legal in Georgia. You replied promptly and I really appreciate that!! I called the police department in my city (Acworth) and asked that question, to a police officer. The officer told me, without checking, that, YES, they are legal to carry and use in a self defense situation. Thank you for allowing me to contact you with the question! Again, for anyone wondering if batons are legal in Georgia, the answer is (Yes they are)!! Thanks again for replying and for your very helpful video/channel. 5 stars. Stay safe!✌️

Legal to carry in Virginia! Police cannot be around everywhere you go to protect you, protect yourself at all times

I think everything said is valid but the purpose of a baton is to create distance. Using it the way it's being demonstrated is doing the opposite of that. The swings shown are also overswung.

Not made for stabbing and close combat. Especially against knife. If you grab it with both hands and go against a knife, you will get cut and stabbed right when you are shoving / stabbing. Main benefit is slashing and helping to keep the distance but he is right in the sense that this slashing is wrong.

Get to the point please. We've got a lot of irrelevant, repetitive information in the beginning. How many times do we have to see how not to use it? Also, this implies the assailant is on your side. If someone is approaching you from behind or in front - esp in front, you're not going to have a lot of force behind jabbing, unless they're right next to you. I think most of us got how not to use it the first three times. A friend of mine used to carry an aluminum mini baseball bat in his vehicle, and offset the perception of it being a weapon by also carrying a ball.

I never thought of using the extendable baton the way police would use their riot sticks! It makes a lot of sense!

Makes me think 2 big kubatons could work just as well haha. One in each fist with the pointed sides facing outward (for self defense ofc). I’m a woman and I can’t carry a gun where I live. I carry gel mace and do kickboxing but I’m well aware that would not be enough if I was attacked.

Is this baton legal in Georgia?

Nice video. I own and carry 2 batons. Saved me from a german shepard. They are legal in Czech republic, central Europe. 👍

How to know the difference good baton and trash baton ?

Great discussion. :-)

I’ve got a couple of them. I’m in a wheelchair and it’s a more non-lethal option before a knife or gun. I think it is legal for self defense but I need to check again. I know brass knuckles are now legal here in Montana.

21 mins to explain you should thrust, not whack. Could be done in 3 mins with much less talking.

In the uk these come under the same charge as a firearm,, I still rather carry one of these to defend myself against a machete rather than a knife

Мэт, привет из России. Я хожу лесом на дачу каждый день (10 км), беру с собой ирландскую трость. Она помогает отогнать бродячих агрессивных собак или бродяг (людей). Обычно применяю технику ирландского боя тростью (перемещения, удары тростью характерные для бокса: хуг, апперкот, джэб). У нас агрессивных еще много, бегают без поводка. Мэт, благодарю за учебу.

Ohio does not have any laws specific to expandable batons.

Sure the jabbing and poking techniques are valid self-defense. The expandable/collapsible baton is still taught with quick side and back hand striking motions, targeting the arms and legs and almost always avoiding the head. There's still just too much activist opposition to using any baton as lethal self-defense for law enforcement. The activists consider it police brutality. That's not to say there have been bad police officers who killed suspects with their batons when they shouldn't have. But the baton offers a non-deadly defense response when properly and legally applied. For security guards and security officers, typically the training program omits any head strikes whatsoever, even if the attacker is armed with a hand weapon. The police can get away with lethal head strikes but it gets dicey for security people. And this is even so when just about every state allows law-abiding citizens to apply deadly force when faced with immediate deadly force (that is, armed) attacks from an assailant. We all know the legal mess that can follow if using a baton to kill a dangerous, armed attacker or assailant. The activists scream police brutality. It goes to the courts where the judge and jury have to sort through the mess to determine if it was justified or not. And there are always slick lawyers available on every side. This trainer alluded to Filipino Escrima/Arnis stick strike techniques. The baton would probably be very effective using the rapid, quick, short striking techniques of Filipino stick fighting and Korean short-stick (12") Dan Bong fighting techniques.

Legal in Texas. Taught in the Corps and I have used them and for me they have worked. Bounced in many bars and used against drunk and high people. They pull knives grab bottles or come at you in a group. Struck hands, elbows, knees with the tip. Shove with it like a hockey stick and if they get in close punch with it in your hand. That close you throw elbows anyway. You still have your knees and feet also. People get fixated on what they are holding in their hand. Raise it for a swing and when they throw their hands up kick them in the knee and when they drop those hands drop the baton on the collar bone.

I'm an ASP instructor since 2002 through ASP international. Is it perfect?? No! Is it better than nothing?? Yeah, kinda... Professionally I've only ever used it to break windows.

During my walks I carry an expandable baton, knife, stun gun, bear spray, and a TASER. Too many dogs around where I walk, and I suppose good against psycho humans as well.

"Turn off his operating system." Yes that's ideal! Very informative video - thank you!

The same reason this is viewed as "ineffective" is akin to why people think a baseball bat isn't. Use a baseball bat right though, with jabbing etc. motions (ie: not baseball swinging, lol) and it actually CAN be an effective weapon. I've used one like that once on someone, who was physically accosting me and I won and laid a serious beating on them with it. Because I wasn't swinging for the fences, lol. I saw the weakness/slowness of the thing early on and thought "what if I jab and short swing it though?" by choking up on the bat more and making it more nimble for short swings. And yeah, it's speedier, more unpredictable (you can feign a swing and jab instead) and much less wild of a movement than a swing.

Matt; I am considering getting a PR-24 Baton with the side handle grip I am in NYS and I want to be sure it is legal for self defense in NYS for me to own & carry one.

Very nice video, thanks for sharing. Im a former POW of the governments war against the rights of Americans. These rights, i will defend.

I'm a little confused. Wouldn't this weapon be effective with close body swings in the same way you demonstrate with normal stick defence?

Speaking about quality, you didn’t mentioned it, but you should make sure to have one made of hardened steel… Non hardened steel are just junk and will fold after a few blow dc

In my country only missiles are banned, everything else is legal so yes I can have this stick 😊

Its not one of the two....Its deadly !!!!

In Tennessee there is no law against owning one but you have to take a class to carry it

Hi man I need help with my baton… when I flick out with force the rod between the end of the baton and the grip of the baton comes loose when hit with little force it goes in by itself…. (Grip side)