As part as our self defense tool review, we are reviewing the Schrade Professionals Expandable Batons by Taylor Brands LLC. While we like to keep a non-biased / impartial view, in regards to our product reviews, there is something to be noted about Taylor Brands promptness to our requests and questions. This sort of attention has been noticed my team and I, and again we appreciate that.
First the short background, in regards to the origins of the expandable baton and then the review:
The expandable baton was first adopted by the Japanese police in 1966, the baton is called Tokushu Keibo. The expandable baton makes a baton-sized stick easier to carry, whether openly as on a police officer's belt or lawfully concealed. Early models suffered from poor materials and construction. In the later 1980's the materials and construction began to improve, and now law enforcement and private security world wide, know the value of these self defense and pain compliance tools.
NOTE: Even though my team and I are very "Pro" Firearms and other self defense tools, please note that some states do not allow expandable batons at all. Some states allow them, just to Law Enforcement only.
While other states allow the baton for ownership only in ones own home or only visable on a persons belt in public (like open carry).
Please check your local laws. Thank You.
Here is our review on Schrade Professionals (Taylor Brands) SCBAT16 and SCBAT26 Expandable Batons
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Mailing Address |
Taylor Brands LLC1043 Fordtown Rd. Kingsport, TN 37663 |
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Phone Numbers |
1-800-251-0254 |
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Web Site: |
http://www.taylorbrandsllc.com/
In July 2004, The Schrade name was purchased by Taylor Brands LLC, who manufacture Schrade, Old Timer, Imperial, Uncle Henry and Smith & Wesson knives |
Expandable Batons
First we checked the belt holster, no issues that we can see, fit secure on our belt. From our research the holster is made from 168D denier which is a polyester webbing. The handle is very rugged and has diamond check marks for grip. The handle is made out of thermoplastic polyester elastomers which provide the flexibility of rubber, the strength of plastic and processibility of thermoplastic.
The baton part is made out of stkm 11a steel and is very solid. We tested the shortest and the longest batons, the 16 inch and the 26 inch. The company also sells 21 and 24 inch expandable batons.
To test both batons, we opened and then closed each baton, over "100" times, no issues at all they both operate flawlessly. To close the baton, you need to be on a flat "hard" surface like a concrete slab floor or driveway out side. Not so much on a wood or carpet floor... trust us.. when it is open, it will not close with a soft touch. Like other batons, the bottom of the baton unscrews and you can gently move the clips if the action of the baton flipping outwards is too tight or too loose. Do this with caution as you do not want to make the clip to loose or tight in one direction. Also another very important tip: DO NOT put any oil on the baton. The oil "will get" into the inside of the batons handle and will cause the baton to collapse downwards with hardly any intervention.
There are other batons that sell "way higher" in price, in my 20 years experience in martial arts and over 15 years in certain forms of security, I will say, that I really recommend this brand. -Tom