The idea behind it is you use the least amount of force necessary to gain compliance to a lawful order. Down at the bottom of the continuum are verbal commands. At the top of the continuum is deadly force.

In a way those same options are available to civilians for their own self-defense.

Batons are somewhere in the middle. Their history goes back to the mid-1800's when London police carried truncheons about a foot long. They were called Billy clubs or nightsticks. Back then they were made of wood. Today they may be made of wood, plastic or metal. They can be used to hit, block or bludgeon an assailant.

A skilled user can apply an arm lock. They can also be used to smash windows or doors.

For police if a lawful verbal order isn't obeyed physical force may be applied. The next level of force could be a baton. In some jurisdictions the baton could be considered excessive force.

Today most batons are made out of stainless steel with rubber handles. The telescopic variety comes in four lengths of 15, 17, 21 and 26 inches. At the flip of a wrist the baton extends to its maximum length for use.

In some jurisdictions batons are illegal. It's easy to see that they can be and often have been used as an offensive weapon. So check with your law enforcement agency before you buy one.

Many people have a hard time with deadly force. That's why the proliferation of non lethal self-defense products. Telescopic Steel Batons are one of the more popular inexpensive, effective self-defense items.

If you have ever accidentally hit a bone on a solid object you know what kind of excruciating pain it can be. That is a kind of pain associated with the telescopic steel baton.

Used appropriately in self-defense, the steel baton can disable an assailant in one or two strikes. Even a petite woman yielding a baton is a dangerous force to be reckoned with.

So next time you're looking for a self-defense product, consider getting a telescopic steel baton. They aren't for everyone or every circumstance but they certainly have their place in the world of self-defense.