This is a bit of a digression, but since the conversation has already gone in that direction, I won't feel too badly. Forewarned if you don't want to spend the time.
I was in LE before the introduction of the Kel-Lite. So we had a variety of billy clubs and batons, but these had various limitations. For most of us, the tool of choice was a sap or flat slapper.
Many of our social contacts were at watering holes, either inside or proximate. One limitation on flashlights, once the heavy duty aluminum ones were in use, was that carrying a flashlight in hand when both hands might be needed for grappling created a problem of what to do with the flashlight. Despite being reinforced, we found that steady use of the sap pocket to hold a flashlight would quickly destroy uniform trousers. My preference was the flat slapper. The sap pocket easily and comfortably accommodated it, even seated in the patrol vehicle. So one less thing to grab bailing out of the car on a hot call.
I only used mine on a few occasions, but it was very effective when I did have to use it.
Tight quarters, especially when surrounded, limited the effectiveness of the baton because range of movement is limited.
Even in that early era, drawing blood on an arrestee drew attention. More attention if this happened frequently. Even more attention if one's peers were working the same areas, making the same arrests, and drawing less blood. That would raise the question of situational control: "How did you get into X number of violent confrontations where you have to use this level of force this often and your fellow deputies do not? Where did you lose control?" Similar to being on the witness stand under cross examination and defense counsel asks when you stopped beating your wife. Not a good position to be in.
The introduction of chemical Mace was real assist to subduing violent offenders without the use of impact weapons (including flashlights). In some instances, Mace would not stop an offender from fighting. But it did diminish their vision, and one can't fight well if one can't see. It made it much easier to maneuver. In those situations, a long enough D cell Kel-Lite or Mag-Lite (we favored five cell) was extremely useful for grappling leverage. Since no blows were being struck, no blood was drawn nor were there any injuries. This was my most frequent use of a heavy duty flashlight, other than illumination.
I always tried to limit myself to reasonable force in the legal sense of the term. As I advanced and got promoted into supervisory than command ranks, this was the guideline for my troops; legally reasonable force. This worked well for me for a couple of reasons. One was that I had set the example so I was not requiring anything of my troops I had not done myself. The other was that I backed my troops. I was a real momma bear about this and was known for it. Before I had been promoted to where I had any real clout, I really took on administrators who did not back me backing my troops. So by the time I did get to where I did have major clout, my position, which had never varied, was well known.
Now that I am long retired, and old, I no longer look at any implement as an impact weapon. Besides my EDC pistol, I also carry a small container of OC spray. In my Jeep Wrangler, which is what we take into the back country (which is all around us given we live surrounded by national forest), besides my EDC, I have a large cannister of bear spray, in the event we get into a confrontation with multiple individuals looking for prey in the boonies. I still work out, but at this age I don't want a threat so close to me that I would need an impact weapon.
One advantage I had was that I was a power lifter, and looked like it. Even if appearance did not deter a violent offender, which if often did not, I did have a strength advantage. If the situation called for it, I was willing and able to use the various pain/compliance and control holds we had been trained in. Back then this included the carotid restraint.
Since we vary widely in ages here, the one recommendation I would make is to base your defensive implement(s) choices based on current and future physical capabilities, not past glories.
In my CCW classes I devoted a large amount of time to the laws pertaining to the use of force. This included the entire spectrum of the scale of escalation of force, not just deadly force. There is no such thing as too much knowledge.
