OK, let's talk batons and any leather guys, come on in...

[WhistleFart52]

I have bought a few yards of leather cordage on Amazon. I am going to give it a go myself. If I can't do anything, I'll contact your leather person....Thanks~

In the photos posted by ISCS Yoda, the knot used is a simple clove hitch. It is effective, but I think a constrictor knot would bind better with leather. On your baton, tying either knot with one of the loops around the baton set to lay in that groove would help to keep it lashed in place on the baton.
Do a Google search for ' clove hitch ' and/or ' constrictor knot ' to get more info and how to tie either one.
Stay safe on your gig
[h4][/h4]

 

[Exchipy]

Axe handles have a sordid history in my part of the country.

So do batons, in general, as I recall.

 

[Mike LaNier]

Just an observation, but it appears the 'politically correct' perspective these days has significantly stifled the use of a baton...you don't see them being used much in the current melees with the anti-LE 'protesters', and then simply in 'protection' or 'defensive' mode. I do remember some fifty years ago, my partner using his (a little tap on the knees) on a fighting dirtbag we were trying to get into the back of a patrol car, who had braced his feet on either side of the door. No permanent damage, and solved the issue; good tool, IMHO.

 

[crasig]

Speaking of Trunchions & Hickory Shampoos. I imagine they would be helpful to restore order in current riot situations - better than whatever they are using now. I've also noticed LOTS of LEO surplus 870's being sold off lately - I would have thought MORE would be needed instead. I'm all-for keeping law & order, + good guys winning.
I saw some good new made classic replica NIGHT STICKS at www.atthefront.com.

 

[ajgunner]

I made a real nice one in HS woodshop back in the late 70's. Of course we were not supposed to be making things like this in the shop during school hours but I found a way around this. I turned down 2 real nice pieces of oak on the lathe. Every time the shop teacher came buy he would remind me what happens to things like this. At the end of class he gathered everyone around the band saw. Gave a short lecture on me NOT getting a grade for the project, then proceeded to gut my beautiful nightstick/club into 1-2 inch pieces and tossing them in the scrap bin. What he didn't know what that I had made a pair of them and had the best one slid into my coat sleeve. I waited a few weeks until teacher was out sick one day and drilled the center. Walked over to the metal shop where a buddy had a pot of wheel weights melted down ready for pouring. Filled it up, plugged it off and sanded it smooth. Still have it today 45+ years later---need to take a few pics someday.
I later became really good friends with shop teacher. He also taught a night class through the local community college but held in HS shop due to it being the best shop in the area. He would let me come in during the night class without even signing up or paying. At the night class he didn't care what I made, so I made a few others for friends.

 

[fatcat3]

You meant "Folger" Adams...

YUP!
Should have added southern steel.

 

[ARgon]

Axe handles have a sordid history in my part of the country.

Yep, Maddox use to sell them at his restaurant in Atlanta. Was not a fan of Lester.

 

[brians356]

In India the police all carry a lahti. It's made of bamboo and varies in length, often about three feet long but as long as five feet, sometimes sporting a metal point. Their coordinated application in crowd control is legendary for brutality and effectiveness. Just the thing when "Disperse!" is not a suggestion but a command.
-

 

[Coyote56]

Here we have an authentic Baltimore Espantoon which was made by a BPD officer who crafted these as a side gig. If I recall he was known as "Nightstick Joe" and ran a small shop down near Fells Point. I bought this from Joe sometime in the mid-eighties.
Classic example of what the true Balmer officer would carry while working his beat….Hon

 

[brians356]

That's beautiful. Is it tapered? I see a taper and smoothness as important features to resist a miscreant gaining a handhold.
-

 

[Dave Haynes]

Back in the 60-70s My close friend the late great SGT Prent Monson Sonoma County Sheriff would stop by and he'd describe the latest bar fight break up from the night before. He had a sap that instantly puts a participant down with a back of the neck strike, sap gloves that were filled with lead shot, a baton and a couple of guns. It was common to send in only 2 deputies to break up a 10 man riot. Not any gun play, or pepper spray, the cops would just kick the crap out of folks until they stopped. Perps had few knives, it was a hand to hand era., The government imported plenty of those DUI and knife specialists later. Importing crime and poverty was the plan and it's worked perfectly. With all of the knives and insanity I can see why the pistol became a more important item in the tool belt. They also added an ambulance chaser peeking over every shoulder.

 

[CALREB]

When I first started in 1977 on a small 42-man dept in Iowa I worked with a guy who had been a Baltimore cop. He got me a Baltimore Espantoon with a long thong and taught me how to twirl it and bounce it of the deck and catch it. The handle end was beautifully carved and was pretty devastating. That town had 52 bars and 7 strip joints, needless to say there were lots of barfights, but I was young and dumb and thought that was great at the time, HA!! When I left to go to LAPD I think I gave it to someone, can't really remember. In LA it was all PR 24, although when I moved into my locker at my first division there was a straight stick with a rubber washer type retainer on it that I acquired. I do think that the PR-24 was a much better offensive and defensive tool than any straight stick. Like was said above if you could make that thing buzz in the air on the draw most guys said that's all, and didn't want any part of it.

If I could-- find my Espantoon I would gladly pay a few hundred to get it back. It was beautifully cool.

 

[us69mc]

In the 70s thru 2000s we carried multiple "tool" Slappers, both small and spring loaded, for the Sap pocket on trousers, Regular Batons, PR24s, Yarawa sticks then transitioned to Peper spray!!!! And of Course, the Big D cell flashlights which phased out for C cell Mag lights!

 

[Coyote56]

Do not underestimate the effectiveness of that thong either. Think of snapping it whip-style (like popping a towel on someone's butt after PE) across an adversary's facial area.
The experienced beat walking officer had more moves in his repertoire than the urban inner-city players today

 

[crasig]

Does anyone have experience with large the flick-open telescopic segmented wands - are the truly useful ?
Asking for a friend - who totes one when walking his dog. .

 

[S-W4EVER]

We trained extensively with wooden batons at USAMPS back in '73 so I was always comfortable using them. Nothing got an unruly drunk's attention like a rap across their shin bone. I also liked to use it to block someone running up to me at night.

 

[walkin' trails]

I bought an "official LAPD" baton from EEE in San Diego back in 90 or 91. It was a bit more durable than the balsa wood or pine sticks we were issued. Still have it. I switched to a PR24 and much preferred that device. Later was issued the ASP. Wasn't never terribly impressed.

 

[Bald1]

What kind of an event are you working? Will you have a firearm as well? Either showing or concealed?

 

[dirtbroke]

Straps on A, B and D appear to be braided. C looks more like a dog leash and is probably stronger. I don't know how that effects deployment.

I got my espantoon from a retired Sgt or Lt (not sure now) who stopped by when I was attending a seminar at Baltimore PD HQ downtown around 1983-84. You can tell it was handmade locally. It was common to see the guys on foot patrol downtown on "the block" to walk along twirling them. That stick was excellent for creating a path through a disturbance or fight. One or two strikes or jabs usually was enough to convince someone to give up. I still have it near my seat in the living room. It far surpasses the strikes that an ASP baton can deliver. Best piece of patrol equipment I ever bought in my 31 year career.

 

[Coyote56]

Does anyone have experience with large the flick-open telescopic segmented wands - are the truly useful ?
Asking for a friend - who totes one when walking his dog. .

I'm an ASP instructor...the expandable baton is great if used as designed. Practice is more than just a good idea; it's a necessity. A full sized baton has more of an advantage and is easier to deploy.