James,

"Why do you feel that asp batons always fail? The video in this article The Wedge Formation doesn't really depict any melee attacks with them."

"I have one of my own, and although I've never had a need to use it on an attacker, it always has seemed particularly brutal to me, like it could easily break bones. After reading your comment, I did a search and the only think I could find was an LEO forum saying the same thing that you did. From a tactical standpoint, why don't they pass the test? How have you seen them used (poorly) against attackers?"

-Massivewax

Well Mister Massivewax, would that my parents were so cool when it came to naming me. I would not suspect you of arming up with the lightest baton, based on your moniker. I should correct my statement about the ASP always failing, to usually fails, and always fails over time—such as in an extended battle. I suggest, instead of the ASP, a flash light, both for functional and legal reasons. I will cover the flashlight in AVD Combatives.

I have interviewed two cops who have used them, and in both instances they failed to stop the suspect, and bent like a coat hanger. Also, in Loren Christianson's book on skinhead street gangs he describes a West Coat cop bending his asp over a skinhead's cranium, which did not stop said skinhead.

I have fought with 1/2 inch aluminum rods and 1 1/4 inch steel pipes—actually lost most of those—and can attest that the flesh shock is nothing compared to rattan, and the bone damage is no worse than oak. Metal needs to be heavy to work as a blunt object. You want a bar, not a pipe, if you are crippling someone. The ASP is essentially a pipe. I recommend it as a weapon for tight spots like doorways, halls and restrooms. It is handy for breaking and entering. I could make it work, since I've had over 600 stick fights, and am a good hand sniper, but would prefer something more reliable.

The one time the ASP has been used effectively, that I know of, was against a knife, paired with a smock [a cloth work garment]. But the knifer was behaving ineffectively, and Mister Kenneth was in a chump-stomping mood. If you are going to use the ASP strike the hands and the ear [this could kill, even with this piece of junk, so don't do it casually]. Do not come down on the head, and you are probably wasting your time on the shoulder unless the dude is a bone rack. It is better than nothing, and recommended primarily because it is easy to carry and deploy.

The bad legal point is that this metal telescopic baton will punch a hole in a head—which could be bad legal news for the wielder. Also, it does not have the mass to impart sufficient shock, and it is the shock that stops, not the cracked bone, although the cracked skull might kill later. Functionally I do not trust the thing for a thrust, and suspect it might collapse. It is actually ideal against a knife held in the lead, since it is handy and plenty heavy enough to break finger bones. You want to hit the thumb.

This summer I promise to gather various blunt implements and test them on video. And please, don't even think about using the spring action ASP.

Okay, Sir, I make this offer in good faith. If you, or anyone who owns an ASP, would like to try it out on me, you may. Bring a cup and we will provide headgear, elbow pads, and gloves. I will be armed with a rattan rod, no elbows, no knees, with light gloves and light head piece. At whatever point you blurt—“this really sucks”—we shall stop the sparring session. This not a challenge, but a sparing suggestion. Charles will be there to make sure nobody gets seriously hurt. I am 52, and this offer expires when I am 55.

Caveat: If Aaron or Rico show up with an ASP, I reserve the right to fight with my pimp cane. If I'm going down that hard I want to look badass doing it. I do have a genuine pimp cane at the gym—no joking. Pimp cane training is still only $15 a session!

Thanks for the question. This article needed to be written, and I had just passed it by.

Defensively, the worst part about the ASP is that it cannot be used as an effective lever because it bends laterally and collapsed linearly.

Offensively, the worst thing is that it is only good for breaking exposed bone and imparts almost no shock to muscular areas, which are the very areas one must attack to stop large, strong men.

If you have an ASP and are in a do-or-die situation, chop into the ear-temple area of the head and hope the guy doesn't die.

If you are in a more moderate combat role, hit the hands if he has a weapon and look for an opportunity to chop down on the top of the shoulder, hitting the nerve cluster between the Trapezius attachment and the ball of the joint.

I recommend the ASP primarily as a glass breaker and knife defense tool and also as an off-hand weapon for defensive parrying, in which its tendency to bend will make it more effective as it curves around the bat or other weapon you are using it to parry against as you bring you knife or gun to bear on the target.