You can’t rely upon inferior weapons when your life is on the line. One self-defense weapon that spans from cheap novelty to professional-grade is the extendable baton. This handheld weapon is ideal for defending against knives and an impressive offensive tool when your safety is threatened.
Hands on the Nextorch Baton
The good people at NexTorch (NexTorch.com) sent me one of their top-tier models to test and evaluate. From construction to ease of use to effectiveness, concealability, and feel in hand, I dissected it with a fine-tooth comb. The results, spoiler alert, were nothing less than outstanding.
First Impressions
The NEX Quicker Duty baton was delivered in a cylindrical tube, complete with full instructions. When opened and in-hand, it was impressive in both its noticeable weight and the solidity of the unit. It exuded the precision of a custom-made piece of gear, rather than the mass-produced, clunky novelty that so many self-defense weapons have exhibited in recent years.
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Its handle was created from thermoplastic rubber, and when gripped, felt both firm and comfortable in my hand. NexTorch also included one of their baton holsters with the baton. It wasn’t a simple nylon pouch secured with a low-quality hook-and-loop fastener, but rather a sturdy plastic holster that locks the unit in place until it’s ready to use.
Materials and Construction
The NexTorch baton I received was 23 inches long. This was perfect for me, as I am most comfortable with a baton between 21 and 24 inches. At that length, it meets the needs of self-defense, is concealable, and is easily carried without being cumbersome. The NEX Quicker Duty offers two construction material options: aerospace aluminum with a single steel section and a full steel version. I was sent the full steel version.
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The difference between the two is durability and overall weight, with the full steel version being the more durable and heavier. Like most extendable batons, the Quicker Duty features two telescoping sections and a stationary handle. The top two segments collapse down into the handle for concealability. The handle is made of thermoplastic rubber, providing a secure grip even in wet conditions. At the tip of the baton was a screw-like tip.
At its base, the unit featured a button that unlocked the baton and allowed it to collapse to carry length. Upon handling the weapon, I noticed both its weight and the overall solidity of its construction. This was a definite plus. The greater the weight and durability, the better results you’ll get when it’s time to use it to protect yourself or a loved one.
Ease of Extension
The backbone of this weapon is its ability to smoothly extend to its fullest length and stay locked in place during a physical conflict. Lesser quality batons have failed me in the past. Once they were extended and in use, they collapsed into a single segment, rendering them ineffective and leaving me vulnerable to a swift counterattack.
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This NexTorch baton was constructed differently from other models, as it offered the Nex Locking mechanism. This feature allowed the unit to lock in place and release only when the integrated release switch was activated. I tested the ease of extending the baton multiple times, as well as pressing the release button, and each time it performed flawlessly. It truly didn’t take much power to extend it, as there was no sticking or hesitation in the sections, and retracting the segments was very quick, taking only a second or so.
Keeping in mind that a defect in the speed or consistency in extension of the baton could leave you vulnerable to a knife strike or a grab or takedown, the effectiveness of the NEX Quicker Duty was a definite plus in my mind.
Durability Under Heavy Use
A baton is only as good as its ability to stand up to repeated, hardcore use. This baton delivered that characteristic ideally. I tested it upon thick piles of cardboard, and it basically destroyed them. I next used it against more solid items like wood planks and stone stepping stones, and although it did incur some scrapes to its exterior, it still functioned and collapsed without fail.
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Self-defense Applications
The NEX Quicker Duty baton is a true asset in self-defense. As mentioned, unlike many other personal-use weapons, it offers both offensive and defensive capabilities. For defense, it can keep an attacker at bay and keep them from advancing with precision strikes aimed at their vital areas (face, groin, throat). It’s also valuable against a foe wielding a knife or another handheld blunt-force or slashing weapon. Since the tip of the baton travels at an incredible rate when “flicked” with your wrist, it can deliver a painful strike at your attacker’s wrist, hand, or lower arm.
This could cause a disarming or, at the very least, make them think twice about attacking you once again. Offensively, the baton can be utilized in more ways than you may think. First, striking your foe’s head, groin, arm, and leg joints are all fair game when you’re someone’s target. The solid tip delivers the energy of your strikes into a single, concentrated area of their body, intensifying the pain. Additionally, the pommel for close-quarters fighting is a viable option.
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Even the baton in its closed position can be used for striking, similar to that of a kubaton (a six-inch handheld weapon used to strike or pressure points). Hitting your foe is not your only offensive option. Joint locking with the baton’s shaft can add stability and more pain to your already intense locking techniques. Naturally, these moves are advanced and require formal martial arts or self-defense training to fully execute them correctly.
Additionally, training with the baton (in martial arts styles such as Arnis, Escrima, or Kali) is highly recommended to understand the weapon’s range and become proficient in various self-defense scenarios.
Final Thoughts on the Nextorch Baton
It’s quite easy to purchase an extendable baton on a number of online websites. However, the quality of your quick purchase may not meet basic standards if a true self-defense situation arises. After handling and using the NEX Quicker Duty baton, I definitely knew what I got. It was durable, reliable, and with smooth mechanics, I knew it wouldn’t fail me when push came to shove.
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Though the price ($128.99) is a bit higher than the majority of batons on the market today, you get what you pay for, and that’s a quality weapon that performs its function to perfection.
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