In many instances, the video blackjack game will have better rules than any live blackjack game that can be found in the same casino. There is a video blackjack game that has shown up in Las Vegas that stays on all 17's, offers surrender, double after the split and split up to 3 hands. Leather slapper, sap, blackjack. The sap, slapper, or blackjack is a heavy leather pouch, eight to twelve inches long, filled with lead and sometimes a flexible steel rod. Unlike a baton, a sap's size and shape allowed it to be concealed inside an officer's pocket. Blackjack Weapon History The sap and jack as we now know them began to take form in the 1800s. Just prior to the Civil War, President-elect Abraham Lincoln was escorted to the nation's capitol by his friend and fellow lawyer Ward Hill Lamon, whose personal arsenal consisted of two pistols, a pair of brass knuckles, a large Bowie knife, and a. The Welcome Bonus is open to new customers who are aged 18 and Blackjack Vs Nightstick over. Once you have made your first qualifying deposit, please accept or decline your bonus in the pop-up notification window before playing the casino games. Blackjack Vs Nightstick Your Welcome Bonus will then be credited to your account immediately.
The Extremely Practical Utility of the Humble Baton
Considered one of the oldest forms of self-defense that is still commonly used today, the baton has evolved considerably from its wooden-stick origins into a dazzling variety of various non-lethal weaponry.
Table could not be displayed.Today the humble baton is one of the most common and practical forms of self-defense that is nearly unrivaled in its utility. From simplicity of design, reliability and effectiveness to cheap cost, few weapons today measure up in such a pragmatic way.
History of The Whoopin' Stick
Baton, truncheon, club, through the ages sticks of various sorts have been used for both self-defense and warfare alike.
From cavemen to to African tribes, harden wooden poles, whether short or long, have served as a trusty 'must have' for any intrepid explorer.
The earliest recorded usage of batons in an organized fashion was in London in the 1800's with the issuance of the humble 'billy club' a truncheon that served as police officers weapon of first resort.
Some of these early truncheon types used by police were ornately decorated and carved from solid pieces of hard wood. Longer truncheons exceeding 36 inches long are grouped into a baton sub-category called 'riot batons' to be used in riot control.
With advances in chemical engineering wooden batons were eventually replaced by a wide variety of other materials including rubber, metal and acrylic.
Rubber batons in particular have gained popularity within law enforcement because they can both gather kinetic energy as the baton bends during the swinging motion and are not as damaging as their harder wooden and metal counter parts.
While many police forces have moved from wood to rubber and now to the more practical collapsible metal batons, some authorities still use wood and rubber variants.
In Russia police are still standard issued rubber batons, except in cold recesses of the country like Siberia where it is cold enough to shatter frozen rubber.
British police officers used wooden batons until well into the 1990's before eventually upgrading to the collapsible metal variety. Public order officials though are still issued fixed (non-collapsable) acrylic batons.
New York police officers had two different variants of truncheon known as the day-stick and night-stick. The only difference being the night-stick was extra long, which apparently provided extra protection for night patrolmen.
Today the humble baton has evolved into both a wide variety of materials and shapes. From the 'straightstick' favored by American police forces to the 'side-handle baton' popular in Japan, many Eastern European countries and New Zealand.
The collapsible or extendable baton is now the most commonplace variant of the tool.
Sub-Variants
There are a few sub-variants of the traditional fixed length batons mentioned above.
These different baton types evolved in various parts of the world and were designed specifically for particular circumstance in which a fixed solid baton was deemed inappropriate. These include but are not limited to:
The Sap
The sap, also commonly referred to as a slapper, flat sap, slap jack or beavertail sap, is a shorter leather covered club with a spring inside that creates for a bit of flexibility like in in a spring baton.
There are variants with and without metal in the end, making the effectiveness vary considerably.
The Blackjack/Cosh
The blackjack or 'cosh' as it is called in the U.K is smaller than the average baton. The blackjack consists of a weighted end, wrapped in leather, with a coil spring or slightly flexible shaft and a lanyard or strap at the end.
The flexibility, similar to the sap, and the lanyard/strap at the end make it more a weapon of momentum and kinetic energy than outright striking/smashing.
They are still a dangerous weapon and have the ability to both be concealed as well as render a victim unconscious if struck on the head.
Stun Baton
The stun baton is simply the marriage of a baton and a stun gun. These are more modern variants and will be covered in more detail later on in this guide.
Jitte
The jitte is a Japanese Edo-period police weapon similar to a baton, cylindrical in shape of about 1-2ft in length. The jitte was used in Japan up until the early 2000's.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Like all weapons it is important to compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of the weapon when deciding for what circumstances it is most practically suited.
Below we will break down some of the relative pros and cons of the baton as a self-defense weapon.
The following analysis is applied to the 'standard' baton but can be adapted to suit the strengths and weaknesses of most common baton types of today (collapsible, fixed, spring, electric etc).
Baton Pros
There are many pros for the humble baton, which is one of the reasons it is one of the most popular self defense weapons around the world. These include but are not limited to the following:
- Simplicity. The fewer things that can go wrong with a weapon the better and in its most basic form the baton is a nearly failure-resistant piece of weaponry.
- Affordability. Just like its simplicity and affordability helped make the AK-47 one of the most popular rifles in the world the affordability of even more complicated retractable metal batons make it a no-brainer for law enforcement even with tight budgetary constraints.
- Concealability. Perhaps not so much with the longer fixed units, but there are dozens of different retractable type batons that can be expanded with the flick of a wrist, which makes them easily concealable and deployed in a fraction of a second.
- Effectiveness. The head remains a humans most vulnerable area and a tool designed to target that part of the body can be undeniably ruthless in it's potential destructive capacity.
- Legality. Unlike handguns or knives, batons are one of the most legally accepted forms of self-defense around the world, which makes the risk for legal repercussion for carrying such a tool relatively minimal (depending on location) compared to other weapons of a similar price.
Baton Cons
- Training. As with almost all weapons, even the baton requires a slight learning curve. From being able to deploy the weapon quickly to being able to differentiate simple self-defense blows from potentially lethal blows, the user must go through a period of training to effectively wield the weapon.
- Proximity. Unlike guns, stun-guns or pepper spray, the baton is only effective in close-quarters combat. If an attacker is already within striking distance the defendant has already put themselves at considerable risk (not being able to flee or maintain a safe distance). Needless to say then, there is an element of bravery required to be effective with what is essentially a short stick.
Introduction to Variations
From the simple wooden club the baton has evolved to serve a wide variety of environment-specific and task-specific purposes.
Advances in building materials and construction methods mean there are now a dazzling, if not somewhat intimidating selection of tools available for public purchase. Below we review some of the most popular baton types, what they're best used for and the top performing models for each category.
Extendable Models
Perhaps the most common baton favored by police forces and private self-defense is the modern collapsable baton.
Originally solid wood and metal batons were preferable because the materials, usually cheap aluminum or steel, used in extendable batons weren't as reliable.
Things have changed with new alloys which are now more commonly used that allow for both a smooth collapsible action while maintaining strength under use.
The ASP Baton
ASP stands for Armament Systems and Procedures, Incorporated. They are a weapons manufacturer that provides military-grade weaponry to police forces around the world and are the most famous manufacturer of the telescoping baton.
Originally a gun manufacturer ASP turned their attention to the handcuff and telescoping baton markets in the 70's due to the popularity of their baton models which had gained a reputation for dependability amongst police officers in America.
Today they supply police forces in the U.S, U.K, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. They are so ubiquitous with policing they are simply referred to as 'ASPs'.
The ASP comes in 3 different sizes, including the standard issue 16 inch, a 21 inch and riot-control specialized 26 inch variant.
They come in a variety of customized variants, with different materials and grip styles available, however the 4140 high carbon steel is the most popular type due to its rugged dependability.
The newer 'Airweight' line is also increasing in popularity because of their light weight which is the result of the use of a light-weight alloy metal that combines both steel and aluminum.
The Airweight line seem to be favored for those who require a high degree of mobility or who have long periods of active duty.
The most popular ASP model today is the Talon line, which come in 60, 50 and 40cm variants.
All weight under 12 ounces and are street-proven by police forces around the world. Currently ASP batons are only available for purchase from ASP Inc's official website.
The Guardian
Next to the ASP the Guardian would be the second most popular baton manufacturer, favored by private security forces and self-defense professionals alike.
Made of high quality steel, retractable to fit on a belt-mounted holder, and extendable to a full 26 inches this is one serious telescoping self-defense stick.
Sure, being made of solid steel makes it a bit more heavy than some other models, weighing in at 1.2 pounds, but it also means it is extremely durable, which equates to a dependability that is reassuring for any security professional.
The Atomic Bear Tactical Self Defense Pen
The Atomic Bear is less a professional police-grade weapon and more of a purely self-defense designed tool. With a retracted length of only 5.3 inches, and an extended length of 12.2 inches this is one of the shortest yet portable batons available today.
Atomic Bear also makes a self-defense specific tungsten steel tactical pen, which while no baton can be equally if not more destructive in close-quarters combat.
The Atomic Bear Tactical Pen - Self Defence Pen and Window Breaker - Used in Police and Military Gear - Ballpoint Pens with Free Pouch and 2nd Ink..- ▶ LOOKING FOR A SERIOUS TACTICAL PEN? – The SWAT Pen by the Atomic Bear exhibits a simple and solid construction, great feeling in your hand, anti slip and great writing utensil. Has a remarkable grip that can deliver a..
- ▶ EXTRAS YOU WON'T FIND ELSEWHERE – Comes with a practical heavy duty nylon belt sheath for your EDC comfort, includes a proprietary Atomic Bear tac pen self-defense online class, LIFETIME WARRANTY a spare black ink..
- ▶ A BALLPOINT PEN THAT CAN TAKE A BEATING – Plain and simple design boasting the performance of a luxury pen combined with heavy duty military quality. Won't be chewed up by your pitbull! Won't break. Won't rust. Made of..
Built-in knurling on the grip and a pointed glass breaking tip on the handle in make the Atomic Bear an extremely pragmatic self-defense and rescue tool.
For easily stowing in a vehicle or hidden area in your home this is one of the smartest and affordable non-lethal defense solutions available today.
Non-Collapsable Sticks
While most professionals have moved to telescoping style batons there is still a time and a place for a non-telescoping or 'fixed' truncheon to do the heavy lifting that thinner and more fragile telescoping models just can't manage.
The go-to for 'getting sh*t taken care of' is the Brooklyn Crusher from Cold Steel. True to its name, the Brooklyn Crusher is pretty much a baseball bat that was designed for smashing pretty much everything except baseballs!
Sale Cold Steel Defense Baseball Bat Brooklyn Crusher (92BSS)- Sport Type: Hunting
- Nearly indestructible baseball bat, made of durable polypropylene
- Will never break, rot, crack, splinter, or fade
With a standard baseball bat size of 29 inches long and made of polypropylene the only 'tactical' element of this modern day truncheon is its black color.
There is also a 'portable' version called the Brooklyn Shorty Mini bat in case you're looking to be just slightly less conspicuous. Sure, a Louisville Slugger would work too, having been the 'working class' baton of choice for decades.
Tactical Models
Tactical batons are designed not just for self-defense but going on the offense in a wide variety of diverse and dangerous environments. These include hybrid-sticks incorporate other tactically critical components like flashlights and stun gun/electric shock functions.
Flashlight Hybrids: The Original 6D Maglite
The Maglite has been the go-to flashlight for police forces for years thanks to its dependability and powerful flash. Because of it's solid construction and hefty D-cell battery laden weight, it also makes a great de facto bludgeon.
Maglites come in a wide variety of sizes but we feel the classic 6-cell D flashlight, that is the super long bad boy, makes the most tactically advantageous combination of night-time luminosity and bone crushing battering bludgeon.
- Superior quality craftsmanship with weather-resistant seals and anodized inside and out for improved corrosion resistance
- A premium drop resistant and water resistant flashlight renowned for its quality, durability and reliability
- Advanced lighting instrument made in America and built tough enough to last a lifetime with a spare lamp safely secured in the tail cap making it suitable for camping, climbing, fishing, hunting, etc.
Oh, and because of their simple yet reliable design Maglites are pretty cost effective when compared to even dedicated defense-oriented batons. Why over-complicate things right? Plus, a Maglite can be picked up discreetly at nearly every outdoor goods store, hardware store or Wal-Mart across America.
Shock/Electric Hybrids
If you thought a baton with a built-in flash light was cool then you're about to be blown away because the following tools incorporate both a flashlight AND a stun gun into the reliable enforcing form of a baton.
The StreetWise Lightning Rod
The Lightning Rod may be small, but it packs a punch. In solid matte black this metal baton comes with a belt clip, solid grip and thick construction weighing in at over 2.6 pounds with batteries included.
Streetwise Lightning Rod 7,000,000 Stun Stick- Powerful Stun Baton: Just test firing this unit into the air is often enough to stop an attacker. As the bright electric current pulsates across the top of the unit, it creates an intimidating electric sound. An attacker with any..
- Grab Guard Stun Strips: The electric current is extended down the sides of the unit in order to shock anyone who would attempt to take it from you. Rechargeable: Recharge cord (included) plugs into a standard wall outlet to save..
- Long Reach: This is one of our longest stun batons! At 18 inches long, this baton allows you to defend yourself while keeping you at a safe distance from your attacker. Bright LED Flashlight: The LED flashlight provides a..
Blackjack Nightstick
The real party piece though is the TST or Triple Stun Technology which creates a triple-point high contact stun area at the tip of the baton (where the light shines) which makes this a truly multi-function defense tool.
The baton itself is a powerful self defense weapon, however when taking into account the ability to blind an attacker with a powerful flashlight and tase them with a stun gun as well you simply have to marvel at the one-man band what is the taser baton.
Guard Dog Security
Guard Dog Security have been a favorite for private security companies across America for years. In their 'Ultimate Defense Baton' they have engineered a true thing of beauty.
Guard Dog Security Titan Nightstick Flashlight Stun Gun - Maximum Voltage Self Defense Flashlight, Baton & Concealed Stun Gun - 260 Lumen LED Bulb –..- SELF DEFENSE STUN BATON: With 7.5 million volts and an ear-crushing noise, this nightstick flashlight is a serious stun staff that will deter potential attackers or break glass in an emergency.
- 3-IN-1 FLASHLIGHT: Delivering a blinding 260 lumens of illumination, the stun flashlight has 3 settings – High for bright illumination, battery saving Low and emergency Strobe.
- METAL BATON: Engineered from aircraft grade type III aluminum, the metal baton stun gun has a durable rubberized grip handle and glow in the dark tail cap for instant self defense.
The whole unit is covered in a robust tactical grip which eliminates slipping, even when being grasped outside of the traditional 'hand hold' grip zone. This is excellent as it means the weapon can be picked up from either end and still be effective as a self-defense tool.
In addition this unit incorporates a high power flashlight (300 lumens of white light) which provides visibility up to 500 yards, a end-cap glass breaker, and last but not least, a concealed stun gun in the tip of the unit.
The stun gun alone packs over 8 million volts of self-defense stopping power. The unit uses rechargeable batteries as well that can easily be swapped out for rotational or private patrol use.
Non-Lethal Spring Batons
While these may seem a bit anticlimactic, especially after reviewing the impressive shock/light hybrids above, the flexible, non-lethal self defense weapon is a great option for a light and portable self-defense solution for those on the go.
Non-lethal means the weapon can be deployed without the same damage-control calculations required with other potentially lethal devices.
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Additionally the whipping action generated by the flexible shaft can deliver significant pain even when used by weaker individuals.
The greatest advantage of non-lethal flexible batons is their light weight and ability to easily be concealed in everyday situations.
This is a smart option for commuters or those who already have more lethal forms of self defense but are still wanting a tamer first-resort option that won't potentially result in deaths.
Best 'Multipurpose' Self-Defense Baton?
Well, choosing the 'best self-defense baton' is a bit like choosing 'the best sports car'. There are so many options and so many models designed for very specific circumstances that reducing it down to one winner is a tough call indeed.
If we had to choose one device to use though we'd probably go with the traditional collapsible baton, preferably an ASP model if we could get our hands on one. If it's good enough for the police then it's good enough for us!
Blackjack Nightstick
What do you think? Would you take an ASP as well or is there a model or company we missed here that deserves mentioning? Let us know in the comments below what you think and we'll be happy to lend an ear!
Last update on 2020-12-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
'The man who carries a weapon intended to crush the skull of his adversary,' wrote Fred Rexer in 1978, 'is probably a lot closer to the men in bearskin breech clouts than he would like to think.' Rexer was talking about the sap or blackjack, a rounded leather shell filled with lead powder, lead shot, or a molded weight, with or without a spring steel shank to increase the tool's response on impact. While the sap is compact and simple in design, it is also remarkably powerful when used to strike a person. The author of The Brass Knuckle Bible went on to claim, 'A skinny kid can tear a person's jaw completely off his face or render an opponent dead with one blow from a blackjack.'
That was more than thirty years ago and, despite Rexer's hyperbole, there's no doubt the sap or blackjack largely fell out of favor with citizens and law enforcement alike because it was deemed too effective. Where once many police officers' uniform slacks incorporated a pocket just the right size to carry a sap, few citizens today have even heard of it (outside of novels featuring hard-boiled detectives). Those law enforcement supply companies that did produce saps no longer do, and many municipalities outlaw the possession and carry of blackjacks. Winstar blackjack dealer salary.
'Most of the companies, like Bucheimer, stopped producing saps in the mid seventies to early eighties,' explained Todd Foster, when I originally interviewed him for Tactical Knives magazine. 'I bought a cheap sap in an Army/Navy shop in 1996 and carried it for a few years before losing it. I really couldn't find one I liked to replace it.' After much trial and error, he successfully reverse-engineered his own saps.
I first interviewed Todd several years ago for Tactical Knives, but producing a subsequent review for this page proved a little challenging. That's because saps and blackjacks aren't legal in my home state — a fact that forced me to conduct my evaluation, and take my photos, in another location where it was legal to do so. I was not disappointed. These are incredibly well made saps that exhibit beautiful craftsmanship and attention to detail. These photographs do not do them justice. Foster saps are the standard by which modern saps and blackjacks should be judged.
Foster, who lives in High Point, North Carolina, has been a butcher for two decades. Over those years he has been a part-time leather worker. Since 2004, he has been producing custom leather, machine-stitched saps for law enforcement, military personnel, and private collectors.
'All my saps are hand cut from bull hide for the most part,' Foster explains, 'and hand finished and stitched on a old Tippmann sewing machine. The ‘load' or ‘frame' of the sap is solid cast lead [incorporating] a half-inch tempered steel flat spring.' The result is a superbly crafted, top-quality leather pocket club that exhibits the richness of custom leather work and a surprising heft in the palm.
Foster's soft shot-filled saps are all hand made in the United States and include his popular coin purse model. The coin purse sap is unique in that it is not heavy until filled with change, which increases its weight significantly.
The little coin purse strikes with authority and can give even the largest man pause. I first tested these for the magazine and now, years later, I can say that Todd's work (which was excellent then) has only improved with time. He continues to turn out incredibly well-crafted pieces that are executed flawlessly.
There's good reason for this. Todd stresses that his products are a labor of love. 'I make all my own molds for each model sap and cast the lead in house,' he says. 'Saps can be made with or without the flat spring. Without seems to hit a lot harder.'
Hitting, and hitting hard with very little effort, is what makes the sap so powerful. Even someone with relatively little strength in their shoulder, arm, or wrist can swing the sap with sufficient force to deal real damage when they make contact.
One very easy method for deploying the sap is to smack the flat of the tool on the opponent's temple or the side of his face. It's very easy to give someone a concussion this way. If the sap is swung with great force, it can even open lacerations using the 'edge' of the leather. While striking to the lower torso is of relatively limited value (just as punching to the gut is not as effective as punching the head), striking to the clavicle or shoulder can stop an opponent in his tracks or drive him to his knees.
There is a revival, of sorts, where interest in saps and blackjacks is concerned. Prominent among these is the Facebook group Blackjacks, Saps, and Knuckledusters. Not surprisingly, Todd's work figures prominently there.
'Saps make great tools for self defense,' Todd explains. 'Being flat, they are easy to carry in a back pocket or inside the waistband. They're basically force multipliers. You can go ‘light' on someone to soften them up to get away, or go full steam ahead. Saps work great when targeting large muscle groups for limb destruction by attacking the arms and hands.'
While saps are legal to own and collect in Foster's state of North Carolina, he points out that they are illegal to carry on your person. 'The main reason most states frown on the carry of saps is that they are very effective tools,' he says. 'Most police departments stop carrying them and went to [collapsible] batons for that reason.'
One alternative that may (I stress may) be legal where you are is the pocket stick. Also known as a kubotan or yawara (the former a brand name and the latter the Japanese term for a small dowel), the pocket stick is an extremely portable, effective impact weapon that concentrates the force of your strike into the tip of the stick.
Todd sent out a six-inch aluminum pocket stick that is as simple and elegant as it is effective. It's an aluminum rod with a metal pocket clip that is perfect for those situations in which a pocket stick sends just the right message. Fit and finish are, of course, excellent. The stick is light, handy, comfortable to hold, and authoritative in use.
If you are one of those fortunate citizens who live in an area where saps are legal to possess, do not overlook this practical, reliable, and eminently powerful weapon. Todd Foster can be reached online a www.fosterimpactdevices.com.