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Pros: Balance, Materials
Cons: None
Lightweight, easy to carry, takes some getting used to
Out of the box this baton feels very sturdy and well made.The first few attempts to deploy were very tough.I found myself wildly shaking and snapping this thing to get it to deploy.I had to hold it further in the back with my thumb and forefinger to get enough of a snap.This is not an ideal way to hold an impact device while you are trying to fling it open.The good news is that you can simply remove the top cap and adjust the tension spring that holds the baton in place.This baton is brand new and will no doubt break in over time. For now I will keep the tension spring slightly compressed to allow for a more reasonable deployment.Other reviews of the larger model mention that it can be tough to close once deployed.It's a friction lock. When you deploy the baton the slightly conical sections of metal get slammed in to a wedge and get stuck in place. That's how they work.The harder you deploy it, the tighter the sections will be wedged in place.This baton many others also has an aluminum handle, aluminum mid-section, and a steel top section. Wedging steel in to softer aluminum will make for a tight fit.That said, yeah, it can be a little tough to close sometimes, but again, it's all in your technique. You're unlikely going to close it by tapping it against your hip like the button locks, but the thing is definitely built well enough to withstand being smacked straight down against a hard surface when you're ready to close.Short summary: It's a very well made product. If you take the time to adjust the tension and work on your technique, it should serve you very well.
