just like what is most popularly known as a kubotan, one key aspect of so-called "strike" bezels (sure they can be used in striking - try the clavicle, as one simple non-lethal example) is in joint-locking and subduing an opponent (e.g., yonkajo is much more effective with a hard object in the hand - even a small flashlight, than just using the side of one's knuckle to effect pressure on the radial nerve by pressing it against the radius bone near the inside of the wrist - though a small diameter light, AAA-sized is better unless one has large hands). this, of course, requires training.
the flashlight+the handgun seems to be a far more effective use of the light.
an unwieldy large, heavy flashlight (think 4+ D-cell here) would also NOT be a good choice for striking, unless you were sneaking up behind someone to attempt to cave their skull in. it does have more of an intimidation factor though. unless one is a veritable gorilla in stength, whipping about a 4-6 D-cell light will generally lack the speed of a lighter weapon (try a sinawalli with a 4-6 D-cell light - not really effective unless one were tremendously strong and even then there still is more inertia in the heavier weapon).
below is something i posted back in July in another Thread. maybe there will be one small point that is useful to at least one person interested in this area.
[my apologies, haven't read all of the prev. replies, so don't know if all of this was covered.]
A general reply to ANY who are interested in this subject. As always, this is only my opinion, and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of this Board and its Participants. YMMV (your mileage may vary).
i have some training in Philipino MA/"martial arts" (sticks, knife, empty-hand) which forms the basis of my following advice.
first off, without previous and ongoing training, use of a weapon (or empty-hands) more often than not will produce less than desirable results. training, for many and varied situations, to the point of "reflex" (non-thinking) action is what works best in most situations. the japanese call this "mu shin no shin" (loosely translated, "mind of no mind" = non-thinking, reflexive action due to thousands of repetitions/hundreds-or-thousands of hours of training). without proper training, things may *NOT* turn out "Hollywood", i.e., going well for the "good guy" - you'll be disarmed yourself and possibly beaten with your own weapon. Even with proper training, things may NOT turn out quite as expected!!!
if you're going to sneak up behind someone and hit them over the head, then i'd say go with the 6D Mag and cave their skull in (just hope that they don't move before you get that behemoth of flashlight to impact its intended target). however, be willing to accept the moral and legal consequences of this action though. one will have to give an account - both in time and in eternity!
for other possible situations, unless you're a veritable gorilla, the 6D weighs way too much (52oz or so with batts, if i recall correctly) to be easily swung, stopped, change direction, or perform multiple strikes should the first miss, be parried, or blocked (unless the blocking is done with an arm = broken arm, in which case, as Bill Paxton says in "Alien 2", "Game over, man!").
you're not defending against slow moving, plate-mail armored medieval european knights here. calm, know-how, training, and speed will win out in the situations you might(???) be envisioning.
Remember you have a blindingly bright flashlight - perhaps that should be the first response, i.e., blind 'em & run.
however, if additional response is justified by a particular situation:
go for something lighter that can be whipped about quickly. THINK! THINK! THINK! about a LEO's baton.
the first blow does not need to kill (the Samurai's ideal of "to kill with one cut" is NOT necessarily applicable here), simply disarm the knife hand, for instance ("defang the serpent and it is helpless" aka "gunting" aka destruction-technique ), or incapacitate a hand or arm (or knee/shin/leg - a hand/arm can't normally parry/block that low, for that matter --- years ago, when on SP duty, this was a favorite target of mine, i.e, hand [if a knife was being wielded] or knee/shin - ended things quickly without too much damage to the attacker).
then, if you are able, you can run away from the altercation and contact the proper law enforcement authorities, before you're reported yourself for assault and battery. it's amazing how invisible "witnesses" can pop up in a false police report.
better to just give 'em your money if that's what they're after. CONTINUED attempted personal injury, however, should be defended against, IMO. "one and done" - be a bigger man and don't retailiate (even if you are still able to retailiate and not unconscious), IMO. give 'em one freebie, IMO, then go and fill out a police report against them. Let the law enforcement professionals, and the legal system, do their job in your defense
Don't respond violently to violence. If the threat/attack has ended and additional assault is not threatened, retaliation at that point is NOT self-defense, or using justified force, it, in and of itself, also becomes an act of violence. that IS how the LAW WILL view it!!!
Please remember, there's a difference between "using force" and "violence". THINK! THINK! THINK! on that difference, so that any response, might be a measured response - appropriate for that particular situation. Also, know that the law gives LEO's much more latitude in these situations (it's their job; i have some law enforcement in the family) than it gives the average "Joe Q. Citizen". "Self-Defense" is a very fine line that you don't want to inadvertently cross in "heat of the moment".
something light enough to whip about quickly, yet heavy enough to hurt (more than "sting") is what you're looking for, IMO. what this might be will vary for each individual based upon their level of strength, skill, and training.
Another wiser than i has given, what IMO is, the BEST advice:
"Avoid rather than check.
"Check rather than harm.
"Harm rather than maim.
"Maim rather than kill.
"For every life is precious,
neither can any be replaced."
- Master Po (,the blind "Sifu"/"Shifu", to young Kwai Chang Kane [aka "grasshopper"] in the original "Kung Fu" TV series)
Addendum: Regarding the above Post, do as Bruce Lee used to say, "absorb what is useful; discard the rest".
