I've asked around about this before, but since it's been a while I thought I'd try again...
A little background: in Finland the thought of a mere mortal actually defending him-/herself seems to discust local authorities to no end. Getting a carry permit for a firearm is impossible, pepper spray permits are usually not given to people who don't need to carry one as part of their job (and even then they can only carry the spray at work), stun guns and such are illegal... Telescopic batons, usually, also fall into the "illegal to carry" category - Finnish law prohibits carrying a striking weapon made of metal pipe or such.
Note the word metal... While there are those who say the spirit of the law makes telescopic batons illegal too, AFAIK there are no court rulings on the matter. They are sold as legal, that much is certain. (So while they might not be exactly legal, they aren't illegal either. Guess we won't know for sure before this matter is settled in a court of law.) And I am starting to feel it to be better to take my chances with the interpretations of the law than to go about unarmed...
The best non-metallic telescoping baton I have been able to found is a PPCT baton: http://www.finnrappel.fi/ppct.htm. Please note that the metallic tip will not be sold.
So here comes the question: does anyone have experience of this weapon? Can you perhaps tell me how durable and easy to open would you feel the baton to be without the metal tip? (I do not intend to do impact training with it, but opening & closing drills are definitely called for...)
(BTW, if you have good tips in concealing this thing (know a good holder or something like that) I won't mind if you tell me too... Like I said, while I am not planning to break the law, it's better to keep a low profile. Kinda like with pocket knives. The law says "for acceptable purposes", but would you really want to argue about it with every policeman you meet?)
A little background: in Finland the thought of a mere mortal actually defending him-/herself seems to discust local authorities to no end. Getting a carry permit for a firearm is impossible, pepper spray permits are usually not given to people who don't need to carry one as part of their job (and even then they can only carry the spray at work), stun guns and such are illegal... Telescopic batons, usually, also fall into the "illegal to carry" category - Finnish law prohibits carrying a striking weapon made of metal pipe or such.
Note the word metal... While there are those who say the spirit of the law makes telescopic batons illegal too, AFAIK there are no court rulings on the matter. They are sold as legal, that much is certain. (So while they might not be exactly legal, they aren't illegal either. Guess we won't know for sure before this matter is settled in a court of law.) And I am starting to feel it to be better to take my chances with the interpretations of the law than to go about unarmed...
The best non-metallic telescoping baton I have been able to found is a PPCT baton: http://www.finnrappel.fi/ppct.htm. Please note that the metallic tip will not be sold.
So here comes the question: does anyone have experience of this weapon? Can you perhaps tell me how durable and easy to open would you feel the baton to be without the metal tip? (I do not intend to do impact training with it, but opening & closing drills are definitely called for...)
(BTW, if you have good tips in concealing this thing (know a good holder or something like that) I won't mind if you tell me too... Like I said, while I am not planning to break the law, it's better to keep a low profile. Kinda like with pocket knives. The law says "for acceptable purposes", but would you really want to argue about it with every policeman you meet?)