Strike bezels on flashlights tactical or gimmick?

If I ever go back to flash lights I will get a bezel like on them Borealis as I think it would be nice to stand the light on the head letting some light out the holes. I would also like an offering similar to a shortened shade on a scope to keep the lens free of scratches from briars etc. I never plan to strike with a light. That is what my big dogs are for... they bark here and bite over there...
Brent
 
"If you carry the flashlight in your pocket, wouldn't you carry it handle up for easy access so that snagging isn't an issue. I believe that this is what onthejon was referring to. I don't see much of a point in trying to carry with the bezels up, because then you have to try to negotiate that with your hand."

Many lights are designed to clip bezel-up into pants pockets. My Surefire E2E is one of them. It is always there and always accessible; to the point that it practically appears in hand on demand.

As to the effectiveness of deploying them as improvised weapons, again, I've done so and the desired effect was achieved. Some times good enough is what it is.
 
The E2Defender has a "strike bezel" on the front for self-defense. As far as I can see, the "strike bezel" seems to make the flashlight twice as expensive.
Can you really use this thing as a tactical tool or is it just a gimmick to make the flashlight more expensive?
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Tactical tool? Depends on how you look at it.

My opinion is a resounding "Yes". The thinking is your adding more concentrated force on a smaller area compared to a normal bezel. This may be negligible to some, but I think a strike to the face with one will be more convincing....not that I want to be struck with a normal bezel....

The problem I see is that people view a flashlight as a viable secondary defensive tool. Then, it gets evaluated as such with criticism when a manufacturer has an idea that might give a victim an edge on some form. If it costs an "x" amount that some may see wrong, then I say don't buy it. If I were a business man, I would charge as much as I can on my product if sales were there. It's called Economics 101. It doesn't make it a gimmick.

My wife uses the E2D Defender and I was willing to be the sucker that payed up a few bucks. I have no regrets now. I definitely won't regret it if God forbid she somehow has to effecively use it on an assailant.
 
Let me get the purpose of the E2D straight.

I think this flashlight is supposed to be used as a last resort close quarters weapon. For example, your a police officer and searching a close quarters dark area with your E2D. Someone jumps out at you and the only weapon you have in your hand is the flashlight. You take the flashlight and hit the guy in the face allowing you enough time to back quickly away and draw your pistol.

I dont believe this flashlight is designed as say a primary defense tool.

I believe its designed for when you are searching and scoping an area where someone jumps out at you in surprise. However, I would sure like something that weighs a little more then 3.9 ounces.
 
As a High School coach I carry one all the time. No problem having them in school and I have to go to the parking light at o-dark thirty iften.
 
I think Threefeathers hit of something very important. It is the one thing that you can carry just about anywhere (other than a pen) that you can use as a weapon that has some heft to it.
 
Steve Tarani used to teach defensive fighting with the strike bezels for the Surefire Institute.

Shown here delivering a carotic strike:

SteveTarani.jpg


A number of strike bezels are available as aftermarket items:

tad-tic3_300x300.jpg


And Surefire was a hit with their limited edition "Porcupine model"

L6Porcupine043small.jpg


And the Borealis have two optional bezels in stainless steel, a tall, heavy one with glow dots and a low profile with rounded crenellated.

highcrenebezel.jpg



S5300040lowprofilessbezel.jpg


Best regards
Black Bear
 
The E2Defender has a "strike bezel" on the front for self-defense. As far as I can see, the "strike bezel" seems to make the flashlight twice as expensive.
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From looking at the price list on their site, it looks like the increase in price is associated with the LED vs the "old" Incandesant. Not much difference between bezzel vs non bezzel LED's. That's Crannelated Bezzel to you laymen.:D


http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/max_segment_listing/disp/strfnbr/6/sesent/00

A word of caution: A friend reported serious clothing damage when he carried his in a coat pocket, over time (and not much, at that) rather than in a pouch on his belt.
 
I believe its designed for when you are searching and scoping an area where someone jumps out at you in surprise. However, I would sure like something that weighs a little more then 3.9 ounces.
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I think we're making things more complicated than they need to be. The bezel is rather sharp and serves the purpose of an edged weapon when used as such. Or it could be used to jab. It doesn't need to be heavy, that's why it has the bezel. Properly applied, it could very well buy you time to draw your pistol as a last resort, or get your tail out of there.
 
Properly applied, it could very well buy you time to draw your pistol as a last resort, or get your tail out of there.
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Of course, I first need time to draw my strike bezel flashlight, properly apply it in order to draw my pistol...:rolleyes:

I guess having a pseudo sharper edge on everything I own is a good thing, although everything with a sharp edge like that when marketed is marketed as some sort of super fighting tool. I really liked the image above to the carotid strike with the Surefire light. The 'carotid strike' always sounds really cool and with the Surefire, you can really make it possible...or so it would appear. I have seen this demonstrated with a variety of weapons ranging from car keys to credit cards, knifes, sticks, kubatons, and ball point pens.

From what I have seen, those most apt to be able to really apply such technology in the cool ninja-like manners often dramatically illustrated are those who already have considerable martial arts training, such as Steve Tarani. Is there anything that man can't use as a weapon?

I mean, come on, these bezels have been around for how long...and how many reports have we seen about their real world use in self defense?

Yes, I have one, too. With the incandescent and xenon bulbs, I just thought of it as a nice heated ice scraper...a tactical option not often readily reported and now no longer in favor because the LED units don't get hot enough to be helpful.
 
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Properly applied, it could very well buy you time to draw your pistol as a last resort, or get your tail out of there.
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Of course, I first need time to draw my strike bezel flashlight, properly apply it in order to draw my pistol...
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You know, Double Naught, I would have figured, with you knowing everything and all:rolleyes:, that the prudence of having your light already in hand (in certain places) would be obvious. Especially since walking around with a gun in your hand seldom would be (prudent).

And just as obvious that drawing a gun might not be justified in some instances where using the light would suffice within the perameters of the law.

Yes, I have one, too. With the incandescent and xenon bulbs, I just thought of it as a nice heated ice scraper...a tactical option not often readily reported and now no longer in favor because the LED units don't get hot enough to be helpful.
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HUH? Oh right.:rolleyes: How'd that work scraping the ice off your windshield with the worlds best permanent glass etcher? LOL Hey, not to worry with the LED being less hot. Just apply more pressure when you scrape.:D You can even etch your name right on there, too. (in case your car is stolen).

LOL- I owe you one, Double Naught, I was getting bored. Thanks for the laughs! Ah, Jeez, where's my sedatives?
 
I bought one for my wife last year, for this time of year (fall/winter), as it gets dark before she has to walk to her car. I taught her how to carry it and use it. If confronted use the blinding light to temporarily stun, then strike - in the face - while stunned. Kick the 'privates' a couple times, run, then call the police and tell them to look for the guy with the bloody face walking funny.

Obviously, it wouldn't go down like that, but you get my point - bevels are better. To address the initial question, I believe it is a 'gimmick' because of the extra cost, but not for the potential operational capabilities.
 
To address the initial question, I believe it is a 'gimmick' because of the extra cost, but not for the potential operational capabilities.
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That actually makes good sense.

Me, I just figured Surefire started really hyping the strike bezel when it became apparent that their pre strike bezel claims of the light (brightness) being a weapon wasn't holding up too well in real life applications and after you had schools like Thunder Ranch (where I first heard this) noting during low light instruction that "A flashlight is not a death ray and should not be considered as a weapon. Bad guys don't stop their attack and grab their eyes just because you flashed them with a bright light as shown in the ads from certain companies." {paraphrased from memory}
 
If I was carrying around a flashlight in a parking lot with a sharp edge to it and its obvious design is not to just illuminate, can I get charged with some type of offense?

Im certain the police in my community wouldnt just let by any guy carrying a long mag light with a modified sharp edged bezel. At least, I hope they would give some scrutinity to some guy walking around the neighborhood with a tool like that...
 
Double Naught Spy said:
Of course, I first need time to draw my strike bezel flashlight, properly apply it in order to draw my pistol...:rolleyes:
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Ever considered that you might have one hand tied up by your assailant and the other isn't able to draw your gun but you could your flashlight?
 
I have both the E2D and E2E; as far as I can remember they were similarly priced. The advantage of the E2D is that it's less scary-looking and thus more likely to make it through Customs if you're in, say, Britain over the summer, as I was this year.

It never occurred to me to use the E2E as a striking weapon. I always figured it was more of a last-ditch way to get a person's hands off you. Try twisting it fairly lightly on the back of your hand (don't do it on your face, but imagine it). It hurts, doesn't it? Now think what you'd do with your hand if someone really cranked on it with the bezel. You'd probably let go of whatever you were holding.

I guess it does seem mostly like a gimmick, but if the price is the same and you don't need a non-scary flashlight, why not?
 
Ever considered that you might have one hand tied up by your assailant and the other isn't able to draw your gun but you could your flashlight?
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If I can draw my flashlight, then I can draw my CRKT knife or my BUG. All three are weak side carry. Of the three, the flashlight is the one I want least for fighting.
 
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