Strike bezels on flashlights tactical or gimmick?

My point is there may be a situation where the only available choice is to use what you have in hand or the only item you can reach.

Not everybody carries a BUG more less a primary gun. So, to say that whatever works for you doesn't necessarily mean it will work for others.
 
Like I said in post#32, I guess having a pseudo sharper edge on everything I own is a good thing, ...

...but strike bezels aren't the amazing fighting tool the hype makes them out to be.
 
If I have to resort to using my flashlight as a weapon things have gone very bad, I've been through my pistol and knife and I don't think I'll be cool-headed enough to remember to hit with the bezel. I'm going to be throwing wild punches & kicks or running.
 
The emphasis on choosing to access a flashlight instead of other weapon options ignores that such tools are frequently already in hand and in use at the onset of hostilities; the primary purpose of the tool being to provide light, after all. And that at that point in time, given proximity and the urgency of the moment, the light in hand is ready for action, where the other options are not.

That and the easier access often afforded by light which do not require concealment or opening vs. other weapon/tool options which do; but that's subjective tot he given person with given tools.

Oh, and in my opinion, the greatest asset the crenelations provide is the protection they afford the lense. Two lenses later, I may have to upgrade for that reason alone.
 
I think that most here are arguing the wrong point. We all mostly agree that a firearm is way better than a flashlight. As an airline pilot, I have never been stopped for having one of these in my flight kit. I guarantee you the folks at TSA will stop me for having a firearm in the airport.

These flashlights are effective as weapons when we are not allowed to have one and great as back ups when we are armed. It's just an extra tool and I believe that the more tools that we have available to us in a fight, the better we are prepared to survive the fight....

Jason
 
These flashlights are effective as weapons when we are not allowed to have one and great as back ups when we are armed. It's just an extra tool and I believe that the more tools that we have available to us in a fight, the better we are prepared to survive the fight....
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Okay, but would you rather have a nice big hefty mag light, or a tiny little light weight Surefire with a strike bezel with which to fight?
 
The maglite feels nice and hefty in the hand, but I find the handle insufficiently knurled to provide a secure one-handed grip. The bell end has no knurling whatsoever to grip, and my concern is that once blood starts to flow, a maglite will be nearly impossible to keep hold of. I much prefer a baton to a maglite for striking; though of course a baton has no ability to illuminate anything and requires an entirely separate course of action to bring to bear.
 
Okay, but would you rather have a nice big hefty mag light, or a tiny little light weight Surefire with a strike bezel with which to fight?
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That's an easy answer.

Would you rather CCW a .500 S&W that will blow the head off your assailant or CCW a tiny little XD/M&P/Glock.45ACP to fight?

Carrying a hefty Maglite around is obviously cumbersome and not user friendly. Hitting someone in the face with the weight your fist is damaging enough. The Surefire with a strike bezel would be similar to being hit with brass knuckles. On top of that, my strikes will be much, much quicker with the Surefire. Using a big hefty Mag light would provide 3 day's notice when and where it's coming from.

Care to guess how much extra in fees it is to be over weight with luggage these days? Or are you just going to carry it on your person and hope that the lady next to you is going to ask if that's a flashlight in your pocket?
 
"Okay, but would you rather have a nice big hefty mag light, or a tiny little light weight Surefire with a strike bezel with which to fight?"

It is not about what you'd like; or we'd be talking shotguns and carbines. It is about what you'll have; a reasonably sized dual-use item which can be carried virtually everywhere by everyone.

I've got one in my pocket right now. It is always there.
 
I used to bounce in a divey kind of bar and some of the other security guys got these. I didn't want one because the last thing I want to do to some hepatitis ridden alcoholic is hit him in the head with that bezel and open him up.

I guess it's better then nothing but I personally don't like the idea of encouraging people to bleed on me if I can avoid it.
 
Small flashlights are, in my opinion, best used with the same techniques as a yawara. I wouldn't rely too much on strikes with intent to cut. Rather, it's blows to key points or for pressure point application.
 
Wildalaska almost had it

if you dont think that strike bezels are effective, let me rake one across your eyes
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Apparently some purchasers of these small strike bezel lights didn’t read the fine print. The diameter of that bezel was thoroughly researched and has a definite purpose. It will fit a human eye socket. It takes practice to use it correctly. A silhouette target with improvised eyes drawn in will work.
Both the smooth and scalloped bezel will work and when driven into the socket with enough force the eyeball pops right out. Now is where the scalloped strike bezel has the advantage. With the eyeball popped out and the bezel held tightly against the skull simply twist and drag. The optic nerve and attached connective tissue falls naturally into one of the scallops and the eyeball with attached chord pulls right off the brain. Walla, The Cyclops will drop to his knees. You can put your trophy in a mustard jar full of alcohol and proudly display it on your mantle.

Obviously I think they are a gimmick
 
Best use is for when you accidentally leave the light on when you put the flashlight down standing on the front lens. Lets you see you left it on. I've occasionally run down batteries that way.

Bruce
 
Here are my thoughts on this matter...

I bought a Surefire E2D Executive Defender about a year and a half ago. It cost me $100.00 but little did I know it would pay for itself VERY soon after I bought it.
I take frequent walks in my neighborhood, sometimes at night. I always bring the flashlight with me because I like to be prepared and I clip it to my front pants pocket, bezel up. Last winter, I was out walking after dark and was jumped by two guys I passed on the sidewalk. I got a bad feeling as I approached them and put the flashlight in my hand, holding it across the inside of my palm. As I passed these guys, one suddenly turned and tried to sucker punch me in the back of the head. I was able to see it coming and ducked. I gave him a quick flash in the face with the light to blind him, which worked. I then punched him in the face with the flashlight inside my fist. The guy took about three steps back and fell down. He was out of the fight but his buddy was now trying to kick my ass. This guy managed to hit me a couple of times in the face and chest but I was lucky enough to keep it together and land a punch to his face with the light in my fist. I wasn't able to flash this guy with the light, everything happened too fast. He staggered back and prepared to hit me again. I didn't give him a chance and came down on his forehead with the strike bezel. I caught him above his left eye brow and ripped it open. He began bleeding profusely and could no longer see through the blood pouring out of his head. I didn't wait around in case they had guns or something else and took off running for home. I called the cops but the guys weren't found; the cops just found a pool of blood.
All of this happened literally in a matter of seconds and was over just as fast. Having this light gave me the means to turn the tables on these two guys and save my own ass. Hitting these guys with the light in my hand was like using brass knuckles, and I didn't break any of my fingers, which I probably would have if I used my bare hand. I am also by no means a hard ass or tough guy and this light gave me a much needed edge in a violent encounter that I otherwise wouldn't have had.
I believe the manufacturers of this light developed it for circumstances just like what happened to me, a guy out for a walk who gets jumped. It's a "just in case" tool that you hope you never have to use but are really glad you have if and when you need it. It's not something you want to carry as an ultimate self defense tool or in place of a gun. It's just something to give you an advantage over having nothing and most of all, it's indiscreet. You can take this light anywhere and it's not offensive to anyone. You can even let your kid get a hold of it and won't have to worry about them hurting themselves with it. You have to know how to use the thing to make it a weapon.
Just remember this story before you bad mouth bezel lights and their merits..
 
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