| The kubaton was developed by Takayuki Kubota, | | | | death or great bodily harm, is usually justifiable to |
| a self defense instructor for the Tokyo Police | | | | protect the commission of a forcible felony like |
| Department. It is usually 5.5 inches long and 0.56 | | | | murder, rape, robbery. |
| inch in diameter, slightly thicker or the same size | | | | It should be noted that there are other areas for |
| as a AA battery. | | | | striking in self-defense which include knuckles, |
| The kubaton Attaches with a keyring for | | | | forearms, the bridge of the nose, shins, stomach, |
| convenience and concealment in the palm of a | | | | solar plexus, spine, temple, ribs, groin and neck. |
| person's hand. The Kubotan appears to be a | | | | When you attach keys to the keyring of a |
| harmless item to an unsuspecting person, but it is | | | | kubaton, you can also use it as a flailing weapon. |
| a powerful tool and can be considered as an | | | | If you did not have a Kubaton, you could |
| offensive weapon in some jurisdictions. | | | | improvise by using an everyday item such as a |
| In essence, the kubaton is gripped in the hand and | | | | key on your key ring to accomplish the same |
| used for stabbing and pressure point attacks. It is | | | | effect; thus protecting yourself from crime. |
| also commonly used for punching vulnerable parts | | | | There are few legal restrictions in the United |
| of a subject's body like the eyes, or for gaining | | | | States on Kubatons; however, you are cautioned |
| leverage as a pain compliance weapon, on fingers, | | | | to check the local laws in your area prior to |
| wrists and joints. This is done to control a person, | | | | carrying one. |
| typically in arrest situations by law enforcement | | | | There are many other varieties of the original |
| officers. | | | | design called self defense keychain sticks (SDKS). |
| Although using a Kubaton to punch a subject in | | | | They range from aluminum alloy to spiked, |
| the eyes may sound gruesome, it is a powerful | | | | pointed, tapered ones, as well as more offensive |
| and effective way of thwarting a rape or | | | | SDKS referred to as "ninja" models that have |
| stopping an abduction. | | | | blades, spikes, or even pepper spray. |
| Keep in mind, deadly force, which is likely to cause | | | | |