Steel batons are effective in both offensive and defensive capacities. As an offensive weapon, police units are trained in using the steel baton to efficiently incapacitate a perp rather quickly. In defensive mode, these self defense weapons can block attacks against other weapons and also to counter attack with effective force. Enough force to stop a mugger, burglar, or rapist. A whack at a knee or elbow would be enough to stop most people. There are certainly other places on the anatomy that would be just as effective.