Hi, D. Dirt. I've only had an introduction to the FMA, so please forgive me if I'm not answering your question very well...
Seeing you live in Brooklyn, I figure the laws are pretty much anti-self-defense, so ASP batons and other dedicated weapons are probably out. Also, you mention you are interested in "pocket sticks," so unless they would be expandable, nothing will give you the reach of even a short escrima stick.
So I see fistloads, yawara-type sticks, and the "reinforced fist" concepts as being your interest here. Just gotta try out different implements and consider their legality, with a nice "cover story" being necessary with some things.
Here's what we show students in our S-D classes at OSU:
MiniMaglites, either AA or AAA. They are flashlights, no cover story needed! Same with the cheaper but extremely rugged LumiLites in AA (either hard plastic or rubber covered). Got more money and want a brighter light, get a longer sized SureFire or a Streamlight Stinger. Streamlight also has a 3 LED "batonlight" out now, but some cops might consider it more a "baton" than a "light" (?).
A one or two pound dumbbell, especially with a nice, friendly rubber coating is only a few bucks and should go anywhere you need to strengthen your "bad arm" per "doctor's orders"
. I should think these could go anywhere and they aren't too big. But they hit hard! Some of the fancy ones come with a front "guard" which you could straight punch with complete confidence, too. No chance of broken hand with that.
Keychains could be bought or fashioned: Kubotans are not legal everywhere, but maybe a fancy, decorative wooden work of art which features your name or name of favorite sports team or cultural activity in 3D block letters. Say it was a gift and has much sentimental value, etc.
Full size MagLites aren't too difficult to carry around, but may not be accepted everwhere in the daytime. I would stick with 2C through 4C to keep a better grip on them and not look too obvious.
Flutes. A traditional improvised weapon! Haven't thought about this too much, but you might check into it. I did buy a cheap recorder from a local music shop. Unfortunately, it comes apart in 3 pieces, but the longer piece is still a servicable reinforced fist. Recommmendation: learn to play a few tunes first! If you can find a good sturdy flute and can become a "beginning musician," this could be your full-sized EDC stick! I do remember someone who makes a hi-impact plastic flute designed for this purpose. If anyone knows the web address, I would appreciate it! I feel the tune thing growing in my soul!
Carpenter's pencil. Twice as thick as a regular pencil, and only about fifty cents at a hardware store. Carry it unsharpened, and you've got a nice sturdy, lightweight, squared ended yawara.
Punch II four oz. pepper spray. Don't know if there are size restrictions in N.Y., but I believe sprays are now legal there. The four oz. unit is 6.5" long, while the 2 oz. unit is 4.25" long. Both are a hand-filling 1 and 3/8" diameter. If the OC spray doesn't stop them (which it probably won't if they really want to hurt you), you still have a nice, lightweight "palmstick" with one relatively sharp-cornered end on it. The 4 oz. unit would be best, IMO. I wear my 2 oz. Punch II on my belt, slipped into a cut off piece of mountain bike inner tube. I can get to it very quickly.
I'll stop now, but you can look for other things which fit your fancy.
BTW, don't forget the big legal sticks: Crook top canes! Yep, I've been carrying a CaneMaster's standard cane much of the time.
Karl
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"Celebrate the diversity of inclusive, self-esteem nurturing, multicultural weapons arts." Karl Spaulding, The Safety Guy
