I hear d of Transit Policeman in NYC using Axe handles as substitutes for batons

[Francisp]

Someone told me that they knew Transit Policeman (That Department no longer exists) that carried Axe handles instead of their night sticks on patrol (they patroled alone). Is an Axe handle a better weapon than a Night stick?

 

[Kalindras]

Hey, five thousand Klansmen can't ALL be wrong...

Unless you count belief structures, or colour choices in costuming. I mean, white after Labour Day?!? How GAUCHE!!!

But seriously, I'd guess maybe you'd have an advantage, due to the extra length. Extra leverage on a swing, more speed, more ability to keep an assailant at distance. On the other hand, it's hard to hang off a Sam Brown...

Kal

 

[Melvin-Purvis]

...laughing with ya, but 'swear ta gawd', 15 years ago, when I was 'young and dumb', I'd taken to carrying a Hickory axe handle in my lifted F-250, and had 'hardened' it slow-fire over many, many bonfire's...the damn thing was dense!

I ended up cracking it over Bruce Brown's rare CS Beemer...what a shame. (The handle that is, there wasn't much of the Beemer left when I was done)

Mel

 

[DancesWithKnives]

For me, it would depend upon the dimensions of the baton and what you are used to training with. Most of my experience has been with Eskrima sticks in the 24-30" range, so a baton in that size range feels just right. However, the head of our academy had us make some practice swords by shaping the heads of axe handles. The fact that the shaft is not round forces you to pay more attention to the orientation of the "edge" and simulates sword training a little better than a round stick.

Another thing to consider is the weight. Your technique with a longer, heavier axe handle has to be a bit different than with a shorter, lighter, and faster baton.

One of my favorite impact weapons is the 26" ASP airweight collapsible baton. Quick and devastating. I also like Newt Livesay's 30" WA-1 (Whoop Ass-1) stick. It's like a synthetic version of an African sjambok and costs only about $10.

 

[Francisp]

ASP's and all other batons are illegal in NY state. Why? I don't know why they would ban a less than lethal weapon. I'm surprised they don't prefer that people carry those. They only legalized OC, and Mace here in 1996. It was illegal before that! Oh, yeah, someone's going to go on massacring with Pepper Spray. Sometimes NY state makes me want to puke! UGH.

 

[Bladeandbarrel]

My father is a retired NYC Transit Cop.
They were affectionately known as "Tunnel rats" by the NYPD.
I wouldn't do that job for any amount of money.

And the answer to your question is Yes.
My dad still has his axe handle somewhere. It looks like a double-bit handle (symmetrical) and has grooves cut in it. It was ll the rage during the race riots of the 60's and 70's.

The issue nights sticks were broken on many occasion, hence the use of the hickory axe handle.

 

[Francisp]

Give your father my best regards. Ask him if he remembers being called a "Cave Cop" as so many NYPD cops called them. Transit even though defunct remains my all time favorite Police Department.