I agree that a firearm is the most effective. In fact I regularly carry a .45 auto. Sometimes, though, it is not possible to carry a gun. A knife is the easiest, lightest and one of the most difficult to defend against. A baton is fairly easy to defend against as the dangerous part of the baton is the tip. One can easily get around this and then the knife is the best at this range to quickly end the life threatening situation. The Karambit is one of the most versatile defense knives as the attacker may think he is safe from the knife because he stopped it short of its mark and then the defender can flip it over the finger and gain a pulling hook at an extra 6 inches.
Another benefit is that some cannot afford a gun. And some batons range over $200. The Mantis MK-3 is well under those prices.
Another benefit is that some cannot afford a gun. And some batons range over $200. The Mantis MK-3 is well under those prices.