History
The origins of the Baton in police work can be traced back to London in the 1800’s. Referred to back then as a Truncheon or Billy club, it served as a symbol of Police authority. Today the Baton still serves as a symbol of authority, as well as a primary weapon to police officers and security personnel globally.
Through the years, and thanks to the advent of modern materials and manufacturing, the Baton has evolved into several hi-tech incarnations. However, the traditional wood Baton still serves a select group of officers who prefer the weight distribution and impact of a ‘straight stick’ to some of the newly designed steel and aluminum options.
Why Cocobolo?
When I first considered making Batons, my goal was to use a wood that is hard, dense, somewhat resilient to moisture exposure, and a better alternative to standard issued Hickory. After exploring several options, I opted for Cocobolo; an exotic wood that fits all of the above criteria, and is visually stunning when finished.
In addition to Cocobolo, I also offer Batons made of Bocote, and Granadillo, (based on availability). If you’re looking for an exotic wood that I haven’t listed, please contact me and I’ll let you know about price and availability.
Made in the U.S.A.
10-8 Woodworks Batons are not mass produced and are never outsourced. I handcraft each Baton, made to order, in my shop located in Southern California. Orders usually take 2-4 weeks to complete and can be shipped anywhere within the United States.
Batons are suitable for field use, ceremonial, and retirement gifts, and are available in 24”, 26”, and 28” lengths. Longer Batons are available for special order, upon request.
Please note, these Batons are for law enforcement only. Orders will only be taken over the phone and require law enforcement identification. No exceptions.
Available customizations:
- Chiseled handle
- Custom laser engraving now available, starting at $20
On duty: your safety and peace of mind matter.
I know from experience that your safety and peace of mind are a high priority, so I personally inspect and test every Baton I make. If the finished product isn’t something I wouldn’t personally use in the field, I won’t ship it.
Baton pricing starts at $150
To place your custom order, please contact me via the contact page.
Environmental Consciousness
As of June 2013, Cocobolo (Scientific name: Dalbergia retusa) is now on the CITES Appendix II list of protected wood species. What does this mean? Simply stated, it means there are tighter governmental restrictions on the importing of Cocobolo, resulting in higher prices and limited availability.
I’m committed to working with only reputable suppliers who are aware of and adhere to the regulations set forth by CITES. This ensures that all 10-8 Woodworks products are crafted from materials that are socially compliant, visually stunning, and structurally reliable.
For more detail about restricted and endangered wood species, click here: http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/restricted-and-endangered-wood-species/
To view the CITES appendices listings click here: http://cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php