The Kubotan (sometimes spelled Kubaton) or self-defense keychain, is a close-combat self-defense weapon. It is essentially a shortened Yawara, usually 5.5 - 6 inches (14 - 15.25cm) long and slightly thicker than a marker pen. Typically attached to a keyring for convenience and concealment, the kubotan appears to be an innocuous key fob to the untrained eye. Often it is carried instead of or as a complement to pepper spray, with the advantage that it does not deplete or backfire due to wind direction.

In usage it is very similar to the yawara, except that it is only long enough to protrude from one end of a closed fist. It is often touted as needing very little training to be effective.

The Kubotan mini baton is designed to be used against bony surfaces, soft tissue and nerve points. It is effective because of the temporary paralysis or extreme pain it causes. Even for those without experience in a martial art, the Kubotan provides an inexpensive and easily learned method of self defense.

The Kubotan increases the power of any strike. It is not necessary to waste time or miss an opportunity by trying to be overly precise. It's better to react naturally. Good targets are the groin, stomach, solar plexis, throat, the arm, the shin, hip bone, collarbone, ankle, and kneecap. A sharp strike to a bony part of the body will encourage an assailant to stop his attack. A harder, well placed blow can easily break bones--especially if the force of the blow is not hindered by clothing.

The most basic applications involve striking or poking vulnerable areas of the body with the Kubotan. Generally speaking, swinging strikes work better against bony surfaces while fleshy areas are more susceptible to pokes and jabs with the ends of the Kubotan. With this concept in mind, a person avoids the confusion and frustration of trying to remember specific strikes for specific targets. Instead, one simply remembers to strike bones and poke soft tissue and pressure points. Kubotan Mini Baton Attaches to Keyring for Self-defense, Silver.

There is no wrong strike. Just hit as hard as you can the closest body part. The strike does not have to be perfect. Since nerves are close to the surface of most bony parts, even a glancing blow will inflict enough pain to make your assailant think twice about continuing his attack.

You can also use the keys that you have attached to the kuboton. You can hold the Kubotan and swing the keys. Most effective when you hit the face.

The Kubotan is legal and entirely unregulated. To most people, the Kubotan is little more than a nondescript key ring. While the Kubotan is not particularly intimidating, it remains an effective self defense installment. It really can save your life.

Kubotan are highly accessible, extremely durable, effective mini baton self defense weapons. They can be used for stabilizing your fist, applying pressure to sensitive parts of an assailant's body, or gaining leverage on an assailant's wrist or fingers. A Kubotan looks just like an ordinary keyring accessory, but can be very effective defending against an attack. Available in four colors: black, red, blue or silver. and two styles blunt or bullet point.

Kubotan cannot be sold to residents of California and New York.