I am seriously contemplating either purchasing or making a couple of kubotans (one for me and one for the Mrs.). I think the Kubotan is an overlooked but effective tool that can be really handy. If I do procure a Kubotan I'll also have it on my keychain(this makes plenty sense to me).
Kubatons have some very attractive features. First, it's small and concealable. One can have it in hand but not 'brandishing' it if they feel a situation is iffy. If the iffy situation turns south it can easily and effectively be deployed rapidly. Second, it can be useful if you want to touch or move something you'd rather not touch with your hands. Those in L.E. will know what I'm talking about and is useful for checking/turning out pockets you'd rather not put your hand in. Third, even if you buy one, they're cheap. Ebay has a gazillion of them for a buck or two. Forth, they're pretty indestructible. I've had my same kubaton on my key chain for 20 years. Yeah, some of the black has worn to silver, but that just gives it character. Fifth, useful for some forms of 'come alongs' if you know how to use it. Sixth, handy window breaker in an emergency. Seventh, you'll never lose your keys with one attached, lol.
Kubaton/Yawara
I know Nitecore has a pretty solid reputation and is up there with the big dogs like Surefire and Fenix. I may have to look at their flashlights soon. But what do you think about Ultrafire and their flashlights?
I have several Ultrafire F13's. I use them when I'm in the deep woods. Generally speaking, most flashlights with XXXXfire are a lotto and different companies can make the same light to different standards. They look the same on the outside but the inside is much more important. Some with have a solid pill, some a hollow to save money. Some will have a decent driver, some not so much. Normally, one can use them as an inexpensive host to mod into a better flashlight. Each of my F13's were on sale for $9 each and I was lucky that they had solid pills, a good LED and the driver is standing up to use. Generally, they are a backup to my Trustfire A8 in the deep woods as I think the A8 is of better quality.
Overall, I have a lot of inexpensive lights to toss into the cars, backpack, by the door etc. Lots of Sipik SK68's. If I lose one or give it away I'm out maybe $2. But they're backup lights. For duty or a main line EDC I'll spend just a bit more money, but one doesn't have to spend $100 to get a quality light.
On duty I carry two, Convoy S2+ and Astrolux S1 (18650 lights). I EDC the Nitecore EA11 with the Nitecore SRT3 as my secondary go-to. The most expensive are the Nitecores but I bought the SRT3 for $25 from a buddy that received it for a review, took it out of the box for the review and then I bought it. Normally it's 3-4 times that price. The EA11 was somewhere around the $30 mark give or take. I'd put those up against much more expensive brands (where you're probably paying for the name. But that goes with anything).
So as a back up, Ultrafire has a LOT of different types of lights. It will be a lotto on the quality. Stay away from the Ebay deals that toss in the batteries and charger...they're junk usually. Nitecore makes a great charger and they're pretty inexpensive. A good lithium ion battery should give you 500 charges and hold it's juice. Stay away from the inflated mAh claims. A 14500 will have around 750mAh give or take. Same with a RCR123/16340. An 18650 between 2400-3600mAh. And a good 26650 4000-5000mAh give or take.
Stick with reputable dealers like Richard at Mountain Electronics:
LEDs
