Depends who you ask and where you're coming from with the question I guess. Stylistically and in terms of directly transferring what you're training on (short stick to short stick) it is the "best" in that it most closely replicates your training. I don't believe it will be the most effective however. Batons are very short weapons. It's a bit like the age old "knife combat" debates in martial arts circles. How effective are things like "tantojutsu", HEMA dagger training or whatever other system of knife combat in a situation where all you have is a knife to defend yourself ? Very often the answer is not so much. Things get messy with short weapons, knives are the same. There's very little room for "styles" and "techniques" to breath at this range. Footwork is the best style for short weapons, closely followed by simple hitting accurately and cleanly with your weapon. The former you can practice in most gyms, the latter you can practice at home with 0 formal training. Still, I feel like these guys got the right idea, kendo practicioners would do well with batons I'd expect. Fast on their feet, used to very fast exchanges and minding their distances well. It transfers well.
I have the one with the guard. Bought it primarily because it looks like a sword and the tip is sharp haha. Good to know it’s the most durable as well.
The only real problem with collapsible batons...is they can collapse at the worst possible time. Budo Brothers sell a FMA-style baton that's harder than rattan. It's harder to carry but seems better for defense.
If you meant what happens if we clash them together,the sword would get a chipped edge or break,while the Baton MAY get a small dent. But yeah a sharped edger weapon is definitely better
