Don mentions that some think that the flashlight is not sturdy enough to deliver a massive blow. I once was one of those. After smashing coconuts (whose yield strength I measured/estimated to be somewhat less that human skull bone), I now am convinced that this type of flashlight (MagLite) is sturdy enough to deliver a massive blow to the skull. There was no damage at all to my MagLite after smashing several coconuts. I used the smaller end where the end cap reinforces the sturdiness of the edge (closed ring instead of open ring as at the lens end).<BR> <BR>