There are few products on the modern photographic shop shelves that will strike fear into the hearts of evil-doers. Mind you, there's a couple of new cameras that will cause you to blench and hold your wallet tighter, but that is not quite the same thing. Here is a genuine Super-Hero product.
No, it's not that brand of cameras. I said Super-Hero. I'm talking about the ME FotoA35W monopod.
It works through the normal day as a mild-mannered camera support for a major newspaper - but when danger threatens Metropolis or Gotham City or Attadale and Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are all off on vacation the terrified citizens can call on ME Foto Man to protect them - because he has one of these monopods.
The secret is not in the leg of the monopod - that is a five-part aluminium tube with heavy twist locks and rubberised grips. Extends out to 1.5 metres at the longest to support a heavy camera and lens close to the eye. The secret is in the solid-metal knob at the top.
Collapse the smallest tube into the stack - the stick is perfect for Russian ballet mistresses to bang the rhythm out on the floor. Collapse another tube and it becomes a walking stick for Black Forest wanderers, complete with a compass in the top. One more tube and it is a handy duelling stick for encounters of honour. And when it is all snugly bedded together it becomes a knout with which to beat peasants.
If along the way you wish to attach a camera that is your own affair. It will support a device of 14 Kg. Sadly, there is no built in brandy flask or shotgun but I daresay there are silly tax laws that prevent this.
These monopods are remarkably inexpensive for the amount of good and/or damage that they might do. We recommend them to everyone.
