How realistically effective is a Kubotan in an actual self defense situation?

I was looking up self defense items and the Kubotan key chain looked appealing because it looked easy to carry around and wasn't obviously a weapon.
But in an actual situation if you were being attacked or mugged (say by multiple people even), how effective and easy would it really be to use in the hands of an untrained person without fighting skills?
Also, are there any other types of easily carried that preferably don't look like weapons?
*easily carried weapons

The Kubotan is very effective if used correctly. That takes some sen sable training by someone that knows what they are doing. It is usually carried and should be in your hands. Digging in a pocket,...etc. for it when needed is of no use. I have a problem with them for one simple reason. The Kubotan is seen so often now that everyone knows it is intended to be a weapon. You eve made the comment that it does not look like a weapon. Trust me when I tell you that 99% of the people that might attack you know what it is. Most things that can be carried easily are illegal. Personally I like a simple Yawara. It is where the idea for the kubotan came from in the beginning. My Yawara is simply a hardwood dowel that is 1/2 inches in diameter, and 6 inches long. No one is going to think that it is a weapon. Not even the police, unless they see you taking someone down with it.

Often in years past I had a collection of traditional weapons on the wall of my dojo. Things like the Bo, Jo, Yawara, Sai, Nunchaku, Oar, Katana. For some reason a common question by someone new was, "Which weapon do you consider to be the most dangerous?". My reply was always the same. I would pick up the Yawara and hand it to them. When they asked me why, I would say because it looks the most harmless.

...

Kubotan Self Defense

Kubotan Self Defense

Is it legal to carry around a Kubotan(self-defense weapon) in Canada?

The Kubotan is a fairly unassuming item save for the sharp edged ones. Maybe you could disguise it as a keychain or something. A thick pen could also serve as an improvised Kubotan (I carry one always).

Although for self-defense purposes, you could always try to carry an "I.D. knife" or my all-time favorite unassuming self-defense weapon, Padlock-and-hanky.

Kubotan Self Defense
How To Use the "Kubotan" for Realtors

Kubotan Self Defense

Could Not Find What You Are Looking For? Search Below

Tags: defense, kubaton, kubotan, kubotan self defense, kubotan self defense stick, kubotan self defense techniques, kubotan self defense video, kubotan self defense weapons, self-defense, self_defense