The most common are the star, tulip, and basic round tips. The baton should be one inch longer from tip to tip than the distance between the user's armpit and the tip of the user's middle finger. For example, if the user has a arm length of 30 inches, then the baton should be 31 inches long. There are three main types of batons: star, tulip, and round. A star baton has five or more sharp points on one end and a flat surface on the other. They are used for striking objects such as doors or windows to create noise to attract attention or to break them open. Star batons are commonly made out of metal but they can also be made out of wood or plastic. Star batons are useful in creating loud noises to call for help or to distract an attacker. Tulips have several small points that are less than 1/4 inch in length. They are used for stabbing or poking objects like doorbells, buttons, or lights to make them work. Tulips are commonly made out of metal but they can also be made out of wood or plastic. Tulip batons are useful for making small holes in objects to test for opens or leaks. Round batons have no pointed edges but rather a smooth surface across their entire body.