Just one of those things I was wondering. As you do. Why do policemen/security guards and the like carry torches differently from the rest of us? Sort of with the palm of the hand pointing upwards. If you get what I mean. Well it is late, and I was only wondering...

Just one of those things I was wondering. As you do. Why do policemen/security guards and the like carry torches differently from the rest of us? Sort of with the palm of the hand pointing upwards. If you get what I mean. Well it is late, and I was only wondering...

So that the light from the torch is then at the holders eyeline, and quite possibly the 'enemy's' eyes.

Burgulars carry them like that too........errr apparently. :P

I think it's so the torch beam is shining from nearer the eye and hence the illuminated/shadowed items are better identified.

Nice to have that cleared up. Thanks for "enlightening" me. :)

Just one of those things I was wondering. As you do. Why do policemen/security guards and the like carry torches differently from the rest of us? Sort of with the palm of the hand pointing upwards. If you get what I mean. Well it is late, and I was only wondering...

It means cross their palms with silver, they will tell your fortune, and if you give them a bung they will look the other way.

Everybody knows that:D

I thought your question was gonna be about torches being solar powered...

Chicken Monkey x

It's because policemen and security guards carry torches primarily for the purposes of clubbing people and they get better wrist action this way. The illuminating quality is just a useful side-effect.

I think it's so the torch beam is shining from nearer the eye and hence the illuminated/shadowed items are better identified.

From experience, correct.

A torch held the other way would be held lower down and therefore create a beam not in line with the 'line of sight' of the user. Any object above waist height between the user and the 'target' would throw a shadow upwards and possibly obliterate the 'target'.

Plus, the 'target' is blinded momentarily as the beam is directed into their eyes at eye level, and the swivel effect of the wrist is freer when held this way.

I thought you were going to ask how they know exactly how bright a million candles are. So come on folks, has anyone ever lit a million candles? What was it like?

I thought you were going to ask how they know exactly how bright a million candles are. So come on folks, has anyone ever lit a million candles? What was it like?

Tried it once, but by the time I'd lit the 1174th - or was it the 1175th? - the first one had already burned down .. so I gave up.

I thought your question was gonna be about torches being solar powered...

Chicken Monkey x

.... and working very well in the dark!