Here is a question for you all. Now that the holidays have more or less passed what do you feel would be a good martial arts "gift"? Some things to think about; price, availibilty, legality, wrapping difficulty (grin), fun, etc.




Despair Bear

A Katana. You can usually find a nice "display" type with stand for under $100 US. I've noticed in some arts, a gift of such a set is common when reaching Black Belt.

Alternativly, a nice wooden Belt Display also goes well.

:asian:

Wallscrolls and Shodo are always nice

Those bastards!
:wavey:
But www.ringside.com has kewl stuff.

Focus mitts or Thai pads. WaveMaster. I'd say a B.O.B., but they're too expensive. Shiny new gi.

Cthulhu

CASH Give a person cash so they can get what they think they need or would like best. For me cash I would have been great instead od some damned hamster playing Kung Fu Fighting as it spins a pair on nunchucks. I would have used the cash for a seminar of my choice.

I love that hamster, but I didn't get one. :(

I have that hamster, it's great! That damn thing made me laugh 'til I cried when I first got it and it still amuses me now.

The nunchucks are a perfect addition. I've already scared a dog, mystified a cat, and pissed off a parrot with that thing.

My only problem with it is that I can't figure out which Chipmunk did the voiceover.

Pierre

I would say a kung fu fan. It's easy to wrap, 100 legal, and even if it doesn't get any use, it makes a great wall display. I got one for my little sis for christmas. How you hurt someone with those things, i'll never know, though.

and gou, what's wrong with century?


:flame: :fart:

The Japanese equivalent, the Tessen, has a main body made of iron or steel. Sometimes, the ribs can also be made of iron or steel, but are usually bamboo. Don't know about the Chinese version, though.

For some examples of tessen, try:

http://www.budogu.com/

Look in the equipment section.

Cthulhu

You mean aside from the fact that most of their stuff is poorly made and the prices are far too high in comparison to other manufactures? That they're taking a small market and abusing it with their monopoly?

Nothing.

Bravo Gou, someone else that says Century is abusive to the market.

Where would you sugest that we look for our gear? There are not any decent MA supply stores where I live so on-line is really my only choise. No that I think century is the greatist company in the world but I have not seen much else out there, most of what I do find is even more $$$$$ the century.




Despair Bear

Asian World has quality products, so does IKON, there are many smaller companies that offer great stuff. There is a supplier out of this forum that I would check out if I were you.

You really have to search out and find good stuff. Century is not the end all be all. They make inferior products. (NOT ALL OF THEM) But those products are certainly usable. How many century products have you seen used in professional sports? Few if any. You're going to pay for top quality materials etc but century relly rips you for medium to low quality stuff. Heck, it might be good for you to use by yourself in your home. That's probably what it was meant for. I don't use a hobbystore tool on an industurial application.

I'm not against century. They make a tool. It's ok. NOT GREAT. But they charge far too much. I know they have to make a living but there has to be a commitment to the customer base at some point.

Well, I have to admit...

Today, I bought some escrima sticks from Century. However, I did it to support a martial arts store that just opened in my area, so it was for a good cause :)

Cthulhu

Century Martial Arts Supply
Sold Themselves Out and Here's Why-
Some Starch on the Collar
And The Almighty Dollar
Now They Can Eat ***** and Die.

If they came down in price or up in quality it'd be ok.

Bringing this ole thread back to life.. now that the Holidays are fast approaching... Every year our school has a Christmas Party with gift exchange.. usually 20 dollar or so gifts.. Fresh Ideas?

A copy of Legend Of The Drunken Master, first choice.

Second: books associated with a persons art, maybe?

For the Sensei: a chinese good luck cash cat with a waving paw.

I'm still kind've sad that my son got the hamster and I didn't!
Really I like quality products but I prefer to pick my own
training tools so it is always nice to get a check and then
spend it on something I want or need. The following suppliers
make some good equipment.

www.budogu.com (http://www.budogu.com) Their tessen is great.
www.timbathurst.net (http://www.timbathurst.net) Tombo training tools are fantastic!
www.budoweapons.com (http://www.budoweapons.com) Ed Green is extremely talented.
www.mercworx.com (http://www.mercworx.com) They make quality knives.
www.kriscutlery.com (http://www.kriscutlery.com) Great Filipino and Indonesian tools.
www.actionflex.com (http://www.actionflex.com) Good padded training sticks.

People that I have not had the chance to order from but
have come highly recommended

www.smak-sticks.com (http://www.smak-sticks.com)
www.dragonswaytrading.com (http://www.dragonswaytrading.com)

I hope this helps out for Holiday gift ideas. Good training
tools however usually cost a bunch! However they are
generally really worth it.

Brian R. VanCise

Actually the link for smak-sticks is: http://smak-sticks.com !
I do not know why the mercworx link is not working.
Good luck with your Holiday gifts!

Brian R. VanCise

Okay here it is: www.smak-stiks.com (http://www.smak-stiks.com) ! Sorry.

Brian R. VanCise

A good quality bokken (wooden katana). You can get Japanese white oak or hickory ones that will be far superior to the porous red oak ones that Century, et al. sells, for not much more. If you have a particular liking to exotic woods, and can afford it, then something like jatoba or purpleheart, would be even more heart-warming.

You can stuff a bokken into a cylindrical or rectangular poster container.

This is the bestest gift ever! I know I want one.
Other stuff, too (http://www.daydream-artisans.com/). Lottsa ears, it seems.

This is the bestest gift ever! I know I want one.
Other stuff, too (http://www.daydream-artisans.com/). Lottsa ears, it seems.

Uh...ok egg. I think you're a little cracked. ;) :p :uhyeah:

Uh...ok egg. I think you're a little cracked. ;) :p :uhyeah:
You don't recognize it, SLTL? It's Gogo Yabari's weapon from Kill Bill :)

You don't recognize it, SLTL? It's Gogo Yabari's weapon from Kill Bill :)

OMG! No, I didn't recognize it and I LOVE the Kill Bill movies! Ok, now I want one too. :supcool:

OMG! No, I didn't recognize it and I LOVE the Kill Bill movies! Ok, now I want one too. :supcool:

Is this where I say:
Uh...ok SLTL. I think you're a little cracked. ;) :p :uhyeah: ?

Is this where I say:
Uh...ok SLTL. I think you're a little cracked. ;) :p :uhyeah: ?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

:cheers:



You know what they say, eggs of feather... ;)

Hello,More uniforms ? Ok another one is, gifts certificates to a martial art catalog. about ($$$$$$$$$$) is usually good.


.................a trip to Hawaii..................Aloha

Those who study EPAK might look at some of the art work done by Ed Parker Jr.

I recently gave my instructor for his 50th birtday a print of "Five Swords" that was signed and number from Mr. Parker. I also gave myself one that hangs in my office.

My instructor has some artwork by him, and it is indeed very good work.