Pick your weapon

[Kwanjang]

Earlier tonight I was practicing with my nunchuku and Some other weapons, I was wondering what, if any MA weapon is your favorite? Please no firearms

[7starmarc]

My favorite is probably the Chinese straightsword. It is such a challenging weapon in many ways. This is, however, despite (or maybe because of) the fact that it is not exactly one of my best weapons.

[Blindside]

A single handed cut and thrust sword, like this one:
http://www.christianfletcher.com/Christian_Fletcher/Custom_Work/Pages/Venetian_Sidesword.html
:fanboy:

But a good cavalry saber or pinuti or ginunting will do in a pinch, heck a $10 machete will do in a pinch.

Not a practical modern weapon, but thats fine, if we are talking practical modern weapons, I have a glock, er glocks.

Lamont

[Brian S]

Crap, no firearms? In that case I'll choose the Bo. Second choice would be escrima sticks.

[Twin Fist]

favorite weapons....wow

ok:
chinese? the 3 sectional staff. Almost never see anyone doingit, and having tried it, i can tell you, it is HARD to learn

Japanese/oki? I love a goof chuk form, but man, the Sai is sexxy as heck

[Sukerkin]

A quick glance at my avatar tells the tale for me :D.

Besides the katana, I would love to learn the Bo, Jo and Jitte (or Sai). My sensei's favoured weapon in practical terms is the Jo as he reckons that it is relatively easy to improvise one, should you ever need to, from a handy length of pipe or wood.

[bostonbomber]

Tough to pick one, but I'd have to say butterfly knives (double broadsword being a close second).

[Cirdan]

Bo, kali sticks, machete.. good smash and chop :D

[MahaKaal]

Mine would be a Souson Patta or a Tulwar.

[MJS]

Earlier tonight I was practicing with my nunchuku and Some other weapons, I was wondering what, if any MA weapon is your favorite? Please no firearms

I'd have to pick sticks (Arnis/Kali) and a blade.

[Kwanjang]

Crap, no firearms? In that case I'll choose the Bo. Second choice would be escrima sticks.

I would second that as well!

[Catalyst]

Hapkido Cane - it's completely legal in my City/State, can be taken practically anywhere without arousing suspicion and is a very practical weapon.

My second choice would be Dan Bong (Korean Short Stick) - easily concealable and again, very practical.

Where I live, it's illegal to even posess some of the traditional MA weapons.

[MBuzzy]

Sword.....Its really my only choice though!

[Kreth]

My sensei's favoured weapon in practical terms is the Jo as he reckons that it is relatively easy to improvise one, should you ever need to, from a handy length of pipe or wood.
I like stick weapons for that exact reason.

[tshadowchaser]

My knives, followed by a stick of almost any length

[zDom]

I like escrima sticks

[Josh Oakley]

Machete, or an asp.

I keep a 14 inch Bowie machete in the house ("Ya call that a knife mate?")

I keep a spring baton at the dojo. It has most of the benefits of an asp with far fewer liabilities.

[allenjp]

Hanbo. Ummm...uhh, I mean walking stick.

[Kwanjang]

I like escrima sticks

I wonder why zDom

[Mimir]

I would have to say the sword. Katana if I have to be specific. Learning the sword is one of the things I most looked forward to about getting my blackbelt.

[Kwanjang]

I would have to say the sword. Katana if I have to be specific. Learning the sword is one of the things I most looked forward to about getting my blackbelt.

"So shall it be written...So let it be done!

[KenpoTex]

Earlier tonight I was practicing with my nunchuku and Some other weapons, I was wondering what, if any MA weapon is your favorite? Please no firearms
I fail to see how a firearm is not just as much a "martial-arts weapon" as any of the others...

oh well...guess I'll go with either a blackjack or a sap.

[Blindside]

I fail to see how a firearm is not just as much a "martial-arts weapon" as any of the others...

Yup, someone better tell those foolish Japanese soldiers and samurai that hojutsu isn't really a martial art, or better yet, that the musket isn't a martial arts weapon.

[Never_A_Reflection]

Aside from a Mosin Nagant, SPAZ 12, and Walther PPK? Katana, kama, and bo :P

[Kwanjang]

I fail to see how a firearm is not just as much a "martial-arts weapon" as any of the others...


Didn't say it wasn't. Indeed it is a martial weapon. :) the firearm pretty much trumps all others and the GUN is why the sword no longer rules.

[Langenschwert]

My two favourite weapons are the longsword: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj4Ng6DBfrg
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=lYwdE3f5fFQ
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=HC5FIyfI8TA

and the langen messer (long knife): http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=38sVdx7nzhQ&feature=related

Best regards,

-Mark

[Daniel Sullivan]

The sword is my favorite, and the one in which I have years of formal training. Can't carry it around with me, but God help anyone who breaks into my house if I'm home and in reach of it.

Favorite practical weapon, aside from fists and feet would be either the cane... or perhaps a rolled up copy of Blackbelt magazine.:D

Daniel

[Kwanjang]

The sword is my favorite, and the one in which I have years of formal training. Can't carry it around with me, but God help anyone who breaks into my house if I'm home and in reach of it.

Favorite practical weapon, aside from fists and feet would be either the cane... or perhaps a rolled up copy of Blackbelt magazine.:D

Daniel

Yeah..Thats what i'm talkin bout CT. I have a great collection of swords (all hellishly sharp) in my home. I keep a a short sword in my bedroom. You bring up a great point about practical weapons- How about jabbing someone with your car key!

[Daniel Sullivan]

That works too.:D Also, for those of us in office jobs, Rockports certainly enhance the hardness of your foot when you kick.

Daniel

[zDom]

i wonder why zdom

=)

[allenjp]

Yeah Kenpotex, I prefer a gun too. Unfortunately in my state it is impossible for me to get a permit to carry one, so if I am going to follow the law I have to exclude that one. That's why I said Hanbo (er...walking stick). I would love a Katana, but it's just not practical to carry one. So I take my walking stick, 3 inch folding pocket knife, surefire E2D defender, a short length of nylon cord, and something small that I can throw with me almost everywhere I go.

BTW, about the rockport shoes, I have to wear a suit to work everyday, which includes a necktie. If I take it off of my neck, it can be a great improvised kusari fundo...the belt makes a good one too.

[Fiendlover]

Sais all the way. :ultracool

[YoungMan]

I don't use any weapons. As a Taekwondo student, I never learned them. But if I had to pick one, it would be a katana. Probably the most aesthetically beautiful weapon ever created; and a katana master is one bad mofo.

[zDom]

If I had the opportunity to LEARN to USE a weapon it would be the katana.

[Paul-M]

So I take my walking stick, 3 inch folding pocket knife, surefire E2D defender, a short length of nylon cord, and something small that I can throw with me almost everywhere I go.

BTW, about the rockport shoes, I have to wear a suit to work everyday, which includes a necktie. If I take it off of my neck, it can be a great improvised kusari fundo...the belt makes a good one too.


Remind me not to **** with you.

[hpulley]

Carried guns aren't easy to get in Canada. I have a hunting license and long guns are good to literally bring home the bacon but they aren't useful at close range and there is too much chance of hurting innocent bystanders anyways.

Aesthetically, it is hard to beat the katana so iaido is sort of the ultimate, though it is not something you can really carry around very easily (is that a katana in your kimono or are you just happy to see me?).

From a practical standpoint I agree the bo, jo and escrima/arnis are the most practical as any branch, pipe, umbrella, cane or walking stick will do or if you happen to be carrying a small knife...

Of course most practical of all is the weapon of yourself! While I prefer weapons in many ways of course the only weapon you can guarantee you will always have is your head, fists, elbows, knees and feet. Once you pass through the security checkpoint, they are all you have, Rockports and Giorgio Armani aside ;-)

[tko4u]

kendo sticks

[Blindside]

kendo sticks

What is a kendo stick??? A shinai?

[clfsean]

If I had the opportunity to LEARN to USE a weapon it would be the katana.

Best reply I've seen here...


... opportunity to LEARN to USE ...

[Kreth]

What is a kendo stick??? A shinai?
A very deadly bamboo weapon used by professional wrestlers. Don't try this at home...



:rofl:

[BrandonLucas]

I am also a TKD student that has never been formally trained in any weapons. I have dabbled in the Bo and Escrima sticks, though, and enjoyed both very much.

As far as practicality goes, my favorite would be the Escrima, for the same reasons someone else has already listed on there that it's the easiest to be translated to a real-life situation.

Generally speaking, though, I would love to learn how to use the Katana. It is a truely beautiful weapon to me....

But I would have to insist on using the Highlander sword....the one from the series, mind you, used by Adrian Paul, not the one from the movie, used by Christopher Lambert.

[clfsean]

In reading responses here, this may need to break off to another thread or join with a previous one, but it's a question I have to ask. I'm not out to be insulting or flame baiting, but it's a question that in my mind begs to be answered & hopefully with honesty.

Why do MAists who practice a MA that does no integrated weapon training of any kind, feel the need to go "learn" something that many times from what I've seen first hand, is structurally, mechanically and functionally wrong & dangerous??

What I'm talking about & not picking on (even though it may seem so) is the "X" brand of MA that has no weapons training contained in it that the instructor goes out to a weekend seminar in FMA or buys a video on Japanese sword or Chinese stick work or... (insert your own) and then is teaching it not too soon after as "real & authentic"??

Or the guy (read "X" brand of MA that has no weapons training contained in it) has a buddy who did "Y" for a little bit & has "shown" him a few things??

Why won't people who want training in Asian weaponry just go to a school where it's taught as part of an established curriculum?? A place where the basics of the weapons are taught along aside & as a part of the basics of the hands?? Rather than the previously mentioned seminar heroes or video warriors, why not go train in what's got your interest? I can almost understand if you live in "Nowhere Montana" & have no way to leave permanently. But with the world shrinking as it is, travel more accomdating, why not train properly from scratch??

Just a question... or two.

[Daniel Sullivan]

Why won't people who want training in Asian weaponry just go to a school where it's taught as part of an established curriculum?? A place where the basics of the weapons are taught along aside & as a part of the basics of the hands??
That's what I did.:D

But most of the places that do what you describe with regards to seminars and other shortcuts simply want to add a feature to their existing curriculum to either attract new students or to keep existing ones around a little longer. Nobody outside of such schools takes them seriously, but the kids all think its cool.

Going the route that I went, starting at white belt in a weapon art and spending several years in training before teaching it, takes time, money and a lot of hard work. That usually precludes adding weapons to your literature in a timely fashion.

Daniel

[BrandonLucas]

In reading responses here, this may need to break off to another thread or join with a previous one, but it's a question I have to ask. I'm not out to be insulting or flame baiting, but it's a question that in my mind begs to be answered & hopefully with honesty.

Why do MAists who practice a MA that does no integrated weapon training of any kind, feel the need to go "learn" something that many times from what I've seen first hand, is structurally, mechanically and functionally wrong & dangerous??

What I'm talking about & not picking on (even though it may seem so) is the "X" brand of MA that has no weapons training contained in it that the instructor goes out to a weekend seminar in FMA or buys a video on Japanese sword or Chinese stick work or... (insert your own) and then is teaching it not too soon after as "real & authentic"??

Or the guy (read "X" brand of MA that has no weapons training contained in it) has a buddy who did "Y" for a little bit & has "shown" him a few things??

Why won't people who want training in Asian weaponry just go to a school where it's taught as part of an established curriculum?? A place where the basics of the weapons are taught along aside & as a part of the basics of the hands?? Rather than the previously mentioned seminar heroes or video warriors, why not go train in what's got your interest? I can almost understand if you live in "Nowhere Montana" & have no way to leave permanently. But with the world shrinking as it is, travel more accomdating, why not train properly from scratch??

Just a question... or two.

To explain this simply:

McDojoism

TKD is notorious for this. It's something I'm not proud of, but it is a pet peeve of mine when someone does not have formal training in something and thinks they can rent a few videos and start teaching the next weekend.

It's not just related to weapons, either...MMA is getting alot of this as well...there are all kinds of people out there watching youtube videos of MMA matches that think they can teach what they're seeing. They learn the lingo, and "Presto!", they're good enough to coach and teach.

I fully admit that I'm not properly trained in any sort of weapons...I was "shown a few things" like you're talking about by a guy who was formally trained, but I never completed any sort of training at all. I really just dabbled a little in it. But, I'm not about to go around trying to teach what I was shown, either.

[IcemanSK]

This may be quite unusual, but I've never cared much for MA weapons. Probably due to my lack of dexterity with my right hand. It was just nothing I enjoyed for myself. I appreciate others being able to do them well, just not for me.

[foggymorning162]

My favorite weapon would be my mind.... but I practice bo.

[tko4u]

a kendo stick is basically a escrma stick. both are basically 3/4 inch wooden rods

[Daniel Sullivan]

a kendo stick is basically a escrma stick. both are basically 3/4 inch wooden rods
Not so.

An Escrima stick is just that: a stick of solid wood.

A shinai is four strips of bamboo lashed together with a lambskin grip, a leather tie about three quarters of the way up the 'blade' and capped with a leather tip, a cord running the length of the shinai to represent the back of the blade and to hold it all together. The blade from the leather tie, or ribbon at the three quarter mark to the tip of the blade represents the cutting surface of the blade if it were an actual katana. The shaft diameter tapers from about an inch to an inch and a half at its widest point to about three quarters of an inch at the tip and pommel.

Aside from differences in technique; the shinai is used like an actual sword, a shinai is designed to flex on impact, allowing a practitioner to deliver a strike with killing force without actually killing the sparring partner. While you could use a shinai as a weapon, a jo stick or a cane would be more effective simply because it is solid.

Not being a nitpicker; just kendo geeking.:D

Daniel

[hpulley]

I train in a gojuryu, kobudo and tai chi dojo. Kobudo also includes iaido, escrima and Chinese weapons while Tai Chi includes some Chinese sword work. The head sensei is a godan not just a weekend seminar guy though we do have seminars from the higher kudan on occasion, which is a good thing. The sempais are nidan to yondan and are also full timers. I train in all three disciplines several times a week and the belts in weapons require many kata per weapon plus blocks, self defence, bunkai, sparring, etc. It is a good program and I'm glad to have found it.

[DieRegteAdriaan]

In this order: Bo, nunchaku, panga.Bo = good reach and plenty damageNunchacku = acceptable reach, hideable, easy to confuse opponentPanga = Mwahahaha

[Ninebird8]

Great question: Love both Chinese and Filipino knife techniques, love the darn dao saber, both tai chi and kung fu apps, love the staff, as it is adaptable to other applications like using a broom or other household or street appliance, spear for shoulder and waist development, and the escrima sticks because they are so darn fun, effective, and the striking possibilities are endless!! Plus, a great workout when doing them at full speed!

I have done Chinese arts for a long time, but I must say, having been married to a Filipino for 8 years before divorce, that I find their methodology of teaching weapons first, then empty hand, a very different path to take. I know the end point is the same, but I find people who do Filipino weapons first usually have a great understanding of penetration and fa jing power once they start learning empty hand methodologies. Just an interesting observation.

If I can throw one question back to the group, or a twist, if you do not mind, of the weapons to choose from besides your fave, which one in your practice do you find the most practical and adaptable to modern real world needs? I do not mean a Jackie Chan bench technique....LOL!! Just curious, as these days, keeping the no firearms rule, like I stated with the staff practice, can I make this thread two parts: favorite weapon, and one you most would want to have access in a real situation. Thanks, with honor.

[Pacificshore]

for practicality...stick and/or knife, absent firearms

for the traditional kobudo weapons...nunchuk, bo, sai because these are the ones I've had the most exposure to.

for the unique because I think they are cool and my buddy made it for me......the lei o mano club :)

[hogstooth]

1 - Nichogama (2 Kama's)
2 - Katana
3 - Sai
4 - Yari or Naginata
5 - rochin and timbe
6 - Rokushaku Bo
7 - Tuifa
8 - Suruchin (can be a nut and skull buster)
9 - Nunchaku and sanchaku have to be my least favorite of all. I used to think they were cool as a kid and couldn't wait to learn them. I think it was because I built them up in my mind because of watching Bruce Lee and found out you didn't use them the same way and it wasn't as flashy. Sanchaku is just a nut and head cracker and I admire anyone that can use them with out killing themselves.

[Darth F.Takeda]

Knives, machette ( in place of a sword) Kali sticks, 550 cord for garroeting and controlling with, a rolled up magizine.

You just dont walk down the street wit a Katana, but I can with all the above weapons or they serve to train you to use common objects.

[Kwanjang]

One of my personal favorites (weapon at hand) is My pontiac ignitoin key--it looks like an arrow head on the tip!

[BrandonLucas]

One of my personal favorites (weapon at hand) is My pontiac ignitoin key--it looks like an arrow head on the tip!


I'm willing to bet that if you combine that ignition key with the rest of the Pontiac, you'd have a very mean weapon indeed!

[Daniel Sullivan]

I'm willing to bet that if you combine that ignition key with the rest of the Pontiac, you'd have a very mean weapon indeed!
Trans Am Ryu.

Daniel

[zDom]

One of my personal favorites (weapon at hand) is My pontiac ignitoin key--it looks like an arrow head on the tip!

:rofl:

[Kreth]

Knives, machette ( in place of a sword) Kali sticks, 550 cord for garroeting and controlling with, a rolled up magizine.

You just dont walk down the street wit a Katana, but I can with all the above weapons or they serve to train you to use common objects.
I'm pretty sure the cops in my area would have a chat with someone walking down the street with a machete. :idunno:

[hogstooth]

One of my personal favorites (weapon at hand) is My pontiac ignitoin key--it looks like an arrow head on the tip!

LOL!!! That is something I hadn't thought of. Thats funny.

[chinto]

hmmm, I love the bo , but also love the kama, and so would say that they would be the weapons I would choose to take into combat if i had to go with Kobujitsu/kobudo weapons. perhaps tekko as back up?

[wrc619]

I have always had a soft spot for edged weapons, and the bo staff is a very close second.

[foggymorning162]

I'm pretty sure the cops in my area would have a chat with someone walking down the street with a machete. :idunno:

Nobody is going to question you over a concealed Pontiac:angel:

[Brandon Fisher]

Kama, Nunchaku and Tekko are my favorites. I noticed that someone combined Kobudo and Iaido by saying Iaido was part of kobudo. That is in correct Iaido and kobudo are two separate things.

[kaizasosei]

favorite weapon. Sensei said that we shouldn't have any favorites because we would die by that weapon. however, if i had to strategically choose a weapon for selfdefense purposes, i would choose a jitte or better even double sai. i feel i could defend against most anything and at the same time be able to be lethal as well as bludgen harshly yet with controll without being excessively destructive. for example, if i thought there was a burglar in the house, sai would make me most confortable. even more so than a sword, especially indoors not having that much room to maneuver with a sword.
another plus, if you have two or three sai, technically, you can throw one.

if i had to really be nasty, i would choose a relatively short blade(idealy with a shoe, book, iron bar or something in the other hand to block with). or boshuriken(esp. heavy ones), which can be almost tantamount to firearms if you can use them well.
chains are ok, but one has to know what one is up against and be really committed and they leave little room for error.

if all else fails, i'd grab a broom, rake or even an umbrella.

weapons are just an extension of the empty hand, so if the skills aren't there, the weapons would do little good and even can be used against you almost justifiably.

j

[Flying Crane]

Kobudo also includes iaido, escrima and Chinese weapons

Just to clarify, Chinese weapons are not part of Kobudo. Kobudo is Okinawan weaponry. Chinese weaponse are Chinese weapons.

[hpulley]

Just to clarify, Chinese weapons are not part of Kobudo. Kobudo is Okinawan weaponry. Chinese weaponse are Chinese weapons.

I'm sorry, I know that but wrote it incorrectly above. I often call my weapons class kobudo but it includes the teaching of kobudo weapons, iaido, kali/escrima and Chinese weapons.

That said, while Chinese weapons and Okinawan weapons are not the same there seems to have been a fair bit of exchange of knowledge between the mainland and the islands so I think they have more in common than your statement would indicate.

Sorry for the confusion...

[clfsean]

I'm sorry, I know that but wrote it incorrectly above. I often call my weapons class kobudo but it includes the teaching of kobudo weapons, iaido, kali/escrima and Chinese weapons.

That said, while Chinese weapons and Okinawan weapons are not the same there seems to have been a fair bit of exchange of knowledge between the mainland and the islands so I think they have more in common than your statement would indicate.

Sorry for the confusion...

They share a few common items (stick, sai, nunchaku {stretching badly for that on}) but just like the empty handed stuff, Okinawans didn't get everything the Chinese had to offer in training.