Should you conform to your weapon, or should your weapon be conformed to you?
Original Poster: BLACK PANTA
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 29-09-2007, 08:50

Orginal Post: BLACK PANTA: As martial artists we spend countless hours practicing and developing our skills at specific weapons. Swords, knives, sticks etc etc. We learn how to use these weapons efficiently and skillfully. There are those that wield these weapons with great mastery, however they have put in decades of time, effort and sacrifice into honing their skill. When they were/are on the battlefield they are confident, precise and sure of every strike they make. However there are those that may never become proficient, at best they may only have a basic grasp of the art. This could be because they are intimidated by the weapon, they may find the weapon awkward, or simply they may find it to complicated. It could also be said that, they don't have the time or patience to learn and master the weapon.
Now some weapons came about by people finding objects/tools and learning to make them lethal,eg, Sai, Kama etc. But still they had to conform to the shape and create a use for the object/tool.
A view that I have is that it would be easier and more efficient if we make weapons to conform to us, instead of us conforming to the weapon. Make the weapon more ergonomic, in a sense. If weapons were made to compliment our bodies and conform to our abilities, then in theory, it would make the one wielding it more comfortable. Thus making the user more proficient and efficient. Instead of struggling to make our bodies move in a certain way, one can create a weapon that conform to it's users natural movements.

Why practice obsolete weapons?
Original Poster: bamboo
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 07-05-2007, 14:40

Orginal Post: bamboo: I train my sword work more than any other aspect of MAs, and the queston sometimes comes up as to "why" amongst my small circle of friends.

Building perception, and the ability to read a situation and people around you is a much negelcted yet enormously important aspect of studying martial arts, at least in my humble opinion.
The art of awareness, posture, breathing, the ability to keep calm under pressure, the art of seeing movement from the very moment it begins, the mindset of direct entry without hesitation regardless of the outcome.

I know that without the physical skillset you cannot call yourself a martial artist, I just think too much emphasis is put on physical skills without much training in the so called "internal aspects" (I'm not talking about "chi, ki, prajna" or whatever mystical activities some people play with). Working with the sword has given that. Not just cutting and footwork but actual sparring using leather bound shinai ( yes they sting like hell when you get hit by them).

There are of course many vehicles to gaining the attrributes I so covet but thought I would mention one that is often over looked. Its also fun as hell.

Well, enough of this, I need more newaza practice, I may be calm and know how to breath, but the ground aspect of my "game" is sorely lacking, back to the physical. :lol:

-bamboo

Dadao (Chinese War Sword): Looking for techniques!
Original Poster: DragonEmperor
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 15-04-2007, 15:22

Orginal Post: DragonEmperor: I understand this has been posted before. That conversation however, seemed to turn into a flame war. :shock: Thus, I will not comment on which is better between the many methods of asian swordmaking, fighting styles, etc.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. That's cool with me, because I have no personal bias.

So then, here's the question. Does anyone, anywhere on this site, have any sort of videos as to how this huge blade is used? I mean forms, practical application, anything. It's mostly for reasearch, by the way.

Weapons training
Original Poster: Iron Knuckles
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 08-03-2007, 08:53

Orginal Post: Iron Knuckles: This kind of goes along with a previous thread, but it seems to have been fouled up in a way...

How many of you incorporate firearms training into your regularly scheduled training routine? By firearms training, I don't just mean disarms and such, but actually going to the range or practicing drawing techniques and marksmanship the like? I'm afraid this might not include our friends in the UK and countries with strict gun control, but do any of you carry and practice with guns? If so, what drills do you do and do you have a group that you train with or do you practice by yourself?

Choosing a Knife
Original Poster: Iron Knuckles
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 09-11-2006, 14:17

Orginal Post: Iron Knuckles: I suppose this is as good a place as any to put this.

I very recently lost my favorite knife... It was a smith and wesson S.W.A.T. ( I think I lost it on the beach somewhere, no chance of recovery :cry: ) I'm in the market for a new folder and I'm seriously considering just getting the exact same knife. But I want to examine my options. I was looking at some Ka-bars that look pretty nifty, but having never owned one I'm still not sure. I want something practical and tactical, with a pricetag under $150. Any suggestions?

sword camp
Original Poster: xiang
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 30-10-2006, 06:35

Orginal Post: xiang: Good day,

May name is Tashi James, I am a representative of Scott Rodell here in
Australia, our international site can be found at www.grtc.org.

We run training camps in Yangjia Michuan Taijiquan and Historical Chinese
Swordsmmanship. Along with regular training in Form, Martial Applications,
Tuishou {push hands} and Chinese Swordsmanship.

Currently we have a chinese swordsmanship camp, set for the 9th-14th,
January 2007. More information can be found on out Australian site at
www.grtc.org.au

We would greatly appreciate it if you could add these details to your site
as an event listing. Please don't hesitate to contact myself or Linda
Heenan with any enquiries you may have; Via email or on 0424 941 650..

Kind Regards,
Tashi James

--
Where the spirit does not work with the hand there is no art. *Leonardo DaVinci*

History of Swords
Original Poster: WordRider
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 24-10-2006, 11:22

Orginal Post: WordRider: Swords are have been made famous by many swordsmen past and present. Which?

10 things to concider b4 buying a sword
Original Poster: BLACK PANTA
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 16-10-2006, 02:52

Orginal Post: BLACK PANTA: http://www.bugei.com/tenthings.html

from Bugei.com

Chinese war sword
Original Poster: Tatsukage
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 11-10-2006, 09:46

Orginal Post: Tatsukage: I've recently aquired a "chinese war sword". Sorry, but I'm not familiar with the formal name. Anywho, I was wondering if there is a "proper" way to use this weapon. I thought it might be the same as the classic chinese broadsword, but the balance is different, since it seems to be a hand-and-a-half kind of sword. The blade seems too short to use two handed though. Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?

Weapons You'll Find On The Street
Original Poster: vladimir
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 09-10-2006, 15:35

Orginal Post: vladimir: What weapons or tools or things that people carry around with the intention of using it as a weapon, add to the list:

-switch blades
-black jacks
-bike chains
-knuckle dusters
-crow bars
-chains
-baseball bats
-butterfly knives
-extendable batons
-firearms
-mace
-pepper spray
-air tasers
-gravity knives
-kubatons
-hammers
-nunchaku
-gloves with steel shot knuckles
-pen knives
-pocket knives
-Stun Gun

Do You Consider Firearms Training A Martial Arts?
Original Poster: vladimir
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 09-10-2006, 12:11

Orginal Post: vladimir: Do you consider if so, why and if not, why. After reading a post by another member of this board I started a discussion among several friends most of whom considered firearms to not be part of Martial Arts, so I wanted to see what people on this board thought and their reasons for it.

New with weopons
Original Poster: WindClaw
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 06-10-2006, 18:59

Orginal Post: WindClaw: I am a martial artist, trained for 2 1/2- 3 years.
I have no money to spend on staffs, should I use a broom stick or something?

Collapsible Baton Brands
Original Poster: 8LimbsScientist
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 06-10-2006, 14:27

Orginal Post: 8LimbsScientist: I'm looking for good brands for collapsible batons that will still be affordable. I'd like to keep it in my car or on my person in certain situations for self defense purposes.

I would go with ASP, but they are pretty expensive. Are there cheaper alternatives that serve the same purpose, or is this an instance where you need to spend the money to get quality?

Senior Black Belt Competitor Needs Advice
Original Poster: cleung
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 06-10-2006, 14:08

Orginal Post: cleung: I have been competing in the senior (40-49) BB weapons division and need some advice. I do both bo staff and three section staff which are two completely different weapons styles. The present forms for each weapon are on video at both the Google video and YouTube video websites. Just do a search with 'clint bo staff' and 'clint three section staff' which will access these videos. Since my senior weapons divisions are mixed styles, I can and have done both weapons in competition with no clear cut answer on which is better. I would like to get some constructive comments on my weapons forms if possible;

1) which form is better, i.e., which would you score higher in competition?
2) as I am a senior competitor, I will not be able to do any extreme techniques so what else can I work on to improve these forms based on the video footage?

Feedback is greatly appreciated!

Thanks

--------------------
Clint

Comparing and Contrasting Sword Arts
Original Poster: Sirc
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 06-10-2006, 13:18

Orginal Post: Sirc: The only sword arts I have personal affliation with are:

-Kendo
-Kenjitsu
-Fencing
-Tai Chi sword

I've always wondered if I could go back in time and pull the "best" of these arts out and throw them in a fight to the death match who would win. I have no real bias towards any of them.

After some consideration I've come to the realization that I don't know who really would come out on top. I really wish I could find someone who still was a practioner of the English broadsword fighting style and compare it to the other more prevalent arts of the sword.

But if I was forced to choose, I would have to give my money to the Kenjitsu guys. Brutal motherfuggers, they are.

Kendo has speed, but not practical applicability. Fencing is scary fast, but far to linear and poised on form. Tai Chi practioners of the sword are scary good with technique, and I'd say it'd be a tossup, and I'd give my money to the kenjitsu guys, if anything because of the superior sword design.

Any thoughts? Comments? Corrections?

Tieing Sword/Knife Handles
Original Poster: PunchDrunk
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 06-10-2006, 11:36

Orginal Post: PunchDrunk: I've got a video on how to paracord wrap a knife, but I'd like to do some japanese style handles. Does anybody have a good resource for how to tie Japanese sword handles? I've seen what Steve Corkum does with his knives, and I'd like to do something similar on some of mine.

http://www.bladeart.com/artists/steve_corkum/steve_corkum.htm

Chinese vs. Japanese Swords
Original Poster: PunchDrunk
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 06-10-2006, 11:30

Orginal Post: PunchDrunk: I'm curious about the difference in Chinese vs. Japanese swords. Typically Chinese swords fall into the Darn-Dao (pardon my spelling) and Gim swords, while the Japanese are known for the Katana and companion sword.

I've heard of people referring to a Katana as a "three foot razor blade" referencing the fact that the swordman fights with the edge rather than the point. The Gim and Darn-Dao seem to use the points a bit more.

Far from "who's sword is better", I'm curious to know if anyone has worked with these weapons, what traits of each sword (and associated styles) would give an opponent the most diffaculty.

Sword accidents
Original Poster: bamboo
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 06-10-2006, 08:24

Orginal Post: bamboo: http://www.tsuki-kage.com/darwin.html

You can never be too safe.

Japanese Swords
Original Poster: Iron Knuckles
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 06-10-2006, 08:09

Orginal Post: Iron Knuckles: I'm fascinated by Japanese swords and would really like to learn more about the different parts, forging techniques, and their history as well. Can anyone recommend some informative books or websites on the subject?

Swords on Ebay
Original Poster: ShaolinAssassin
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 06-10-2006, 08:05

Orginal Post: ShaolinAssassin: Anyone buy swords from ebay? They are extremly cheap. Most of them are about £1 (but p&p is a lot) If someone has bought from ebay id love to know how reliable they are and if you have to go through any testing, I.D Etc, etc.

Learning nunchaku myself
Original Poster: dtrip-fightauthority
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 26-09-2006, 18:27

Orginal Post: dtrip-fightauthority: Hello,


I decided and ordered two nunchakus to a nearby carpenter
(an online shop had them 20 Euros each, gee that was expensive !)

Now, Im 32 yo, have practiced nunchakus before, and know how to
take it slowly. Its just my past-time until I take up TKD again in
September.

Maybe you could help me out, with a few things:

1. The longer the cord is, the smoother and easier it seems to handle
the sticks, is this true ? Bruce Lee had his cord much longer than it
appears in online shop photographs of nunchakus. My old nunchakus
were foam (training), the cord was short and they were pretty fast,
but it had taken me a hell of a long time to learn the basics. The
Bruce Lee movie gave me some ideas. Perhaps I should begin with
long cord, shortening it as my skill increases ?

2. Is there somewhere an online collection of the basic moves ?

3. What do you think can be achieved in a couple months ? Novice,
average, good ? It cant be THAT hard ? You think a DVD will be
necessary ?

Well thats it, thanks

Dimitris

ASP Techniques
Original Poster: Jack_Vallick
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 15-09-2006, 10:23

Orginal Post: Jack_Vallick: I've recently got an ASP baton; second-hand from a friend of mine, who just got himself a .45 instead.

I went through some quick research and the majority of the easily-accessible baton techniques work for the stationary ones (clubs), which doesn't seem to factor in the ASP's biggest strength: speed. I figure a few smacks are more in tune with the batons use, as it isn't a strength weapon like its variant.

Does anyone know of any good techniques or manuels delving further into this?

Self Defense Against a Gun
Original Poster: grego89
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 01-07-2006, 04:43

Orginal Post: grego89: Has anybody ever been threatened with a gun

One of my family members has he was coming back from work when suddenly a visious person pointed a gun at him and demanded his money, luckily my family member had just 40 bucks and gave it to him the good thing was my family member left the scene without being shot

I always stressed the importantce of kowing gun defenses

I been searching around for gun defense books and gun defense videos but cant find them anywhere does anybody know where i can get it

Weapons Resource/School sites
Original Poster: setsu nin to
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 26-06-2006, 12:08

Orginal Post: setsu nin to: Please post weapons resource and school sites here


These great idea come from Panta I just open new threads in few forums.

Thai Martial Art Weapon Clip
Original Poster: Deoz
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 20-06-2006, 20:48

Orginal Post: Deoz: Krabi Krabong Stlye Kruu preang
2005 Test Skill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gUWTR1IrE0
2006 Wai Kruu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3-iCEoKuFQ

Muaychaiya Stlye Grand Master Preang
1986 Chaiyarath Camp Grand Master Thong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyRSx0qZs84
2005 Grand Master Preang
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eVWmKzYjCo
2005 Grapping Stlye Muaychaiya
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2OPdkZEk5o
2005 Siam Yuth Gym
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwqgbQcrodk

http://www.muaychaiya.blogspot.com
http://www.muaychaiya.com

Really good seax! Attn: Hengest!
Original Poster: Wilhelm von Wänkensteïn
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 09-06-2006, 08:09

Orginal Post: Wilhelm von Wänkensteïn: Like the title says - remember when you really wanted one, guv? :twisted:

http://www.mwart.com/xq/ASP/pid.772/cat.49/mlad.M1530/mlnum.42/qx/product.htm

Throwing weapons
Original Poster: setsu nin to
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 07-03-2006, 20:24

Orginal Post: setsu nin to: I am interesting which throwing weapons guys here learn to use.
From which art/style come weapon?
Whats name of weapon?
What are its advantage and disadvantage?

For example bo shuriken from Negishi-ryu (Japanese ma)?

Tactical Knives
Original Poster: Iron Knuckles
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 21-02-2006, 18:15

Orginal Post: Iron Knuckles: This is mostly for those of you who train with knives. I'm starting to make my own knives now, and I want to make a tactical knife. what are some features you guys would like to see on a fighting knife?

Learning staff without a teacher?
Original Poster: Gazelle
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 06-02-2006, 02:49

Orginal Post: Gazelle: Hi

I was wondering if anyone could give me a bit of help. I have been dying to learn the staff for ages, and i have finally got one, at least a piece of wood that is perfectly suitable to use as such for the moment (i think). As such i now need something to learn from, either books or DVD's. Can you give me any recommendations? I am interested in learning about how some of the Chinese styles use it. Then, if i ever succeed in that, i'd like to have a look at the Japanese to see if there are many comparisons.

I would be extremely grateful for any help you could give me.

Quarterstaff
Original Poster: theinevitablehour
Forum: Martial Arts Weapons
Posted On: 14-12-2005, 01:53

Orginal Post: theinevitablehour: I would like to learn quarterstaff; however, I currently have no one to learn from and also no one to practice with. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions on how to proceed, or rather, how to begin. Also, anyone who has made his own staff, please share the procedure.