Weapons: What is useful and what is not?

[Toddzilla]

I am a weapons fanatic. So I am curious as to everyone's take on the learning of weapons. Are they useful and practical for today? Or are they merely a preservation of traditional sets? What's your opinion?
What weapons do you learn? Just curious about your responses.

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It is better to have not fought at all, than to have won a thousand battles.- Chee Kim Thong

[nospam]

It depends on your take on the subject. Weapons hold a deep rooted tradition to kung fu, so if you're a traditionalist, weapon's might be important for that reason.

Interest, such as you mentioned (be a fanATIC) would be a reason to learn them. I'm somewhat mixed. Weapon's are cool, but they are not integral to my system. Therefore they are more of an aside.

In terms of being practical, I'd say the pole and sword would provide one with enough knowledge to apply their techniques to almost any other weapon found, whether that be a car's antena to a baseball bat or some other schtik. Know what I mean?

I think it would be most practical nowadays to learn how to disarm weapons rather than learn most MA weapons, ie) knife, moving around a bat, and perhaps the pistola defense (just incase). This would fall into the self-defense aspect of our various arts. Then for a reward...snake out the chain whip (not the rubber baton) and twirl until your hearts content.

Oh yeah, baby. Oh...weapon's fighting is awesome! Majority of practitioner's know how to move their weapon's according to their patterns, but take it into the realm of 2-person let's get it on! and a whole new worlds out there. Whenever I use weapons, I get animalistic or at least try to. At this stage of the game, it's hurt or be hurt.

[Big Dog]

I agree with nospam and would like to add an observation.

There are many activities/hobbies people take on just to do something with their hands (get you mind out of the gutter!) such as garening, woodworking, painting, etc... stuff that also gets them away from spending so much time in the left side of their brain and shift to the right side, the creative side.

Weapons training would also fall into this category - do it just because its fun and relaxing and ooooo don't the people stare when you do it in public!

Anyways, that's kind where I am these days with my weapons. Some for tradition, some for practicality, most for simple fun. Nothing like a quality piece of wood or steel in your hands!

Peace

Bob

[Sam]

The weapons forms of Fut Sao Wing Chun as taught by James Cama Sifu contains not only the weapons fighting concepts but also the little known "Ging" power development and Dim Mak theory. Mook Yan Jong and weapons develope different ging's.

[Very Ignorant Mantis]

I think one of the most beautiful weapons is one of the simplest (and most pragmatic) - the long staff.

Staff fighting and forms are just plain cool. Is there a broom around? You're armed!

Humbly /IM

[HappyPuppy]

Well, I think, for self-defense, the best w e a p o n s would be the k n i f e, Stick (Which can be adapted to many things like a broom handle, baseball bat, etc) a pole (Which can also be adapted to many different things, like a hockey stick, etc) one of those big, heavy flashlights (Mag-lites) and a g u n.
Ah, well, correct me if I'm wrong, though. I've never actually been in a street confrontation.


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