Really. When you have to fight for real what does kungfu have that karate or TKD does not?
JK Smith
You have just asked us to compare hundereds of different methods interpreted uniquely by millions of people with hundreds of different methods interpreted uniquely by millions of people.
Where would you like to start?
Jacki, that is sort of a hard question to answer, any intelligent martial artist would say that they are not. I do however have a personal opinion I can share with you. I took Karate for a few years, in a good school, with good instruction, but it wasnt for me, I like the subtleness of kung fu, specifically Wing Chun. They have different ideas they are buillt upon.
My only problem with Karate and TKD is that it seems, atleast around here most of the schools that exist are just belt factories, teaching more of a sport version, sort of watered down.
The key is to find first an art that suits you personally, and then a school that teaches what you want to learn.
Start with the styles you do.
JKSmith
I am not sure if my point was clear in my last post, basically, find what suits you and what works for you and go for it. Most styles are effective, but like tools, to be effective, the person using them needs to know how.
All the arts do have their own weaknesses and strength.
As shaolin boxer has stated you cannot compare .. to many variations, I will however explain what a lot of styles are missing!
the healing side of the art. I know many styles japanese, filippino, korean etc, that have no soft or internal side of their art. It is rare to find a true teacher nowadays who has knowledge of a system as a whole. Some becuse their system never had it some becuse their teacher never spent the time to learn it. As my shfu said that old masters were doctors many many years before they learned the martial aspect of their style, simply becuse it took twice as long. So I would say that as kung fu as a whole (not all ) but most have the healing aspects and the knowledge to coexsist with the fighting. something not hardly any non chinese systems have…
As soon as you try to say one style has something another does not, someone will pop up with an example of how this is not true.
After taking TKD for 9 years, I quit and started kung fu about 6 months ago. TKD isn’t necassarily better than kung fu, but I discovered that kung fu fits my demands better. Although taekwondo techniques can be deadly (I have knocked someone out with a jumping cresent kick), they aren’t made with practicality in mind. Whether traditional or olympic, tkd is all about high kicks to the head. Although this may work in the sparring ring, there is no rule on the street that says your attacker can’t grab your leg, break your foot, then swing you into incoming traffic.
However, kung fu was made with real self defense in mind, some styles were actualy developed strictly for military purposes. Although some will say that the years have worn kung fu’s effectiveness, I disagree.
If you want something that will give you a better chance of coming out alive of a real fight but are not interested in kung fu, join kickboxing. It will give you a feel of what it’s like to be hit, and how it is to hit someone with full force. Granted, there are still some unrealistic rules, but it will fit right in with your karate/tkd background.
As soon as you try to say one style has something another does not, someone will pop up with an example of how this is not true.
Also, karate and tkd are generally considered percussive styles, while kung fu has many other element specific stylizations.
So you are actually comparing a limited idea (karate or tkd, the arts of striking) to a general term used to encompase all martial arts.
The better question may be, when you have to fight for real what does kung fu have that budo does not?
The answers is nothing.
Jacki
Depends on the style of the Kung Fu and of the Karate.
By nature Karate is a hard, external style. Some Kung Fu styles are hard and external too, some are soft and internal, or a mix or these attributes.
You need to refine your question a little.
“Karate” is not a exclusively hard external style, although it may be practiced that way.
TKD did intentionally take out a lot of information. Its forms are from Shotokan, and they have left the meanings out of them. But TKD is sport orientated and was designed that way.
Karate is heavily influenced by Kung Fu styles, there are KF forms in some Karate styles. The indepth breakdown of the Karate forms gets into chi and pressure point fighting with meridians. (See George Dillman)
There are soft styles of Karate and Hard styles. (Goju)
Here in the US many schools have gone to sport and gotten away from the knowledge in the art. But with everyone looking to be a “Soke” you lose info as time goes by.
Anything you can get from kungfu you can also get in Karate. Health self defense etc.(now the internal guys will say how superior their principles are ugh) There are alot of variations between methods and strategies and that’s where most people diagree and it turns into “we are higher level cause…or we are more realistic cause…” type arguements. All martial arts work towards the same purpose health, self defense, y’know longevity. I consider alot of the methods pretty equal across the board but some may be better in specific areas.
Excelent posts. Jackie if you are trying to decide what you want to study you must decide that for yourself. When seeking a school your first priority should be a school that is concerned for your SAFETY first. Cant train if you are injured. Next are you learning for cometition or reality. And third are they just there to grab all your money or are they going to teach you something. Good luck in your quest.
Dont like Karate in generall. I think its too stiff. Dont like their simple reverse punching either. To hard to miss with it. Thats my opinion.
I used to…
I used to get into this discussion alot and I was one of those kung fu is better than yada yada yada. You really can’t make a legitimate argument either way. You like one or you don’t. TKD, Karate, and Kung fu all are effective, it’s just a matter of which you like best for your own reasons. If you find a good teacher of whatever style that you like, then you’re learning the real stuff and you’ll probably practice more if you enjoy it so it will be effective for you.
I don’t like ED’s argument about no soft or healing in the Okinawan or Korean stuff. I’ve been reading that old Westbrook and Oratti “Secrets of the Samurai’s Power”. It’s a real good academic look at all Japanese martial arts and they attribute good martial skill to haragei development which would be like our chi kung. Also, the translated versions of the Bubishi have tons of stuff on herbal remedies and accupressure points and the like.
Anyway, do whatever you like for whatever reasons and enjoy. Just don’t be one of those flavor of the month martial artists. Stick with one to learn it (over 5 years, your whole life)would be better and experiment a little with the others to satisfy your curiosity and to add a little variety to keep you fresh.
MightB- All I can say about your post is- Me Too!
Kristopher- You said the key word “simple” that’s what works most often in combat any good martial artist will tell you that reguardless of their style. Personally I don’t get why people diss the reverse punch, it’s the same as a cross in boxing. I think it’s a good power punch, I have used it in a real fight and knocked the guy out with one shot(of course hitting the right spot helps).
I think it’s funny how people say “karates to simple it’s for kids” Just remeber the saying the old fear the strength of youth. I know it’s a little out of context but somtime one of those “simpltons” might kick the crap out of you. It’s happened to be before. Uderestimating people based on style is a mistake.
Thanks so much for your replies!
I do Tae Kwon Do,I have just always wondered about Kungfu as well.
Thanks again:) 
JK Smith
I think that GOOD karatekas are interesting, alot of power. But i prefer Kung Fu, it is just as powerfull in another kind of way.