There is a lot of weapons training that goes on in the various arts. In mine (Xingyiquan) they train in the staff, some knife looking sticks, and a three sectional staff.
I have a two-fold question.
Why do they train in all these weapons that it seems nobody would ever really use (swords/spears) and which there is no seemingly logical access to such weapons in a fight?
What do you think is the best weapon to train in to actually use in true self defense?
Folks, I don’t do NHB tournaments, and I don’t like hurting people, and I don’t like getting hurt. But when I have to fight, you can bet it will be a serious situation. I want to WIN. I don’t want to kill somebody, but I do want to hurt them very badly in life or death situation.
I have kids, forget it, I aint getting a gun. Period. I am a redneck, but I aint doing that
Try the Filipino martial arts; all of there weapons based systems are applicable to the small spyderco 45 blade you can carry in your pocket. Also a collapsable baton would be handy if you really thought you were in danger; in most states in can be carried UNCONSILED and is a weapon alot of the escrimadors like to use on the streets.
Knifes are very effective, however, in most street situations, if you can use a knife against your opponent without killing or otherwise seriously maiming, you could have used a stick.
If you think he is going to kill you, then you can come very close to killing him - do what you have to.
Alot of arts train weapons like swords to train aggressiveness - among other skills that dont directly apply to use of that weapon.
There are telescopic batons thatare pretty strong and usefull that can basically fit in your jeans front pocket without being very noticeable, if at all.
“1) Why do they train in all these weapons that it seems nobody would ever really use (swords/spears) and which there is no seemingly logical access to such weapons in a fight?”
Chinese martial arts developed in a time when people carried around those weapons and they were accessable. Go read the Water Margins or other classics. It seems to me that most CMA were designed for large battles, and not back street fighting.
My copy of this book also contains a brief (but detailed) history/description of [ancient?] warfare in china.
CMA’s at times had to train LOTS of people in short periods of time - I know at least in some versions of Wing Chun’s history, it is mentioned that training time was a concern as well as the number of combat capable individuals.
Imagine a couple guys teaching 1000 ‘troopers’ for 6 - 24 months. That was just one chariot escort.
Training sword, 3-section staff, and other traditional weapons is still useful in my opinion. Apart from keeping traditions alive, this training also develops balance, strength, and coordination. Learning Bagua sword, for example, teaches so much about balance and alignment. Provides a heck of a workout too.
If you’re looking for direct “real world” application, you’ve got to look towards short, concealable weapons. Collapsable batons are a great choice, as they provide more reach than brass-knuckles, and aren’t quite so messy as a knife. Not getting your weapon stuck firmly in your opponent’s ulna is a good thing.
Also, if used properly, a baton can be seen as very benign and non-leathal when compared to a blade. Not a factor during the fight, but a big bonus when pleading your case afterwards.
For offense, you should train with whatever you’re going to have access to. If you carry around a knife, or are willing to, train with it. If you carry around a collapsable baton, train with it. If you carry around a Studded Belt of Retribution ™, train with it.
For defense, simple: knife. Alot of people train against sticks, and in theory it seems useful - there are always stick-like things lying around. But that said I’ve never actually seen someone attack with a stick. I’ve seen plenty of people attacked with knives though.
Training classical weapons can have any of three purposes: tournament combat or performance, artistic or physical enjoyment, or condititioning aspects/translation to empty-hand skills.
Ok the only legal ones are really small, and the other may have one too. I would consider something that has more reach I guess, like the baton or lets say nunchukas? How practical are those in a REAL fight, not on a Bruce Lee movie?
Rarely would they be used like Bruce Lee used them. When he started whipping them around there was usually 5-20 guys attacking him.
Against a ‘punk’ with a knife, nunchakus will end the fight before it begins.
The only time I would use them is if the opponent had a weapon and I had really no means of successful escape.
Nunchaku are also very useful as a control device. Cops all over the western united states use them. The police nunchaku system is called the Occult Police Nunchaku system and it is concerned 100% with control techniques, and 0% with striking (If you need to hit someone with Nunchaku and your a cop, then you really need to be shooting them.)
The Arse Whooping fairy left me a Ringed Belt of Retribution, with an attack modifier of +1 vs. peeople who turn and run like a scared little beotch. I also get a second attack roll if people try to lower their THAC0 by -1 by putting their hands in front of their face. I can also use it as a sling in the thrown and missile weapons portion of the combat round, but lose initiative in the melee round if I do.
