Mark33563

I didn't mean to hijack the thread. I started reading it because I was looking for an idea as to which weapon to start to train. That is why I was questioning as to why the bo was so easily dismissed as a viable weapon. At first I was thinking the bo would be a good choice because of the similar items easily found in society (broom handle, etc.). You folks bring up good points with respects to the pro and con of the various weapons. My next choice would be the tonfa because I could just toss them on the rear floorboard of the car and most people would not notice them or even know what they were. The sai would be my third choice only because they look like a weapon. With all that in mind I am thinking of just getting a set of tonfa for now....a bo would not fit in my car very well: '74 VW Beetle.

Let me try to clarify my statement or atleast justify it. I realize that a kata is a combat simulation of one of more attackers. It is a simulation of an ideal battle, but that is not how combat works most of the time. If you have been in a street fight you would know this. If you have ever been in the 'ring' and competed, you would know this. If you do not know the above, why not? If you do not realize that kata and combat are different, then I hope you never experience a street fight as you are likely to get hurt or worse. Lets continue to explore my statement a little further. Take for example, Heian Sandan: (facing forward in Yoi is north for sake of argument) An attacker from the west is engaged, then an attacker to the east is engaged, then north, then south. That works if only one person is attacking you at a time. If east and west engage you at the same time, the kata does not work very well. You better have something else up your sleve. When I have encountered multiple opponents they usually attacked two or three at a time. Please forgive me as I am only a green belt, so, which kata would work? Heian Yondan? Sandan? Nidan? Shodan? Maybe I am missing something with regards to their bunkai, please show/explain to me if I am. I want to better myself. The first thing I would do in a combat situation is no get into the yoi position, but instead a fighting stance with the idea of using some self defense technique(s) and/or sparring combination(s). Perhaps work in a sweep, or snap kick from a kata or a portion of the kata but going through an entire kata would not be high on my list. I have not been in a fight since I stated taking lessons. I have avoided a few. Knowing what I now know, I hope I do not get into a fight. I am liable to seriously injur someone and I am only a green belt. I can only imagine the damage a brown or black belt can inflict if they wanted to. I train to be prepared for a fight I hope to never have to engage in. "it is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel" Prov. 20:3 (NIV)

The whole idea is to avoid conflict, at least for me it is. I train so that I do not have to fight. If I pose a threat to a would be attacker, they may think twice about me being a target. A bo/stick/broom handle just may make the difference. I do not want to cave someone's skull in, but I will if I have to. Some of the movements in the katas are quite deadly, even without a weapon. You bring up a good point about tight spaces and weapon choices. We are usually not at liberty to choose where we are attacked. But the last thing I want to do is fight knife to knife with someone. I want the advantage in some manner. Besides, I do not usually have a knife on me. Being an engineer I frequent various city halls, building deparments, courhouses, etc. that do not allow you to carry...concealed or otherwise. That gun in the car is not going to do me any good between the parking lot and the government building or bank. But that 2x4 or piece of irrifation pipe will... With a concealed weapons permit I can pretty much arm myself with what I want with a few location exceptions: banks, schools, airports, courthouses, etc. With that in mind, what are you going to do when you are no longer armed? You look for what can be used: a shoe, chair let, mop handle, etc. Training is the key, no matter the weapon. I can only hope that I am better prepared to defend myself than the attacker is in villanizing me. I love my Taurus 357, but it is not practical to carry. My next favorite is my snub nose 38 super with no exposed hammer. I carried it for years when riding my cruiser. As for your earlier comment about the opposition grabbing or fighting over a weapon, that is true with any weapon. If you throw a sai they can pick it up and return it to you. Probably not in the manner you would want to receive it. If you swing at me with a knife, a good block can actually knock it lose....

I find it interesting that people are dismissing the bo as a practical weapon considering that many everyday itmes can be found to mimic it. To name a fiew: * piece of PVC pipe * mop/broom/shovel/hoe handle * small diameter fence post * pool cue While I agree that any weapon that you are not trained to use is impractical, most people can still figure out how to use a staff to atleast deflect other weapons (bat, another staff, etc). It can give you a chance to flee or secure other means of defense. Something is better than nothing. What would you do if a scumbag approaches you with a knife? Sit there and cry or pick up a broom, break the handle and try to defend yourself? Never under estimate your opponenet. Actual combat is different than running through a kata in the dojo.