SnakeStrike77

I've lost count...and brain cells from the number of times I've whacked myself in the head with the chucks and bo. lol. Keep with it, and it'll smooth out. Ultimately I'd love to learn Three piece staff, and spear so I know these bruises are only the beginning for me..lol Good luck, and keep us posted if you learn any tricks to keep from hitting yourself. I for one can always use some good advise on that.

We have a school wide designated testing. 3rd Friday of every month, but similar to what Tori said, we're tested when sensei says we're ready, and we never ask. He explained when we signed up that we need to be able to perform our moves on command, and have X # of attendance which increases as the rank goes up. It's a fair system I think because who better to know if we're ready then the sensei?

That's a VERY tough situation. I'd have to agree with the others that have already said to question if he's ok, and see if he opens up. The only situation I can recall with out sensei is that he did not join our instructor's class until 20min in. The senior instructor got things rolling. He had entered the middle dojo where we were still warming up, and apologized for his delay. He stated that he was "having a rough day" and needed the extra time to mediate, and clear his head before joining to instruct the class. He seemed a bit distant the rest of class but he didn't blow up. I hope everything turns out ok.

I'd have to say “reverse crescent kick”. Not as powerful, or as fast as other kicks, but it’s extremely deceptive. I use it when advancing OR withdrawing from a half-moon. I’ve surprised main higher ranks in sparring with that kick.

Loved the Spear tech of "Sky" Anyone practice spear? I'd love to learn it

Was there anymore info for this? I'd love to learn this as well.

From what I understood you are correct bushido_man96, but I have heard of choreographed fights for show at tournaments and demos of sword, spear or naginata (spelling) vs. weapons traditionally wood. The normally wooden weapons were metal of some sort in these demos. I got this impression due to the noise made on contact with the edged weapons. I might have made the incorrect assumption that these were graphite?

Awesome feedback! Thanks everyone. I appreciate it! In our dojo we start with the foam covered wood chucks, but once we're trained we can more or less use what we want. What was anyone's read on the graphite? I'm only doing Bo Forms for now and the Bo is great for that, but nothing I'd want to use in combat because it has a clear coat finish. From what I've read it will never warp which is good. I also understand it to be a fairly new material in martial arts. Thanks again for the feedback!

Hello All! I’d first like to say how much I’ve enjoyed this site. I am very new to the martial arts world so I was very eager to read the information and opinions on this site. I very much appreciate the respect used in everyone’s response, and opinions. So let me just say thanks in advance! As the topic reads I’d like to get a pulse check on your feelings about the material used in martial arts weapons. I’ve been told certain materials are better suited for specific purposes, while others can cover a variety. Just to give you an idea. I practice nunchaku, and Bo. I am still a beginner at these so my nunchaku’s are wood, but with a foam cover. My personal Bo is Graphite (xmas gift from my mother in law). Graphite, Ash, Maple, Hardwood, Whitewax, Lotus? What are your thoughts? Thank you again.

Just Bo, and Nunchuku. Would love to learn Spear, and Three section Bo.

I've seen a few on the Century website but I'm not sure how good it is. Would love to learn.