vantheman

I do No-Gi Submission in tandem with Karate, and I find it to be very helpful. I could also see Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu working well with Karate. Luckily for me, my karate dojo offers these two classes, and offers discounts if you do those along side Kempo. You may want to see if any dojos around offer classes like that -VTM

While PS3 has free PS Network abilities, that means the quality may not be as high as that of Xbox 360, as demonstrated when it was hacked a while ago. Money or Quality? That is up to you. -VTM

I've always hear that the bo is the most basic, fundamental, etc. of all weapons, but I am wondering if it is the oldest. I cannot think of any others that can really be older (assuming you are grouping the bo with the jo, hanbo, and Eskrima), as a simple tree branch or walking stick could be considered a bo. Does anyone know if the bo is the oldest, and if not, which is? Thanks -VTM

At my school we use the Nunchaku Kamas? Eskrima Bo Sword (not sure which one) Tonfas? Sai Three Section Staff Knives Clubs Our Belts and of course... OUR FISTS! -VTM

I am currently working with the Bo, but hope to start the kuwa (hoe) -VTM

When he explained where the strength came from I vaguely remember him telling it from both the scientific and chi perspective. I guess he understands that chi is not as "magical" as its told to be. Chi has never been a focus of my Dojo, which is why I decided to ask this question. Thanks for all of the responses. -VTM

If you ask a dozen people who believe in chi what it is and how it works, you'll get 13 different answers. If your instructor says that chi is using good body mechanics to produce more power, then by all means develop your chi. If they say chi is a lifeforce that you develop by running sprints and lifting weights and eating a good diet, then by all means develop your chi. If chi is using breath and muscle tension to better aborb a strike, fine. If it starts to look like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUDrs8IYevM this: this: or this: then it is not so good. In other words, its not the force? I was getting excited for a moment.

Thanks. I wasn't really sure about the whole Chi thing, and just wanted to make sure there was not something involving it that could drastically improve my performance. Thanks again, -VTM

A couple weeks ago, my class was working on the reacon strike (basically a backfist going down, I'm not entirely sure how its spelled), and one the more advanced adults in the class demonstrated that if you started the strike with an open hand and then clenched it as it came down, it would be more powerful than if you started with a clenched fist. He claimed it was more powerful because it allowed his Chi to flow better. I do not have a very good understanding of chi or how it works. Could someone give a basic explanation of what it is and how I can use it? I probably will search around for it as well, but I figure I will get better info here. Thanks -VTM

Yeah, I don't think ovens could work... You know unless it was a brick oven filled with fire big enough to fit an attacker through... In other news, after looking at some of these posts, my laptop charger is looking more and more like a Suruchin. -VTM

I personally love the bo staff. What seems to be arising in this form is the two different applications of the stff: traditional weapon, and demonstration purposes. While the figure 8 only may intimidate the opponent, it looks really cool if you are doing a form with a lightweight tapered bo. If you are using a heavy, thick hardwood bo, twirly moves are going to be more challenging, but that's just because a wooden staff was not designed for that. If I had to use a staff to defend myself, I would rather use the wooden one with a few basic strikes. An example of the differences is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGhCnBUkGJo and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STtxUDYjK74 While the first one looks cooler than the second, I would choose the second one in a heartbeat if I had to defend myself. I like both uses of the bo staff, but it is essential to know the difference between a demonstration style and a traditional self defense style. -VTM

First of all, I think Kruczek's said it very well, and his method will work for a good majority of schools, especially smaller ones. In my Dojo, the first three rank tests are held in class, and if students know the necessary criteria, they will be promoted. The remaining tests until black belt are held on the weekends, and are scheduled when the student believes he is ready. While, like the first three tests, the student will not always pass, they more often than not do. The black belt test requires the students to attend review workshops every week, for about three months. By the end of the three months, they usually will have everything (sometimes more) they need to know for black belt down. By then, they really are (as far as knowledge of material) black belts. To "earn" the black belt, they are then invited to a test (if the instructor feels that someone is not ready, he will not invite that student unless they can get their act together before the test). There they will officially demonstrate the material and "prove" they know their stuff. Unless a student gets injured or just refuses to participate with effort (which does not often happen) they will get their belt. In the end, though, the kid that gives more effort when they train will be more suited to defend themselves in real life, black belt or not. -VTM

Really Squeaky Floorboards and dogs are the best home security system you can get. Thanks for the ideas -VTM

Yeah, I heard (but have not verified) that MagLites were actually considered a weapon by the police in my area after an employee (a janitor I guess) at a criminal/mental facility had to use it to defend himself against an attacking patient. I also have thought about carrying around one of those really small thin LED flashlights on my keychain. It could be used as a blinding agent and could also be used to attack the eye if necessary. Thanks for all of the suggestions so far. -VTM

I serve as an assistant instructor in my dojo so I feel I have enough information to answer on behalf of it. I would allow a child to begin weapon training no earlier than around 9 years old, and only if you can trust that student's self control. In my school, one add'l form beyond those required for black belt must be preformed at the test, and that form is more often than not a weapon. Given this, I believe that weapon training should begin before than. I would assume that after the student is promoted to Blue Belt (5 belt in my organization, plus or minus 2 years) they COULD begin training with weapons. Unless they wish to use the weapon for demonstration purposes, they probably do not need to start until 3rd Degree Brown belt (the first of three degrees). While I do not think there is an established Rank necessary to start teaching weapons (in my dojo), I have not seen anyone lower than Black Belt teaching them. This in not my belief or argument, but what my Sensei does. -VTM

I was glad I found a place where I can share my passion for martial arts while learn and get opinions from others as well. I am a first degree black belt in Chinese Kempo Karate. I also am currently the equivalent to a yellow/orange belt in No-Gi Submission Wrestling. I look forward to contributing to this site.

I believe that traditionally the staff is six feet long, if I were you I would choose that, but I also agree that your instructor probably knows the best staff size for the style you are doing. I, personally have no Korean martial arts experience and cannot speak on the behalf.

Hello Everyone, This is my first post here and I figured this would fit in well with the weapons section. My dojo recently has been focusing on how household items can be used as improvised weapons. We used things like textbooks, rolled up magazines belts, and coffee. Does anyone else have any ideas for objects that could used or anything else to add? -VTM