ChrisD

Knife hand strikes are quite dangerous when used right. I think people get too much into the boxing mentality where you just need to hit someone in the head repeatedly until you knock them out.. Knife hand strikes to the neck, collarbone, back of the head, groin, etc... They concentrate the power of your strike into one knuckle or the ridge of your hand, typically a smaller area than a closed fist (unless you are doing a phoenix strike or knuckle finger strike).. They can literally drop someone in one well placed hit. Anyone ever see that video of the black belt crossing the street? Black belt in (the announcer said) "kung fu", I'd imagine one of the chinese arts or perhaps karate... Anyway, during some rioting, someone was filming him crossing the road (in street clothes). A bum/homeless type started to come at him as if he was going to attack, the black belt guy knife handed him (HARD) in the neck.. The guy just crumpled to the ground.

It actually seems a lot like combat hapkido... although perhaps the wrestling aspect is missing (from hapkido). My one comment about his pistol disarming (in the intro video) is that he grabs the pistol constantly by the top. Our instructor teaches us to control the hand, and you will control the pistol.. Espescially for a non-revolver style gun, as the chamber (terminology? the top part of the gun) will take the skin right off your hand if you are holding it and the gun is discharged. Although aside from that minor quibble, the style looks very much the same as Hapkido disarming techniques.

Don't forget Hapkido! While not theoretically an offensive "fighting" MA, in a real fight, you will most certainly use Hapkido (vs say, Taekwondo, where you might get a kick or two off, but a real fight may quickly degenerate to grappling or close quarters boxing).

My quick 2 cents: A cane. Like someone mentioned before: Isn't illegal, won't accidentally kill you (or them), and isn't obviously "a weapon". Carrying around a katana or pair of sai may be somewhat.. obvious? Plus, with a Hapkido background (as well as many others I'm sure.. I just don't know), a cane becomes a very effective weapon.

Funny that you mentioned that. We had prestripe the other night with the tiny tigers (taekwondo kids, 4-7 years of age or so).. Teacher: That's not a back kick, use your other foot, right? Kid: Yes. Teacher: Yes? Kid: Yes! Teacher: Yes? Kid: YES!!! Teacher: Yes, what..? Kid: Yes.... ma'aam! It was pretty cute... Even the teacher, keeping on the stern face for the serious testing atmosphere cracked a bit of a smile.

Terrible photoshop..

I'm taking combat hapkido here in Tampa, and while I'm very new to martial arts (just recieved my first white-belt stripe tonight ) it does seem to be a very practical, all inclusive form of defensive fighting. But the focus is 95% on defensive tactics. Basically, every belt's requirements are a series of "attacks" that must be either broken (a turn-and-run approach, weapon disarming, etc) or turned against them (throws, joint locks, etc). It does seem very useful as far as "daily driving" is concerned, and it is a very stripped down MA: it's a no-bones-about-it defensive philosophy. We do practice some offensive strikes, knife hand, a few simple kicks (round, snap, side, back), but these are used for distraction or the "kill shot" after you've immobilized your opponent (or can sometimes be used in the middle of a technique). I'm enjoying it very much so far as my first martial art.. My instructor, a 4th Dan CH Master is _very_ fast and scary, but the nicest guy you will ever meet. Hugs and handshakes follow every practice. My only complaint is that I'd want to learn perhaps something a bit more offensive for those situations where the best defense is a good offense (perhaps in a 2v1 encounter or something). Helpful?