DownwardSpyral

hm. id never had thought of nail polish. ill give it a try. Would some form of industrial adhesive work better?

after i get it wound tight, how do i tie it off without getting some large knot on the end?

I need help re-wrapping the handles for my sais. I'm using reinforced cloth used for wrapping the handle of a katana. Any suggestions or information is welcome. Thx

Those are scissors. lol

I recently got a new job, with me being stuck in a hot industrial warehouse, needed many different tools but not having any access to them. Its time to buy a Multi-Tool... its time to buy a Gerber.... Today I purchased the Gerber Recoil Auto-Pliers. ( http://www.gerberblades.com/products/view.php?model=8474 ) Has anyone else tried using these? They offer a spring loaded opening, making multi-tools follow the same path as a switchblade knife. They seem durable enough, but it seems the button always gets stuck and the locking latch never moves without me banging it into something. And retracting the pliers can be a pain at times. Any thoughts?

Do you know the grip changes? I only know of one, but unfortunately, its kinda tough to describe. As far as spinning, you can place your index finger between one of the Yoku (prongs) and the monouchi (blade) and spin them vertically like you might with a gun. Due to the sais weight and balance you might have difficulty. I can only do about 5 spins before losing control and having it drop on my foot. lol Also, when you spin them, make sure you hold it away from your body. People often miscalculate and have the sai hit their arm, under their arm, or catch on their clothing.

I'm a perfectionist with an eye for detail. Mr Pibb is sweeter and Dr. Pepper has a strong pepper flavor to it. Not to mention more acid. I just thought I'd point that out

Doesn't that defeat the purpose of the cache? The cache saves recently downloaded and played files, and loads them from the hard disk instead of re-downloading it.

I suppose I'm a mixture of both. I'm serious about training and turn it into a passion, but the world won't end if I can't practice for a given reason. And I'd be more pissed than sad if I lost them.

Yes. The better the sai is balanced, the easier the grip changes and overall usage will be. I, like you, probably have a set of incorrectly balanced sai. We don't notice the difference, and never will unless we use balanced ones to compare. Other forumgoers here will stress how important it is for balanced zai. Try getting your hands on a balanced set, and you'll see the difference.

I read on a site how to test the balance of your sai. However, I'm a doofus and I can't seem to understand how. "Balance is also an important consideration in choosing or purchasing a weapon, which can be tested by placing the forefinger under the shaft where the two prongs meet. If the sai is properly balanced, the weapon should remain in place and not tilt to either side." Ok. I place my forefinger under the little bubbly area where the prongs meet. Is that it? Am I trying to balance the entire sai on my solitary finger? I'm confused as to the positioning. I'm figuring my sai most likely aren't balanced well, but I want to be sure.

Sadly, this is the only link I have been able to find in my search: http://www.karate.org.yu/Matayoshi sai.htm

I've never purchased a pair of Nunchaku. All my nunchaku are home made and have lasted through years of use/abuse. I wanted them to last, so I used chain, however I am contemplating stringing a pair with string to try. And thanks for the info tommarker. I'll use it to string mine.

I don't care how good at opening a folder you are, nothing is more impressive than seeing a butterfly wielded with moderate skill. I still agree with Jerry, I too can open my folder faster than people can blink. I'd never carry a switchblade, even if they were legal. They don't have belt clips and the last thing I need is the mighty unreliable stiletto snapping open and castrating me while I'm driving...

gaining access to such a sai is quite difficult. Are the tips of the sai supposed to be mildly sharp (like, a simple point) or completely rounded? Because my sai look like they have had the very tips broken off, and differ from other sai i have seen where they appear filed and the tips sharpened.

Ugh. I knew Sai training would be tough, but you mean I have to dig out and dust off my old VHS player? You ask the impossible!

Good Idea. Do any videos come to mind?

Are there any modern books that I can purchase which have Sai information in them? I've been searching for Sakagami's Nunchaku and Sai for awhile, and since it was printed nearly more than 2 decades ago, it's impossible to find in modern bookstores.

Yeah, I have noticed that the wrapping on mine is starting to rip in various places. When the time comes that it falls off, what should I use to replace it? Cloth Tape? It appears the stuff that is on the Sai now is a self-adhesive leather.. of sorts. I don't know where to purchase the same material.

Since the Sai I own were a gift, I am unable to find out their price or place of purchase. Is there a way to determine if your Sai are properly balanced and of high quality?

I'm looking for the same information. I am not in a Karate class of any sort. I was once in a Tae Kwon Do class many years ago, but that hardly counts. I don't have the money to pay for schooling/training of any sort, and I received a pair of Sais (Zai) as a gift. I've long wanted to learn this weapon, but due to my lack of funds, I am wondering if there are any free or inexpensive methods of learning how to properly wield the Sai. Before I became interested in the Sai, I used the Nunchaku. I still use them constantly for fun... I've also learned that I think better while training with them. Any resourches on Nunchaku will be much appreciated as well. Thanks in Advance.