Bdaze

that wasn't exactly what i was saying. when tempering the blade, it needs to be done in a certain way for the blade to keep an edge well. this is why Japanese swords are so legendarily sharp, their blacksmiths had a special method of tempering and forging. either way, what i was saying was mostly speculation or hearsay. you obviously know more about the metalurgical arts than I. However i know for a fact that Bo's where made of flexible wood for that reason. yes energy is lot in the transfer. energy is always lost in the transfer, but by your logic a whip would be utterly useless because the pulling back/whipping motion looses to much energy. with a flexible staff you can use this same principle to deliver a large amount of force into one precise spot, just like a whip. many Qiang techniques involve whiping the spear head back and forth in a lateral path to create extremely fast grazing cuts.

i study in Taijitsu. there where originally 9 schools of taijitsu. 6 of which formed the style known as Jujitsu and 3 of them formed ninjitsu. Taijitsu encompasses all teachings of the 9 schools. this includes elements from ninjitsu and jujitsu. i hope that helps to clarrify

okay, 3 reasons the swords are floppy 1. the swords of that day where extremely sharp. i mean sharper than razor sharp. to achive this level they had to sacrifice structural durability. even european swords of the day where dull in comparison. 2. The chinese lacked the technology to make well tempered swords that kept a razor sharp edge, so they had to make them thin 3. the swords where floppy because they wherre thin. they where thin because they where sharp. but they where also light because they where thin. in almost all Wushu styles speed is overwelmingly perfered over strength. who needs a durrable sword if one quick motion ends a fight? And the reason Bo's are flexibl;e is that they're made of unseasoned wax wood. wax wood is very flexable and because of this they could store great potential energy and release it like a spring. most modern Bos are made of seasoned hardwood.

i know what you're talking about. in the Hung Gar Tiger style there is a weapon/style called "iron cloth" or "Iron thread" this method teaches techniques for using onesown clothing or bits of cloth like a whip or a similair flexible weapon. chokes, immoblizations, throws, strikes etc. where all taught. some people who chose this as their main weapon used long silk cloth about one foot wide and 9 feet long. some people sewed smnall weights into the end to make strikes more effective. some even went as far as to elongate their sleeves to help conceal the weapon. Also, in the style of Arnis i studied, a handerchief or bandana was used as a weapon. it was used for joint locks primarily. however, if used like a whip one could easily slice skin. sounds impossible? i've done it.

I'm new to the board, but ve been doing Martial arts since i was 5 and i have studied several diferent styles. but theres still one problem ive always had. reflexes and reaction time. the only way ive managed to survive fights up untiil this point is superioir ability to perform techniques, but it takes me way too long to realize im actually in a fight and then react to whats happening. if any of you have good tips for improving my reaction time or reflexes, it would be greatly appreciated.