BB_FIXR

Here is a link to an article on Tonfas. http://www.msisshinryu.com/articles/tuifa/ I started them a few months ago, pretty cool weapon. I have a pair from Century, not too bad but very light oak. The Okinawan style are easier to use with the large knob on the end of the handle. You really need to sand the varnish off of them also. The factory finish is like stickum. Terry

Personally, I started MA locally years ago in my first instructor's garage dojo. He was unable to continue training us, so I started going to the closest school of that style which was a 45 minute drive, one way. I kept that up until I made brown belt, San-kyu, and then dropped out. One of the factors was that the frequent long drives resulted in 3 speeding tickets, and I definately couldn't afford #4. I seem to recall that after going very reliably for that many years I was sort of burned out and also once I stopped for a number of weeks it was very (very) difficult to motivate myself into going again. That self motivation gets worse the longer you stay out, what will your Sensei say, your other class-mates, etc. Very self-defeating. Now I am back in and have made it to Sho-Dan under one of my former instructor's black belt students. I am fortunate to have an instructor who has a continuing program for us. He is looking outside our style, integrating Kobudo and involving us in the school. So far none of his Sho-Dans have quit, there are 10 of us, the first has gone on to Ni-Dan, and the next two are close to it.