buying new sai

[Sauzin]

I do find the idea of flat vs round so that you have something to push up against interesting but I must ask, in your testing and use of the sai do you use the tip of the thumb or the pad to push up against the moto?

I have never seen a round moto that is not hallow. It would be extremely heavy if it weren't. I don't see how sai vs sai kumite would tell you if it were hallow unless you were unlucky enough to have a sai snap. I wouldn't suggest using the logic that it hasn't happened yet to assure myself that it won't happen in the future though. It only needs to happen once. Usually you can tell whether or not they are hallow by the sound the sai make when you hit them together. Hollow sai will make a "tink" noise and non-hallow (forged) sai will make a "tonnnggngngn" noise. Aside from that you can also do what my friend did and file the round moto down. Of course if you like the roundness then you probably wouldn't want to do this.

[Andrew_Patton]

NYC Kyoshi I have to dissagree with you on the thought that a round Moto reduces the amount of control or stability when dealing with Sai, the problem is probably with the grip not being proper, and a proper grip is something that takes years to develop, a flat moto, round moto, octagonal sai, century sai, shureido sai, or custom sai makes no difference, they all can strike equally well, and equally hard, you just have to have form that's better than the sai you're handling.

I have used all types of zai that I have mentioned above on Makiwara, and with a proper grip I do not lose the sai and the shape of the moto has nothing to do with my ability to keep the sai in hand. Now hollow sai, versus Solid sai, metal type, heat treat and balance are all very pertanant issues, and probably where the real issues are when buying or handling zai.

[NYC Kyoshi]

To Sauzin:

Pushing point:

When the sai is “open” (point aimed away from the body,) the pressure is applied between the tip of the thumb and its pad. At the front part of the pad.

It seems its most natural point, but maybe that’s because I’ve been doing it that way and it’s become natural.

Anyway, the pressure is applied in such a way that, 1) the thumb is angled into the “hill” at about a 60º angle, 2) the thumbnail is clear of the peak and there’s no pressure on the nail, 2) the front part of the pad presses against the “rise” of the “hill,” and 3) the entire thumb is behind the “peak.”

Weight:

A round moto doesn’t add weight as much as it improves balance. (Because the sai is inherently weighted toward the tip, the added weight toward the grip shifts the balance back slightly toward the hand.)

To Andrew_Patton:

My contention actually was that the round moto IMPROVES control of the sai. (Not reduces.)

And that’s not my original idea, but the founder of our style, Grand Master Ansei Ueshiro. My experience merely confirms his admonition.

[Pacificshore]

Out of curiosity does anyone have any info on the $195 Sai made by Mitsuboshi?

http://www.hondamartialarts.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=1060

[Pacificshore]

Out of curiosity does anyone have any info on the $195 Sai made by Mitsuboshi?

http://www.hondamartialarts.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=1060

Funny...I emailed the company regarding info on this product, and they couldn't give me any other than they don't have it in stock, and if I want, they can order me a pair of Shureido Sai. I was wondering if it was in the same category as the Shureido made Sai. Bummer for lack of info on their behalf