kama twirling

[ComicBookGuy]

okay, i understand that it's better to learn how to use weapons from an actual instructor rather than videos, books, or other such things...but i currently don't have time to find another school where i can be taught the kamas, but i was just wondering if there are any online tutorials/sources on the sport/XMA aspect of twirling/spinning kamas...heck if it bugs you that i'm not learning kamas from an instructor, just pretend that i'm looking for techniques on spinning pens/pencils in my hands...i do fully intend to find a real instructor, only a little later when i have some free time

[Sauzin]

I'm not entirely sure I understand what you mean by "spinning". Do you mean you want to learn how to twirl a kama like a marching baton? If so try one of these sites:

 

http://www.cybrtyme.com/personal/lisa/baton.htm

 

http://www.ustwirling.com/

 

http://www.juggling.org

 

... and make sure you have 911 programmed on speed dial.

 

Or do you want to learn how to change between open and closed grips on a kama for the purpose of using different slicing techniques? In that case I would really suggest getting an instructor. If you can't find one, try a different weapon. Because learning this means one of two hand changes. Either holding the kama at the end of it's handle with your thumb and index finger then swinging them out or in or moving from a normal grip and placing your index finger on the other side of the handle then letting go with the other fingers and regripping. Either one can be dangerous if you don't have someone specifically showing you how to do it slowly. A video is really too dangerous in my opinion. Try the sai or bo.

[ComicBookGuy]

hahah no, not like baton twirling...watch some of the latest "xtreme" or whatever forms using kamas...they just spin/twirl it fast between their fingers in their hands...i was just wondering if there's anything on that...similar to spinning a pen between the fingers when someone's bored...just with a blade attached to one end haha...but yeah, i intend to find an instructor soon, i just wanted to have something to do when i sit at my desk...to just mess around and spin a pvc pipe or something to get my fingers used to the flashy maneuvers...and i'm not talking about releases...just the fun looking spins and stuff

[Sauzin]

Guess what the fun looking spins are based on? Seriously check out the links I gave you. It's the same finger manipulations that are used in advanced baton work. I'm not talking about releases either, not if you're doing the hand changes correctly.

 

What you see in XMA is show. Maybe 1/10th of that "weapon" work would do anything in a real fight. And if it doesn't do anything in a real fight, then it's not a weapon. It's a prop. You will find prop forums on the links I provided.

 

Even if you did want to learn the real weapon, it sounds like you don't have the time to learn it right. Why do something half-way? It's a waste of time and it's dangerous. Start with a simple weapon like a bo. Then when you have the time, move to something more dangerous.

[Shorin Ryuu]

Now now, no need to discourage any Darwinian theory in practice...if he wants to spin sharp objects at high speeds, let him do it. It's just as safe if not safer than doing kusarigama...

 

My opinion is that we can advise people to do what we personally think is more productive and beneficial from a martial standpoint, but if they really don't want to, then it's not my problem.

 

But Sauzin's warnings are well-advised. Even dull kama can be very dangerous.

 

If you want to have fun doing that, go ahead. Just don't let it get to your head, or through it.

[ComicBookGuy]

ahh...i hadn't checked out the sites you listed yet...didn't know they dealt with some finger manipulation...in that case, cool, thanks...and like i said, yeah i want to learn the real technique and tradition or history or all that by getting a real instructor, i just want something now to mess around with random sticks or whatever i find on the ground or pens, or something just to pass time...i don't even own kamas yet, i'm not gonna buy my own pair until i get formal training and decide to stick with it...i was just curious...so anyways, thanks for the info guys and i shall heed your warnings!

[Shorin Ryuu]

Yeah, it's kind of like A Christmas Story...except instead of "You'll shoot your eye out, kid", it's "You'll stab your eye out, kid."

[username4]

lol

 

ya but have you ppl ever though of useing imtimadation technices to try to avoid fighting? lol .

 

i mean you could really get good intemadation tec's from kamas but like i said about katana training go sssssllllllllooooowwww and when you feel confedent go faster

[Sauzin]

lol

 

ya but have you ppl ever though of useing imtimadation technices to try to avoid fighting? lol .

 

i mean you could really get good intemadation tec's from kamas but like i said about katana training go sssssllllllllooooowwww and when you feel confedent go faster

Frakis, your heart seems to be in the right place but this is bad advice. False confidence is a very bad thing, and with kama's it's all too common. I don't know how confidence can be anything but false unless you have a qualified instructor with this weapon. You can't just judge for yourself when you are ready to move fast with a kama. A teacher is required. While generally I don't suggest practicing with wooden kamas, even this would be preferable to practicing alone.

 

And intimidation techniques? If you have time to intimidate someone, you have time to run away. Get help. Call a cop. What in the flying heck would anyone be doing with a kama unless it was life and death situation? Not the kind of life and death situation that runs away when you spin a blade. To justify using a kama it would have to be a very extreme situation, other wise you will be behind bars when you're done. Just spinning them around at someone threateningly is considered assault with a deadly weapon. Come on frakis, this isn't the movies.

[ComicBookGuy]

how often ARE you gonna have a pair of kamas handy when you're being mugged? and not just competition kamas, but sharpened kamas? okay, i understand that even non sharpened competition kamas can do at least some damage with some speed, but really, are you going to be using a real kama as a real weapon? most people use kamas for interest or whatever