Can't Choose

[lordtariel]

In a month or so I'll be ready to start a new weapon in my kobudo class. I've been using a bo and was thinking about going to the boat oar, but a recent tournament in which 80% of all blackbelts and about 45% of all competitors were using one. An additional 50% used the bo. I was thinking it might be kind of fun to learn a weapon that wasn't widely used in our circuit. I'd also get some more of the two weapon experience. I'm kinda torn between the sai and the tonfa. Do you see many people practicing with tonfa? Does one lead into the other? Any insights that might help me choose would be welcome.

[parkerlineage]

I would presume there to be some similarity between tonfa and sai, being that you will learn to use two individual weapons simultaneously. However, the sai are generally used for slashing and stabbing motions, whereas the tonfa - I honestly don't know what one does with them. But from what I do know, it would be greatly different to become proficient with both. You could probably switch back and forth on basics.

In my limited experience, I have seen one black belt using sai (me), and three other students (all mine).

[lordtariel]

But from what I do know, it would be greatly different to become proficient with both. You could probably switch back and forth on basics.

I'm thinking they're possibly similar because they both get held back up against your arm and you also do some punching with just the back end of it. I think there's also some of the flipping where it goes from against your arm to out straight like the sai. Not necessarily exactly like sai the on the more advanced stuff but it was the similarity on the basics I was refering to.

[Holland]

I see alot more people using sai than I do tonfa. Does your instructor teach Tekko Katas? My favorite weapon personally is the nunte-bo, but those are expensive. (200 bucks minimum) Plus many instructors do not teach that weapon.

Anyhow...between the two, I would go for tonfa.

[lordtariel]

Does your instructor teach Tekko Katas?

Don't think so. He teaches the main weapons of kobudo: Sai, Tonfa, Kama, Bo, Eku and 'Chucks(he's not really big into these). He did tell me that the tonfa is a difficult weapon to learn, so now I'm really interested in it. I like a challenge.

[Holland]

Tonfa is a fun weapon, and if done right looks great. That would be a good choice.

[Oracle]

If your interested in competition, the bo is the most widely used with kamas (open weapons) a close second.

I have seen a few compete with the boat oar nationally and they are very good. Few use sais and I have not seen anyone use tonfas for competition.

I know of a couple of girls that compete with sais and they can really snap them.

Generally they all have a hard time competing with the bo except in extreme weapons where the kamas usually win.

When I say competition, I am talking the major circuits. Iknow these other weapons are widely used in inter-style competitons or school competitions.

[Holland]

The average person does not do international circuits and thus I always assume that a person asking is not considering things on that level.

The best weapons practicioner I ever saw at a specific weapon was/is Dan Glover of Burlington NC whipping a pair of Tonfa. I have never seen him lose at any level in weapons. While he has never been into, or competed against XMA type katas, what he does as a traditional Okinawan weapons kata is fantastic.

Really though, when first learning a weapon it is best to choose something you have an honest interest in training with. If you want to do tonfa, but know that kamas are "in" on an international level and decide to train with those instead, then you are making a mistake.

[Oracle]

The question was based on competiton and my answer was based on competiton.

Look outside your box, the brainwashing many have about their own style being the best is foolish.

If your practicing baseball, basketball or football every one wants to be the best they can be and they generally compare themselves with the best in these sports.

Step outside your interschool tournaments/environments and see what is available.

The person you mention as not loosing has probably not put themselves up against the best each style has to offer.

My earlier answer about the bo being the predominate weapon in major competitons is not subjective, it is a common fact.

You can use a large ax or whip if you want, you just won't win .

As an example many ask the question about which fighting style is the best ie : taekwondo, okinawin,shotokan etc..

The answer is none of these styles are the best, the best style is the one

that wins and none of the best fighters (pointfighters) use a specific style.

Competition = money/time spent. If you want to be a contender and not waste you or your parents money, I would suggest staying away from the tonfas and learn bo.

If you want to learn tonfas for the joy of knowledge than I would agree 100%.

You do understand that IsshinRyu in it's simpliest form is a conglomeration of many other styles, except the notable exclusion of Sunsu. So everyone has their own idea of traditional.

This all goes back to the control/influence many instructors have over their students and their understanding of the martial arts.

It's a big world outside and people need to look past their particular style .

[cathal]

I tend to agree with what's said so far about Tonfa. They are a very impressive weapon to see in competition. You may also wish to try learning the nunchuku or maybe consider an edged weapon.