nunchaku - effective as a weapon?

[Scotty]

Firstly, apologies if this is another topic that has been done to death... but I'm new and such don't know!

The nunchucks are potentially as dangerous to the user as the attacker unless an expert is using them. They offer an unpredicability of movement, but at the price of requiring more dexterity than most weapons to wield. My question is whether martial artists in general (you guys) would consider the nunchaku to really be worth the effort of gaining proficiency? Although I've spent the last few years learning to use nunchaku, I found that my fellow students progressed in other disciplines to a higher level. Ignoring the possibility that the other students were faster learners than me, is it possible that the nunchaku are simply 'not worth the effort' in comparrison to a bo or other weapon?

I'm actually open minded on the subject, I would greatly appreciate input on what you guys think about nunchaku in comparrison to other weapons.

[parkerlineage]

Any weapon in the hands of an inexperienced person is equally as dangerous to the user. That's why when people are stabbed to death, frequently, the killer cuts themself.

That said, I am of the opinion that there is a weapon for everyone; though anyone can put in the time and effort to become proficient in any weapon, there's got to be one that you just take to. For example, I've done nunchaku forever, and my mind just doesn't work that way - I picked up a dao two years ago, and I'm doing advanced forms very well, from what I hear from the occasional practicioner I run into.

So, maybe the nunchaku just isn't for you, either.

[alsey]

in my opinion nunchaku aren't very good weapons, in fact i think they're pretty terrible. sure if you spend years training with them, you'll end up being pretty lethal with them, but there are much better things you can be lethal with. out of the traditional kobudo weapons, i'd pick anything over the chucks.

not to say that chucks aren't fun or interesting to learn, i just don't think they're particularly good weapons.

[lordtariel]

All those fancy flourishes are pretty usless with the 'chucks where you choke back up to the string. However, the strikes are pretty effective and I've heard they're pretty good against other weapons.

[Scotty]

thanks guys, good opinions there.

Lordtariel, you're right the strikes are very powerful. They can generate as many as 2000lb of pressure per square inch if used properly, according to the one who taught me the basics.

[parkerlineage]

Okay, let me clarify something on my opinion, here. If you're learning fancy moves like crazy spinning and the like, then no. If you're learning to figure eight, block, and strike effectively, without flash, then yes. I think it would take a lot of work, but one hit to the hand with a nunchaku and you're going to drop whatever weapon you're holding.

[straightblast]

Yes and No. Yes it is a great weapon to learn but I would rather focas on something that we can use or encounter in real life. like escrima, it would cover blades and blunted weapons. You might not be walking down the street whith chucks or for that fact kali sticks, but it is easier to improvise a stick. ( rebar, bottle, bat, pool stick, tree branch, 2x4, etc..)

[Brandon Fisher]

Depends on the user. If they are used correctly they are very practical and very lethal.

[parkerlineage]

Yes and No. Yes it is a great weapon to learn but I would rather focas on something that we can use or encounter in real life. like escrima, it would cover blades and blunted weapons. You might not be walking down the street whith chucks or for that fact kali sticks, but it is easier to improvise a stick. ( rebar, bottle, bat, pool stick, tree branch, 2x4, etc..)

That's why I always carry a pair of footlong sticks and a length of cord in my pocket. Never know when they'll come in useful.

(Just kidding, by the way)

[Jiffy]

For the amount of training it would be to be effective with this weapon, I think there would be a lot more practical alternatives.