When to start weapons training ?

[Safroot]

I am pretty interested in weapons training but I have 3 questions about it:

1- Is weapon training conducted in all Dojos or some don't do it ?

2- When is the best time (which Kyu) to start weapons training or it's not related to your rank ?

3- What are the legal restrictions on Weapons training and possessing if any ?

Thank you and sorry for asking too many questions

[Wastelander]

1. Many dojo--particularly Japanese karate styles--don't do any weapons training. Some do, but it isn't as popular as karate.

2. Depends on how similar the weapons methods are to your karate, and how fast you are at learning, really. It isn't a rank thing, so much as the ability to learn the forms and techniques without getting it confused with your karate.

3. Can't really help you there, since I don't know anything about Australian laws--in my state in the US, I can own just about any weapon you can think of. I will say that techniques for bo, jo, hanbo, and sword all transfer over into just about any sort of long pole/stick-type object.

[Zaine]

1- Is weapon training conducted in all Dojos or some don't do it ?

It is not. However, some instructors who don't do it may have a place that they can recommend.

2- When is the best time (which Kyu) to start weapons training or it's not related to your rank ?

I started at 9th kyu. Is that the best time to start? Who knows, it's just the time that I started. I am a proponent of starting earlier in your martial arts career however and being that I love weapons I believe that it's something that every martial artist should at the very least dabble in.

3- What are the legal restrictions on Weapons training and possessing if any ?

http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/1996-75/current/pdf/1996-75.pdf

It seems that "nunchakus or kung-fu sticks or other similar device" are banned under the "Prohibited hand weapons" section, but I saw nothing else about martial arts weapons. Make sure to read over it more carefully than I did though.

[Safroot]

1. Many dojo--particularly Japanese karate styles--don't do any weapons training. Some do, but it isn't as popular as karate.

2. Depends on how similar the weapons methods are to your karate, and how fast you are at learning, really. It isn't a rank thing, so much as the ability to learn the forms and techniques without getting it confused with your karate.

3. Can't really help you there, since I don't know anything about Australian laws--in my state in the US, I can own just about any weapon you can think of. I will say that techniques for bo, jo, hanbo, and sword all transfer over into just about any sort of long pole/stick-type object.

Thanks for your answers .... much appreciated

[Safroot]

1- Is weapon training conducted in all Dojos or some don't do it ?

It is not. However, some instructors who don't do it may have a place that they can recommend.

2- When is the best time (which Kyu) to start weapons training or it's not related to your rank ?

I started at 9th kyu. Is that the best time to start? Who knows, it's just the time that I started. I am a proponent of starting earlier in your martial arts career however and being that I love weapons I believe that it's something that every martial artist should at the very least dabble in.

3- What are the legal restrictions on Weapons training and possessing if any ?

http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/1996-75/current/pdf/1996-75.pdf

It seems that "nunchakus or kung-fu sticks or other similar device" are banned under the "Prohibited hand weapons" section, but I saw nothing else about martial arts weapons. Make sure to read over it more carefully than I did though.

Thanks for your post and thanks for the link ... I will have a look and see how it goes

[Safroot]

It seems that "nunchakus or kung-fu sticks or other similar device" are banned under the "Prohibited hand weapons" section, but I saw nothing else about martial arts weapons. Make sure to read over it more carefully than I did though.

yes it seems very restricted here in Australia , it's only permitted to authorized instructors of "sports schools".

I think I have to check if I am going to buy anything first with relevant authorities

[FangPwnsAll7]

I started weapons training at 3rd kyu. We have bo staff in our dojo. Weapons are a red belt and above thing. We sometimes have red belt classes just for weapons training and red belt techniques. It's the first Friday of every month. Being a red belt myself, I'm somewhat experienced with the bo staff. It's best to start when you're ready. I must say I was ready long before this, but I didn't start actual weapons training until red belt.

[sensei8]

We start at 6th Kyu!!

[Lupin1]

I started informally with a short bando stick form at 4th kyu and started my "formal" weapons training with bo staff at 3rd kyu (which is our technical start time for adults). Kids don't start weapons until junior black belt and both kids and adults only do bando stick and bo staff until the Dan ranks. After that, lower Dan ranks can add sai and/or tonfa and only advanced Dan ranks learn kama.

[Safroot]

So it depends on each dojo and bit of personal preference as well .... that sounds good