First Weapon Choice [Archive] - Kung Fu Magazine Forums

Exadon

01-13-2009, 10:50 AM

David Jamieson

01-13-2009, 10:57 AM

bow staff?

MasterKiller

01-13-2009, 11:08 AM

SimonM

01-13-2009, 11:09 AM

Hello
I am both new to the forums and Kung-fu.
I just started to take Kung-fu in a school in Baltimore around a month ago .

Once I hit green belt I will be able to pick either a broadsword or bo staff to train with. I was leaning towards a bo staff but was wondering what choice other users of this forum made as their first weapon?

Well I'm a sword nut. But as a sword nut I'll be the first to tell you that sword skills are of limited efficacy in this modern world as police tend to look unkindly on anything involving the words "stab", "cut" and "decapitation". So if you are looking for applicability go with the staff.

TenTigers

01-13-2009, 11:11 AM

bo is japanese for staff, so if your teacher is calling it a bo-staff (a "staff-staff?")you might want to look a little deeper into what exactly you are learning.

Exadon

01-13-2009, 11:12 AM

What style are you taking?

Before I joined the school I asked one of the black belts the style of kung-fu they teach. This is the answer I recieved.

the name of the form is Chu Ji Quan. if you have the asian language pack installed on your computer you can view a dictionary entry of the words:
(Chu Ji) http://www.dict.cn/初级.htm
(Quan)http://www.dict.cn/拳.htm

The style is a bit of a mystery. Some people refer to it as Tian Shan Pai. However Sifu prefers not to use this name because the history of Tian Shan Pai is a little bit suspect. They claim it has been practiced for 65 generations which would make it older than Shaolin kung fu, a little bit hard to believe. This is one of the reasons that Sifu is afraid to refer to the system of forms by this name simply because the name and supposed history appears to be built on lies/rumors. However, it is definitely a northern style and is similar to Shaolin in many ways with all the same fundamentals and principals.

Lucas

01-13-2009, 11:14 AM

maybe thats just what hes calling it due to familiarity with the term bo staff. who knows, he is new.

i vote go for the staff. not only because its fun, and you get to train with a 'real' weapon in class as opposed to tin foil. a staff is a staff is a staff. but also for the same reasons Simon listed.

Exadon

01-13-2009, 11:15 AM

bo is japanese for staff, so if your teacher is calling it a bo-staff (a "staff-staff?")you might want to look a little deeper into what exactly you are learning.

I am the one who is calling it a bo-staff, so if it's use is in error then that error is mine.

I know he mentioned staffs or broad swords, I heard a friend of mine use the name Bo-staff and thought it was the same thing

TenTigers

01-13-2009, 11:15 AM

Well I'm a sword nut. But as a sword nut I'll be the first to tell you that sword skills are of limited efficacy in this modern world as police tend to look unkindly on anything involving the words "stab", "cut" and "decapitation". So if you are looking for applicability go with the staff.

I beg to differ. Dan-dao techniques are very similar to single stick, including the use of the live hand. Southern dan dao is used pretty close range-corto. These techniques translate very well to stick, or anything you want to carry-walking stick, cane, umbrella, tire iron, fish bat, rubber chicken, or a very stiff, dead ferret.

TenTigers

01-13-2009, 11:17 AM

I am the one who is calling it a bo-staff, so if it is a spelling error then that error is mine.

I know he mentioned staffs or broad swords, I heard a friend of mine use the name Bo-staff and thought it was the same thing
ah, ok.

you should however, slap your friend.

Lucas

01-13-2009, 11:17 AM

I beg to differ. Dan-dao techniques are very similar to single stick, including the use of the live hand. Southern dan dao is used pretty close range-corto. These techniques translate very well to stick, or anything you want to carry-walking stick, cane, umbrella, tire iron, fish bat, rubber chicken, or a very stiff, dead ferret.

this is true, especially the stiff ferret portion. ive always found both weapons translate great into the real world. ive always just viewed the staff as a more practical weapon in many schools because wushu weapons suck. and a rattan staff is a rattan staff.

Exadon

01-13-2009, 11:18 AM

ah, ok.

you should however, slap your friend.

I definitely will do so, as he said he would join with me to keep me motivated...and I have not seen him at a class since

Lucas

01-13-2009, 11:19 AM

oh and where are my manners. welcome Exadon, and enjoy your journey in the martial arts. we love new people here! :D

sanjuro_ronin

01-13-2009, 11:20 AM

While "Bo-Staff" seems redundant, some refer to them as:

Bo-Staff - the 6ft staff
Jo-Staff - the 4-5 ft staff
HanBo-Staff - 3ft and under.

All staffs, but different lengths.

Lucas

01-13-2009, 11:21 AM

While "Bo-Staff" seems redundant, some refer to them as:

Bo-Staff - the 6ft staff
Jo-Staff - the 4-5 ft staff
HanBo-Staff - 3ft and under.

All staffs, but different lengths.

quit being smart, smart guy

Exadon

01-13-2009, 11:21 AM

oh and where are my manners. welcome Exadon, and enjoy your journey in the martial arts. we love new people here! :D

Thank you for the welcome. I hope to stay focused and learn as much as I can.
Please forgive me if I make newb comments on the way as I learn.

Is there a Chinese word that is commonly used for staff?

lkfmdc

01-13-2009, 11:22 AM

I prefer thermonuclear bombs, for the deterrance power

TenTigers

01-13-2009, 11:23 AM

While "Bo-Staff" seems redundant, some refer to them as:

Bo-Staff - the 6ft staff
Jo-Staff - the 4-5 ft staff
HanBo-Staff - 3ft and under.

All staffs, but different lengths.
yes, I was reading this post while putting on my sneaker-shoes, my jeans-pants, and my cap-hat. Then I will go in my SUV-truck, and go and eat lunch-food.

TenTigers

01-13-2009, 11:24 AM

Thank you for the welcome. I hope to stay focused and learn as much as I can.
Please forgive me if I make newb comments on the way as I learn.

Is there a Chinese word that is commonly used for staff?
yeah, "gwun-stick":p

ok, just, gwun.

Lucas

01-13-2009, 11:24 AM

exadon,

do you feel particularly drawn to either weapon? have you had the opportunity to heft either and kind of feel what its like to hold one. does one feel more natural to you than the other? for me the staff felt much more comfortable than the broadsword, i dont know why but it feels more 'at home' than a one handed sword does to me. a katana beats both for me personally, but right after nunchaku comes the staff.

sanjuro_ronin

01-13-2009, 11:28 AM

yes, I was reading this post while putting on my sneaker-shoes, my jeans-pants, and my cap-hat. Then I will go in my SUV-truck, and go and eat lunch-food.

Anally retentive mofu

TenTigers

01-13-2009, 11:30 AM

Anally retentive mofu
if I were anally retentive, I wouldn't need the depends.

sanjuro_ronin

01-13-2009, 11:30 AM

I prefer thermonuclear bombs, for the deterrance power

Whatever happened to the Neutron Bomb?
That had tons of potential as a concealed carry attitude adjuster.

sanjuro_ronin

01-13-2009, 11:31 AM

if I were anally retentive, I wouldn't need the depends.

Well, I guess all the Hard QiGong has finally paid off.
:D

TenTigers

01-13-2009, 11:31 AM

yes, I was reading this post while putting on my sneaker-shoes, my jeans-pants, and my cap-hat. Then I will go in my SUV-truck, and go and eat lunch-food.
jeez-I'm starting to sound like no-know!

SimonM

01-13-2009, 11:32 AM

Do be cautious about people who claim that their martial art is 65 generations old but they deny the original name because "it's all built on lies"... I'd be VERY cautious.

TenTigers

01-13-2009, 11:33 AM

Whatever happened to the Neutron Bomb?
That had tons of potential as a concealed carry attitude adjuster.
I liked the concept-kill the people, save the buildings.
If we used that in Iraq, we could have then gone in and had condos, and open up a Trump Taj Mahal Casino.

masherdong

01-13-2009, 11:34 AM

Start with staff.

SimonM

01-13-2009, 11:34 AM

I beg to differ. Dan-dao techniques are very similar to single stick, including the use of the live hand. Southern dan dao is used pretty close range-corto. These techniques translate very well to stick, or anything you want to carry-walking stick, cane, umbrella, tire iron, fish bat, rubber chicken, or a very stiff, dead ferret.

Fair enough. I will not disagree.

However staff is also useful for many of those objects.

And anyone fighting with a rubber chicken... :eek:

TenTigers

01-13-2009, 11:35 AM

Broadsword is alive and well in the modern world.

At least in places that are dangerous. Go to South America or Africa. Machetes are a common weapon.

www.imperialtao.com

here in the States as well. In my neck of the woods, the El Salvadorean gang, MS13 are known to carry machetes.

TenTigers

01-13-2009, 11:37 AM

Fair enough. I will not disagree.

However staff is also useful for many of those objects.

And anyone fighting with a rubber chicken... :eek:

hey, besides ms13,we got clowns here. Real fukin clowns. I hate clowns.

Lucas

01-13-2009, 11:38 AM

thats funny because when i practice my broadsword i usually use my machette for some reason. it just sits there in the corner mocking me.

Exadon

01-13-2009, 11:41 AM

Do be cautious about people who claim that their martial art is 65 generations old but they deny the original name because "it's all built on lies"... I'd be VERY cautious.

I believe the intent of his email was to show that he agrees with the fact that a martial art that is 65 generations old is hard to believe

as he said
They claim it has been practiced for 65 generations which would make it older than Shaolin kung fu, a little bit hard to believe.

The person who emailed me this I trust. My uncle use to be a student at the same school. The Si-fu of the school is the founder of USAWFK. It satisfied my personal research

But any input is greatly appreciated.

sanjuro_ronin

01-13-2009, 11:42 AM

I liked the concept-kill the people, save the buildings.
If we used that in Iraq, we could have then gone in and had condos, and open up a Trump Taj Mahal Casino.

That's what I have been saying all along !

sanjuro_ronin

01-13-2009, 11:44 AM

hey, besides ms13,we got clowns here. Real fukin clowns. I hate clowns.

Hey, just because of that one night you wanna forget with Loonette the Clown, don't paint all clowns as "pulp fiction" wannabes !

David Jamieson

01-13-2009, 11:55 AM

65 generations is about 5000 years almost.
I doubt any "system" of martial arts has been around that long.

staff is called gwun (kinda like gun), but "staff" is fine. :)

Lucas

01-13-2009, 11:57 AM

65 generations is about 5000 years almost.
I doubt any "system" of martial arts has been around that long.

staff is called gwun (kinda like gun), but "staff" is fine. :)

i would highly doubt a 5000 year old anything.

sometimes i call my staff a 'stick'

banditshaw

01-13-2009, 12:01 PM

To echo what TT has said the Broadsword is applicable to any short stick, tire iron, machete ,etc.

I actually have a nice machete. I carry it in the back of my car with my gardening gloves and plastic bags. Ya never know when your gonna have a need for some brush cutting.:D

The MS13 guys are more prone to carry pistols and AK's in my neck of the woods. But I have heard of them beheading rivals in some areas. In LA we have a dense population of MS13 and they are frickin' crazy!

I saw some old timer philipino go at it with a machete against a drunk awhile back in front of a market.... scary stuff.

Exadon

01-13-2009, 12:04 PM

65 generations is about 5000 years almost.
I doubt any "system" of martial arts has been around that long.

staff is called gwun (kinda like gun), but "staff" is fine. :)

Thanks for the help, and yes I agree with your statement above. Maybe because I cut the email out of context it seemed as if he was trying to say their system was 65 generations long

He was in fact saying that the si-fu is unsure of where his style originated from. And that their were rumors about where it was originated...but the said rumors were built on lies.

The sifu of the school is also the founder of

http://www.usawkf.org/home.htm

and more information on the school can be found on

http://www.gohskungfu.com (the page is not the best webpage around…I admit that)

I was most impressed when I first went to the school and saw Sang Qian training black sash
students in Wu-shu (something I would like to train in once I advance in kung-fu). It seems Sang Qian
is a well known champion in China…and to see her in action was truly amazing.

Lucas

01-13-2009, 12:07 PM

he trains sanshou!!

:D

Reverend Tap

01-13-2009, 12:45 PM

I would personally start with the staff, especially if it's the first weapon you've ever really trained in. Starting with a sword, you have a 98% chance of swinging around a feather-light SLO ("sword-like object") that won't do much for you in terms of starting to learn to make a weapon a functional part of your body, and a 2% chance of training with something with some actual heft, which for a first weapon could be a bit more hazardous than swinging a stick around (don't get me wrong on the danger potential of a staff; it's a weapon after all, a sword is just easier to hurt oneself with).

Either way, though, after you choose and gain some proficiency with the basic techniques, I would encourage you (if you're looking for real-world applicability in your weapons training) to try transferring the techniques to other similarly-shaped objects of differing sizes and weights. Transferral is about the greatest weapon skill you can master, but it needs to be practiced just like any other, or else the differences between your training weapons and whatever comes to hand in a situation will absolutely throw you off. This is, of course, something for a little down the road.

Oso

01-13-2009, 03:34 PM

i thought the Tien Shan Pai debate had a huge thread not that long ago??? too lazy to look for it and no real need to bring it up to beat again i don't think...

Exadon: go with the staff first, just my opinion but you'll get better quicker with all weapons later on by going with it first. Also, take anything negative said here with a grain of salt...just as you should probably take anything said by anyone about their martial history with a grain of salt. keep your wits and common sense about you as you train and if it's not right for you or you're not learning what you want...find someplace else.

YouKnowWho

01-14-2009, 07:38 PM

but was wondering what choice other users of this forum made as their first weapon?
I'll pick up my long heavy sharp Miao Dao. The reason is simple. Almost all the moves in Miao Dao form are in the open hand forms. If I have to fight against Zombies, I'll not choice guns (my bullets may run out) but Miao Dao. The weight and long reach of Miao Dao will give me good feeling.

It was used to scare the sh!t out of Japanese pirates. You call your sword a samurai sword? I'll show you what a real samurai sword suppose to look like. :)

http://johnswang.com/miao_dao.wmv