Great lion company freestanding dummy

[Ragnor]

HI everyone. I'm hoping you can help. I've been searching for a free standing dummy as I have plasterboard walls but all the advice i've seen is that they aren't really suitable as they move around so much.

However, just seen this one from the Great Lion Company. Looks like it comes from someone who knows his stuff but has anyone had any experience with them? I'm a beginner as well so if anyone can spot any problems with the pics anyway, I would appreciate some advice.

I'm in the UK by the way if anyone knows of any other uk based companies that do this design.

Thanks

http://www.woodendummy.net/

[jooerduo]

it looks good and fancy but i don't think its functional

the arms does not look rounded - try some wing chun moves on it and it would kill your arm

dead dummies like those are not so good as you are supposed to have some springyness in them

[Toby]

Can you make your own? Not really too difficult but it requires a few specialised tools. Mine's mounted on it's own frame and I've seen a lot like that. Mine took a while to make a few hours at a time over several weekends but you could probably do it in 5 full days if you were keen.

[Liddel]

The leg wierds me out... its like really high leaving little space between the lower arm and the leg.

The contact point at which your own leg would touch the dummies when stepping in and around it would be strange IMHO. More thigh and less shin lower leg area.

The other thing that stands out is the gap around the insert of the arms and leg. The leg looks totally fixed and the gap looks smaller on the arms compared to other dummies....
which IMO with a free standing dummy should be wider so when you issue a little force it doesnt roll away smashing up your place.

If good stepping and inch power are out for training on it then youd be better off with good mirror for training position etc.... prob a lot cheaper too.

I dont have this or any other jong at my house so i do the jong form in the air like SLT CK BJ...so take my advice with a grain of salt...

DREW

[Ragnor]

thanks for the advice guys. I was a little unsure as it looks like a Dalek from doctor who and also a lot of money, especially if I have to get it from the USA.

I've seen two other types of freestanding. 1 is where you put a crate of sand on a platform set at the back of the dummy and then the other that has it's own frame,(possibly like yours Toby?)

What I haven't seen though is any footage of anyone hitting or moving with any kind of force on them. As I said, i'm only a beginner but don't want to buy something that won't be fit for purpose within a year or so time.

Anyone got any theories on what Is best to do?

[Ragnor]

By the way, that's the JKD version apparently so it has a high leg (I personally don't know why) but you can reverse the arms and have the move traditional leg at the front. Thought this might give more stability as well. this might be a better link to show it.

http://www.woodendummy.net/shop/jeet...den-dummy.html

[Toby]

... the other that has it's own frame,(possibly like yours Toby?)

What I haven't seen though is any footage of anyone hitting or moving with any kind of force on them. As I said, i'm only a beginner but don't want to buy something that won't be fit for purpose within a year or so time.

Yeah, if you search google images you'll see plenty with their own frame. The wide base of the frame makes it stable, but the cross beams flex so it still moves. We used to have a bunch of them at our school and all were great. Now we have them on frames fixed to a wall, which works just as well but obviously you need to drill the wall. The frames provide the necessary flex with those ones.

[Ragnor]

Thanks Toby,

I had reservations of the frame ones as when my Sifu demonstrated with one, there had to be to people standing on the base at either side. Though maybe that was because it was a slippery floor. Mine would be on carpet.

[Phil Redmond]

I've used this dummy and it's great. You can lock the wheels or unlock the wheels and move it around the room like a real person. I plan on getting one for myself.
http://www.woodendummy.net/shop/free...den-dummy.html

[sanjuro_ronin]

I've used this dummy and it's great. You can lock the wheels or unlock the wheels and move it around the room like a real person. I plan on getting one for myself.
http://www.woodendummy.net/shop/free...den-dummy.html

Hey, that's the one I am saving up to get !!
I am putting those arms on a "JKD" type though, the type with a throat/neck section.

[Ragnor]

I don't suppose you know if there is any footage of it being used? Sorry to keep on about it but it's a big investment and I am still very new to this. I guess i'm really looking for advice on the best possible freestanding dummy, not just whether to buy this one.

[Toby]

I had reservations of the frame ones as when my Sifu demonstrated with one, there had to be to people standing on the base at either side. Though maybe that was because it was a slippery floor. Mine would be on carpet.

I've got mine on bricks outside. But I've also got some rubber underneath the "feet", which might help with preventing slipping. Mine is made from a native hardwood tree trunk and it would weigh probably ~180kg/400lb all up (frame included), so that would help prevent slipping too.

[Toby]

I've used this dummy and it's great. You can lock the wheels or unlock the wheels and move it around the room like a real person. I plan on getting one for myself.
http://www.woodendummy.net/shop/free...den-dummy.html

I don't like the square-edged legs. I train barefoot most of the time and I know legwork would hurt on those metal legs.

[sanjuro_ronin]

I don't like the square-edged legs. I train barefoot most of the time and I know legwork would hurt on those metal legs.

yeah, I am probably gonna replace them with round pipe legs.

[Toby]

Ragnor, how much of a beginner are you? I wanted a dummy as soon as I started learning the form. You can use it right from the start too if you just want to work it freestyle. But honestly, if you're a complete beginner there's no rush. It might be worth making one yourself. All you need by way of tools is an auger bit and a hand brace (or I used a Forstner bit with a hand drill). Then, a couple of chisels and a hammer were honestly very effective (I made square/rectangular holes in my trunk to prevent the arms/leg twisting). You get a few blisters but that's part of it. My frame has mortice/tenon joints and a just a few screws and bolts. My timber was from a scrapyard and my trunk was free from a well-seasoned dead tree in the country (you can also pick up trunks cheaply from a rural lumberyard). It's surprisingly easy to do and very cheap even factoring in the cost of tools (if you don't already have them). The only cost is your time. The satisfaction of doing it yourself is very high though.