I don't know if I have seen any "real set"... I learned the pole set from Rick Spain, one of Cheung Sifu's top students in Australia. I'd say that was pretty real. The only minor criticism is that the space of the grip is too wide as seen in Cheung Sifu's Black Belt DVD and Ohara book. That's all and IMO, it can be easily modified, but I guess then it's be "modified TWC".
I have no blanket statement, but if you are suggesting that TWC has some "reserved for indoor disciples version, and we taught it wrong on purpose..." I feel very sorry for the masses who have all the alleged "fake" stuff. I mean, how does it feel to study TWC for decades and now be told we learned outside BS? All the instructors but you and your partner have the real deal and we all learned public trash?
I don't think my WCK is best of all, its only best for
me at this moment, now. I gave up all thoughts of superiority for reality. I always follow Hawkins' question to me, "Can
you do it?" This of course, permutates into all facets of life and training, what all martial artists should do - Can I do this? Can I condition myself better? Can I be a better teacher? Can I articulate better? Can I improve? Its all a process of being a work in process, and the honest conversations you have with yourself.
BTW, I do not call my WCK "Chu Sau Lei WCK". My students or outsiders call it that. I just refer to it as WCK, taught in my curriculum, and using my teaching methodology. Its basically composed of Yip Man and Gu Lao WCK systems passed on from my instructors, taught through my teaching methodology and curriculum, and I allow my students to express their own style. The appellation is common in HK and China. I do not claim any unknown founders or trace my art to Shaolin or other secret factions, have fancy titles, claim enlightenment or be a living Buddha, lay claim to a secret battlefield art, or have any special tattoos or requirements to have tattoos, nor is there a "public" or "private" version. I'm just a martial artist sick of the BS in TCMA.
So Phil, is there a real TWC pole and we have all been fed BS?