Hey all,

I have no doubt there have been many martial arts threads made in the past, but I would prefer starting fresh over reviving an old one.

Here, tell us the martial art you are currently involved with, or have been involved with in the past, or discuss martial arts in general.

I have tried many martial arts - from karate to aikido, but all of these phases were short lived. Recently I discovered Muay Thai Kickboxing, which is an Indo-Chinese martial art developed during Thailand's early battles with surrounding provinces. I find this art to be both physically and mentally rewarding.

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cool tell me about the weapons on martial arts, ive always wanted to know more about them. I have looked them up over the internet but no one I know has used them.

Ahh, there are many:

Aikido uses weapons such as the bokken (wooden sword,) the staff, and knives.

Kendo focuses entirely on the samurai sword

Some branches of Karate or Kobudo use Nanchaku (known in the west as Nunchuks, the two wooden sticks connected by a chain)

Many branches of Ninjutsu deal with weaponry -

Bojutsu - stick and staff fighting.

Sojutsu - Spear fighting

Shurikenjutsu - Throwing blades

Kusirigamajutsu - Chain and Sickle weapons

As far as learning how to use a particular weapon goes, it takes alot of time and practise. You generally learn weapon skills in martial arts through learning and rehearsing copious katas (detailed patterns of movement)

Plus for some weaponry,there is also the training time with a heavier than normal weapon in order to increase your speed and skill with the normal weapon.

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There are so many martial arts (arts of war) that can be studied...and not all of them are from the Orient (contrary to what pops into most people's minds when you mention "martial arts").Some of the arts deal with weapons,some with weapons and philosophies,some with only philosophies and hand to hand techniques...etc.I've had some training in different arts over the years,only a couple of which were from the Orient.

One of my old bosses was personally studying with Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi in the art of Ninjutsu,yet he found that when we sparred...I could read his every move ahead of time and apply an appropriate block or strike.He quickly learned that I too had had some training in that art.I didn't care much for the hand to hand combat though.I was always more interested in the weaponry.

I found my love for weaponry at an early age,watching old movies and reading things like Robin Hood or The Three Musketeers.I have a special love for the English Longsword,and of course the Epee and Rapier.Over the years though,I have also come to love the Katana,the Viking sword (and Scramasax),the Falchion,the Cutlass and the Scimitar.I have also developed a love for the Frankish axe...which are great for throwing and fun to fight with.Other weaponry that I've developed some skill with are the balisong (butterfly knife),bo staff,shuriken,blowgun,longbow and recurve bow,spear (normal and atlatl type),Viking axe,Claddenmorgh (the Scottish "Claymore"),and my special sets of throwing "claws" (a circle of tungsten steel cut into three sections...curved pieces about 8 to 12 inches long...with a deep angled cut on each end which is then filed down to a point with a small cutting edge....great for throwing).

As for the arts themselves,I've had at least a little training in Bushido,a decent amount in Ninjutsu,and the warrior arts of the Vikings and Celts,as well as "In the round" Fencing,and Florentine swordplay (using two swords at the same time).

I think weapons are great equalizers for small males and for females. My friend who calls herself the Gay Enforcer uses sais and tonfas.

I'm not small though.

I look at the weaponry as needing skill to use successfully,as well as being something that can keep your body healthy and give you fluidity of movement.

Using a weapon and understanding a weapon are different things.To use a weapon,you pick it up and wield it in a basic method for which it is designed,say picking up a knife and using it to just slice something open or stabbing something with it.To understand a weapon opens up a whole new world.By "understanding" I mean that you look at the weapon's design,how it moves when you wield it,how it feels when you wield it,it's strengths and flaws...etc.In this way,you learn how to use the weapon appropriately to it's maximum benefit.It also teaches you patience,determination & willpower,and of course hand and eye coordination and increases your depth perception.

It is true that they can be great equalizers...but they should only be used when necessary,not as a first resort.As many different arts teach,the weapon is always a warriors *last* resort (unless you are an assassin),because there are always other options which should be looked at and tried first in order to end a conflict.

There is an old story that has been running around for ages concerning the Samurai Katana.It was said that a Katana taken out of it's scabbard must draw blood before it could be put back into the scabbard.This is a misunderstanding.The Katana should only be drawn if there is a necessity to draw blood (i.e. *all* other options have failed to end the conflict).Diplomacy and compromise are a warrior's greatest tools,and should always be used first.A warrior does not go looking for a fight,for a warrior desires peace.He is trained in the warrior arts only as a "just in case"...meaning that if all else fails,he will be ready to fight if needed.

I've studied Judo since I was about 11. Since Judo emphasizes grappling, theres not much weapon use. But I am a fan of butterfly-knives and Nunchakus.