AStone
Member
I have a few questions about Koppo sticks, a new interest. I plan to buy one this week. I've searched "koppo" in this sub-forum, and read what's there (back a little ways, at least, and the mods don't always like older threads to be reopened). But I've still got some questions.
First, some background. As my sig line indicates, I'm into sticks.
Most of the sticks I've owned and used since I was a kid (5 decades ago) have been longer ones, like walking sticks.
I've explored - though not seriously trained in - FMA.
(Not for lack of interest, just couldn't find a nearby school.)
Recently, I've become interested in Irish stick fighting (of the type taught by Glen Doyle), and have acquired a very nice ash knob stick. I'm practicing the techniques as best I can by video (Toronto is a long ways from me but I do hope to get over there eventually, or to find one of his students who also teach that technique.).
For some time, I've also been researching what one might call "shorter sticks" or what some call "pocket sticks": kubotans, yawara, and koppo, in particular. There's a fair amount of information out there about these SD weapons, and I've read most of it.
Here's one interesting and helpful essay by Don Rearic.
Here's another by The Martialist (who provided me the link for Don R's page), but this one is more of a general overview of "pocket sticks" with more focus on kubotans. (Interesting and useful, nonetheless.)
For now, I'll just say that, for me, a koppo stick seems most reasonable to start with. (I won't list the reasons here, but am willing to explain later if anyone cares; in fact, it might make the discussion interesting, and perhaps I can learn some things. But that can wait.)
For now, my main question is, which one. The two sub-questions that underpin that decision is, which material is best (with regard to hardness and mass), and what length is optimal?
Over the last few weeks, I've identified two top candidates:
* Alpha Innovations: 6" length, 5/8" diameter, "light weight polymer" 1.2 oz, one end drilled for a lanyard (yes, I want one). I would probably go with the "dome" (rounded) end; just an intuition. $11 with inexpensive shipping.
* Boker SO4PRO-K: stainless steel (they also make a titanium, but it's not in my budget), 5.25" length, diameter 0.55" (close to 9/16", so smaller than the AI); 5 oz weight, comes with lanyard. Here's a video review in German language (I have no clue what he's saying) with distracting background visuals, but it gives one a sense of the stick. The stainless steel is black; the titanium is silver/gray. In the $20 range plus shipping.
Yes, I've looked at Cold Steel's polymer stick, and read reviews; it's not for me; diameter is too large (reviewers pointed that out).
There are also some beautiful hard wooden ones available, but again, not in my budget.
Eventually, perhaps I might want to try both, but I'm pinching pennies right now.
So, here are my questions.
* How relevant is stainless steel over polymer? My intuition says, stainless steel is harder than the polymer, and thus potentially marginally more effective. But I'd like to hear opinions. (I guess the other factor is, the Boker just looks nicer; very aesthetic lines, etc.)
* About the weight: 5 oz v 1.2 oz is substantial. My intuition says, up to a point, heavier is better (since force and mass are related, but then there's that acceleration thing ... ; 5 oz is still very manageable. But I'd like to hear opinions.
* I have small hands, so it seems to me that the Boker at 5.25" and smaller diameter is more suitable than the AI at 6". I've held a ruler to examine this. I don't feel I need that much stick sticking out on both sides of my hand. From what I've seen of videos and techniques, it would seem contraindicated: no need for that much leverage, the point is the point (so to speak), and a longer one could give the BG an advantage to disarm (more to grab, more leverage for twisting). But, if others who use Koppo sticks have a good reason for the extra length, I'm listening.
* One minor but potentially relevant detail is the grooves. The AI has multiple grooves in the palm area. The Boker has grooves only at the top end (the hammer strike end). Thoughts?
Thanks in advance for opinions, especially from those who may have actually used koppo sticks.
Nem
First, some background. As my sig line indicates, I'm into sticks.
Most of the sticks I've owned and used since I was a kid (5 decades ago) have been longer ones, like walking sticks.
I've explored - though not seriously trained in - FMA.
(Not for lack of interest, just couldn't find a nearby school.)
Recently, I've become interested in Irish stick fighting (of the type taught by Glen Doyle), and have acquired a very nice ash knob stick. I'm practicing the techniques as best I can by video (Toronto is a long ways from me but I do hope to get over there eventually, or to find one of his students who also teach that technique.).
For some time, I've also been researching what one might call "shorter sticks" or what some call "pocket sticks": kubotans, yawara, and koppo, in particular. There's a fair amount of information out there about these SD weapons, and I've read most of it.
Here's one interesting and helpful essay by Don Rearic.
Here's another by The Martialist (who provided me the link for Don R's page), but this one is more of a general overview of "pocket sticks" with more focus on kubotans. (Interesting and useful, nonetheless.)
For now, I'll just say that, for me, a koppo stick seems most reasonable to start with. (I won't list the reasons here, but am willing to explain later if anyone cares; in fact, it might make the discussion interesting, and perhaps I can learn some things. But that can wait.)
For now, my main question is, which one. The two sub-questions that underpin that decision is, which material is best (with regard to hardness and mass), and what length is optimal?
Over the last few weeks, I've identified two top candidates:
* Alpha Innovations: 6" length, 5/8" diameter, "light weight polymer" 1.2 oz, one end drilled for a lanyard (yes, I want one). I would probably go with the "dome" (rounded) end; just an intuition. $11 with inexpensive shipping.
* Boker SO4PRO-K: stainless steel (they also make a titanium, but it's not in my budget), 5.25" length, diameter 0.55" (close to 9/16", so smaller than the AI); 5 oz weight, comes with lanyard. Here's a video review in German language (I have no clue what he's saying) with distracting background visuals, but it gives one a sense of the stick. The stainless steel is black; the titanium is silver/gray. In the $20 range plus shipping.
Yes, I've looked at Cold Steel's polymer stick, and read reviews; it's not for me; diameter is too large (reviewers pointed that out).
There are also some beautiful hard wooden ones available, but again, not in my budget.
Eventually, perhaps I might want to try both, but I'm pinching pennies right now.
So, here are my questions.
* How relevant is stainless steel over polymer? My intuition says, stainless steel is harder than the polymer, and thus potentially marginally more effective. But I'd like to hear opinions. (I guess the other factor is, the Boker just looks nicer; very aesthetic lines, etc.)
* About the weight: 5 oz v 1.2 oz is substantial. My intuition says, up to a point, heavier is better (since force and mass are related, but then there's that acceleration thing ... ; 5 oz is still very manageable. But I'd like to hear opinions.
* I have small hands, so it seems to me that the Boker at 5.25" and smaller diameter is more suitable than the AI at 6". I've held a ruler to examine this. I don't feel I need that much stick sticking out on both sides of my hand. From what I've seen of videos and techniques, it would seem contraindicated: no need for that much leverage, the point is the point (so to speak), and a longer one could give the BG an advantage to disarm (more to grab, more leverage for twisting). But, if others who use Koppo sticks have a good reason for the extra length, I'm listening.
* One minor but potentially relevant detail is the grooves. The AI has multiple grooves in the palm area. The Boker has grooves only at the top end (the hammer strike end). Thoughts?
Thanks in advance for opinions, especially from those who may have actually used koppo sticks.
Nem
Last edited: