Wonderful thread, and great read. Thank-you for starting it.
I have been in martial arts for about 45 years now, and have been a certified instructor for about 32 years. My personal favorite martial art (of the approximately 3,300 that exist) is Chang Hun Taekwondo. There is no way to say which martial art is "best", but this is the one I have most enjoyed.
There are, however, deeper considerations even than martial art style. There is the consideration of the very tenets and intent of the organization. Specifically I refer the 2 decades back mutation of the ATA from Chang Hun Taekwondo to Sohng Ahm Taekwondo. I personally am a certified instructor of both styles, and still prefer Chang Hun. My reasons go very deep, and we haven't time here to address both politics of the ATA and differences of the styles. The USTA, when formed in about 1984, adhered to the traditional Chang Hun style, and so did I.
I managed one of the USTA’s National Centers for two summers. In my professional opinion and experience, the USTA produces emotionally well-balanced practitioners who are among the best combatants I ever have met. The ATA used to, up through the mid 1980s when the powers that be decided to make the ATA about $$$, and not about Taekwondo. Lest I be perceived as simply an opinionated know-it-all with an axe-to-grind on the ATA, I was the 1984 instructor who Master Hang Ung Lee offered a contract to instruct at ATA National Headquarters in Little Rock. I rejected the offer and went with the USTA and managed one of their National Centers in Knoxville. The ATA had lost sight of Taekwondo for defensive purposes, and I was not alone in that view. When I left the ATA in 1984, approximately 45% of the ATA broke off and formed the USTA. Ugly history.
My point in this "rant" is that there are differences even with-in styles. These differences are reflected in, and will be enforced within the organization one joins. My suggestion is research the very organization, not simply the style. Then, research the instructor. Not all instructors are created equal. The ATA instructors of old (inception through 1984) are impressive. The organization had 350,000 members, and only 1,000 certified instructors. If you can locate an instructor of old in the ATA, they should be good. If they are more current product of the ATA...run for your life!!! The USTA has mutated into a new organization (new name). It seems that the pursuit of excellent quality instruction has become more difficult as instructors and organizations have turned away from Taekwondo as a way of life, to a way of $$$.
Sorry if this sounds off-track, but I thought I would share my impressions based on my four and a half decades of martial arts experience. For me, the combination of Chang Hun Taekwondo, Advanced Tactical Shooting and a Glock 19C are pretty durned potent. Of course, I still tote my G26 on my ankle as back-up. (Had to keep it gun-related).
Great thread! Thanks again!
Geno