Sai

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FSCJedi

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Just sitting here and wondering to myself. Figured I'd post about it.

So do any of you all use 'em? I've got a pair that use to be sized properly for me (i.e. 1" past my elbow when held in a reverse grip with one of the tines in the crotch of my thumb/pointer-finger) but aren't any more, and I'm looking to get a new pair of combat-worthy ones. From what I've learned of them (books and practical hands-on training), they are an excellent defensive weapon with several offensive applications.

Can anyone point me to a site that might make custom sai, or just a site that has a good selection? I prefer round sai over the octagon ones. The octagon ones just seem to dent and burr easier (for obvious reason). Thanks for any help you all can offer. I won't be surprised if I don't get many replies. Heck, I've only gotten a few actually useful ones on a similar topic on an actual "martial arts" message board. :rolleyes:
 
Are you talking about aluminum practice ones or real ones made of steel? Steel shouldn't burr. Saw a martial arts meet where a guy was 'wowing' everyone with the speed of his technique, then it turned out that he was using aluminum ones.

The hexagonal/octagonal ones are better for real defensive/offensive applications because they provide edges to focus the energy of your strikes, good for breaking blades and bones.

Here's a Jitte from Japan (at least 200 yrs old), wide base which narrows before expanding out to ~ 1/2" diameter at the tip, you can see & feel the lethality of the design. Heavy sucker too, don't think this one would dent or burr.
 

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CWL:

And, you can stop sword wielders without spilling their blood. ;)

John
 
Sai are good as traditional martial arts weapons, and studying them is important to preserving a part of martial arts history.

But as far as modern, practical application goes, the sai are not the best blunt weapons available to us.
 
NO! ;) You mean they aren't better for carrying concealed than a lightweight ASP? Besides, it would just be...wrong for a Tengu to teach us how to wield a weapon with such a simple manual of arms. :)

The important thing is to train with a weapon type, then be able to translate that to current tools.

John
 
NO! You mean they aren't better for carrying concealed than a lightweight ASP? Besides, it would just be...wrong for a Tengu to teach us how to wield a weapon with such a simple manual of arms.
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You're right. Instead, I'll teach you how to use a short length of bamboo to fight off a ravenous beast in a dream and then I will disappear into the trees.

From that dream you will awake and invent the ASP from spare parts in your garage.
 
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