| We've seen all of the Bruce Lee movies, we | | | | wielders hand and strike using momentum. While |
| know and love our martial arts weapons in action, | | | | learning this particular weapon it is common to |
| but what we don't realize is how dangerous these | | | | lose control of the direction of the strike and |
| weapons can be if handled improperly. Without the | | | | accidentally smack your own arm or chest with |
| proper training a weapon like the Nunchaku can | | | | the business end. You'll realize that accidentally |
| really injure the user and a sharp edged sword or | | | | striking yourself in such a manner is quite painful. |
| Sai can be even more damaging. | | | | Any of the bladed weapons are risky to use if |
| It is important to be careful with martial arts | | | | you are a novice with martial arts weapons. The |
| weapons and try not to see them as toys or | | | | sword, Sai, knife, or even the sickle can cause |
| play things to be casually used. Just because | | | | you and the people around you serious harm if |
| these martial arts weapons are no longer in | | | | you are not careful while using them. |
| service militarily does not mean they were not | | | | When you first begin practicing with a sword you |
| originally created in the name of war and designed | | | | might want to try picking up a bokken. These are |
| to injure. | | | | wooden practice swords that are designed to |
| In order to avoid serious injury to yourself and to | | | | mimic the weight and feel of an actual blade. With |
| those around you it would be a wise decision to | | | | bokken or bamboo swords you can even practice |
| seek the proper training if you are interested in | | | | sword fighting with a partner without risking being |
| playing with martial arts weapons. Most martial | | | | cut. Another, but slightly less practical, method of |
| arts classes out there today will have a dedicated | | | | practicing to use the sword would be to dull the |
| group that helps students learn different weapons | | | | blade severely. If the blade is not at all sharp it |
| and will even present the ones who have proven | | | | won't be a problem if you accidentally land it on |
| worthy with certificates of merit. | | | | your shoulder. |
| It will probably take years to truly master some | | | | Martial arts weapons are a lot of fun but we |
| of the more challenging martial arts weapons. The | | | | must never forget that they are made with |
| tonfa, which are similar to night sticks, are one of | | | | injury and death in mind. Be careful and get the |
| the more challenging weapons to manipulate | | | | proper training so that you won't hurt yourself. |
| because they are designed to swivel in the | | | | |