Weapons

[Tom]

Are there any more weapon forms in Wing Chun, other than the staff and butterfly sword forms?

[Dan]

nope just those 2:

bart cham do
and lok dim bune gwan

i think are the names

[thecrowrains]

Prior to my joining Sifu Kwok's training, I had also trialed a solo-effort with Bokken training. Completely NON-traditional Sword/Iaido, by way of "Forza" founder Ilaria Montagnani. Her book was a great intro to general and very basic bokken handling.
Not sure if she has a website, seems to have had one before.

Anyways, my post is about how, if any, can Wing Chun be acclimated into a Bokken workout? I want to keep the foundation of Wing Chun's strengthening, via its unique movements, but Bokken/Iaido technique "feels" quite different from that of our Wing Chun. **this of course would be separate from my normal Wing Chun training. **I'm certainly not trying to change Sifu Kwok's syllabus to me in any way, just trying to keep my training varied and interesting.

I am a novice with Wing Chun, so maybe I'm overlooking similarities.

thanks,
Eric Breiby

[Dan]

Yer nice idea. i train with various weapons [including swords], i find it really good to aply wing chun priciples to them, for example i made up my own form with a pair of 6 quid tonfa batons, it is quite good fun.

all you have to do is aply wing chun priciples for example think about is non force on force blocking , try to keep efficiency of movement and stuff like that, then just see what you come up with also if you use good wing chun footwork it gives a nice stable base for your weapon techniques.

hope that helps?

[thecrowrains]

Dan,
yes, I gather that using the Butterfly knives are the more traditional route, for Wing Chun, but I have a preferene for the bokken, and the tai-chi sword.

I suppose everyone has a specialty and personal preference. I cannot comment on the Butterfly knife, as I've never trained with them.

Thanks,
Eric Breiby

[Tom]

On the subject of weapons, I just made a wooden sword, and its actually turned out quite cool. Will bring it along on Sunday...

[james]

if anyone, ie. Tom has a wing chun pole, i would like to know the diameters of each end.

J

[Dan]

yer another good sales idea coz think they cost a minimum of £40.

i think its about 2.5inches one end and maybe 1 inch the other end and obviously 9 foot long but you will have to ask Tom

[james]

yeah, i can't find one under £40.

i was going to try and make a couple over either christmas or whenever i have time. the problem with wing chun poles is, as they are so long, thin, and tapered, it's almost impossible to machine-make them without snapping them - therefore they have to be made by hand using spokeshaves [like a big razor blade on a handle].

i've been looking in to woods - chinese white wax wood seems the best bet if i can get hold of some. it's strong but slightly flexible, doesn't crack like oak and looks nice. it might be a possible candidate for dummy arms as well as it can take lots of flexive pressure - is that reverse reflexive strain? can't remember...

anyway, just thought i'd have a look in to it and see what i could come up with - something which looks awesome like the go!shikata staffs would be great.

James.

[Dan]

yer i think some companys use wax wood of the pole, the other problem with the pole is even if you find somewere that will machine it you still have to trasport it and stuff and its big!

but if you could make one id be interested in geting one.

[Tom]

could you not make it as two sections, like a big snooker cue?

[Dan]

thats a pretty good idea, it wont be as flexable i dont suppose unless you do one 3foot section which is the thick bit that wouldnt flex anyway then a 6 foot bit that can flex!!

[james]

it'd be a lot better than trying to carry around a 9 foot pole though!!

i'll look in to it, but mainly concentrating on the dummy at the moment. i should have some final plans drawn up by next week when i get home and don't just have to rely on a free Natwest ruler to measure things with!!

the wing chun pole is just essentially a long snooker cue, so i don't suppose it'd make much difference to the flexibility of it to have a join.

it's definitely a good idea though. just don't tell anybody else. unless they read this forum. damn.

[Tom]

y'see, genius. And then you could use the 6 foot bit like a monkey staff.

[james]

or as a snooker cue. then if you get attacked jackie-chan style in a pool hall, you could clip on the extra bit and kick some ass.