| Oh so long ago I wrote an article about using martial arts on zombies. My general conclusion was that some of them have more utility than others, but even the best are still generally useless. I'd like to write about martial arts that employ weapons, and compare and contrast the two. I need some help.
1. Which martial arts specialize in weapons? These are the weapon-bearing martial arts that I am aware of. I left out things like Tae Kwon Do, which has weapons forms but I question their utility to such an extent that it doesn't merit a mention. I'm trying to stick to largely weapons focused arts. If you think karate with swords or something deserves a mention, make an argument for it and I'll take a look. Here's the list.
Fencing (Western, Saber)
Fencing (Western, Foil and epee)
Kendo (does Iaido deserve a separate section?)
Kyudo (Japanese, bow based)
Kali/Escrima (Filipino, Knife based)
Gatka (Sikh [!], Curved sword)
Kobudo (Okinawa, bunch of weapons)
Are there any others that deserve a spot? For those who know about these things, do any of these not deserve a spot?
2. Do we have any experts? For all the things listed above, if you've spent a few years practicing one of those arts, let me know. I'm happy to hear from fencers and kendoka, but it would be especially appreciated if there are any Gatka or Kobudo practitioners floating around. I'd like to hear your opinions and experiences.
Any contributors will be thanked in the article and then later banned when they least expect it.
I was killin' zombies before it was cool. |
beats me.... im not quite familiar with any of those
bravery is the irrational lust for pride and glory that is instilled in every man from birth
....
Any contributors will be thanked in the article and then later banned when they least expect it.
As rotfange pointed out, there are not many who have an expertise in many of these. Also, way to go, you're going to get people paranoid.
All that needs to be said is this: FIRE = BAD
Any contributors will be thanked in the article and then later banned when they least expect it.
As rotfange pointed out, there are not many who have an expertise in many of these. Also, way to go, you're going to get people paranoid.
*not contributing out of paranoia of getting banned*
http://www.zombiefriends.com/badhammer
I was killin' zombies before it was cool.
The two-handed sword was a popular fencing weapon in Europe before the rapier, but lost it's place becasue it was deemed "too powerful". Just figured I'd point that out.
"The grey wolf watches the Gates of Valhalla"
~Odin, the All-Father
I take karate and kobudo (black belt in karate, blue in kobudo) and some of those weapons would be really useful for fighting off the undead.
Bo (a six foot wooden stick) +you can get some range, and inflict pretty good damage -can't use in confined spaces
nunchuku (most people call them nunchucks) +fast, with a good pair of wood or metal ones you can really hurt somebody -beginners will hit themsleve (alot), bettter than a Bo for confined spaces but not that great.
Sai (two small, pointed, dagger like weapons) +sharp, good for peircing, with practise they can be thrown,can be used indoors -if you don't know how to use them then they won't be that affective.
those are the three main weapons that we use in kobudo, we don't use swords in kobudo but I would use one anyway.
saber fencing is designed to teach someone to engage someone else with a sword, and a fencing saber differs enough from a real saber that you would probably do just as well to buy a saber and practice swinging it. Foil is a tiny little thing that doesnt pertain to any real weapons, epee is designed as a stabbing weapon, also isnt a good replica of any real, deadly weapon, and it would be very hard to advance a sword into anyones head. I think the main ones to consider are the eastern martial arts, as they require far more consideration (I would guess) than simply buying a sword and swinging it.
So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.
- Sun Tzu
I was killin' zombies before it was cool.
I don't know much about weapon weilding martial arts, since I'm mainly involved in Isshin-ryu and Jujitsu, but I believe that it would be best to use something with a good reach as well as good stability. A pike comes to mind first off, but finding a good sturdy one in this day and age is a hard task.
The next weapon that comes to mind, and good luck finding one, is the monk's spade. With the reach and balance of a spear and the cutting ability of a sword, this weapon takes a high spot on a true hunters list.
Finally, I would have to recommend and true Katana. Not the type that you buy for 20 bucks at your local knife shop, but a true blade forged by a master. Such works of art can cost in the thousands though, but what is more important, a little cash lost, or your weapon breaking after a few attacks?
no place is safe...only safer.
I've been practicing Kendo for around 4-5 years now and find that it would be pretty useful because part of it is having quick fast repedative strikes
One Death Is A Tragedy; A Million Is A Statistic.
-Joseph Stalin