What to look for when finding a weapon school

[sirdarksol]

So you've decided that you want to train specifically in weapons. Maybe it's because your empty hand style has given you a taste of weapons use, but they don't really go into it, or their techniques don't seem quite right. Or maybe empty hand doesn't really grab you. Or maybe you just want to try something new.

Whatever the reason, there are a few things that you should decide before trying to find a school.

#1) What type of weapon do I want to learn? Is there a specific weapon, such as the Chinese butterfly knife, or is it a group of weapons, such as the Okinawan tools/weapons or maybe European stabbing weapons?

#2) Do I want to learn them for show, for self defense, for self improvement, or what? I stress right here that there is nothing wrong with any of these reasons, no matter what anyone, myself included, says on the subject.

#3) How much am I willing/able to spend? Some weapon programs become very expensive. Iaido, for example, has the cost of a good iaito (training sword, about $200), as well as a hakama and uwagi (anywhere from $50 for the pair to $150 for the pair). The programs themselves often cost more than an empty hand course.

Once you've answered these questions, you've got some searching to do. Check online, check your local martial arts stores, and check your phone books (this one is important, as some places have minimal advertising). Find all of the schools that look like they might have what you are looking for (a traditional karate school, for example, might teach kobudo as a separate class).

Any that don't specifically list weapons-only programs would be worth calling, just to see if they offer such a thing.

Once your list of potential schools is complete, it's time to make some visits. Abide by each school's requirements for visiting students. As always, I suggest to give no consideration to a school that won't allow you to at least sit in on a single session.

At the sessions, what you are looking for in the school will, of course, depend on your reasons for wanting to take up weapons.
In no particular order, I'll cover some of the reasons.

Physical improvement: Weapons are a great way to supplement your empty-hand training. They often utilize the same or similar movements, but do so with added resistance.
If you're looking for strength/toning, the number one thing you're going to want to look for is if the school uses real, or at least hardwood, weapons. There is very little resistance in a fiberglass bo. Even less in a rubber knife. This isn't to say that there is no physical benefit to these things, just that they are not optimal.
You also want to look at how much spirit the students put into their techniques. Of course, you can join and just put the extra effort into it, but it's far easier to do so if the teacher is pushing you to do it.

Maintaining a tradition: For this, you will have to do extra homework, and learn about the art you wish to pick up.
Again, use of real weapons, to me, is a big deal. In learning kenjutsu, I prefer using a bokken and a live-bladed sword.
There are, of course, times when a training weapon is necessary, but I don't think much of a class that never uses live weapons. It's not traditional, and it doesn't teach you to respect the dangerous end of your weapon.

Show: This one is probably the easiest to look for. Check out the trophy display case. If the school has won a lot of trophies, they've got a solid style. Also, when you sit in on a class, if you think the stuff looks cool, you're golden.

Combat/Self Defense: Once again, you're going to be looking for using real or at least properly weighted weapons. In the case of self defense, you'll want smaller, easily carried weapons.
When visiting the school, I suggest you try to squash your concept of what looks cool. More often than not, the effective moves look very simple. It is this simplicity that makes them so effective. Fancy flips of the nunchaku/bo/sword/whatever do not make for effective combat. They are showboating. So you might see a bunch of really simple-seeming moves that don't look all that interesting. When you're looking for self defense, this is what you want. Flash gives way to effectiveness.
Ask the instructor if he works with local law enforcement or security companies. This isn't perfect, but it's usually a good indicator, especially in the case of tonfa (which is the basis for the standard police baton) and nitanbo or escrima (which can easily be adjusted for a typical large maglight).

For all of these, I would suggest also asking about the typical physical burnout age. Weapons carry with them an extra stress on the joints, which can make a person miserable in later years. Some styles have worked to minimize this effect, others have maintained as traditional of a training regimen as possible (remember that a warrior's first worry was to survive battle. Aching joints can be dealt with later)

[Chapel]

This is why you are the highest rated member on the site. +rep

[sirdarksol]

Originally Posted by Chapel

This is why you are the highest rated member on the site. +rep

Awww... shucks (blush and dig toe into dirt shyly)

Thanks. I figured that I should build some forum karma after recent conversations.

[Lone Ronin SBK]

What kind of school would I need if I wanted to train in a gentil but somber art that uses the Stilletto.And I want to find a real self defence kenjitsu school.Not Kendo.

[Little Dragon 117]

when i am able to, I am going to plus rep you.
BTW, what if i want to learn the broadsword (Dao) or the straight sword (Jie) , but my school only teaches it the way Wushu artists use it with the tricks and stuff?
I want to learn how to actually use it, not that i am going to get a chance to in real life but hey.

[John Takeshi]

Originally Posted by Saber and buckler King

What kind of school would I need if I wanted to train in a gentil but somber art that uses the Stilletto.And I want to find a real self defence kenjitsu school.Not Kendo.

There's a Puerto Rican art called "El Ultimo Bandero", and if the origin speaks of anything, it's of stilettos.

[Lone Ronin SBK]

Originally Posted by John Takeshi

There's a Puerto Rican art called "El Ultimo Bandero", and if the origin speaks of anything, it's of stilettos.

Thanks dude,your a real help.

[47MartialMan]

Nice thread.

The MOST difficult part of finding a weapons program is FINDING a weapons program, esp for a SPECIFIC weapon.

For example, sanjiegan.

So where the desire to learn may be there, the lack of qualified instructors are not.

Sometimes one has to settle for something else.

[Kampfringen]

Check out ARMA, The Association for Renaissance Martial Arts.

Association for Renaissance Martial Arts - Swords & Swordsmanship