Synthetic Fighting Sticks by Eric Blair

Sharp Phil · 12-31-2002, 10:08 AM

Escrima and Arnis practitioners will be particularly interested in this review of Eric Blair's synthetic fighting sticks, the "f-stix." Manufactured from Nylon or Kevlar, the f-stix are a new twist on an old idea:

http://www.philelmore.com/martial/fstix.htm

William · 12-31-2002, 12:59 PM

As always, very objective review. While we're on the subject.
On synthetic materials:

I have been testing a few thermoplastic/synthetic materials for a while now. I was getting tired of burning through rattan so fast during full force ranging drills that I wanted to see what else was out there. Don't get me wrong here, I love using rattan (Oh that burning smell, Ummmmm...) but I wanted to test other materials. I checked into some of the folks selling synthetic sticks but couldn't bring myself to pay the price they were asking on something I couldn't heft before buying. So, I opened the phone book and called some local plastic rod suppliers and explained what I was looking for and what I wanted to do with them. Some folks thought I was a bit off my rocker (which I am). After trying a few different materials, I settled on Delrin, it is my favorite so far. It's a thermoplastic that is used for making gears and ball bearings to name a few uses for it. Very tough stuff. It's black and it looks smooth but actually has a slight texture to it that allows me to use it without any wrap at all. I haven't had a problem with it slipping, even bashing in 90+ degree heat. A 1" diameter stick, 31" long is a bit heavier then an equivelent rattan stick. So far I have not been able to shatter them. They've held up to full force bashing (delrin to delrin) in ranging drills. There is a little reverberation, but nothing like polycarbonate (ouch). It will rip the hell out of rattan in no time flat (your training partners won't be happy). Lite striking to the body tells me that I don't want to get hit with these things full force. I've taken full strikes with rattan, but this stuff has a nasty penetrating quality to it that would shatter bone.......cooool!!!

And, at only about $8.00 a stick (if I remember correctly).

William

Sharp Phil · 12-31-2002, 01:11 PM

Do you know of a 'Net source for Delrin rods, William?

William · 12-31-2002, 10:09 PM

Do you know of a 'Net source for Delrin rods, William?

This is the company that I bought the Delrin rod from in Portland. I don't
know what shipping and handling might add to the cost (BTW, this was more than a year ago so prices may have changed). I was living there at
the time so I just drove down to get it. I would suggest looking in the
Yellow pages for your area first. If you can't find anything, then go by the
Net.

www.multicraftplastics.com

Another possibility...

www.aptechno.com/stock-shapes.htm

And yet another...

http://www.tapplastics.com/plastics/...acetalrod.html

As you will see, it comes in white as well (and other colors to order...in bulk). I prefer the black myself.

William

Sharp Phil · 01-01-2003, 12:28 AM

Thanks!

William · 01-02-2003, 01:17 PM

BTW, the added weight takes a little getting used to. My size falls on the far side of the Bell curve so the added weight wasn't to big a deal. I would recommend slower training for a few sessions until you get accustomed to it. Or, if you are used to using 31" rattan sticks, you could cut these to say 29" to even out the weight a bit more.

Just a suggestion or two.

William

Sharp Phil · 01-02-2003, 01:20 PM

I don't think it will be a problem. I practice with sticks of various materials at different weights, from hardwood to aluminum to rattan, so the variation shouldn't bug me.

Szczepankiewicz · 01-02-2003, 01:23 PM

But what about the length Phil? Would practicing with a shorter than average tool throw your timing off a bit?

Personally, any stick longer than three inches confuses the heck outta me...

William · 01-02-2003, 01:34 PM

But what about the length Phil? Would practicing with a shorter than average tool throw your timing off a bit?

You should be playing with weapons of different weights AS WELL AS different lengths (and I'm not talking about the add-on kind there spankster).

William

Szczepankiewicz.
C, i cand spels toose.

Szczepankiewicz · 01-02-2003, 02:04 PM

I highly doubt it. Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V is more like it...

I fear change. Besides, I'm really REALLY good with the aforementioned length....

William · 01-02-2003, 10:25 PM

I highly doubt it. Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V is more like it

Do I need an ointment for those?

Personally, any stick longer than three inches confuses the heck outta me...

Besides, I'm really REALLY good with the aforementioned length....

Well, you know the old saying don't you? "It's not the size that matters, it's how you use it". At least that's what the guys with the smaller sticks say (Oh, about three inches or so).

Is that what they refer to as a palm stick?

William

Szczepankiewicz · 01-02-2003, 11:50 PM

Not a palm stick, a JOY stick sir.

Use? Abuse? what's the difference?

William · 01-03-2003, 12:59 PM

Use? Abuse? what's the difference?

Usually multiples of 100.

Professor William

When exactly did this problem begin...

Sharp Phil · 01-03-2003, 01:09 PM

I contacted Multicraft today and got very good, friendly service. They're shipping me a small supply of two-foot, one-inch-diameter Acetal rods (in black). I'll let you know how they work out.

William · 01-03-2003, 01:13 PM

Excellent! Yes, they were very helpful. To bad you can't go and paruse through the "Bargin Basement". Lots of fun things to play with.

Best of luck.

William

12-31-2002, 10:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
Sharp Phil Novice Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 55	Synthetic Fighting Sticks by Eric Blair Escrima and Arnis practitioners will be particularly interested in this review of Eric Blair's synthetic fighting sticks, the "f-stix." Manufactured from Nylon or Kevlar, the f-stix are a new twist on an old idea: http://www.philelmore.com/martial/fstix.htm __________________ - Phil

12-31-2002, 12:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
William Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: R.I. Posts: 560	From the cheap seats... As always, very objective review. While we're on the subject. On synthetic materials: I have been testing a few thermoplastic/synthetic materials for a while now. I was getting tired of burning through rattan so fast during full force ranging drills that I wanted to see what else was out there. Don't get me wrong here, I love using rattan (Oh that burning smell, Ummmmm...) but I wanted to test other materials. I checked into some of the folks selling synthetic sticks but couldn't bring myself to pay the price they were asking on something I couldn't heft before buying. So, I opened the phone book and called some local plastic rod suppliers and explained what I was looking for and what I wanted to do with them. Some folks thought I was a bit off my rocker (which I am). After trying a few different materials, I settled on Delrin, it is my favorite so far. It's a thermoplastic that is used for making gears and ball bearings to name a few uses for it. Very tough stuff. It's black and it looks smooth but actually has a slight texture to it that allows me to use it without any wrap at all. I haven't had a problem with it slipping, even bashing in 90+ degree heat. A 1" diameter stick, 31" long is a bit heavier then an equivelent rattan stick. So far I have not been able to shatter them. They've held up to full force bashing (delrin to delrin) in ranging drills. There is a little reverberation, but nothing like polycarbonate (ouch). It will rip the hell out of rattan in no time flat (your training partners won't be happy). Lite striking to the body tells me that I don't want to get hit with these things full force. I've taken full strikes with rattan, but this stuff has a nasty penetrating quality to it that would shatter bone.......cooool!!! And, at only about $8.00 a stick (if I remember correctly). William __________________ New England Pekiti-Tirsia Pitbulls Mongrel Combative Arts www.mongrelcombativearts.com All you need is love........and a sharp blade.....a hardwood flat stick......Oh, oh, oh and a Paraordinance lda 14.45 loaded with 230 grain hydra shocks,ranger SXT's or golden sabres

12-31-2002, 01:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sharp Phil Novice Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 55	Do you know of a 'Net source for Delrin rods, William? __________________ - Phil

12-31-2002, 10:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
William Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: R.I. Posts: 560	More from the cheap seats... Do you know of a 'Net source for Delrin rods, William? This is the company that I bought the Delrin rod from in Portland. I don't know what shipping and handling might add to the cost (BTW, this was more than a year ago so prices may have changed). I was living there at the time so I just drove down to get it. I would suggest looking in the Yellow pages for your area first. If you can't find anything, then go by the Net. www.multicraftplastics.com Another possibility... www.aptechno.com/stock-shapes.htm And yet another... http://www.tapplastics.com/plastics/...acetalrod.html As you will see, it comes in white as well (and other colors to order...in bulk). I prefer the black myself. William __________________ New England Pekiti-Tirsia Pitbulls Mongrel Combative Arts www.mongrelcombativearts.com All you need is love........and a sharp blade.....a hardwood flat stick......Oh, oh, oh and a Paraordinance lda 14.45 loaded with 230 grain hydra shocks,ranger SXT's or golden sabres Last edited by William; 12-31-2002 at 10:12 PM.

01-01-2003, 12:28 AM	#5 (permalink)
Sharp Phil Novice Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 55	Thanks! __________________ - Phil

01-02-2003, 01:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
William Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: R.I. Posts: 560	More from the cheap seats... BTW, the added weight takes a little getting used to. My size falls on the far side of the Bell curve so the added weight wasn't to big a deal. I would recommend slower training for a few sessions until you get accustomed to it. Or, if you are used to using 31" rattan sticks, you could cut these to say 29" to even out the weight a bit more. Just a suggestion or two. William __________________ New England Pekiti-Tirsia Pitbulls Mongrel Combative Arts www.mongrelcombativearts.com All you need is love........and a sharp blade.....a hardwood flat stick......Oh, oh, oh and a Paraordinance lda 14.45 loaded with 230 grain hydra shocks,ranger SXT's or golden sabres Last edited by William; 01-02-2003 at 10:28 PM.

01-02-2003, 01:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
Sharp Phil Novice Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 55	I don't think it will be a problem. I practice with sticks of various materials at different weights, from hardwood to aluminum to rattan, so the variation shouldn't bug me. __________________ - Phil

01-02-2003, 01:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
Szczepankiewicz Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Meridian, ID, USA Posts: 4,109	But what about the length Phil? Would practicing with a shorter than average tool throw your timing off a bit? Personally, any stick longer than three inches confuses the heck outta me...

01-02-2003, 01:34 PM	#9 (permalink)
William Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: R.I. Posts: 560	But what about the length Phil? Would practicing with a shorter than average tool throw your timing off a bit? You should be playing with weapons of different weights AS WELL AS different lengths (and I'm not talking about the add-on kind there spankster). William Szczepankiewicz. C, i cand spels toose. __________________ New England Pekiti-Tirsia Pitbulls Mongrel Combative Arts www.mongrelcombativearts.com All you need is love........and a sharp blade.....a hardwood flat stick......Oh, oh, oh and a Paraordinance lda 14.45 loaded with 230 grain hydra shocks,ranger SXT's or golden sabres

01-02-2003, 02:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
Szczepankiewicz Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Meridian, ID, USA Posts: 4,109	I highly doubt it. Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V is more like it... I fear change. Besides, I'm really REALLY good with the aforementioned length....

01-02-2003, 10:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
William Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: R.I. Posts: 560	It's not the length... I highly doubt it. Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V is more like it Do I need an ointment for those? Personally, any stick longer than three inches confuses the heck outta me... Besides, I'm really REALLY good with the aforementioned length.... Well, you know the old saying don't you? "It's not the size that matters, it's how you use it". At least that's what the guys with the smaller sticks say (Oh, about three inches or so). Is that what they refer to as a palm stick? William __________________ New England Pekiti-Tirsia Pitbulls Mongrel Combative Arts www.mongrelcombativearts.com All you need is love........and a sharp blade.....a hardwood flat stick......Oh, oh, oh and a Paraordinance lda 14.45 loaded with 230 grain hydra shocks,ranger SXT's or golden sabres

01-02-2003, 11:50 PM	#12 (permalink)
Szczepankiewicz Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Meridian, ID, USA Posts: 4,109	Not a palm stick, a JOY stick sir. Use? Abuse? what's the difference?

01-03-2003, 12:59 PM	#13 (permalink)
William Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: R.I. Posts: 560	Use? Abuse? what's the difference? Usually multiples of 100. Professor William When exactly did this problem begin... __________________ New England Pekiti-Tirsia Pitbulls Mongrel Combative Arts www.mongrelcombativearts.com All you need is love........and a sharp blade.....a hardwood flat stick......Oh, oh, oh and a Paraordinance lda 14.45 loaded with 230 grain hydra shocks,ranger SXT's or golden sabres

01-03-2003, 01:09 PM	#14 (permalink)
Sharp Phil Novice Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 55	I contacted Multicraft today and got very good, friendly service. They're shipping me a small supply of two-foot, one-inch-diameter Acetal rods (in black). I'll let you know how they work out. __________________ - Phil

01-03-2003, 01:13 PM	#15 (permalink)
William Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: R.I. Posts: 560	Excellent! Yes, they were very helpful. To bad you can't go and paruse through the "Bargin Basement". Lots of fun things to play with. Best of luck. William __________________ New England Pekiti-Tirsia Pitbulls Mongrel Combative Arts www.mongrelcombativearts.com All you need is love........and a sharp blade.....a hardwood flat stick......Oh, oh, oh and a Paraordinance lda 14.45 loaded with 230 grain hydra shocks,ranger SXT's or golden sabres

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