The big realization

[Mac]

I just realized the difference between stick fighting and sword fighting. I feel so enlightened (or dense as the case may be).

When you fight with a stick, all the damage is done on the initial impact, when you're fighting with an edged weapon, the damage is really done with the slicing of the skin. Therefore, you need to maintain a constant moving motion against the target's body to maximize damage with a blade, while with a stick, it's useless and does nothing but hurts you. Opinions?

[BB Wolf]

Unless you are fighting with a rapier, which is a primarily thrusting weapon, the initial impact of a blade it also a very damaging blow. The difference is a smashing weapon vs. a cutting one. The differences are subtle, but important. One goal is to inflict as much blunt trauma as possible on a target, the other is to cut through it. I guess the difference is a drawing motion at the end with the blade, to complete the cut, as far as dealing with stick sized blades.

[toe-hold]

a sword also has to be held with the blade leading this is not so with a stick. also you might survive a shot to the ribs with a stick, swords on the other hand tend to make a mess of things.

[Dan Anderson]

Re: The big realization

Originally posted by Mac
When you fight with a stick, all the damage is done on the initial impact, when you're fighting with an edged weapon, the damage is really done with the slicing of the skin. Therefore, you need to maintain a constant moving motion against the target's body to maximize damage with a blade, while with a stick, it's useless and does nothing but hurts you. Opinions?

Now when you watch someone practicing with a stick, you will be able to tell whether they come from a blade art or cane oriented art. Kalis illustrisimo and balintawak eskrima are very good examples of the differences in stick striking attributes. If you look at Modern Arnis, Kelly Worden and I would be good illustrations of the differing points of view. He's a blader and I am a banger. Neither right nor wrong, just different in our approaches to the same art.

I disagree with your last sentence if you are discounting changing the angle of the stick so that maximum impact can occur while executing the strike with a full follow through. If you are approaching the target with the same angle as you would a blade, then I'd agree.

Good realization for you. Keep them coming.

Yours,
Dan Anderson

[Azis]

Or to see options that are offered through both instead of a way ...application is nothing more than a selection, the fact that a selection exists is more important

[kruzada]

"while with a stick, it's useless and does nothing but hurts you."

Stick fighting, and Sword fighting demand different qualities of execution because of their obvious difference in weight, construction, and dimensions.

If you are fighting with an impact weapon, which is always more readily available unless you are bringing one with you to the fight, you have to change the angle, quality, and intended target of your attack/counter to inflict the maximum amount of damage.

A good example is your basic figure 8, with a bladed weapon the angle is the same as in the basic Cinco Tero. However the same movement with an impact weapon should be done at a shallower angle, targeting the bony areas i.e; clavical (forward figure 8), striking with the tip of your weapon. This is just one example.

Most modern styles of Arnis / Eskrima utilize both broken line, and fluid line strikes. Obviously the basic broken line strikes that you learn (usually 12 or 13) are meant to be executed only with an impact weapon to specific areas of the body. Striking only with the tip of your baston, again, to the bony areas of the body i.e; temple, clavical, nose, wrist, knee cap, elbow, sternum, instep, and shin etc.

The impact of a good quality bahi will do much more than just "hurt you". These strikes are meant to cripple the attacker(s) with continuous strikes to the aforementioned vulnerable areas. Rattan is what Filipinos use for practice only, for safety purposes. They are the Philippine's equivalent of padded sticks.

If you are fighting with rattan, it is more than likely not a serious fight. You are being kind to your opponent, or you are merely "playing" with him for fear of killing him and/or inflicting permanent damage. Which is wise in this litigious society.

I hope this improves your opinion of impact weapons. Good luck in your training.

[cocoy]

Blade seeks flesh stick seeks bone.

[Snarlin Stef]

just to note on the practical advantage a stick may have over a blade.

if (in feudal times) an opponent had plate armor... no sword would be able to penetrate it (xcept at the joints)

however a bludgent mace/heav stick type weapon can dent the metal and smash through into the bone.