Eskrima/escrima/kali

[Iain]

Been considering taking up some form of martial art for a while now. Looking for something practical, I know that statement opens a can of worms. Anyway, from a purely practical point of view there is an eskrima club operating out of the school just down the road, pretty much the only non-karate/judo club in my little town, and far more accessible than either of those.

They have a website - http://www.kidderminstereskrima.com/

Does anyone have experience with eskrima/escrima? Under 'About Eskrima' on the above website it says:

Eskrima, unlike most arts, trains it's students to defend against weapons such as knives and sticks as would be used in real-life situations which are becoming more and more relevant in today's society. Techniques include disarming, locking, limb destruction, boxing, low-line kicking, throwing and grappling.

In some ways I would prefer to learn Krav Maga, but there are almost no Krav Maga schools in the country.

 

[bradvanhorn]

I haven't specifically trained eskrima or kali, but I've trained with guys who have. They have learned some good knife and stick techniques, and I'd like to get some more formal training along those lines myself.

Your post made it sound like you don't have too many schools to choose from. Regardless, if you're interested, go visit the school, try to get a free lesson or two out of them, then sign on if you really like it.

 

[Wilhelm]

As stated by St Johns go chekc the school out. Cant hurt right. The problem with Kali as any other martial art if they dont spar then you are not really gonna learn anything. See how they train thats what it comes down to.

 

[Baba Louie]

I would think that Escrima would be most practical in a land where gentlemen can still carry 'brellas' and walking canes without causing the public sheep much discomfort.

Also check out http://www.canemasters.com/ to compliment the Pilipino stick fighting. Different sticks, subtlely different forms and motion, very potent tool.

Not knowing where you are or where these people are, you might contact them for a dojo near you (if any) http://www.kmnw.co.uk/ or to schedule a training seminar series for a like minded group in your area...

 

[Iain]

Thanks guys.

Baba Louie - thanks for the link, I'll keep an eye on the Krav Maga situation, would seem at the moment though there are clubs in the South-east, North-west and East Midlands. Those are a bit too far from the West Midlands.

I'll go along and see how much 'empty hand' (as they put it) stuff they do along with the weapons.

 

[El Tejon]

For FMA in the UK, I would go ask "Yoda" at Martial Arts Planet. Dave's a sensible fellow and has been in FMA for some time.

Nothing wrong with Judo btw. Just don't get to hit anyone with a stick.

 

[Paul Gomez]

One of the neat things about FMA is that it tends to be more conceptual rather than by-rote or A-B-C learning. For instance, you'll learn angles of attack as opposed to specific targets, then you'll learn to utilize those angles and concepts for attacking and defending those angles with stick, blade and empty hand instead of learning distinct empty hand, distinct knife and distinct stick applications. FMA tends to
'flow' more readily, and earlier, in the learning progression than AMA.

Check out the school. See what they have to offer and then utilize your reality filters and figure out the baby/Bh2o quotient.

 

[VeT|Us]

Im a phase 2 in Kali Eskrima and Suntukan, and a part-time instructor when the instructor asks for it.


It's a hard martial art, in origin. I dont know how the your club is, but ours is practise it hard aswell.
Kali Eskrima / Sikaran will learn you to be fluid, adapt to the fighting style of your opponent, use everything as a weapon, and fight in whatever way you have to, to win. I trained Karate (green belt) for 2 years before taking up Kali, and I cant say enough good things about Kali. The fighting-aspect is much more real. Karate is more for show, while Kali is "the real deal". Kali is one of the martial arts that gives you a real edge if you get into a fight.

You'll be trained in fighting with your hands, legs, with sticks and swords, knives, and to improvise weapons. If you can CCW, this may not be a big issue for you, but:
If you cant, Its good to know how to fight with what you have.
And if you can, It's still good to know.


Be sure to attend training with Johan Skålberg and Jeff Espinious (sp?) if you can, in short, they rock.


ymmv

 

[GeneC]

St Johns, forget about all that. Just watch "Above the Law" with Steven Seagal, in the bar scene with 'sticks', to see what that's about(boys , I've been the the PI and learned about the butterfly knife, you know it's a repititious, "kata" learning system) Listen, if you want to learn to defend yourself , look for a 'Shootfighting" or MMA club or Krav Maga. These are no non-sense , get the job done , martial arts that combine them all into a real street level skill, quick.

 

[Iain]

Gene,

I'm a bit out of luck when it comes to Krav Maga around here, I'd need to travel several hundred miles to get to a school. Doesn't seem to have caught on in the UK yet.

El Tejon,

I'm not down on judo at all, there is a pretty successful club in this town. I don't think it is for me at the moment, but if I get in to MA properly then that club may be the best quality available to me.

-------------

I'm going to drop in on this school on Thursday and see what I think. I've emailed the guy asking if there is an emphasis on practical skills and sparring, I'll have to wait see what he says.

Thanks gentlemen.

 

[Wanderer]

Hm, that Cane Masters site has the following description of one of their canes:

The legendary Cane Masters cane. The finest craftsmanship of the world's greatest Self Defense Tool.

I'll take a gun over a cane anyday.

 

[brownie0486]

I think most would take the gun over a cane if they had the choice.

Sometimes ya just got to go with what's acceptable in your AO. The best weapon is always the one you have with you. With all the restrictions placed on us where carrying a gun is prohibited [ like the port ], the cane will serve well and certainly can become the "world's greatest Self Defense Tool." for you at that time.

And to be realistic, the greatest self defense weapon isn't the gun either, it's your brain, it's been keeping people alive for a lot longer than guns have been around.

Brownie

 

[Wanderer]

Completely right. All the training in the world means nothing compared to alertness.

 

[Felonious Monk]

Post 9/11, I decided to check the state of travel in the US and took 5 plane hops from airports of varying sizes.

I travelled with a cane and was never questioned or detained. I also travelled with a Maglite AA (ideal fistload/kubotan) and was questioned once about it. No, to be more specific, the TSA agent picked it up, saw that it was on my keychain with keys...looked at me for a long minute (poor ol' fat guy with a cane ) and handed it back to me and said "have a nice day, sir."

Another endorsement for canemasters.com.

FM