AStone
Member
For the purpose of this thread, let's define short stick as any straight rod of wood, metal or plastic (including phenolics) ranging from (roughly) 14" to 24" (mas o menos) wielded primarily with one hand using arm or full body torsion with extra force added by wrist snap (like in racketball or frisbee, acceleration, as in f = ma).
Over the last few years, I've experimented with 28" escrima/kali sticks, then scaled down to 26, to 24, then to 20" (in oak), all 1" diameter, often strapped to a pack, but sometimes up a coat sleeve. (It's cold here from October through March.)
On the smaller end (larger than my 5.5" kubotan), I've used 16" x 1". Carries well in a fanny pack, great wrist snap even if not as much reach.
All have grooves cut in as handles on both ends, first with a fixed blade, then opened up with a file, then sanded before applying oil.
But recently, I've found that my ideal is a 1" x 18" oak dowel. Its balance is perfect for me. It's got an optimum of 'reach out and touch someone' (better than the 16) but light enough for maximum wrist snap (far better than the 20).
Conceals better than the 20 up a sleeve, even if sticking out a bit more from the fanny pack. Acceptable.
And something I learned this week that may relate to why it feels so right: an 18" stick is exactly - to within 1 mm - the length from the tip of my middle finger to the tip of my elbow. It's like an extension arm.
Techniques?
Kelly McCann, mostly,
with a lot of kali/escrima sticks (keep it simple)
but some alt stuff also.
Fairbaine.
Filipino influenced techniques (that motivated my 20" and 18").
I also practice kubotan and walking sticks from 3' to 4',
mostly using Irish stick styles of Glen Doyle,
but here, let's focus on short sticks.
What say you?
Over the last few years, I've experimented with 28" escrima/kali sticks, then scaled down to 26, to 24, then to 20" (in oak), all 1" diameter, often strapped to a pack, but sometimes up a coat sleeve. (It's cold here from October through March.)
On the smaller end (larger than my 5.5" kubotan), I've used 16" x 1". Carries well in a fanny pack, great wrist snap even if not as much reach.
All have grooves cut in as handles on both ends, first with a fixed blade, then opened up with a file, then sanded before applying oil.
But recently, I've found that my ideal is a 1" x 18" oak dowel. Its balance is perfect for me. It's got an optimum of 'reach out and touch someone' (better than the 16) but light enough for maximum wrist snap (far better than the 20).
Conceals better than the 20 up a sleeve, even if sticking out a bit more from the fanny pack. Acceptable.
And something I learned this week that may relate to why it feels so right: an 18" stick is exactly - to within 1 mm - the length from the tip of my middle finger to the tip of my elbow. It's like an extension arm.
Techniques?
Kelly McCann, mostly,
with a lot of kali/escrima sticks (keep it simple)
but some alt stuff also.
Fairbaine.
Filipino influenced techniques (that motivated my 20" and 18").
I also practice kubotan and walking sticks from 3' to 4',
mostly using Irish stick styles of Glen Doyle,
but here, let's focus on short sticks.
What say you?
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