TaBIW
One of the hardest things one can do is to seek and identify the main shortcomings of one's particular self defense system (after mastering it, of course). The hardest thing to then do is to actually do something constructive to correct, if not better, it.
Most of the populist conventional or traditional martial arts (MA) have actually evolved from civilian self defense systems and focus almost exclusively on one to one unarmed combat. There are very few weapons included, let alone integrated properly with the said respective art. Some arts have added on weapons over the years to try and correct this issue, but they are at best supplementary (if not rudimentary) to the core art and often the practitioner feels a lack of synergy as a whole.
Some basic weapons that were added on to some mainstream styles and arts are nunchakus, sickles, chains, scythes, axes, etc. Unfortunately, these are virtually all derived from farming implements, mostly from the Okinawan side of things. Not the first tool of choice for going into deadly and bloody battle, especially against armed foes.
TKD unfortunately has NO organic weapons to speak of. Even the primitive rifle and bayonet techniques of the 1st generation version of TKD were Military CQC derived and NOT integral to the art.
HKD on the other hand has an abundance of weapons. It is also a properly derived true martial art i.e. one developed with the objective of being used on the battlefield as a backup (albeit a battlefield that existed over 500 years ago). Unfortunately, most of the weapons in use today are not the same as the original ones found in AikiJuJitsu where HKD was mainly derived from, as most of the modern HKD practitioners' today hail from the Ji family style of HKD. Perhaps those from the earlier YuKwan or even YuKwanSool era may train with more effective and synergistic weapons. Most weapons today are for show or demonstrations, and were added on in the later years, and are not organic, i.e. belt, fan, umbrella, walking stick, etc.
 Tuhon Tim Waid
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In order to actually realize the concept of a holistic or rounded off MA training environment, we have researched into many weapons based or focused styles to address our weapons shortcoming. With the help of Filipino Martial Arts Pekiti Tersia Kali (FMA PTK) experts (Tuhon or Master Tim Waid and Lakan Guru Emil Fisk) we have put together simple but integrated complementary weapons program for adults as well as parallel "safety n fun" system for children (soft weapon based).
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The weapons we have currently selected as at 2012 are as follows:
1. Short stick (28 inches; single and double);
2. Nunchaku (single and double, mostly for historical links);
3. Machete;
4. Knife (4 inches and 7 inches; single and double);
5. Samurai sword;
6. Kerambit;
7. Pistol (where allowed);
8. Rifle (includes shotgun, where allowed). |
Except for the firearms, training for each impact and bladed weapon is via 3 distinct stages which include a basic pattern based on the traditional "I" format with closed "Ts" front and rear. Basic techniques and realistic drills are the core of each level. Stances are kept simple, with only 4 main ones utilized.
Since we are "Korean" in nature, we follow the Geup and Dan ranking system to suit. Graduates at the Dan level are encouraged to research further into the FMA PTK system if they show an aptitude for the weapons. |
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 Lakan Guru Emil Fisk
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Kindly note that the Program focuses on weapons only as it forms a complementary partner to the traditional MA systems that we promote. Hence, unless specific and integral to the weapons, there are NO strikes, kicks, throws/takedowns, blocks, stances, etc.
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