Weapon Design Project

son of oaf · 28th August 2006, 12:01 PM

LOL

i'll get some photos sorted asap.
The aluminium blades give us a chance to train the techniques and try stuff out with something that will at least be the same shape as a traditional weapon (if not the right weight, balance etc).
although elements of what we do is stick based, there are also other aspects that are "from the blade" and this gives us an opportunity to have a play and learn a bit more.

The other interesting thing is that because many of these are custom jobs for individuals there are a lot of strange variations appearing.
preferences in terms of grip, size of blade etc as well as bizarre custom requests have led to a few crazy hybrids.

i know one guy who has even replaced a barong handle with a custom knuckle duster!

i'm sure for some that's practically blasphemy!
but it's interesting to see a continuing evolution y'know? people are still trying stuff and seeing what happens. for me that's pretty exciting.

personally, for me the really cool thing is that we can try drills etc with a variety of weapons. double barong vs. kampilan. staff and shield. whip and dagger. bolo vs. barong etc.

i'd love to get to train with axes, panabas, some different types of shields. and i'm positive there is so much more out there i've probably never even heard of!

if anyone was interested in seeing a training version of a weapon in their collection, i'm sure my buddy would be interested in making some testers (with the help of reference images and sizes).
we could even take some training photos and let you know how we got on.
it could be lots of fun.

in the meantime, i'll take some photos and get back to you.

thanks for your time guys..

all the best

Battara · 28th August 2006, 08:21 PM

The only concern I have about aluminum is that it is lighter than steel. But it does make it easier to wield and thus a little flashier for demos. Since I don't own any aluminum pieces, I had to use 2 of my antique kris for a weapons demo at 2 events. Very sharp! (accidently cut my pants on the first one when I had carpel tunnel syndrome in one hand!

).

son of oaf · 29th August 2006, 11:32 AM

whooops!
sounds like a lucky escape!

fair play to you though for demo-ing with live blades!

the gym that a train at doesn't enter comps or do demo stuff etc. and i myself would only ever class myself as an enthusiastic amateur (i've only been training a couple of years).
The training blades are only for training and (in very few cases), sparring drills

the aluminium weapons were only originally used in knife classes, but as time has gone on (and more people own training blades) sword applications etc have become a part of the classes.
we have always been taught how and when to treat the rattan stick as a sword etc. but now we can actually substitute it for a training blade which is great.

of course it can't really substitute the real thing, but it is great for range, angle recognition, co-ordination and edge awareness.

it has really brought another aspect of FMA alive for me.

thanks for the feedback and info. it's all really interesting.

i will get those photos!

Battara · 29th August 2006, 07:40 PM

Just for clarification, I am a professional amatuer.

I did the routine to indiginous PI music. Fun and flashy (and apparently dangerous

).

son of oaf · 30th August 2006, 10:13 AM

okay..(hopefully) here is a pic of one of the training blades.

simple barong with rounded edges for safety, mirror finished with a fake edge.

a second version of this design was made with a para-cord wrap handle, no polish and no fake edge, purely for harder training. it's took a bit of a battering but served me well for a good six months now.

the designs we have so far are pretty simple, taken from live blades or books.

anyone interested in this collaboration idea?
i can run designs past my mate, we'll pick a few and make them. keep you all posted on progress, training etc. should be a hoot...

thanks again for your time guys

Battara · 30th August 2006, 06:39 PM

That is really nice and unique - using the older blade form of the barung. I like it. Looks right in proportions too.

VANDOO · 30th August 2006, 06:55 PM

THE BARONG IS CERTINALY MORE ATTRACTIVE FOR A DEMONSTRATION THAN A WOODEN OR RUBBER KNIFE. THE BALANCE OF COURSE WOULD BE LIGHT AS FAR AS THE BLADE GOES BUT THE NICE WOODEN HANDLE WOULD GIVE A GRIP LIKE THE REAL WEAPON WHICH THE WEBBING GRIP WOULD NOT DUPLICATE AS WELL. THEY SHOULD WORK WELL FOR DEMONSTRATION AND TRAINING AND BE FLASHY TO WATCH, AS LONG AS THEY DON'T MAKE A NOISE LIKE A ALUMINUM BASEBALL BAT ON CONTACT

I THINK I WOULD TRY AND MAKE A SET OF THE BASIC FORMS OF MORO WEAPONS FIRST KEEPING IT SIMPLE AS YOU HAVE WITH THE BARONG. FOR TRAINING PURPOSES THE BASIC FORMS WILL PROBABLY BE ENOUGH BUT A FEW MODIFIED TYPES MIGHT BE USED FOR DEMONSTRATIONS. THERE ARE MANY OTHER VARIATIONS OF THE FORMS AS WELL AS TYPES THAT HAVE BEEN INFLUENCED BY SOCIETYS FROM OUTSIDE THE PHILIPPINES. YOU MENTIONED A CUSTOM ORDER OF A PHILIPPINE KNIFE WITH A BUILT IN KNUCKLE DUSTER. I HAVE AN OLD EXAMPLE OF THAT TYPE SO ODD CUSTOM WEAPONS HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME. I WILL LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT YOU COME UP WITH.

son of oaf · 31st August 2006, 10:30 AM

hi

thanks for the feedback guys. i'm sure my buddy (bri) will be over the moon with all the compliments.
currently there are maybe three or four diferent types of barong, a couple of basic bolos, a kampilan and a few small knives, daggers and kerambits in the collection.

excellent re: "knuckle duster barong"..that's really cool! there's just nothing people haven't already tried is there!? i'd love to see a pic!

the mirror finished ones could pass muster for a demo, but we don't ever do them. i know some people just want a mirror polish on their trainers 'cos it looks good. others buy them and hang them on their wall!

we also have simpler, non polished corded versions that are more like the standard training blades for actually bashing together, sparing drills and work on the tyres etc.
i'll put up a pitcture when i bring one back from the gym.

so...anyone got any items in their collections that they would like to see training blade versions of?
i don't know what the best policy is here..i don't want to hassle people with stuff i like the look of..i'd love for it to be more of a collaboration thing..
anything and everything is of interest, completely different weapons, handles, blade shapes etc...
whaddya think?

just out of interest: here's a pic of a custom sword (one of a pair) made for a girl who does krabi krabong. bri ended up using a banister rail for the handles (still split with an aluminium core like the barong) and we got custom leather wraps made for the grips). bri is currently working on a more authentic handle for a second set.

cheers

30th August 2006, 10:13 AM	#5
son of oaf Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Newcastle, UK Posts: 15	okay..(hopefully) here is a pic of one of the training blades. simple barong with rounded edges for safety, mirror finished with a fake edge. a second version of this design was made with a para-cord wrap handle, no polish and no fake edge, purely for harder training. it's took a bit of a battering but served me well for a good six months now. the designs we have so far are pretty simple, taken from live blades or books. anyone interested in this collaboration idea? i can run designs past my mate, we'll pick a few and make them. keep you all posted on progress, training etc. should be a hoot... thanks again for your time guys Attached Images

31st August 2006, 10:30 AM	#8
son of oaf Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Newcastle, UK Posts: 15	hi thanks for the feedback guys. i'm sure my buddy (bri) will be over the moon with all the compliments. currently there are maybe three or four diferent types of barong, a couple of basic bolos, a kampilan and a few small knives, daggers and kerambits in the collection. excellent re: "knuckle duster barong"..that's really cool! there's just nothing people haven't already tried is there!? i'd love to see a pic! the mirror finished ones could pass muster for a demo, but we don't ever do them. i know some people just want a mirror polish on their trainers 'cos it looks good. others buy them and hang them on their wall! we also have simpler, non polished corded versions that are more like the standard training blades for actually bashing together, sparing drills and work on the tyres etc. i'll put up a pitcture when i bring one back from the gym. so...anyone got any items in their collections that they would like to see training blade versions of? i don't know what the best policy is here..i don't want to hassle people with stuff i like the look of..i'd love for it to be more of a collaboration thing.. anything and everything is of interest, completely different weapons, handles, blade shapes etc... whaddya think? just out of interest: here's a pic of a custom sword (one of a pair) made for a girl who does krabi krabong. bri ended up using a banister rail for the handles (still split with an aluminium core like the barong) and we got custom leather wraps made for the grips). bri is currently working on a more authentic handle for a second set. cheers Attached Images

28th August 2006, 12:01 PM	#1
son of oaf Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Newcastle, UK Posts: 15	LOL i'll get some photos sorted asap. The aluminium blades give us a chance to train the techniques and try stuff out with something that will at least be the same shape as a traditional weapon (if not the right weight, balance etc). although elements of what we do is stick based, there are also other aspects that are "from the blade" and this gives us an opportunity to have a play and learn a bit more. The other interesting thing is that because many of these are custom jobs for individuals there are a lot of strange variations appearing. preferences in terms of grip, size of blade etc as well as bizarre custom requests have led to a few crazy hybrids. i know one guy who has even replaced a barong handle with a custom knuckle duster! i'm sure for some that's practically blasphemy! but it's interesting to see a continuing evolution y'know? people are still trying stuff and seeing what happens. for me that's pretty exciting. personally, for me the really cool thing is that we can try drills etc with a variety of weapons. double barong vs. kampilan. staff and shield. whip and dagger. bolo vs. barong etc. i'd love to get to train with axes, panabas, some different types of shields. and i'm positive there is so much more out there i've probably never even heard of! if anyone was interested in seeing a training version of a weapon in their collection, i'm sure my buddy would be interested in making some testers (with the help of reference images and sizes). we could even take some training photos and let you know how we got on. it could be lots of fun. in the meantime, i'll take some photos and get back to you. thanks for your time guys.. all the best

28th August 2006, 08:21 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,282	The only concern I have about aluminum is that it is lighter than steel. But it does make it easier to wield and thus a little flashier for demos. Since I don't own any aluminum pieces, I had to use 2 of my antique kris for a weapons demo at 2 events. Very sharp! (accidently cut my pants on the first one when I had carpel tunnel syndrome in one hand! ).

29th August 2006, 11:32 AM	#3
son of oaf Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Newcastle, UK Posts: 15	whooops! sounds like a lucky escape! fair play to you though for demo-ing with live blades! the gym that a train at doesn't enter comps or do demo stuff etc. and i myself would only ever class myself as an enthusiastic amateur (i've only been training a couple of years). The training blades are only for training and (in very few cases), sparring drills the aluminium weapons were only originally used in knife classes, but as time has gone on (and more people own training blades) sword applications etc have become a part of the classes. we have always been taught how and when to treat the rattan stick as a sword etc. but now we can actually substitute it for a training blade which is great. of course it can't really substitute the real thing, but it is great for range, angle recognition, co-ordination and edge awareness. it has really brought another aspect of FMA alive for me. thanks for the feedback and info. it's all really interesting. i will get those photos!

29th August 2006, 07:40 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,282	Just for clarification, I am a professional amatuer. I did the routine to indiginous PI music. Fun and flashy (and apparently dangerous ).

30th August 2006, 06:39 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,282	That is really nice and unique - using the older blade form of the barung. I like it. Looks right in proportions too.

30th August 2006, 06:55 PM	#7
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	THE BARONG IS CERTINALY MORE ATTRACTIVE FOR A DEMONSTRATION THAN A WOODEN OR RUBBER KNIFE. THE BALANCE OF COURSE WOULD BE LIGHT AS FAR AS THE BLADE GOES BUT THE NICE WOODEN HANDLE WOULD GIVE A GRIP LIKE THE REAL WEAPON WHICH THE WEBBING GRIP WOULD NOT DUPLICATE AS WELL. THEY SHOULD WORK WELL FOR DEMONSTRATION AND TRAINING AND BE FLASHY TO WATCH, AS LONG AS THEY DON'T MAKE A NOISE LIKE A ALUMINUM BASEBALL BAT ON CONTACT I THINK I WOULD TRY AND MAKE A SET OF THE BASIC FORMS OF MORO WEAPONS FIRST KEEPING IT SIMPLE AS YOU HAVE WITH THE BARONG. FOR TRAINING PURPOSES THE BASIC FORMS WILL PROBABLY BE ENOUGH BUT A FEW MODIFIED TYPES MIGHT BE USED FOR DEMONSTRATIONS. THERE ARE MANY OTHER VARIATIONS OF THE FORMS AS WELL AS TYPES THAT HAVE BEEN INFLUENCED BY SOCIETYS FROM OUTSIDE THE PHILIPPINES. YOU MENTIONED A CUSTOM ORDER OF A PHILIPPINE KNIFE WITH A BUILT IN KNUCKLE DUSTER. I HAVE AN OLD EXAMPLE OF THAT TYPE SO ODD CUSTOM WEAPONS HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME. I WILL LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT YOU COME UP WITH.