In the past, emphasis was on armed fighting rather than unarmed. Most styles would have students started with weapons training first. Starting from long range weapons to shorter range weapons and finally empty hands.
This makes total sense since weapon is a great equalizer when it comes to combat. Which is easier: disable someone with weapon or with your barehand. The answer is obvious.
However, since the turn of the late 20th till present days, the trend has switched from armed combat to empty hands emphasis.
Some styles still have weapons in their training curriculum but most of these focus on traditional weapons that are no longer relevant or used in modern-day settings e.g. Katana, Nunchakus, Sais, Spear, Sword, etc.
Let’s face it, you can’t walk around carry those weapons and how often you see one lying around some places when you need to pick up one to defend yourself.
Some styles don’t even have weapons training in their curriculum at all.
Although, it’s fun to practice and be able to maneuver traditional weapons from time to time. For practical and self defense purpose, modern-day martial artists and warriors should switch their focus to weapons that can be found and carry in morden-day setting.
Below are the top five weapons that every modern-day warriors should practice and be able to handle should they come across them or similar weapons. Starting from the long range to shorter range types:
- Guns
Guns are the ultimate long range weapon. Its traditional equivalent is the bow and arrow. However, unlike bow and arrow it is easier to operate and more destructive.
It is deadly in both long range and short range.
Most martial artists or traditionalist would look down and refuse to familiarize themselves with this weapons thinking that it’s cheating and anyone can pull the trigger. However that a folly way of thinking. As the old saying goes “All is fair in love and war”
So it’s best to familiarize your self with this weapon and learn how to handle them safely should you come across one in a life or dead situation.
- Long Sticks
Long stick or staff around 5′ and up are probably the only traditional weapon that can still be used in modern day setting.
That’s good news, since if you already practice that in your dojo you can continue practice that.
It’s a good range weapon to keep the opponent at bay (not as good as guns however).
Long stick skills have great versatility of translating over to other similar improvise weapons when you’re out and about and need to find something to defend yourself. e.g. broomstick, flag pole, mop handle, etc.
Example of trraditional martial arts styles that teach long stick skills: Some kung fu schools like Hung Gar, Wing Chun, Shaolin, Kobudo, some karate styles: Shorin ryu, Kyokushin, Vovinam, et.c
- Short Sticks
Short sticks of any length between 26″ to 28″ is another weapon you should practice.
Good short sticks skill can be translated to other improvised weapons that you can find lying around: machete, baton, water pipe, baseball bat, etc.
Best traditional martial arts that teach short stick skill are pretty much all different styles of Filipino martial arts.
- Knives
At extremely close range combat, knifes are probably the deadliest and very difficult to defend again.
These include fixed blade and folding knives.
Unlike sticks, knife can be carried around easily conceal or open.
Again Filipino martial arts extensively teach how to use knives effectively. Indonesian arts like Pencak Silat also teaches how to wield these.
- Tactical Pens
Tactical pens are a good self defense weapon if you have nothing else on hands.
It is legal and innocent enough to carry around in most places.
It is used as impact weapon to vulnerable spots on the human body.
If you already know how to use a knife, you can translate that skill to using tactical pen easily enough.
If you don’t, having a tactical pen in your hand can enhance your empty hand strikes – adding more power and pains toward the opponent.