> And on two-weapon use: I believe paired cestus/fighting claws were
> sometimes used, too. And I know someone who swears by paired sai, and
> nunchaku are used in pairs. But these are all short/small weapons, of
> course, and not necessarily used on the battlefield.
>
> James Frusetta
>
As someone who has used sais (although I am no expert) I think its
worth clarifying how they work.
- Sais are primarily a streetfighting weapon they were never
designed for the battlefield. They would have hopeless armour
penetration and would not be much good against a greatsword or
for that matter any long stabbing weapon in a mass combat
environment.
- The adantage of sais is that they are small and concealable.
- As a martial arts weapon they are used for training (the forearms)
and as an extension of the body in combat.
- They are an excellent defensive weapon (you lie them along the outer
edge of your forearm with the hilt facing forwards). Effectively, they
give you a solid metal forearm to parry with! Parry into strike is a
simple flick of the wrist which sends the tip wizzing forwards.
Most people are pretty good at moving their arms about so parrying a
sword (or whatever) is quite easy. They can also be used to entangle
using the hilts but this is much harder (and you risk losing fingers...)
Also, the two can be crossed together for a stronger block.
5) Attacks are:
- Strikes with the shaft/tip (using heavy hands/chi approach to
give it more impact). Typical targets are temple, ribs etc...
- Stabs with either the point (like a dagger). Typical targets
throat, eyes...
- Jabs with the hilt (like an extension of a pointed finger(s)
strike). Typical targets sternum, solar plexus...
- Hooking with the curved (pointed) hilt (holding the shaft).
The objective of this last strike is to dig the hilt behind
the collar bone, then you pull...
Tonfas are a somewhat similar but even less militarized weapon.
Despite popular police culture they are traditionally used in pairs.
Unlike sais you can do some nice roundhouse swings (much favoured by
cops).
Cheers
Lewis
PS> Final words of chinese wisdom:
"Master says use three sais; have one spare tucked into sash at back."