Your Weapon of Choice

[Hatori]

I'm a big fan of versitile "weapons" such as kubotan. It isn't a weapon as such, more of a "tool".

[sirdarling]

I like bo, Eku, sai, katana, mace, hand and a half sword and the scimitar.
My favorite is the sword to use, I really want to learn techniques with an old style Khopesh... an ancient egyptian sword.

[Koutaishi]

I really like the Chinese rope-dart. Unfortunately, it's not an easy weapon to learn.

I would have to say that my weapon of choice would truly be the bo (or another similar weapon). There's something wonderfully simple about a long branch (or best, a length of rattan or bamboo).

[sirdarling]

Well koutaishi, I like the bo too, but in my style of martial art we have always used more dense wood like red oak or some other hardwood. Does your style feature whippier motions like in kung fu where you don't necessarily need to strike hard but use the supple movements to slap your opponent?

[Koutaishi]

I presume that you are learning Matayoshi kobudo from East-West Kara-te, as that is the website in your link.
From what I saw on the website, I would guess that your style does a lot of drills that involve contact with weapons. This, combined with tradition, is likely the reason you use hardwood. The same motions are likely as effective with bamboo, or even with a simple pine broomstick, but these two materials would probably splinter in any sort of drill that involved partners.
As far as ratan goes, it is as resilient (or even more so) as hardwood. It is the material of choice for combat re-enactors, such as the people who participate in the SCA because of the amount of abuse it can take.

[eYoon]

i wanna learn to use the three section staff. swords are cool too. or just a simple staff in general would be cool.

[disgruntled]

i have heard that the three sectioned staff is the hardest weapon to learn.... but i suppose everyone wouldnn't agree

[Hatori]

I have had a go with a three-sectional staff and it is bloody hard. Forget about smacking yourself with a pair of nunchucks, this one is so much harder!

[sirdarksol]

Sensei has said that he will teach me three section staff at some point.

[Hatori]

I'm also a big fan of kusarifundo too. Been doing some Shuko techniques at Ninjutsu too which have been awesome!!!