I think certain things are practical and worth while to train for different reasons. I have a big spear (as big as you can have shipped to you in the US). I love training with it. I think it can really teach power development. I don't know a lot, but it's very fun and I think it can really help with development. I like the chain whip too, but it's a personal preference. Staff, and I think bow.
- Spear - Power development
- Chain Whip - Develops the waist, and precision. I think that the chain whip also can correlate to a lot of things. To a belt, for example, to a garrote. So, there is a lot of use for it. One of the teachers I've had in XYLH told me that "we do everything difficult". If you can use a chain whip and not hurt yourself, then there is a good chance you wont hurt yourself with something equal, or less. A lot of the same movements correlate to to something like a belt, a long sleeve (like if you are wearing a hoodie), etc.I saw a demo where a guy uses the sleeve to his hoodie as a garrote, kind of a cool idea. Same idea, it would be a flexible weapon.
- Staff - I think a lot of the training of a staff can be transferred over to many tools that are modern. Sticks on the ground, branches, even a hammer (if you really had to). The general idea is the same. I can't think of much more universal than a staff. This would also corelate to the more modern weapons, such as batons, walking sticks, canes, or even umbrellas.
- Bow - I like the idea of a bow for a couple reasons. First, it teaches you to be calm, and to breath. You can shoot when you are stressed or tense. You have to calm yourself, relax, breath, then shoot. It also teaches structure. Lastly, it really develops strength. Not only does it develop your muscular strength, but it develops tendons strength too. If you find something that has been shooting from the time their young, to an adult, touch there back and arm. Especially so if it's something akin to a war bow (120+ pullback). It makes your back feel as if it has iron cords within it. This is one of the most beneficial training's I've done. I was lucky to have a father that enjoyed archery when I was younger. I've moved away from the modern compound bow, to the more traditional bow. Working towards being able to shoot my 120 comfortably
.
- Knives - Probably the most common weapon carried. Not the biggest fan of knives, having been cut
. I think it's still worth while though. I'm a big fan of the Karambet. I like the fact that you can't drop it, and in fights that is a big possibility. I like the fact that you can trap with it too, having a rounded blade to it. I also like the fact that the finger hole also works with striking, if you want to be less lethal. Regardless of the knife, I think some basic knife training and knowing how to fight someone with a knife is worth while. Short story for you.
I worked security, and I still do from time to time. I was working as a bouncer, it was my first night. Ladies night. 9PM to 12PM, 5 dollars gets you anything you want (crown and down). So basically the ladies drank for 5 dollars would get them 3 hours of drinks, as much as they wanted. Guys follow woman. Long story short, I was taking out the trash and saw a guy not letting a cocktail waitress go home. Went up to stop it, he pulled a big knife on me. Strapped to his thigh, I think it was about 12 inches. Looked like a bowie or Kbar, something like that design. This guy was was very, very strong. We called him Mr. Swol at the school I went to. Big gym rat, power lifter guy. He use to be a substitute teacher at my school. He pulls the knife on me, I do the only thing I can do, taking my hoodie off of my waist. I still ended up getting cut too. I like to think my jacket did help save my life that night. Turns out the next day, the police came (for my report) and said he was on pcp, and I was lucky it didn't go much further then it did.
Point being, without the small amount of knife defense I had at the time, I could have easily had been dead. Might not be a bad idea.