One of the questions I get asked regularly is, "What stick should I buy?" The truth is, it depends on what you're using it for. In this lesson, we look at the different options available: ✅ Standard Rattan Sticks – The traditional choice. Durable, safe, and the most common stick used in training. ✅ Lightweight Sticks – Great for developing speed and coordination, but they can sometimes encourage bad habits if relied upon too much. ✅ Hardwood Sticks – Heavier and more durable, often used for conditioning and strength development, but they require extra care when training with partners. ✅ Padded Sticks – Ideal for impact training, sparring, and introducing beginners to contact work with reduced risk. We also cover something every practitioner will experience sooner or later... 🌴 What happens when your rattan stick starts to shred? Many people throw a stick away too early. We'll look at when a stick is still safe to use, when it should be retired, and a few simple tricks to get more life out of your training equipment. A good stick can last a surprisingly long time if you know how to look after it. If you've got a favourite type of stick or a tip for making them last longer, drop it in the comments. I'd love to hear what you're using in your training.

t's funny how 50 used to sound a long way off, but now it's coming up pretty quickly. That said, when I think about it, four years is still a long time. You can learn new skills, build a business, improve your health, make new friends, and completely change the direction of your life in four years. Sometimes we underestimate what can be achieved when we stay consistent and keep moving forward, even if it's only one small step at a time. So while 50 is on the horizon, I'm looking forward to seeing what I can build, learn, and accomplish between now and then. Here's to another year around the sun and making the next four count. 🍻

After finding my Great Uncle’s World War 1 unarmed combat manual, I went down a bit of a rabbit hole looking into British Army combat methods from World War 2. It’s a real throwback — old school techniques, old training methods, and an old English voice-over that I honestly found pretty entertaining. I’ve uploaded a video talking about the topic and sharing some of the things I found interesting along the way. Let me know what you think 👊 https://youtu.be/Cm_HS7J2y78?si=nqwaSJS05C8MTm08

While cleaning out my dad’s attic, I came across something incredible — an original British Army manual belonging to my Great Uncle Joe called Methods of Unarmed Attack and Defence, issued in June 1917 during WW1. This wasn’t just a random book… it was an official hand-to-hand combat training manual used to prepare soldiers for close quarters combat during trench warfare. Inside are illustrated techniques covering: Striking Wrestling and grappling Defences against weapons Restraints and controls Close combat drills Even using a steel helmet as a weapon What’s really interesting is how familiar some of the movements still look today. You can see early influences of boxing, wrestling, military combatives, and even old jiu-jitsu concepts that would later shape modern self-defence systems. As someone passionate about martial arts, combat systems, and the history behind them, it’s amazing holding a piece of history like this and realising soldiers were learning structured unarmed combat over 100 years ago. It makes you appreciate how martial arts continue to evolve, while still being connected to the past.

Hello! Brand new to eskrima/kali/arnis and looking to learn. There was someone teaching across the river from me, but the school closed. Where do I start? (I have a pair of sticks.) Thanks!