Filipino Martial Arts Basics - How to Measure a Rattan Stick for Filipino Kali, Escrima, or Arnis

In this video, Instructor Leslie Buck shows you a few methods for measuring a rattan stick for use with the Filipino Martial Arts. Every style varies, so it is best to get guidance from an instructor first.
Leslie Buck is an instructor of Pencak Silat Mande Muda and Pekiti Tirsia Kali. Leslie Buck is also the owner of Kali Gear and the Tactical Arts Academy.
If you are interested in buying rattan sticks for the Filipino Martial Arts, visit Kali Gear here:
goo.gl/o01BSW

[@fishonado]

Here's something to think about in terms of proportions...the average Filipinos range from 5'-0" to 5'-5". In reality, the baston(stick) were used as training for the bolo's which were farm tools when the Spanish took away our weapons. So for true implementation, the stick should be able to touch the ground from your gripped hand(my mother uses my sticks as walking sticks as well as for protection). The Bolo Punch was an upper cut that was developed by the Filipino boxers that came after the mass migration to the US in the 1920's and came from the way my people used to grip it when cutting sugar cane. The sticks were used in the Comedia's to maintain the art in front of our Spanish rulers. That is how the tradition was passed down generation to generation. My aunt was a master in her town and learned to love the "escrima" or stick fighting and used to beat the men until she left for college when she was 16 years old.....

[@KaliGearOnline]

That's awesome Mike. Thank you for the comment.

[@congerscott6064]

I use 1 1\4" from elbow to wrist, left over pieces from my rattan staff, thay work great 👍.

[@KaliGearOnline]

awesome!

[@brailwolf]

Im new to Kali but the sticks i chose are 1 inch diameter 26 inches long hard wood . things are tight and can only afford pair so im hoping the sticks will be medium wieght ,,, im learning on my own this video is short but of great help to me.

[@KaliGearOnline]

Welcome to the Filipino Martial Arts! Enjoy your training, Brailwolf. Anything to get you started is good. Just be careful hitting your hardwood sticks together because they can splinter and break sending sharp pieces of wood flying through the air. Rattan is safer for use when hitting stick to stick, because (unless it is very dry) it normally does not have sharp edges when it breaks and it usually does not break completely through like hardwood.

[@brailwolf]

@@KaliGearOnline I am learning on my own no one to practice with sucks. i need to practice foot work to i chose Kali because it works with blades as well .

[@noiJadisCailleach]

@@brailwolf Where you at? If you're looking for someone to practice with, there are groups that teach it for free. There are also groups that teach it for free but you have to pay via being almost always the sparring partner or the demo partner of the teacher.

[@brailwolf]

@@noiJadisCailleach i live in Illinois in the u.s.a. once i get the patterns down i will switch to using my Kukuri knives .

[@James-wd9ib]

My standard for weight: If you can't do 2 rapid simple parries using a flicking wrist rotation in quick succession WITHOUT straining your wrist, then it's too heavy.

[@glenbogger1873]

Thanks

[@actingactor6915]

So the moral of the story carry a measuring tape for your survival on the street

[@heriharimauasia8493]

How long (cm) is the best Arnis Eskrima stick?

[@Tacticalarts]

It all depends on the training you will be doing with it. Sometimes this is standard for a particular style. Sometimes it is proportionate to the body. Usually the stick is cut to the length of the real blade that it represents. Ideally the real blade is proportionate to the user and so the stick is as well.