Blog Stickman Knives, Blades and Hi-Impact Sticks
MARPPIO is now endorsing Stickman products. They are finely crafted products that are both functional and artistic. Read the latest advert from Stickman Products and do visit their site.
Stickman Escrima Products began in 1985 when Jeff Finder began making fire-hardened rattan for escrimadors in Stockton, California, earning the nickname “Stickman” for the quality of his products. In 1989 he pioneered the use of modern hi-impact plastics for martial art training as the first person to successfully market such products. To this day he offers the most extensive line of synthetic training sticks, in more lengths, diameters and materials than any of those who have copied his products.
As far back as 1990, Guro Finder designed a unique double edged training knife from plastic, using material heavy enough to emulate the weight and balance of a real blade. He realized the advantage of industrial plastics are that they are much more durable than wood, yet less damaging to rattan, hardwood or plastic sticks than aluminum or steel. This made his knife effective for espada y daga training, utilizing a cross guard to teach defensive parries and double edged to enhance sensitivity in disarms.
As more and more machine shops closed due to overseas outsourcing of work, it became increasingly difficult and expensive to get these knives produced. In response, in 2007 Guro Finder expanded his own shop to begin hand-carving training knives using traditional wood-working machinery such as router tables and shapers. His first design was a copy of a Visayan style knife carved for him by Maestro Sonny Umpad.
With his own machining capability, Jeff quickly realized he could copy any design from the heavy-duty synthetics he’d researched. Using his students to test the strength of his designs, he began making short swords, 21-24 inches in length, which have proved to be as durable and resilient as the sticks he’s made for over 20 years. Stickman Products is now the only maker of sparring-grade copies of traditional Filipino blades! These are unique in the martial arts world as attractive alternatives to wooden Japanese and Chinese swords, of which the latter are unsuitable for contact training.
These custom-made designs have been called pieces of art, with bevelled grinds emphasizing the unique curves of Filipino weaponry. Jeff’s unique process creates grain-like lines in rosewood hues, so that only the most discerning will recognize these are not made from real hardwood! However, the purpose of these blades are not to just hang on the wall, but are designed for sparring and edged-weapon training. Though thinner than sticks, that also compensates for the width of the blades so they don’t strike with any greater impact. All blades are designed to feel balanced, providing long and satisfying use.
It’s often said that escrima isn’t just a stick art, but a blade art as well. Until now people either had to train with metal or use their imaginations. Live steel is dangerously thin, even when dull, and aluminum quickly develops sharp saw-like edges with contact. Wood splinters or breaks, whereas heavy impact-resistant plastic will not! This makes it the ideal material for replica sword training.
Each piece takes at least four hours to make; all are individually made from templates, so they may be similar, but each is unique! Designs so far include pinuti, kris, barong, bolo and talibong and more are added as new blades are chose to use as models.
Though these have only been made for a few months, Stickman replica swords are already in the hands of a growing number of masters and grandmasters, including Remy Presas Jr., Vincent Cabales, Alex France, Chris Suboreau and others.
Jeff “Stickman” Finder
http://www.stickman-escrima.com