What is your favorite weapon?

[Hanuman]

Or rather, what do you like to be holding in terms of weapons with your hands?

[POS Industries]

My favorite weapon is the power of the human brain.

You'd be amazed how no one wants to come anywhere near you when you're slinging some big ol' brain around by the stem.

[gekkogo]

I'm all for pole arms, from lances, to naginata, to really bendy twigs.

[Flarecobra]

Spears, mostly. Rifles are also cool too.

[Nique]

A chache of cheap, heavy, baseball sized metal orbs and a deadly aim.

[Cloud Strife]

Despite my chosen name for these forums, my favorite melee weapons are easily down to two - the quarterstaff and the nagi-nata.

But then I suppose having some first-hand experience with both helps that decision, huh?

[phil_]

A spear, because, duh, I'm not near the guy trying to kill me. Barring that, a scythe, preferably a kama, because it fits in with my crummy martial arts.

Oh, or a gun. Yeah, that'd work.

[Archbio]

Eat pacifism, suckahs!

[TDK]

Its cliche, but I like swords.

Guns are also nice.

[PhoenixFlame]

I'd say spear, but everyone else already did.

Mono-wires and railguns are a close second, for when you really don't want a good old spear. They don't work so well on those pesky non-biological entities.

[Sithdarth]

I feel absurdly confident while walking to Karate with my Bo slung over my shoulder for some reason. I like that feeling but I'm not all that great with my Bo.

With my Nunchaku on the other hand I'm a natural. I've developed what I like to call a Nunchaku sense. It's like I know where they are just as easily as I know where my limbs are even with my eyes closed. I've actually accidentally dropped them from one hand and caught them in the other with my eyes closed. They are probably my favorite weapon based on the fact that they are easily concealable, very versatile, deceptive, and effective. Too bad they are also illegal in my state so I can only carry them to and from class.

I seem to have talent with essentially any sort of ranged weaponry I've ever tried my hand at. Never really developed it though. But for ranged combat at moderate range I'd definitely go with a crossbow in terms of legal weapons and the potential to defeat modern body armor without being very loud or hard to control. I'd imagine assault rifles would make a much better weapon but I've never fired one.

edit: Oh and I've never tried one but I imagine a three sectioned staff might be awesome. Perhaps with a spear tip at one end for extra danger. I have yet to try Sai, Tonfa, or Kama so my opinions might change with time there as well.

[Kyanbu The Legend]

Swords

Mainly Rapiers, Long Swords, Ordaichi blades, and Katanas.

[Amake]

http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv324/immortalpictures/small_solder_pen.jpg

[TDK]

edit: Oh and I've never tried one but I imagine a three sectioned staff might be awesome. Perhaps with a spear tip at one end for extra danger.

Jesusfuck that sounds dangerous. But that would be quite a potent weapon if you didn't murder yourself first.

Also:


http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv324/immortalpictures/small_solder_pen.jpg


Thread over.

[Sithdarth]

I stole it from Ikkaku from Bleach. The first time I saw it I thought to myself "Damn that thing would be hard to control but brutally effective if you could master it." I liken it to sword chucks with a tad bit more practicality. If all else fails you have half a spear in one hand and half a Bo in the other.

[TDK]

So you have a stick and a pointy stick?

[phil_]

Nunchucks were created by Bruce Lee at the beginning of history for his own use! Anyone using nunchuks other than Bruce Lee is a pale imitator, doomed by his own hubris!

Sithdarth!

[TDK]

I would like to change my answer to the original question from "swords" to "A stick and a pointy stick".

[POS Industries]

All joking aside though, my favorite weapon is an Apache attack helicopter.

[Sithdarth]

Do not under estimate what can be done with a stick and a pointy stick. Especially if the pointy stick is pointy from medal. Though I suppose something more like a Naginata with a point and a blade would be more useful and more like the source material. A straight spear point is just safer. Anyways sticks are dangerous especially when you know how to use them. Human survived for thousands of years with nothing but sticks and rocks to make the sticks pointy. Though obviously the only real way to win a gun fight without having a gun is to not get into a gun fight.

There is just something awesome about the physical exertion of fighting/practicing with a melee weapon though that makes me prefer them. Sometimes I wish I could carry my Nunchaku around because some of the drills are down right meditative. I can just close my eyes and get lost in the rhythm of the drill. It's great for thinking. Better than the pacing I usually do when trying to work a problem.

Oh and I'm definitely no where near Bruce Lee but I could totally take out Chuck Norris with my Nunchaku.

[Hanuman]

With my Nunchaku on the other hand I'm a natural. I've developed what I like to call a Nunchaku sense. It's like I know where they are just as easily as I know where my limbs are even with my eyes closed. I've actually accidentally dropped them from one hand and caught them in the other with my eyes closed. They are probably my favorite weapon based on the fact that they are easily concealable, very versatile, deceptive, and effective. Too bad they are also illegal in my state so I can only carry them to and from class.

Sith you might want to try poi, if you need any tips on how to most effectively get started I can help with that entirely, I personally am the second best teacher in my city and our city has been teaching classes for 9 years straight, the "nunchaku sense" is actually just mapping the swinging end in space using your spacial awareness and then combining that with sensing both gravity in the swing and centrifugal force, and other than motor control and mastering planes (how to adhere the physical orbit of the swung end to your internal 2D plane that you want it to go in) that's pretty much the biggest step.

If you want a legal concealable, deceptive, versatile and effective weapon you might want to try one of the chinese soft weapons, as they all meet that description-- perhaps not horsehair whip as that tends to have a stick but it's still a great weapon, especially for not actually hurting people.

Simple chains with a bolt at the end can be used for 9 section whip, single meteor hammer is just a big lock attached to a rope, all can be easily concealed, even across borders.

[Green Spanner]

Fukken Halberd.

It's like an axe-spear.

[gekkogo]

For the reference to the Three section, sorry I'm not quoting but I'm late for work. The same physical mapping that you did with your "nunchaku" applies to the three section. I've never personally enjoyed using the nunchaku due to the fact that I'm 6 foot 3 inches and One Hundred and Seventy pounds, needless to say I'm a bit more classed to ranged weapons.

But once you get the feel I don't doubt that you'd quite enjoy the experience of the Three-Section, due to it having the same versatility as the Nunchaku but enjoying it's obvious differences. All in all I say to go pick one up, but ALWAYS start with padded one's... I thought they were silly until about 2 days of having my Oak set... needless to say I was both wrong and bruised.

[Nikose Tyris]

I'm incredibly partial to the J? [Jo] staff, just in terms of its flexibility for adapting to my opponent.

If I just want to be a dick, my trenchcoat has sections I can pull out to drop the patches of chainmail from it, and use it for cloakfighting.


Edit: Apparently the forum doesn't understand that character. It's cool, a question mark works too.

Ooh and the ChainDagger. I love watching people use those but I'm not nearly stupid enough to use one. I'd lose a hand/eye/penis/other important body part on my first go.

[DarkDrgon]

Fukken Halberd.

It's like an axe-spear.

this. :D

[Terisse]

I have a disturbing affinity to war axes. (one-handed, not two.) And if I can't get one of those, a cleaver or broadsword. I just like heavy chopping weapons.

[Darth SS]

Sticks, baby. Most versatile weapon ever conceived.

Also: The karambit. Too bad they're illegal in Canada, because they are all kinds of cool and I would lurv to own one.

[bluestarultor]

I'm all for pole arms, from lances, to naginata, to really bendy twigs.

I'm in the same boat. Well, minus the twigs thing. That generally doesn't end well.

Oh and I've never tried one but I imagine a three sectioned staff might be awesome. Perhaps with a spear tip at one end for extra danger. I have yet to try Sai, Tonfa, or Kama so my opinions might change with time there as well.

Three-section staff is actually not all that hard to learn. Sort of. I find it much easier than chucks anyway. Something about the third section, probably the increased choice. That said, I'm self-training with an improper unit compared to what a "real" unit is. (It's much too thick to hold in one hand comfortably.) I'm probably not the best person to ask.

[Sithdarth]

the "nunchaku sense" is actually just mapping the swinging end in space using your spacial awareness and then combining that with sensing both gravity in the swing and centrifugal force

Oh I'm well aware of what's going on physiologically but that doesn't stop it from seeming like magic when you instinctively dodge a wild swing or reach all the way across your body and grab the dropped Nunchaku with your eyes closed.

The problem with Poi and the Three Sectioned staff is that the staff is expressly illegal in my state and the Poi is potentially illegal depending on how you interpret the law. One section of the law states that it is illegal to possess various weapons including any weapon with two or more rigid sections connected by something flexible like chain or cord and also makes provisions at the end for "any other dangerous or deadly instrument or weapon with intent to use the same unlawfully against another". Then in a later section of the law goes on to state "The possession by any person of any dagger, dirk, stiletto, dangerous knife or any other weapon, instrument, appliance or substance designed, made or adapted for use primarily as a weapon, is presumptive evidence of intent to use the same unlawfully against another." Meaning there is no such thing as I'm using it just for performance in my state.

I'm going off to graduate school in two weeks anyway so a won't have a lot of time to pick up a new weapon. Maybe after I graduate again I can find the time and a place to practice that won't get me arrested.

[bluestarultor]

Oh I'm well aware of what's going on physiologically but that doesn't stop it from seeming like magic when you instinctively dodge a wild swing or reach all the way across your body and grab the dropped Nunchaku with your eyes closed.

The problem with Poi and the Three Sectioned staff is that the staff is expressly illegal in my state and the Poi is potentially illegal depending on how you interpret the law. One section of the law states that it is illegal to possess various weapons including any weapon with two or more rigid sections connected by something flexible like chain or cord and also makes provisions at the end for "any other dangerous or deadly instrument or weapon with intent to use the same unlawfully against another". Then in a later section of the law goes on to state "The possession by any person of any dagger, dirk, stiletto, dangerous knife or any other weapon, instrument, appliance or substance designed, made or adapted for use primarily as a weapon, is presumptive evidence of intent to use the same unlawfully against another." Meaning there is no such thing as I'm using it just for performance in my state.

I'm going off to graduate school in two weeks anyway so a won't have a lot of time to pick up a new weapon. Maybe after I graduate again I can find the time and a place to practice that won't get me arrested.

That has to be the most bullshit law I've ever heard. "Any weapon with a blade or chain is illegal and owning one lets us arrest you for intent to commit assault/murder?" What state do you live in? :ohdear:

[Magic_Marker]

Still nobody wants to suggest laser sword?

I'm taking your nerd card away.

[Sithdarth]

"Any weapon with a blade or chain is illegal and owning one lets us arrest you for intent to commit assault/murder?" What state do you live in?

It's not quite as bad as that. Here is the law itself. (http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/LAWSSEAF.cgi?QUERYTYPE=LAWS+&QUERYDATA=@SLPEN0P3TPA265+&LIST=SEA22+&BROWSER=BROWSER+&TOKEN=18921128+&TARGET=VIEW) You can own like swords and stuff (as long as they aren't concealable like a cane sword) just basically not any martial arts weapon. Like Bo, Tonfa, and Escrima are all fine as are most swords and of course large medieval weaponry like you'd find at a Ren Fair. Although if you just walked around with that kind of stuff you leave yourself open to 265.15 and driving around with the stuff is equally potentially troublesome. Of course that requires a cop to actively care. Like I once got pulled over coming home from Karate because my Bo was propped between the the front seats extending to near the back window. (I'm 6'6" so my Bo is 6' even though that is still a little small for me.) The cop asked me what it was and where I was coming from and then let me on my way even though technically it counts as "any other dangerous or deadly instrument or weapon" and "The possession by any person of any dagger, dirk, stiletto, dangerous knife or any other weapon, instrument, appliance or substance designed, made or adapted for use primarily as a weapon, is presumptive evidence of intent to use the same unlawfully against another." Really it's just a matter of not giving the police a reason to harass you about it. Like practicing in your front lawn while the neighborhood kids look on.

[bluestarultor]

It's not quite as bad as that. Here is the law itself. (http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/LAWSSEAF.cgi?QUERYTYPE=LAWS+&QUERYDATA=@SLPEN0P3TPA265+&LIST=SEA22+&BROWSER=BROWSER+&TOKEN=18921128+&TARGET=VIEW) You can own like swords and stuff (as long as they aren't concealable like a cane sword) just basically not any martial arts weapon. Like Bo, Tonfa, and Escrima are all fine as are most swords and of course large medieval weaponry like you'd find at a Ren Fair. Although if you just walked around with that kind of stuff you leave yourself open to 265.15 and driving around with the stuff is equally potentially troublesome. Of course that requires a cop to actively care. Like I once got pulled over coming home from Karate because my Bo was propped between the the front seats extending to near the back window. (I'm 6'6" so my Bo is 6' even though that is still a little small for me.) The cop asked me what it was and where I was coming from and then let me on my way even though technically it counts as "any other dangerous or deadly instrument or weapon" and "The possession by any person of any dagger, dirk, stiletto, dangerous knife or any other weapon, instrument, appliance or substance designed, made or adapted for use primarily as a weapon, is presumptive evidence of intent to use the same unlawfully against another." Really it's just a matter of not giving the police a reason to harass you about it. Like practicing in your front lawn while the neighborhood kids look on.

I just love the fact that a katana is A-okay, but nunchucks are dangerous. XD

[batgirl]

A lighter and a can of bug spray makes for fun times.

Seriously though: I'm pretty adept with the Bow and Arrow even though I don't own one. I enjoy them immensely. I'm also partial to staffs.

[Azisien]

I just love the fact that a katana is A-okay, but nunchucks are dangerous. XD

Probably because 99% of all those pretty katanas you can go to a store and buy a much, much less deadly than any given knife in your kitchen.

[krogothwolf]

The only thing I've ever used as Weapon was a Hockey Stick and it worked fairly well for me!

[Darth SS]

The only thing I've ever used as Weapon was a Hockey Stick and it worked fairly well for me!

McSorley, is that you? Why'd you hit Donny, Marty? Why'd you do it?

You ended my childhood, you jerk.

[krogothwolf]

McSorley, is that you? Why'd you hit Donny, Marty? Why'd you do it?

You ended my childhood, you jerk.

Cause Donny looked at me funny!

It wasn't in an actual game, it was after it, someone tried to mug me so I speared him in the gut then smashed him over the head then for good measure I speared him in the crotch.

[Hanuman]

Poi is not a weapon, 9 section whip is a weapon.

[Sithdarth]

Try explaining to a city cop that the rather heavy weight on the end a string that you nearly knocked yourself out with (or eventually if you are good enough lit on fire) isn't a weapon. It's one of those better safe than sorry things. I'm not going to risk picking it up until I have an established place to practice with an expectation of some degree of privacy. Mainly because the laws in my state are stupid and vague; potential to cause damage classifies it as a weapon and simply having it is evidence of intent to use it to harm people as seen in the law I quoted. If I constructed myself some Poi and started practicing in my yard (and I barely have a front yard and not enough suitable space in terms of backyard) it could open up a potential can of worms I don't have time to deal with.

So Poi and the three sectioned staff are just going to have to wait till after grad school when ever I manage to buy a house with a space either indoors or out where I can practice privately. The only reason I even have Nunchaku is that my Sensei basically threw them at me one day as they are a required part of the curriculum and I only ever practice with them in the Dojo which doesn't have the ceiling clearance I'd need for Poi or the three sectioned staff. I've already put a few holes in it with my Bo. The floor is also this really weird padded stuff that feels like a yoga mat instead of carpeting which is stupidly easy to damage if you mess up which is yet another reason not to mess around with new weapons in there.

[Azisien]

Cause Donny looked at me funny!

It wasn't in an actual game, it was after it, someone tried to mug me so I speared him in the gut then smashed him over the head then for good measure I speared him in the crotch.

Truly, you are more Canadian than I can ever hope to be.

[Shin Amakiir]

Railgun would be excellent. A cat is fine, too.

[krogothwolf]

Truly, you are more Canadian than I can ever hope to be.

I'll tell you this it felt very satisfy. He was lucky we won the game to because if we had lost, I dunno what I woulda done to him.

Hockey Sticks: a weapon no one questions you about!

[bluestarultor]

Here's one, and I think I have to say it tops my list: a car.

I'm guessing most of us will never use one as such, in fact it generally doesn't occur to people, but with the simple turn of a key and push of a pedal, you're sending a giant chunk of metal weighing much more than a human being at speeds far faster than a human will ever be able to run. And that's just in town. Driving in a residential area at 25MPH already is a 4-minute mile, which is at the peak of human athleticism.

When you drive a car, you're putting yourself behind the wheel of a deadly weapon.

It's certainly something to think about.

[The Sevenshot Kid]

I'm good with a rifle so I would probably stick with that but my fantasy has always been to learn how to fight with a rapier.

[Hanuman]

Try explaining to a city cop that the rather heavy weight on the end a string that you nearly knocked yourself out with (or eventually if you are good enough lit on fire) isn't a weapon. It's one of those better safe than sorry things. I'm not going to risk picking it up until I have an established place to practice with an expectation of some degree of privacy. Mainly because the laws in my state are stupid and vague; potential to cause damage classifies it as a weapon and simply having it is evidence of intent to use it to harm people as seen in the law I quoted. If I constructed myself some Poi and started practicing in my yard (and I barely have a front yard and not enough suitable space in terms of backyard) it could open up a potential can of worms I don't have time to deal with.

So Poi and the three sectioned staff are just going to have to wait till after grad school when ever I manage to buy a house with a space either indoors or out where I can practice privately. The only reason I even have Nunchaku is that my Sensei basically threw them at me one day as they are a required part of the curriculum and I only ever practice with them in the Dojo which doesn't have the ceiling clearance I'd need for Poi or the three sectioned staff. I've already put a few holes in it with my Bo. The floor is also this really weird padded stuff that feels like a yoga mat instead of carpeting which is stupidly easy to damage if you mess up which is yet another reason not to mess around with new weapons in there.
Why put a hard weight in training poi? Gravity is a much better teacher than pain.

Here's some simple directions:


Take a fairly long sock, if you are worried about cops use something with circus colors or something, patterns and stripes, very visible.
Take a balloon, regular old balloon shaped balloon that you can buy for 5cents at the dollar store.
Full the balloon up with about 100g of water, just bigger than a golf ball.
Double tie it, repeat
Put it in the sock, tie off the end of the sock to make a little nub, repeat


There you go, no fucking possible way you will hurt anyone with these, a shoe would be a deadlier weapon.

They do not pop, very very rarely when stepped on-- maybe 1 or 2% chance.


As for fire poi, detach the chains with quick links and a wrench, keep the heads in a container, separated they are just chains, together they are chains attached to a brick of fabric.

[Sithdarth]

Either way it's going to have to wait until after grad school. Between the commute, thesis paper, course work, lab work, and all the professional seminars I have to attend (for credit) I'm going to be a tad busy. Well at least it is going to have to wait until my second year of grad school when I have a handle on precisely how much free time I might actually have because at this point I'm thinking it's going to be about none.

[Hanuman]

Either way it's going to have to wait until after grad school. Between the commute, thesis paper, course work, lab work, and all the professional seminars I have to attend (for credit) I'm going to be a tad busy. Well at least it is going to have to wait until my second year of grad school when I have a handle on precisely how much free time I might actually have because at this point I'm thinking it's going to be about none.
Yeah starting is a bit rough, you look silly and hit yourself. After that you can walk to and from busses through back alleys and flow while you are walking :)

[TDK]

25MPH already is a 4-minute mile

You're bad at math.

[POS Industries]

You're bad at math.
He's just using metric time.

[Doc ock rokc]

In terms of My body I would say My head. Alot of people are surprised when you hit them with your 9+ pound bowling ball of muscle, bone and brain.

In terms of Melee. Give me a club, staff or knife. As a Knife while short is intimating and goes great underhanded. The club and staff are nice choices as they are Greatly underestimated and can be used in various ways. OoOo Also Axes. Why? I always liked axes over swords.

in terms of Guns give me a Pistol any day. I would prefer a revolver as the bullets have a much smaller chance of passing though. but any pistol is fine. Why. Don't know I just have a better shot with a pistol then a shotgun or rifle.

[gekkogo]

A Chair... probably not all that uncommon and there's some cool stuff you can do with a chair AND/OR a bar stool!

[Hatake Kakashi]

I'd just as soon someone would finally toss me control of the Nuclear Football. There are a few places I wouldn't mind making into my next parking lot....

[Sir Pinkleton]

The sound of music. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aJjMOy-Ops&feature=player_embedded)