Shopping Cart
View Cart
Checkout
# of Item(s): 0
Total: $0.00


Categories

 
 


Koch Martial Arts and Fitness Supply is upfront


Zoom In/Out
On your keyboard press the buttons "Ctrl +" or "Ctrl -" at the same time to zoom in or out to view our website how you like!

How To Choose a Martial Arts Weapon


How to Choose a Bo

For Demonstration: The goal is for the bo to be as light as possible, allowing greater speed and control. Depending on the demonstration, eye-catching features such as color and chrome will help you dazzle your audience.

For Combat Training: Accidental contact during bo training and unintentional hard strikes can result in serious injuries. Softer woods such as white wax and rattan are preferred over the hardwoods for martial artists in training.

For Strength and Speed Training: Training with a heavier bo helps increase your strength and stamina, giving you an edge during combat or competition. The hardwood bos and staffs are excellent choices for this type of training.

Bo - How to Size: Most bo practitioners choose a bo that is a few inches longer or shorter than their own height. A longer bo extends your reach, while a shorter bo is easier to manage. You should be able to make a solid fist while gripping the bo at its widest point. Pay particular attention to tapered versus straight bos and consider strength when choosing weight and size. Last, but not least, make sure to choose a bo that you can easily grip.


How to Choose a Sword

Sword sizing varies depending on the type and usage of the sword.

The three major lengths for a Samurai Sword are as follows:

* Tanto - Short sword or dagger, usually 16-20 inches
* Wakizashi - Medium sword, usually two feet or more in length
* Katana - Long sword, usually four to five feet in length


How to Choose a Nunchaku

Nunchaku attached with cords will not rotate as fast as those attached with ball bearing chains. Corded chuks are also more prone to wear and tear, but weigh less. Most beginners choose the corded variety, then move to ball bearing when they become more acclimated to the weapon.

For Beginners: Padded styles are often preferred for the beginner. Padding reduces the force of many impacts and is also easier to grip. These chuks are also lighter weight.

For muscle conditioning and speed development: Increase speed and muscle development by using a heavier hardwood chuk. The extra weight builds muscles, and increases speed and ease of motion when moving to a lighter nunchaku for demonstrations.

For Demonstrations: For demonstrations, a lighter weight and faster ball bearing attachment nunchaku is preferred. Demonstration nunchaku are generally made with plastics, acrylic, or extremely lightweight wood such as rattan or white wax.

Nunchaku- How to Size: The most common lengths for adults are the 12” and 14” and the most common diameter is 1”. Younger practitioners usually prefer the 8” and 10”.


How to Choose a Sai

For Demonstration: Lighter sais are preferred for demonstration. Some martial artists choose sais with reflective materials to add flash to their performance. The aluminum sai is lightweight and the preferred choice for demonstrations. The hexagonal shape reflects more light, making a sai demonstration more impressive.

For strength and speed development: To develop muscle strength and increase speed, use a sai made from a heavier material, such as chrome. This will increase strength in your arms and wrists. Then, when switching to a lighter sai for demonstrations or sparring, you will naturally move faster.

Sai-How to Size: Hold the handle in the hand with the blade extending backward along the forearm toward the elbow. The blade should extend one inch past your elbow so that the sai may fully protect the forearm.


How to Choose a Kama

For Demonstration: Lightweight Kamas with shorter handles are preferred. Often, blades for competition are vented with large circular holes to further reduce weight and increase the speed of the Kama. Handles are also planed, or shaved down slightly in the direction of the blade and like tapering; increases the aerodynamic efficiency of the weapon, making it cut through the air more quickly.

For Training: Most students begin their training with non-metal bladed kamas for safety and to become familiar with the weapon. Wooden, plastic or padded blades are good choices for the beginner.

For Strength and speed development: Heavier, wooden kama with metal blades are used to develop strength. The heavier materials will work and develop the muscles, along with making the transition to lighter demonstration style Kamas easy and natural.

Kama -How to Size: The most common lengths for adult range from 14-18”. Younger practitioners usually prefer a length of 8-12”.


How to Choose an Escrima

For Demonstration: Lighter weight sticks are preferred for demonstration. Some martial artists choose sticks with designs or reflective materials that add flash to their performance.

For Combat practice: Padded Escrima sticks are generally used for combat practice. The foam padding protects both the user and his/her sparring partner from harmful impacts during intensive training. For strength and speed development: To develop muscle strength and increase speed, use an Escrima stick made from a heavier wood, such as hickory. This increases your strength and acclimates you to heavier sticks. Then you will be able to easily switch to a lighter stick for demonstrations or sparring and you will naturally move faster.

Escrima-How to Size: The standard length size is 26” to 28.” There are so many different varieties of martial arts using Escrima sticks, it is wise to ask your instructor exactly what length he considers appropriate for his class.


How to Choose a Tonfa

For Demonstration: A light, smooth and round Tonfa is most often preferred for demonstration. You may also want to consider a tapered end. All of these features will contribute to faster rotational velocities and smoother turns.

For combat practice: In combat practice situations, thicker squared off Tonfa with tapered ends are used. The square edges help in blocking and deflecting while the tapered edge will reduce the chance of hitting your wrists while spinning the Tonfa.

For strength and speed development: Heavier wood and bulkier square designs are preferred in training to increase strength, stamina and speed.

Tonfa-How to Size: In general, your tonfa should not extend more than one inch past your elbow when gripped. For correct sizing, measure from the tip of the extended index finger to the end of the bent elbow, then subtract ½ inch.


How to Choose a Martial Arts Weapon contributed by Century Martial Arts.


This page brought to you by: workout plans

 

We Ship Worldwide



International customers can view our website in a different language to make shopping easier.

Visit the
International Orders
section of our website to do this as well as other helpful information such as shipping rates to your country, custom duties/taxes, size conversion calculators, etc.

Shop with Confidence



"Koch Martial Arts's customer service is beyond professional.  Dealing with them is like dealing with not only a professional company, but a best friend at the same time.  I am happy with the products I ordered and wish to order from them again in the future."

Derek Liston
University Student
Mixed Martial Arts and Boxing
Brockville, Ontario, Canada




"I am very impressed with the genuine customer service that Randall Koch provides through his company. I am currently stationed overseas, and he made the process of shipping internationally and using the online live support from over here far easier than I have experienced elsewhere. The prices are great and I am happy to be a repeat customer! I recommend Koch Martial Arts to anyone."

Jenna Williams
Navelsg Forward
Headquarters Company
APO, AE




"Hi there! I have bought items from Koch martial arts and always have been nice and easy (you have to consider I live in Argentina,…, yes…, down there!!!!) . Randall, well……, he is one-of-a-kind person!, all your doubts will be answered and, in my case, always he and the people from koch martial arts have fulfilled my expectations. I strongly recommend this site as a very, very VERY good place to buy (and , between us, very good prices too, jeje!) Thumbs up, Randall and thank you for all your help! "

Nestor Medina
Bodybuilder
Cordoba, Argentina




"Just want to thank you for your good service. We have been purchasing martial arts gear, uniforms and weapons for the past 10 years for our sons from various martial arts businesses both online and in stores. Your prices are excellent and the Action Flex Escrima was received in good condition. Hope to do more business with you in the future."

Greg Smith
Cathy Won-Smith
Hayward, California




"Firstly congratulations for running such a smooth and professional operation. The site was very easy to find, is well put together, with accurate descriptions, good pictures. Prompt reply to emails and excellent communication all round. The products arrived promptly, atg the door, with minimum fuss. They are of high quality and exactly what I expected. Pricing was highly competitive. With the international delivery still cheaper than buying locally. Thank you for a great service."

Dr. Amir Nekoee
Bodybuilding and Martial Arts enthusiast
Melbourne, Australia




"Randall Koch from Koch Marital Arts and Fitness is a man of integrity and runs a very professional company. My experience with Randall has been amazing; the customer service provided to me was outstanding. He goes above and beyond your expectations. I would recommend them to anyone and I would order from them again. They have been by far the best company I have ordered from."

Tina Pac
HR Administrator
Cardio Kickboxing
Kensington, Connecticut




"I have ordered numerous times from Koch Martial Arts and EVERY TIME, I receive a GREAT TRANSACTION!! The product is ALWAYS Perfect and the Service is SECOND TO NONE!! Being in the Customer Service Industry, I ONLY give repeat business to companies who go ABOVE AND BEYOND and at Koch Martial Arts, that's what I've come to expect EVERY TIME!!

They are always quick to respond to emails and Shipping to Canada is AMAZINGLY FAST!!

I will continue to purchase all of my Bodybuilding clothing and accessories from Koch, why look ELSEWHERE when I've found THE BEST!!!"

Bobby Weir
Entrepreneur
Amateur Bodybuilder
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada




"Doing business with you has been good & professional! Keep up the good service, it's hard to come by."

Dyana Alexander
Winter Park, Florida




"Hey,
I received it (Everlast® Pro Sparring Safety Cage Headgear) yesterday and it's in really good condition! It's a good decision to buy from you because of the lower prices and I'll inform others to visit your store. I wish you the best and thanks again!"

Jeric Tamayo
Montreal, Quebec, Canada




"I have asked Randell Koch so many questions using emails and online Live Support and always received answers to every inquiry.,From right size of headgear to proper fit of Ringstar shoes.And I have to say because of the great customer service, every Item I've purchased has fit perfectly .Always shipped as promised. Professional Service like this is hard to find. .and price of merchandise can't be beat. Thank you."

Arlene
Atlanta, Georgia




We want you to have a positive experience with us! If you are not satisfied with your purchase for any reason you can always email us. We will reply in a timely manner and discuss your questions/concerns and offer solutions to your issues. You can return any item in new condition within 30 days of the delivery date to exchange for another item or a refund for the cost of the item.


We want you to feel confident knowing you are getting a good deal from us! If you see the same product being sold for a cheaper price give us the opportunity to price match. We can't guarantee we can match all prices (especially if another website has a clearance sale)...however, we will try our best for you! Email us the link if you see a better deal out there!


Supporting Others

10% Military Discount for all orders shipping to APO/FPO addresses.

We will refund your payment 10% for the cost of the items after we receive your order. 
Thank you for your service!


Military, Law Enforcement, Firefighter and EMT personnel are eligible for a 10% discount
on all orders.

Before ordering,
please click here to receive instructions on how to get your discount code!