Probably the second most popular of all martial arts weapons after the katana sword, nunchucks are a staple in all sorts of karate training. Thanks to the Bruce Lee movies of the 1970s, we have all heard of, seen and marvelled at the incredible nunchucks being used to kick some serious karate moves.
Nunchucks, or nunchaku are traditionally considered as striking weapons. Although nunchucks can be used to ward off opposing strikes to protect oneself. Most kids in karate schools learn a variety of tricks using nunchucks made from foam, wood, and metal, depending upon the expertise and experience of martial artists.
No matter what kind of nunchuck you want to buy, be it a foam one for training purposes or metal nunchucks with different chain designs, you are spoilt for choice. It is worth looking at some key features of nunchucks to make the best choice.
Best Nunchucks for your needs
First thing you need to decide before picking nunchucks is what is the purpose you want out of it. A nunchuck can serve you in a variety of ways. Nunchucks are really versatile that way.
Whether you wsnt to buy a numchuckfor some hardclre martial arts training or are just inspired by them from movies and want to own one to play around with in your home, you need to figure that out.
Once you have your motivation to buy nunchucks sorted, there are some things that will lead you to the right nunchuck. If you want to buy nunchucks for martial arts then think about what kind of training you are going for. Different nunchuck styles serve different fighting techniques.
Once you have some idea about the kind of tactics you want to practice with a nunchuck, then select the ideal pair for yourself by looking at the following features.
Weight and Length
How long should nunchucks be? If you want to stay within safe range, look for a nunchaku that is around 12 inches long in each stick. (for one of the sticks). There are longer nunchucks available in the market (from 8"-14") but not all nunchucks will sit well with your handling and body size.
To pick out the ideal length for your nunchuck, hold the nunchuck in your hand strongly nearest to the connecting rope. Remaining in the same position, hold the nunchuck stick along your forearm-if the stick reaches to your elbow, then the length of nunchuck is ideal for you.
You should be able to hold nunchucks firmly but effortlessly in your hands. To test the ideal weight of the nunchuck check if you are comfortable with a round nunchuck or an octagonal one.
Round nunchucks tend to be easy to sway in order to carry out various flicks and twists with nunchucks. Octagonal nunchucks tend to give people a better grasp. Both shapes have pros and cons, go with your preference and have fun with your nunchucks.
Construction Material
The most commonly used material to make nunchucks is wood. Wood nunchucks themselves come in a variety of styles featuring different kinds of wood. If you want nunchucks for some basic martial arts training, go with lighter woods.
Nunchucks made from light wood provide a holder with precision and swiftness in attacking. Lighter nunchucks are so risk averse because their impact is not as hard and thus chances of injury to the trainer are minimal. More advanced martial arts training focuses on skill more than speed and thus a heavier wood is considered best by the trainers.
Apart from wood, nunchucks are made from metals such as aluminum-which gives them lightness with sturdiness. Graphite nunchucks are also extremely lightweight and are primarily used in performative martial arts and other such sports.
If you are looking for nunchucks solely for showy purposes then it is best to get adorned or engraved nunchucks which increases their aesthetic value giving an added visual flair to your antics.
The Rope (Himo)
Ropes and chains are most commonly used to join two nunchuck sticks, with ropes being more traditional. Chain links( kusari) are modern renditions of old nunchucks.
Rope connections tend to disintegrate or deteriorate quickly over time. Chain links are more durable but if someone has been using nunchucks with rope then it will be difficult for them tk switch to chain connectors because the way a chain makes a nunchuck spin is different from how rope makes nunchucks move.
It is totally a personal preference whether you opt for one or the other. If the agility provided by rope works better for you then go with rope nunchucks. If the weight provided by the chain helps you train with nunchucks better than go for it.
Final thoughts
You see how vital it is to choose the right style of nunchucks for your needs. A wrong weight or design can lead to disaster. If you are still unsure about the right style of nunchucks to choose from, consult a professional martial arts trainer to make the best pick.
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