Weapons training in Boyne Valley Martial Arts Schools is undertaken by advanced students only, beginning with the knife for Purple sash and the staff for Brown sash. Weapons training gives you two important things: Firstly weapons training teaches you principles which can be applied to everyday objects such as umbrellas, walking sticks etc. These can then be exploited successfully in self-defence. Secondly, a weapon is really just an extension of the body. As such weapon training provides an ideal platform for advanced martial art practice requiring strength, speed and coordination. All of these are to the benefit of any martial artist.
Knife Defense is the first of the weapons training to be taught to Lau Gar students. Knife attacks can be very unpredictable and are extremely dangerous. When wielded by muggers or would-be attackers, knives can cause more damage than a gun, and are much easier to get ahold of. Knife defense techniques can be very practical if you are cornered or seem stuck, and are unable to escape or run away.
The Chinese broad sword ('Dan Dao') is a single edged weapon. It can vary in length according to the practitioner's stature but is generally in the region of 90cm long. The blade of the dan dao is quite stiff, unlike some other Chinese single edged swords which can be very flexible. Its origins probably lie in the need for a practical weapon that could be used as a kind of machete should the need arise. Use of the dan dao is characterised by speed and aggression coupled with slashing and whirling movements. There is less emphasis placed on the thrusting movements that are a feature of straight, double edged swords although such movements do occur in Lau Gar dan dao forms.
The butterfly knives ('Wu Dip Dao') are very much a southern Chinese weapon. They are more like short swords than knives being roughly the length of your forearm. Each has a blade edges on one side and a closed handle that protects the fingers. There is also a hook on the non-edged side of the blade which allows the practitioner to pivot the knife around so that it runs down the forearm. Rotating, slashing and chopping movements are common with this weapon
One of the first weapons to be taught to Lau Gar students is the wooden staff ('kwan'). The Lau Gar staff is about 6 feet in length and in the region of 3.5cm in diameter. It is made of hard wood and is therefore almost completely inflexible.
The rat-tail or throat locking staff ('Soar Hou Kwan') is made of hard wood. It is longer than most wooden staffs being around 7 feet long. It is easily identified because it tapers from a thickness of about 5cm at one end to 2.5 - 3cm at the other. No doubt it is the taper that gives it the name 'rat tail'. The rat tail staff is truly a Lau Gar weapon as it is not used by many other styles.
The tiger fork ('Pa Fa') is a key Lau Gar weapon as it is closely associated with the style's founder, Lau Sam Ngan or Three Eyed Lau who was a tiger hunter. The Tiger Fork is in the region of 6 feet in length and has a substantial steel trident or fork at its head. The supporting staff is made of hard wood and is usually very thick. The Tiger Fork is a heavy weapon being in the region of 30 - 40 lbs in weight and requires both skill and strength on behalf of the practitioner.
The Lau Gar spear ('chung') is a long weapon being in the region of 7 feet in length. Unlike the spears that evolved in many other parts of the world the Chinese spear is not a throwing weapon. It further distinguishes itself by having a flexible rattan staff rather than a rigid hard wood one.
The spear is regarded by many as the oldest Chinese weapon originally developed for use as a cavalry weapon to be used from horse back. However, in kung fu schools it is used as a weapon for practitioners with their feet firmly planted on the ground. Its flexible staff lends itself to some unexpected uses such as slashing movements. That is why it is common to have a pointed, double-edged head which can be used to slice as well as thrust.
The Kwan Dao takes its name from its inventor, General Kwan Yu, a central figure in many Chinese myths and legends and a figure that can often be seen in statue form. In fact General Kwan can be regarded as the patron deity of the Chinese martial arts and shrines devoted to him are not uncommon in traditional kung fu schools. Other organisations such as the police also pay homage to him. As an example the main CID office (or 'daai fong') in Hong Kong police stations always have a shrine to General Kwan. The reason he is so revered is that after performing many good deeds during the latter part of the Han Dynasty (in the second century AD) General Kwan was put in command of the Emperor's army. There he forged a reputation for both strength and military genius as well as becoming famed as a defender of the righteous and supporter of the just cause.
The cane shield ('Tang Pye'), supposedly used by the Tiger soldiers who were elite 'shock' troops used to terrify the enemy during wars of the 19th century. There are records of them being present during both the Taiping and Boxer Rebellions, as well as some earlier references to tiger-striped uniforms during the 18th Century. The large gently convex shield made of heavy cane is often painted dramatically with a tigers face with open jaws.
Although not designed as a weapon, both men and women have used the fan for self-defence in the past. The movements include striking vulnerable areas, as well as blocking and brushing attacks. In addition to the traditional weapons of Lau Gar, the fan is one of many additional weapons available to learn, and are often taught by the Lau Gar Guardians. These additional weapons have been often learned from various Masters, following training trips to China.