At Eye Square Martial Arts, we train with rattan sticks. Not because they’re flashy — but because they’re practical, traditional, and brutally effective.
If you’ve ever wondered why Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) like Kali, Eskrima, and Arnis favor a humble vine over high-tech gear or steel replicas, you’re in the right place. Let’s explore what makes rattan such a powerful training tool — and a symbol of the fighting spirit rooted in the Philippines.
🌿 What is Rattan?
Rattan isn’t wood — it’s a vine-like plant from the palm family, native to Southeast Asia. It grows fast, bends without breaking, and is surprisingly tough for something so light.
In martial arts, rattan is harvested, dried, and cut into sticks, typically around 28 to 30 inches long. These sticks become our primary training weapons in FMA.
🧠 Why Use Rattan Instead of Wood or Metal?
Training with steel blades or hardwoods sounds cool — until someone ends up in the ER. Here’s why rattan wins out:
✅ 1. Safety Without Sacrificing Realism
Rattan doesn’t splinter like oak or hickory. When it breaks (and after enough abuse, it will), it tends to fray or crack rather than send shards flying. That makes it safer for partner drills and sparring.
✅ 2. Tough, Yet Forgiving
Rattan absorbs shock. When you block or strike, it flexes slightly. That “give” protects your joints over years of training and prevents your partner from getting wrecked.
✅ 3. Blade Analog
Even though it’s not sharp, the angles and mechanics of a rattan stick mimic those of a blade. When we swing, thrust, or parry — we’re building muscle memory transferable to edged weapons.
✅ 4. Affordable and Available
Let’s be real — you’re going to beat these things to death. Rattan is inexpensive, replaceable, and low maintenance. Perfect for high-rep, real-world training.
🔥 What About Fire-Hardening?
Some sticks are fire-hardened — slightly scorched over flame to drive out moisture and make them stiffer. That can add longevity and “snap,” but it also makes the stick more brittle over time.
We’ll cover myths and truths about fire-hardening in an upcoming post (including whether it can shatter steel — spoiler: it can’t).
🌏 A Tool Born of the Philippines
Rattan isn’t just a material — it’s a symbol. It grows in the same jungles where Filipino warriors trained for generations. It reflects:
- Resourcefulness: using what’s available
- Efficiency: striking with precision
- Durability: bending without breaking
At Eye Square, we train with rattan because it keeps us grounded — in both tradition and practicality.
👣 What Comes Next
In the next post in this series, we’ll explore a common question:
“If Kali is a blade art… why are we swinging sticks?”
Spoiler: it’s all about transference of skill.
🥋 Want to Try Rattan in Person?
We train outdoors and indoors across Cache Valley.
Come to a class and feel the difference real rattan makes.
🗯 Cultural Preservation… with Bruises.
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