Eye Square Martial Arts

Cultural Preservation… with Bruises.

Category: Training Tools

What can you use to help you train?

  • Stick Mods: Easy Upgrades for Your Rattan Training Weapons

    Stick Mods: Easy Upgrades for Your Rattan Training Weapons

    You don’t need fancy gear — just a little creativity.

    In Filipino Martial Arts, the rattan stick is a stand-in for a blade. It’s humble, simple, and brutally effective. But that doesn’t mean you can’t tweak it to suit your training needs.

    Here are some easy and affordable ways to mod your sticks for better grip, durability, and personality.

    🔹 1. Grip Tape Wraps

    Add a layer of control to your strikes.

    What to Use:

    • Athletic tape
    • Friction tape
    • Hockey grip tape
    • Tennis handle wrap

    Why:

    • Reduces slippage
    • Adds slight cushioning
    • Makes identification easier (especially in group classes)

    💡 Pro Tip: Use white underwrap and colored overwrap to make your sticks stand out.

    🔸 2. End Reinforcement

    Protect the most abused part of your weapon — the tips.

    What to Use:

    • Athletic or duct tape
    • Rubber caps or trimmed chair feet
    • Paracord or jute string

    Why:

    • Prevent fraying and splitting
    • Extend stick life (especially on hard surfaces)

    🔹 3. Custom Burn Patterns

    Add both style and grip texture.

    What to Use:

    • Torch or soldering iron
    • Ruler and pencil for layout

    Why:

    • Adds visual personality
    • Increases friction for grip
    • Honors traditional designs in FMA

    🔥 Go slow. Work in a well-ventilated area.

    🔸 4. Weighted Inserts (Advanced)

    Want to simulate a heavier weapon like a bolo or barong?

    What to Use:

    • Drill out the butt end slightly
    • Add small metal weights or BBs
    • Seal with wood glue or epoxy

    Why:

    • Increases hand strength
    • Trains blade momentum for transitions
    • Not for sparring — strictly flow drills or shadow work

    🔹 5. Color Coding & Pair Matching

    Mark pairs for double-stick work or differentiate left/right.

    What to Use:

    • Colored tape bands
    • Paint pens
    • Burned initials or symbols

    Why:

    • Faster pairing in class
    • Easier to distinguish your sticks
    • Fun personalization

    🧠 Final Thought: Your Stick, Your Tool

    Modding your stick doesn’t make it “better” — it makes it yours.
    Just like your movement evolves, so should the tools you train with.

    So don’t be afraid to:

    • Burn it
    • Wrap it
    • Tape it
    • Balance it

    Make it an extension of your training mindset.

    🥋 Want Help In-Person?

    We do stick mod nights and hands-on training at Eye Square Martial Arts.
    Bring your gear — or start fresh with one of our field-ready sticks.

    🔗 View Schedule or Contact Us

    Cultural Preservation… with Bruises.

  • What is Rattan — And Why We Train With It in Filipino Martial Arts

    What is Rattan — And Why We Train With It in Filipino Martial Arts

    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.

    🔗 Click here to see our schedule

    🗯 Cultural Preservation… with Bruises.

  • Sneak Peek: The Kali Klip Prototype for Martial Artists

    Sneak Peek: The Kali Klip Prototype for Martial Artists

    We’ve been cooking up something special behind the scenes—a lightweight, durable clip designed to securely hold your training sticks while you’re on the move.

    I’ve been collaborating with a friend who’s a whiz with 3D printing, and after several iterations, we’ve landed on a working prototype we’re excited to share:

    Side view of The Kali Klip, a yellow 3D-printed belt clip for Filipino Martial Arts sticks

    🔧 Designed for Utility

    The Kali Klip is engineered to attach seamlessly to your belt or pocket, offering easy access to your sticks during training, events, or demos. It grips tightly and securely holds sticks with diameters around 1 inch—no wobble, no hassle.

    The Kali Klip prototype securely holding a rattan stick, displayed on a gray textured surface

    Whether you’re carrying rattan sticks, synthetic trainers, or heavier bastons, The Kali Klip gives you hands-free convenience without compromising security.

    🔄 Coming Soon: Slim Stick Version

    We’re already working on Version 2 of The Kali Klip, which will support smaller-diameter sticks commonly used in Arnis, Eskrima, and Kali practice. We’re refining the fit, grip tolerance, and clip angles for maximum comfort and retention.

    📣 We Want Your Feedback

    Got ideas or suggestions for features you’d like to see in The Kali Klip? Drop a comment below or reach out directly—we’re building this for the FMA community, and your input could help shape the final product.

    If you’re interested in being one of our first field testers, sign up [insert link or contact form here] and we’ll keep you in the loop.

    ⚔️ Built for Practitioners, by Practitioners

    This isn’t just gear—it’s a tool born from real training needs. Whether you’re walking into class, prepping for a demo, or sparring in the backyard, The Kali Klip is built to make your stick training more accessible.