Eye Square Martial Arts

Cultural Preservation… with Bruises.

Tag: Filipino Martial Arts

  • Rattan Stick Finish Guide: Skin, Lacquer, and What It All Means

    Rattan Stick Finish Guide: Skin, Lacquer, and What It All Means

    Not all rattan sticks are created equal.
    Beyond size and weight, two subtle details can dramatically change how your sticks perform in training:

    • Whether the stick has its natural skin (cortex)
    • Whether the stick is lacquered or raw

    At Eye Square Martial Arts, we’ve broken more than our fair share of sticks. So here’s what we’ve learned about how these finishes affect training, safety, and longevity.

    🟤 Rattan with Skin vs. Without Skin

    ✅ With Skin (Unpeeled)

    Rattan grows with a tough outer layer known as the cortex — or “skin.” When left intact:

    • ✅ Increased durability: The skin holds the fibers together, making the stick last longer under stress.
    • ✅ Less fraying or mushrooming: Especially at the ends
    • ✅ Smoother feel: Ideal for high-speed strikes
    • ⚠️ Slightly slicker surface: May require grip tape or gloves

    Best for:

    • Impact drills
    • Sparring
    • Outdoor training

    🔧 Without Skin (Peeled)

    Peeled rattan has had the outer layer removed — this gives it a more uniform, pale look and makes it:

    • ✅ Lighter and faster: Easier to maneuver for flow drills or forms
    • ✅ More tactile grip: Great for sweaty hands or indoor use
    • ⚠️ More prone to splintering: Especially if struck against hard targets
    • ⚠️ Less durable under repeated high-impact

    Best for:

    • Sinawali / Hubud
    • Solo practice
    • Kata / Anyo forms

    🎨 Lacquered vs. Unlacquered Sticks

    ✅ Lacquered Rattan

    Some sticks are coated with a clear or colored lacquer finish — making them:

    • ✅ Shiny and polished: Popular for demos or performance
    • ✅ Slightly moisture-resistant
    • ⚠️ Slick when sweaty: May affect control
    • ⚠️ Prone to chipping with contact use

    Best for:

    • Light training
    • Demonstration
    • Display or collection

    👐 Unlacquered Rattan

    These sticks are raw — no finish, no gloss — just natural texture.

    • ✅ Superior grip: Especially during sweaty training
    • ✅ Traditional look and feel
    • ✅ Easier to tape or customize
    • ⚠️ May dry out or absorb sweat over time

    Best for:

    • Full-contact sparring
    • Daily use
    • Students who like a more grounded feel

    📊 Quick Comparison

    FeatureWith SkinWithout SkinLacqueredUnlacquered
    DurabilityHighMediumMediumHigh (if with skin)
    GripMediumGoodLowExcellent
    AppearanceNatural glossPale/yellowGlossyMatte
    Use CaseSparring, hard drillsFlow, solo workDemos, light useEveryday training

    🧠 Final Thoughts: Which Stick Is Best?

    It depends on how you train and what you value:

    • Want long-lasting, hard-hitting performance? → Unpeeled, unlacquered
    • Prefer smooth speed and solo flow? → Peeled, unlacquered
    • Need a showpiece for demos? → Lacquered, maybe with design burn marks

    At Eye Square Martial Arts, we teach that tools reflect intention.
    Train with care. Choose with purpose.

    🛠️ Coming Soon:

    🔍 Looking for ways to customize your sticks? We’ll cover some cheap and effective ways in the next post!

    🥋 Train With Us

    Want to test the difference yourself?
    Grab a stick and join a class — we’ve got extras.

    🔗 View Class Schedule

    Cultural Preservation… with Bruises.

  • How to Choose and Care for Your Rattan Sticks

    How to Choose and Care for Your Rattan Sticks

    Not all rattan sticks are created equal.

    Whether you’re a beginner in Filipino Martial Arts or a seasoned practitioner, the right stick makes a huge difference in your training. At Eye Square Martial Arts, we go through a lot of sticks — so we’ve learned what holds up, what doesn’t, and how to keep your gear in fighting shape.

    Here’s a practical guide to selecting, maintaining, and respecting your rattan sticks.

    🛒 Choosing the Right Rattan Stick

    ✅ 1. Length

    • Standard length: 28–30 inches
    • Shorter sticks (21–26”) are useful for close-quarters or dual stick work
    • Make sure the length fits your arm span and training style

    ✅ 2. Diameter

    • Common thickness: 7/8″ to 1″
    • Thicker sticks = more impact durability and weight
    • Thinner sticks = faster, lighter, better for flow drills

    💡 Pro tip: Beginners often prefer something closer to 1″ for durability.

    ✅ 3. Burn Patterns

    • Some rattan sticks are fire-hardened or scorched for looks and rigidity
    • Burned ends help visually distinguish training weapons — and look cool
    • Decorative spirals or stripes are optional — but make sure they’re functional, not just fancy

    ✅ 4. Core Quality

    • Straight grain rattan is stronger and more durable
    • Avoid sticks with cracks, mushy ends, or hollow-sounding cores
    • Flex test: slight bend is good, but it shouldn’t feel soft or spongy

    🧰 How to Maintain Your Sticks

    🧼 1. Cleaning

    • Wipe with a damp cloth after training, especially if used outdoors
    • Let air dry — avoid leaving them in direct sun or soaking wet bags

    🛠️ 2. Reinforce (Optional)

    • You can wrap the handle or strike zones with athletic tape or waxed cord
    • Helps prevent fraying and increases grip
    • Don’t over-wrap or it’ll affect your feedback

    🚫 3. Avoid This

    • Don’t leave them in your car — heat can warp them
    • Don’t soak them in oil — rattan isn’t hardwood, and oil won’t preserve it
    • Don’t strike metal — it’s not a fencing sword

    🧠 Mindset: Treat the Stick Like a Blade

    Even though rattan sticks are training tools, they represent edged weapons in movement and mindset. That means:

    • Don’t twirl recklessly
    • Don’t drag them on the ground
    • Don’t leave them lying around like a baseball bat

    At Eye Square Martial Arts, we train with purpose — and that includes respecting our tools.

    🛍️ Where to Buy Rattan Sticks

    • Look for trusted FMA gear suppliers
    • Ask instructors or senior students for recommendations
    • If you’re local, we keep a few spares at the gym — come try them out

    🥋 Wrap-Up

    The best rattan stick is the one that feels right in your hand, holds up under pressure, and reminds you every day that you’re part of a living tradition.

    🗯 Ready to Train?

    Come try a class with us and put your new stick to use.

    🔗 View Schedule and Sign up for a Class

    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.

  • May 2025 Promotions — Milestones in the Journey

    May 2025 Promotions — Milestones in the Journey

    After intensive months of training, testing, and teaching alongside Grand Tuhon Nate, (along with decades training in the martial arts!) I’m honored to share a major milestone in my personal martial arts journey.

    While I still have much to learn and refine as a Kali practitioner, Grand Tuhon Nate has promoted me to the rank of Tuhon (Master Instructor). He believes I’ve demonstrated a level of mastery in both training and teaching that reflects the spirit of our art. It’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly.

    We held a formal test on May 10, 2025, and I’m proud to announce the following well-earned promotions:

    🥋 Promotions:

    • Brandon Scriver – Tuhon (Master Instructor)
    • Sean Ricks – Lakan Lima (5th Degree Black Belt)
    • Judson Finley – Lakan Isa (1st Degree Black Belt)

    Congratulations to my fellow martial artists — your dedication, discipline, and grit showed through during testing. Let’s keep sharpening each other.

    Cultural Preservation… with Bruises.

    Brandon Scriver's certificate recognizing him as the rank of Tuhon (Master Instructor).