Saber Forum

I was wondering if anyone out there knew of a saber form based totally around a staff saber?  From the info I've gathered (and its not much) I haven't seen anything.  Please let me know your thoughts.

I'm not aware of any lightsaber form based around the staff.  Though it is important to note that the known Forms (check Wookieepedia) are more philosophies than lists of moves.

Cheers.

Thanks.  Yeah I was assuming that but I was taking a shot in the dark and hoping for some guidance.  I am fairly aware of the forms I favor with a two handed saber.  Thats the type of weapon I'm use to.  I guess I will just apply the same ideals to my staff technique.  I am planning my next saber to be a staff. That is why I'm curious about them.  But as for experience with one....That would be little to none for me.

Well when you get your staff let me know and I'll toss you some starters and pointers for learning the techniques.  If you take a video of yourself and post it I can also give you a critique and suggestions.  I've done it a few times before.  If you can find a teacher that you can see in person that is always better though.

Enjoy!  And cheers.

Thank You Master Vidnyl.  I would accept any feedback you can give.  I saw ur video on ur prophecy review and I can tell you have some sick skills. 

I'm getting a Phantom soon (CANT WAIT!!!!!!!)  anyway you should check out this site it has some good pointers. http://www.freewebs.com/lightsaber_training/index.htm?no_redirect=true (http://www.freewebs.com/lightsaber_training/index.htm?no_redirect=true)

Shii Cho, as done by our Master Staff User, Paul, aka Darth Jinduri.

http://telet065.garagetv.be/video-galerij/dragonlord/category2552/shii_cho_with_a_staff_flv.aspx (http://telet065.garagetv.be/video-galerij/dragonlord/category2552/shii_cho_with_a_staff_flv.aspx)

As a saberstaff enthusiast, I must say that there are no forms specifically made for the saberstaff.  That being said, any form can be applied to the saberstaff.

I give you a point for your interest in this weapon.  I am a kindred there, and my saberstaff is my priority.  The saberstaff is a Sith perversion of angry fighting IMO. It's very flashy as a by-product because you always have the twin blade whipping around in the leading blades 'footsteps.'  So, defensively or offensively, this weapon is *a lot* to take in visually.   Because of that, the percentage of Jedi wielding them is small, and of that clique, even a smaller number wield them as a primary weapon. As far as most Jedi are concerned, they're mostly used for training purposes.  I imagine the mentality is 'know thy enemy.'

Foolish.

Sith or no, the saberstaff has an incredible diversity.  From a long handled sword, to a simple club (no blades activated).  So it goes without saying that to master a saberstaff is to master many things.  A lightsaber is basically a Kuboton when the blade is not 'lit.'  A saberstaff would theoretically be an escrima/kali stick when not lit.  Not many use the sabers' hilts 'as is,' but these mentalities will really help one envision the dynamics and purposes of the weapon.  Whenever you break something down into it's simplest components, things seem to make more sense (at least to me they do, but I tested off the charts in only one thing in my life, and that is Spatial Relations, objects in their/an environment, their dimensions/mass, and physics surrounding them).

Once again though, and not to keep the rant running longer (I apologize to those with ADD/ADHD), the saberstaff proportions open up yet another facet of the diversities of the weapon.  I have tried two saberstave sizes so far.  I also come from a light recreational background of Jo Staff use.  My father's friend had martial arts (unknown) experience with the weapon, and taught me the basics.  My first weapon was the staff, my second, the bow and arrow.  My preferences are the two extremes of the two size catagories that I prefer.  I like the length of the Phantom v2 (91") quite a lot.  It's 25" handle is small in comparison to the overall weapon length.  Used in true Star Wars style, this would be the ideal staff for me because the centerpiece (which usually gets cut in half for dramatic affect) is limited, so harder to hit.  But in my daily using of the weapon, I prefer a length that is equivalent to the measurement from the sternum to the center of the palm of the dominant hand.  For me, this length is 33.5."  I am 6' 4" and 250 of need-to-lose-some-weight, but still rides his bike 20 miles a day.  You will not be me.  Your preference could be completely opposite, or exactly the same for different reasons. 

Now, since you asked for it, here it is:
Imagine an octagon with a hole in it's center.  The 8 outer edges are where you practice striking, and the doughnut hole is where you practice stabs/thrusts.  Then you practice blocking those attacks/stabs/thrusts.  Then you practice reverse grip, alternating grip, two handed, one handed, left handed, right handed, etc.  This sounds daunting, but if you love the weapon truly, you will want to do this stuff anyway.  I know I do, and I do this every night I walk my dog before bed because I love it that much... that's why i'm here, in this forum, ranting about a double sided flashligh that i'll never get to use the way they use them in the movies but I still cant stop pretending about because.... rant... rave... lunatic.

Hope that helped, I'll shut up now.

Awesome everyone, and thanks you all! I haven't been on in a while due to christmas and all, but its nice to have all this feed back!

Darth Eyece  Thank you!  That is a great starting point for me.  I love the idea of practicing for anything that could come your way. That was exactly what I was looking for.  My only fear with a staff is that it could limit my movements due to its size and by trying to not cut myself inhalf with the other blade while defending.  For my first staff I am ordering two overlords with 32" blades. I am 6' so I feel that is appropriate size for me.  However, I plan on ordering 2 extra 36" blades for single wielding or the extra long staff.  Thanks again!

All my staff work is based on bayonet fighting techniques I picked up in the Marines. Its rudimentary stuff, but its at least somewhat effective.

When I'm using a saberstaff, I split it in two and toss one of the hilts away ::)

I'll admit, using a saberstaff is a lot more difficult than using a typical staff.  It's the inability to rest or allow the last third of the staff on either side, or adjust grips to the entire repertoire of the typical staff.

But it's very fast.  It's faster for a left/right attack than a single hilt can be... Jammo...  but on the same note, it's nice when it gets cut in half, 2 swords is very nice.  Jar Kai is it?  That's my backup style.  If the staff fails, hopefully a pair of swords remains.  Even if not, you still end up with what most Jedi start with.  It's practical, it's tactical, it's twice as cool as a sword!  But then when all of that is gone, a pair of Nisshoku-length lightsabers...  that can also be joined if I so choose...

Any weapon you spend a great deal of time, consideration, practice, and research on/with you'll get better at.  If you focus on the staff, you'll eventually get good at the staff, a dual wield sword, and a single wield sword, if you practice the full range of a Star Wars Saberstaff.  For that, I see it as 'well-rounded' and tasteful.  The weapon isn't the owner of the alignment.

I'm glad you found some of my rantings useful.  I hope some or any of them come in handy.  Think practically, and develop your own style. 

I'm eager to see your staff, that sounds wicked.  32" blades on the overlord will be very proportionate, and a very nice staff to begin/end with.  It's also going to be a hell of a sword for single/dual use.  Better than the Dominix/Aeon or SI lines, more weighty, solid, commonplace (weight wise, not too much about the Overlord can be called 'commonplace').

1/3 blade, 1/3 hilt, 1/3 other blade.  Your looking at probably the 85 inch range anyhow, so a head taller than you.  That's a good stave, a good measure of whoopin-stick.

Pix of course, would be greatly appreciated.  It'll be a beautiul stave.  I'm curious though, what color/s did you end up going with?

I will not have the money together until the end of January so I haven't placed an order yet.  My first instinct was the staff in artic blue so I am pretty well settled on that.  I feel that the lighter blue will contrast the dark hilt of the overlord very well.  I am planning on getting obsidian sound for each side as well as quick dissconnect.  Lately, pyrestone orange has really been sparking my interest as well so I will probably order an PO LED just for another color when I duel wield. I also want the black vented coupler and two red AV switches along with two extra 36" blades. I must admit, I am still tempted to order two extra red LEDs just incase I get emotional.   and yes, I have gotten alot from that you have said Eyece.  Thats exactly what I'm going for; to be the most well rounded that I can be by practiceing all styles and sabers to be ready for any circumstance.  I was intrigued by Maul in his last duel with Obi when his staff was cut how quickly he raged on into the underhanded single saber style.  Thats how I want to be.  I am all about dueling with these beauties.  No show (unless used as an advantage in battle), Just pure battle. Thanks again to everyone for the input!

Modify your grip to a more centered position and try this kata set

(http://lieske.com/images/aikido-staff-kata.gif)

Excellent kata!  That's wonderful practice!  Point!

It is fun to watch a youtube of a bo/staff kata/routine but a laid out kata like this is quite helpful for the development of form and positioning.

Glad you liked it  :)

would experience with a 3 section staff  help at all using a saberstaff ?

sorry for the double post, this question may be a lil off topic... can the saber forms be compared to existing sword styles ? if soo can someone explain plz

I have been reviewing many available forms of sword styles and the only real issue is one if avoiding any contact with the blade.

In many of the relevant flashy sword forms within WuShu, the overall look is spot on IMO but there is lots of push blade, incidental body/arm/sword contact, and other related touches that would need to be removed for use as a light saber form.

There are arguments that a rel light saber would not behave like an actual sword...but as we only have these prop proxies then we work with what we have  :)

Any decent sword form that fits your vision of movement will look great IMO.

The trick is picking one that appeals to you so you will be able to best use the established movements to their fullest value.

Here is a good Wushu technique that can be used for sabering...flashy and fairly easy to learn (though go slow, limber up, and be prepared for wrist pain at first...this one is called 5 flower but there are dozens of flower forms

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IkZXGkrzt0# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IkZXGkrzt0#)


Practice this technique and apply it in moderation...say after a clash of sabers when y'all step apart and then a few flower spins and ready again...

I would say yes. A 3 section staff is a flexible version of the saber staff, they are both linear and work off the same principles....you just hit yourself in the head more with a  tri-staff. (BEEN THERE DONE THAT)   ;D

Here is a fairly easy bo form and it is mostly done from the middle third(just modify for sliding strikes)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STtxUDYjK74# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STtxUDYjK74#)

I'm new to the forum and have also been looking into a saberstaff as I plan to cosplay my old republic character when going to cons, and lots of the info in this thread has been very helpfull, i'm looking at getting a pair of the dark war glaive sabers and a black coupler with the amethyst blades as soon as money allows, the saber is probably going to be the single most expensive piece to the costume