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| Rick_nz |
 Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 3:58 am |
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Site Admin
Joined: 18 Sep 2006
Posts: 1167
Location: Levin,New Zealand
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Hey Lucy
the soft sticks you sell,are they the same they use in the tournaments now a days?
If not are they the same length - weight ectet as the ones used in the tournaments?
How long do your soft sticks usualy last (as in normal wear and tear)?
What are your soft sticks like compared to the Smak stiks (apart from your prices are better).
I have read your independant review ( http://www.eskrimador-supplies.com/page13.html )on the soft sticks,and i am impressed,is there anything else you could add to that review.
Look forward to your reply Lucy. |
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YBIFMA
"Riki the PR Man"
“We have but one life and I intend to enjoy mine”.
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| Lucy O'Malley |
| Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 9:51 pm |
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Guest
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Rick_nz wrote: Hey Lucy
the soft sticks you sell,are they the same they use in the tournaments now a days?
If not are they the same length - weight ectet as the ones used in the tournaments?
How long do your soft sticks usualy last (as in normal wear and tear)?
What are your soft sticks like compared to the Smak stiks (apart from your prices are better).
I have read your independant review ( http://www.eskrimador-supplies.com/page13.html )on the soft sticks,and i am impressed,is there anything else you could add to that review.
Look forward to your reply Lucy.
Let me first apologise for not seeing this thread. I have just discovered that even when I log in as a seperate user it does not show me the same new posts as it does Pat...it depends on who gets on the computer first, it must be our ISP that receives the data....so now I have realised I have probably missed lots of posts I may have been interested in reading and answering. (in other words when I press show me posts since I last logged in it means since Pat was last logged in???)
Any way...to answer your question.....do you mean same as the padded sticks they use in tournaments? Yes.
They are the same length as your average stick, approximately 28 inches.
Circum. approximately 1.5 inches, but allows for some indentation (not over wide for small hands) on gripping, and the material allows a good non slip grip too.
It can depend on individual use, as to how long they last. Obviously I cannot measure each individuals power and cannot be sure on how and what they have used them on and rattan is a natural material that I cannot control.
I had 6 sticks last a year before the material started to frey around the edges and the padding became a little squashed from use. These were used by our students in the class with differing strengths on a regular basis. So I was quite pleased with them.
However, I have also had perhaps 10 out of a hundred, of one sectioned batch returned within one week because they broke immediately. On inspection of the returned goods the rattan was over dry and I could break inch sections with my finger tips. This was one bad strip of rattan used to make probably all 10 sticks. Unfortunately I cannot see through the material etc.. to predict this occurence, but do now try to test them prior to sending out by hitting 2 sticks directly against eachother at each end. (as this is what little power was needed to detect the fault).
In the event of this happening on the few occasions that it did. I replaced them immediately...and funny enough it was all red sticks, so even when the report was called in, on them specifying the colour on this occasion, i did not even request the sticks to be returned as I realised it was a fault....to save them the expense of sending them back. I just sent a replacement anyway.
So out of about 500 sticks from one suppliers batch, only 10 had a manufacturing fault, the rest lasted as far as I am aware and those that I know of that used them for hardcore use had their 6 to 12 months on average and many people re-ordered because they were so pleased with them for the price.
I have since been forced to find another supplier due to unexpected closure and have found the new batch to be alot more flexible, which has not been to the liking of some of our close students as they feel they are not as robust and are harder to block with due to the flexibilty requiring a different game plan when sparring, but have had only 3 returned due to breakage so far, which have been replaced with no quibble. So possibly the flexiblity makes them more durable but maybe not pretherable to everyone because of this.
In my opinion they are still as good, but hurt a little less than the last lot to spar with, but still bruise which requires you to use as much skill to defend yourself as if using a real stick. You can still get hurt regardless, as many found out at the World Kali Sports Championships this year (same supplier).
However, I have already specified my requirements for the next batch, with another supplier, face to face, expalining the pro's and cons of my previous batches, and expect they will be the best so far, although along the same design and price. I have just specified what I expect from the rattan core inside, to keep as many customers as possible happy with the product.
The Smak Stix....as much as I would like them to be the perfect stick, have not cut the mustard for me. They are very expensive and on first hand experience, very painful so you may as well use a live stick...I got more cuts up my arm and all over my hands in one fight than I have in 10 years of live stick training due to the plastic ends and for the price they should in my opnion be indistructable. I broke 3 last year in one fight on my opponent.
I really wanted to supply them as I thought on fiurst impression they were the bees knees, but would have to sell them at Approx £35.00 - £40.00 GBP each, but after breaking 3, I just could not have any confidence selling them as unbreakable to my customers and felt like I would be a bit of a conman if I stated this.
Smak Stix can personally sell them with a guarantee for 12 months, but I unfortunately do not get that priviledge as a trader with them to do this and even if I offered it here in the UK off my own back as an incentive to buy....people would use them for a year and then break them on purpose just before the 12 months was out to get a new stick for another year. So what incentive could I give people to part with £40.00.
I, as an FMA'er myself feel much better saying they are £10 each and may break a year down the line, if you are actually using them for full contact sparring, but the main reason they do break is because we are all still wearing WEKAF head protectors with metal grills. Hitting the head protectors is the main reason for breakages....but you cannot expect thin rattan to last too long, up against metal.
So if you are not using them on hard metal, the life of you stick will be far longer than I have specified.
When I sent the sticks in for review, I expected some area of negative feedback, as you do, but was very pleased with the report, it could not have been better really, what you get is exactly as he states.
I do offer a 10 day money back guarantee, so if it is a manufacturing fault it should be noticed within this timescale, seeing as it is used for the sole purpose of hitting people and objects with.
Love Lucy  |
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| Rick_nz |
| Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 3:15 am |
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Site Admin
Joined: 18 Sep 2006
Posts: 1167
Location: Levin,New Zealand
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Hey Lucy
Thank you for your very informative reply, very much appreciated.
Lucy O'Malley wrote: Any way...to answer your question.....do you mean same as the padded sticks they use in tournaments? Yes.
Yes that was what I meant. As I have never played or brought soft sticks .i didn’t want to buy two types of soft sticks if you know what I mean.
Lucy O'Malley wrote: They are the same length as your average stick, approximately 28 inches.
Circum. approximately 1.5 inches, but allows for some indentation (not over wide for small hands) on gripping, and the material allows a good non slip grip too.
 so they should fit comfortably on my large male hands
Lucy O'Malley wrote: It can depend on individual use, as to how long they last. Obviously I cannot measure each individuals power and cannot be sure on how and what they have used them on and rattan is a natural material that I cannot control.
I had 6 sticks last a year before the material started to frey around the edges and the padding became a little squashed from use. These were used by our students in the class with differing strengths on a regular basis. So I was quite pleased with them.
So out of about 500 sticks from one suppliers batch, only 10 had a manufacturing fault, the rest lasted as far as I am aware and those that I know of that used them for hardcore use had their 6 to 12 months on average and many people re-ordered because they were so pleased with them for the price.
Yes ,I do realize it depends on the individual use of the soft sticks, You have answered my question perfectly ,the average life span of your sticks was the question I should of asked
Lucy O'Malley wrote: I have since been forced to find another supplier due to unexpected closure and have found the new batch to be alot more flexible, which has not been to the liking of some of our close students as they feel they are not as robust and are harder to block with due to the flexibilty requiring a different game plan when sparring, but have had only 3 returned due to breakage so far, which have been replaced with no quibble. So possibly the flexiblity makes them more durable but maybe not pretherable to everyone because of this.
In my opinion they are still as good, but hurt a little less than the last lot to spar with, but still bruise which requires you to use as much skill to defend yourself as if using a real stick. You can still get hurt regardless, as many found out at the World Kali Sports Championships this year (same supplier).
By the sounds of it, even though you’re new batch differs slightly with being more flexible. I still think they will be better than what I have now (no soft sticks )
Lucy O'Malley wrote: The Smak Stix....as much as I would like them to be the perfect stick, have not cut the mustard for me. They are very expensive and on first hand experience, very painful so you may as well use a live stick...I got more cuts up my arm and all over my hands in one fight than I have in 10 years of live stick training due to the plastic ends and for the price they should in my opnion be indistructable. I broke 3 last year in one fight on my opponent.
I really wanted to supply them as I thought on fiurst impression they were the bees knees, but would have to sell them at Approx £35.00 - £40.00 GBP each, but after breaking 3, I just could not have any confidence selling them as unbreakable to my customers and felt like I would be a bit of a conman if I stated this.
Yes I have heard many stories regarding the Smak stixs and it was all good apart from the price tag, Till I read your comments.  .
After reading your comments any future purchase of a smak stix has gone way down on the list
Thank you again Lucy for the very informative reply  .
I am sure if you see soft sticks on Clint’s next order to you they will have my name on it |
_________________
YBIFMA
"Riki the PR Man"
“We have but one life and I intend to enjoy mine”.
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| fernast |
| Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 4:19 am |
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Hello,
I agree with Lucy concerning smaktik. First they look and feel really goods. unlike actionflex padded stick, you can block strikes, but I broke 3 sticks over a short period of time and at 40 euros a piece, I decide not to buy more until they come with another improved model. I too use wekaf gear and I think that is one of the reason they Broke easily, Maybe with other headgear, they can last longer.
Softstx are well built but they are not supposed to be used with wekaf headgear as you will take a bit of your stick everytime you strike the headgear. Again, maybe with another kind of headgear, they will last longer.
I am going to test some chambarra stick I saw here in a martial arts shop (especially the one meter model).
I heard goods word about a kali competition stick made by a french silat expert. I am going to order 2 to see what they worth.
Has someone test the gotstick?
I have launch FMA Stick and knifefighting monthly gatherings here in Paris open to all the locaL FMA clubs (we have done 3 since october, the next one will be in march) and one format we usE is padded stick and I have not yet find the perfect padded stick.
If the chambarra or kali competition stick are goods i will post here a review
Regards
Stephane |
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| tigs |
| Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 8:57 am |
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I have a pair of the newer, softer sticks and I like them for training and light sparring practice.
I don't, however, use one for proper sparring in class against someone with the older sticks as I can't hit hard as hard with them and they are not nearly as good for thrusting and disarming.
Of course, I may have formed this opinion because I don't know how to use them properly yet ... |
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| dhay |
| Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 9:21 am |
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I prefer the older sticks as they're more solid and don't wiggle as much as the newer ones. The older ones are more painful too as more solid strikes can be made from them. Based on my own honest painful opinion. hehe
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| dhay |
| Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 9:23 am |
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dhay wrote: I prefer the older sticks as they're more solid and don't wiggle as much as the newer ones. The older ones are more painful too as more solid strikes can be made from them. Based on my own honest painful opinion. hehe
ps. forgot to mention. older padded sticks give better grip and control compared to the more wobbly newer ones. IMO. rarr! |
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| Colonial |
| Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 10:18 am |
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Senior Student
Joined: 27 Jun 2006
Posts: 89
Location: Edinburgh
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dhay wrote: The older ones are more painful too as more solid strikes can be made from them. Based on my own honest painful opinion.
I had my hand broken by one of the new ones a couple of years ago, so in my own honest painful opinion i'd say the only difference between old and new is flexibility.
The extra bendy-ness in the new ones gives them a bit more of a whipping effect too.  |
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Love, The Colonial
small, but perfectly formed |
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| dhay |
| Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 10:54 am |
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Colonial wrote: dhay wrote: The older ones are more painful too as more solid strikes can be made from them. Based on my own honest painful opinion.
I had my hand broken by one of the new ones a couple of years ago, so in my own honest painful opinion i'd say the only difference between old and new is flexibility.
The extra bendy-ness in the new ones gives them a bit more of a whipping effect too.
oh yeh.. thats true! whapissh!... lol... |
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| Lucy O'Malley |
| Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 2:09 pm |
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Just so onlookers know.....when people here are referring to the soft stix I have, they do not mean the brand name, they mean the difference between my last couple of batches...one batch was slightly softer than the other.
The branded soft stix are not suitable for arnis at all in any shape or form. Yes, chunks come out of those if you just hold them wrong. I picked one up at a Karate club I was visiting once and it lasted under 30 seconds on a punch bag. The retailers of these do say though that they are not meant for any contact of any kind.
Just thought I would point this out, my sticks do not have chunks coming out of them, they have a canvass type layer that prevents this from ocurring. They are good sticks for the price, which allows you to use them. If they were not any good and I was not prepared to use them myself, I would not sell them.
And too be honest to encourage people to spar together or even compete at tournaments, they are just right. Any harder and alot of people would not be prepared to attempt full contact sparring. So I am happy with them. I have still seen a tear brought to eyes with these paded sticks and bruising is still very easily accomplished.
Love Lucy |
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| Dazzbunny |
| Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:15 pm |
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Student
Joined: 14 Aug 2006
Posts: 29
Location: Christchurch
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| I agree totally.... I love the padded sticks we bought from E.S. and they are quite painful enough for me, especially when I forgot to put on a box and got a strike to the nadgers.... went down like a sack of...umm...spuds |
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| Pat OMalley |
| Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:19 pm |
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Joined: 26 Jun 2006
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| Lucy O'Malley |
| Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 6:12 am |
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He will if that is where is brains are.....as he has just had the last brain cell surgically removed by a padded stick.
Love Lucy |
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| Rick_nz |
| Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 7:15 am |
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Site Admin
Joined: 18 Sep 2006
Posts: 1167
Location: Levin,New Zealand
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Hey Lucy.
I keep forgetting to post here.
The last batch of soft sticks you sent to Clint.
I got me a set (yeah Har!!!)
They are just awesome.
I got a new excuse to hit as hard as possible in the safest posible way of course 
Bwah ha ha ha ha haaaaaaa! |
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YBIFMA
"Riki the PR Man"
“We have but one life and I intend to enjoy mine”.
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| Pat OMalley |
| Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 10:47 am |
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Site Admin
Joined: 26 Jun 2006
Posts: 1025
Location: Everywhere
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And the last batch we got in are even more solid We also have some 5 foot ones to play with
OH! We are going to have so much fun at this years British Championships |
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