H.I.T.S. sticks....opinions, experiences???

K

Kelt

Joined
Aug 8, 1999
Messages
707
How do these handle; i understand they're light and strong. How are they for not-so-noticeable carry?
I'm going to get the plain solid Shadow (kinda cloudy-clear) model; also, the 24" Flute- i'm learning Shakuhachi flute with a bamboo instrument given to me by a friend who studies it, so this would go along nicely and could be handy. Supposedly the holes in the hollow flute don't affect the strength that much and it can be a decent weapon as well as very nicely tuned flute.
So, anybody use any of Jeff "Stickman" Finder's products?? Thanks guys...
 
I'll bet that they will turn into a not so nicely tuned flute if you try to use them for training as well. I too am curious about these flutes as well...
 
Awhile back, I played with one of Jeff "Stickman" Finder's sticks. Looked like a giant flexible straw and felt like it. It would slightly bend but not break. You should probably go for the denser sticks.

Something like the Shakuhachi is probably for the "light" type of fighter, the person who won't stand and do a hard block because his weapon can't take a hard shot. Mostly the "soft" idea with weapons; hit at maximum range and move a lot.
 
he's proven that even his hollow HITS sticks (these are also drilled to become flutes) can take a .22 and that's pretty strong i'd imagine. but on his website he does recommend buying a regular HITS to train with and use the flute just for those necessary incidents.
 
I liked the thought of plastic stick once myself-after I tried it I went back to rattan they seem to be slippery-and vibration is a problem-if you want to try sticks like that go to a plastic dealer in your area and buy it there it will be about $4-$5 dollars no I'm not kidding get wellman 6/6 nylon and try them out-that material is lite and really strong and not as slippery as delrin or polycarbonate thanks for your time Nightwing
 
I've used STICKMAN sticks for over 10 years..never failed me..I have my original COBRAs that I used to bang on concrete support posts to pracrtice Sinawalli patterns
They never cracked, chipped or broke..I messed up the surface a little bit..I caution against training with them if the other guy has Rattan..You'll ZAP his arms with the vibration and/or shatter his sticks..LOL..happened many times...
anyways.. I still use the sticks..
just MHO....
 
And the plastic stings a lot more than rattan when you get hit with it.

Polycarbonate is funny - when I first got mine (hollow ones), they sounded almost like glass when tapped together - not very reassuring. But don't be fooled - these things are insanely tough. Raquet tape takes away the vibration, and the slipperyness as well. I wouldn't use these in a sweaty workout without the tape.
 
I too, was curious and so went to a local supplier and got 8 feet of polycarbonite tubing at a cost of twenty bucks. Very slippery and loud when they hit something, but this was solved by wrapping the entire length in coach's tape. When I first tested them by doing a little sinawalli, I discovered the major problem with vibration. If I held them as tight as regular sticks, (and I grip rather loosly anyway),they would really zap my arms. When I loosened my grip furthur, they rebounded and hit me in the forehead! Never knowing when to quit however, I continued to use them for about two weeks before returning to my beloved Hickory. They just didn't feel right to me. Oh, but it was a noble experiment, none the less...

Griff

[This message has been edited by Griff (edited 07-18-2000).]
 
Some further info on polycarb...

For the past 2 months my pair of 1" (1/8" wall) tubes have been on the front seat floor of my car - I haven't been using them (they eat up other sticks too fast, and I use my solid ones for solo carenza). One was "empty", but one still had 4 chemical lightsticks in it (we were playing "lightsaber" on the beach during vacation ;-) )

I just looked at them for the first time since then - the empty one has a couple "spider web" cracks in the material. The one with the lightsticks was COVERED with them. I removed the lightsticks - no leaks. I then whacked the stick on a curb. SNAP! 4" piece went flying. ...hmmm...

Was it the constant contact with the other plastic (chemical reaction?), the heat from being near my car's heater vent (but much less effect on the empty stick)? A combination that caused the lightsticks to expand/contract or leech some chemicals?

The practical advice - don't allow constant heat or heat/cold cycles on this stuff, don't allow constant contact with other plastics (the raquet tape adhesive doesn't have this effect), and discard them when they show damage.

Anyone else with similar experience?
 
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