Krabbi Krabong weapons

[Garland]

I was wondering if anyone knows any place to pick up functional Krabbi Krabong stuff...or knows how to make them (i.e. the mae sok, making a sword may be a bit out of my current skill set)

I also think they may be cool to decorate my parent's restaurant with...

[Tee Sok]

Hi Garland

you may want to check these swords, they may not look top notch but I think they are good enough:

A Pair of Thai Training sword Krabi Krabong w/Scabbards - eBay (item 160352976456 end time Aug-31-09 22:15:23 PDT)

they akso have Mai Sok:

One Pair of Krabi Krabong Mai Sok Hardwood Muay Thai - eBay (item 160353560199 end time Aug-11-09 04:28:15 PDT)


It's difficult to find Thai weapons outside Thailand!

[chalambok]

In my humble, but informed, opinion, I think most training swords you can find for sale anywhere are egregiously overpriced. Let's be real, you can buy metal training swords in Ayuthaya City for between $8 and $12 US, so it seems a little immoral for some to charge up to 10X their cost. I use sledge hammer handles for my wooden training swords, bought for $8 apiece at the hardware store. They are correct in length, have a good weight (comparable to metal) and last for years. It is better to train with something close than to not train because you cannot afford the equipment. So, do yourself a favor and go for it.

[Garland]

Cool, thank you!
I think I'm going to go the econo- way and go for the sledge handles...
who knows, maybe if I get enough time on my hands, I'll try fashioning some wooden elbows on my own.

[george stando]

Its a great idea chalambok preposes, we did something similar when we trained back east when i was there. Also I notice when my teacher comes here to get his weapons made(swords specifcally), that he has to have been welded a certain way and checks how they are placed into the handle, etc. The ones they just pump out or even custom pump out are not the best most of the time unless you go to the top notch makers and even then like i said they need some contouring work.

[Tee Sok]

Well these are training swords first and foremost, but yes they seem to be factory-made because they really look trhe same. you should see them in reality to check them I think.

The real swords from Ayutthaya that I have seen until now are for ceremonial and decorative purpose. They are beautiful, but in my opinion they cannot compare with those from the north which are different. The ones I have are very well put together, it seems there is no distinction between the handle and the blade when used. They look like sword E and G down here, but each sword is different. The Lanna sheath itself is a piece of art and a good weapon too combined with the cord which is much thicker and heavier than others. I have seen very light swords with a narrow blade that could be used very fast, yet they were solid which was amazing!

Good display of ancient SE Asian swords here:
Asia Finest Discussion Forum [Powered by Invision Power Board]

[george stando]

Wow, thanks tee sok. Alot of really beautiful swords there. I really liked the part of krabi krabong buddhai sawan path dvds where they show the cross section of thai, burmese, cambodian and laos swords, it was one of my favorite parts, but those photos are great. I know there are alot of people who are serious collectors who not only collect them but know everything about the swords and eras in certain regions like burma and thailand.

[Garland]

Wow! Tee Sok, those are gorgeous. Those Lanna swords especially were absolutely beautiful.

[fire cobra]

Thanks TeeSok,

Awesome looking swords there and once again makes me appreciate the devastating effectiveness of South East Asian Martial Arts.

[Tee Sok]

Yes they are very nice, and there is a lot to be said for each kind of sword it's fascinating, also because different blade/different handle/different sheath/different weight equals different usage, definitely a good research topic.
It's true there are serious collectors who also know how to use them. It should go along with it or it just becomes something to hang on the wall!

I had the same thought about the Buddhai Sawan Path dvd, there are very nice swords on display there.

[george stando]

I find all the various shapes and designs fascinating. I wasnt aware of all the subtle diffferences and shapes until i saw the buddhai sawan path dvd previously i thought the swords were pretty much the same which they are not. Even within each country, there was alot of variation and some of the more decorated swords were amazing. I have a new found appreciation for them and i look very closely when i get the opportunity now.

[William]

... I use sledge hammer handles for my wooden training swords, bought for $8 apiece at the hardware store. They are correct in length, have a good weight (comparable to metal) and last for years. It is better to train with something close than to not train because you cannot afford the equipment. So, do yourself a favor and go for it.

I've done a similar thing with post hole digger handles. I shaped the ends to be blade shaped to give me blade orientation when working them. Rattan can work in a pinch but the weight and no blade orientation are a drawback.

Also, I've made Mae Soks for myself and some of my guys. A few of them are pretty industrious and built their own as well. I'll post some picts when I can.

Tee Sok, thanks for the links.



William

[William]

One of my guys bought a pair of those Mai Soks on that link. Very simple design, good for the price. Seeing those actually changed the way I'm building the current ones.

Here is a few photos of early Mai Soks, and training swords. On the post hole handles, it's hard to see in the photos but they have a worked edge for blade orientation. With the 36" rattan ones I just wanted to see what I could come up with. They actually work quite well. Good weight and balance with the add-ons.



William

[Tee Sok]

That's nice for training purpose, thanks for the pictures. I like the size of the swords, I would have made the blade a bit longer but then I have never tried building a sword. I guess it was a matter of balance.

[William]

That's nice for training purpose, thanks for the pictures. I like the size of the swords, I would have made the blade a bit longer but then I have never tried building a sword. I guess it was a matter of balance.

Yes, these are just training swords. Just trying to give the OP ideas for easy training weapons.

The rattan is 36" overall, virtual blade about 20" long.

The hardwood is about 44" overall, virtual blade about 26 1/4".


We use the rattan for full contact sparring. Minimal gear, full thrusts and slashes. The hardwood, well, that would likely break bones going full bore. This way we can train the drills weapon to weapon for the movement, then go full contact for the targeting and ranging.




Thanks,
William