...and carry a big stick
 

A couple months ago i started carring a walking stick w/me almost all the time. it's just a pine stick about an inch and a half in diameter w/a big rounded piece on top, where you are supposed to hold it. It come up to my waist (i'm 5' 7").

Now, i carry this thing, not because i can't walk w/out it (i'm 21 and in perfectly good shape, if a bit scrawny), but mostly because it gives me a sense of security that if i were to get into some sort of confrintation (an astronomically unlikely event for me) i wouldnt be compeltely defensless and unarmed. On the other hand, it's not like a have gun so i'm not like i'm going to accidently kill myself or somebody i want to stay alive (my favorite description of how to aim a gun: 'point this end at the thing you want to die..'), but i could hit somebody pretty hard.

I was just wondering if people think this is a really strange thing to do, and if anybody knows of any websites that i could use to teach myself to be reasonably compitent w/this thing (i dont have any martial arts training or anything)

It isn't strange. In fact, it is smart. The only trouble is that people would question a young man with a cane, so it isn't a very covert weapon.

Take a look at these sites:

http://www.themartialist.com/1003/sticktoknife.htm

http://www.donrearic.com/cane1.html

covert isn't really the point. it's like that little sign you put in your yard if you have an alarm system in your house. if somebody is determined to rob somebody or whatever, and they're looking at people to go after, and one is obviously at least somewhat armed, they'll prolly go ahead and try easier prey.

if i wanted covert, i'd get a knife (i'd lose my reach, but that's the price you pay)

wow, those are really good websites, particularly the second one.

I see a young guy with a cane, I immediately see it as a weapon unless said young guy has a pronounced limp or other physical issue that obviously necessitates a cane. I'm not saying it is bad, merely that I see it as a weapon and would react accordingly (ie be aware of you, your position, and what sort of threat you represent to me and mine. I'm not one of those types that freak out because someone has a weapon).

Filipino martial arts really are wonderfully appropriate for cane use. The first site im2srmt4u posted reminded me of the "64 positions" I learned while taking Kali-Silat instruction. A cane would be perfectly effective using those strikes and ideas. Obviously some other techniques present themselves when you take the hook or handle into account, but the basic stickfighting moves are perfectly valid.

Last piece of advice is to make sure the stick is finished properly and looks nice. Easier to explain that way, will last longer, and just looks better.

The websites look OK, but you'll be better off getting some actual physical instruction from somebody. There are definite limits to what you can learn from a book or website.

i know it'd be better to get real instruction from an expert. that being said, i'm a college sr majoring in EE, time is not something i have on my side. if i had the time to do it, i would. maybe durring the summer, or after i graduate.

Make sure you do it as soon as you can, then. In the meantime, focus on the "speak softly" aspect of carrying a big stick.