# do nunchucks actually work as weapons? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 9, 2010, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nunchucks-actually-work-as-weapons/528339 "2010-02-09T22:46:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mesquite-oh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a183cd/32.png) [@Mesquite-oh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mesquite-oh)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nunchucks-actually-work-as-weapons/528339/21 "2010-02-10T07:35:27Z")
I always thought that the strength of the nunchucks and other chain type weapons was that because of the chain hinge in the middle, you could clock someone on the head who has a shield or an outstretched blocking hand while a club, bat or staff could be deflected because they are one solid piece. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nunchucks-actually-work-as-weapons/528339/22 "2010-02-10T07:39:32Z")
> [@spoke-](#): > > Oh yeah. Nothing the ladies love more than a guy flailing around with nunchucks. There goes my idea for my wife’s Valentine’s Day. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nunchucks-actually-work-as-weapons/528339/23 "2010-02-10T07:44:22Z")
I wont claim to have actually used them in a fight but I am pretty skilled with them. (they make a really nice work out tool, especially if you use a pair made out of solid brass) as posted up thread, you can use them as a lock and a very powerful lock at that. I have little doubt you could break a neck with these things. the catch, you would have to be really really sneaky or really damn good to actually use them for this purpose. the other use is thrown. throwing them with a side spin with the intent to hit them in the legs has an effect similar to a bola, it can wrap up a leg and trip people effectively (I have done this, funny but painful) in a fight I would honestly just hold them both and use them like a club. ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nunchucks-actually-work-as-weapons/528339/24 "2010-02-10T07:47:55Z")
> [@](#): > > I wont claim to have actually used them in a fight but I am pretty skilled with them. (they make a really nice work out tool, especially if you use a pair made out of solid brass) You know we’re talking about nunchucks right? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nunchucks-actually-work-as-weapons/528339/25 "2010-02-10T08:12:38Z")
Aren’t nunchucks as we know them really a 20th century invention? There’s not a whole lot of historical information about them being used by peasants in Japan or China. Or at least I haven’t come across it. Not that I’m an expert on weapons, China, or Chinese weapons. ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nunchucks-actually-work-as-weapons/528339/26 "2010-02-10T08:49:12Z")
> [@Covered\_In\_Bees](#): > > You know we’re talking about nunchucks right? 😉 haha yes, I made a pair out of some left over brass rod. they are pretty thin maybe an inch, and about a foot long for each stick. heavy as hell and I cant do all the tricks I can with a regular pair but you get a fantastic shoulder and arm work out all over the place. ---
**Author:** ![Otara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a88e4f/32.png) [@Otara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otara)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nunchucks-actually-work-as-weapons/528339/27 "2010-02-10T08:52:01Z")
Ive been attacked with them once, and got hit on the forearm wit the guy trying pretty hard. With the adrenalin running I barely felt it. He was expected me to fall over I think, I wasnt the hugest guy in the world and no I dont know any amazing pain resistance techniques. With a sleeve on, it just didnt do that much. N=1 admittedly, but I dont think they’re really much use - any standard weapon with equivalent training could probably do as well or better. Otara ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nunchucks-actually-work-as-weapons/528339/28 "2010-02-10T11:29:39Z")
I haven’t seen the movie since it came out but Sharkey’s Machine had someone very effectively beat the crap out of someone with nunchucks. primarily used as a club with a bit of flail. Not game of death danny inosanto style. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nunchucks-actually-work-as-weapons/528339/29 "2010-02-10T14:47:18Z")
I remember during one seminar when we were working with sticks and knives Paul Vunak said if you have a jointed weapons the best thing to do is toss it to your opponent, and after he hits himself in the head with it, kick the shit out of him. I’m pretty firmly of the belief that if you are interested in practical effective fighting, the simpler the better. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nunchucks-actually-work-as-weapons/528339/30 "2010-02-10T16:06:59Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I remember during one seminar when we were working with sticks and knives Paul Vunak said if you have a jointed weapons the best thing to do is toss it to your opponent, and after he hits himself in the head with it, kick the shit out of him. You worked out with Vu? Awesome! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nunchucks-actually-work-as-weapons/528339/31 "2010-02-10T17:06:34Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Not a deep cut, but one of the most discouraging things for an attacker is the sight of his own blood. 😃 > [@Oakminster](#): > > Depends. If he’s drunk or on drugs, that may just piss him off. > [@BrightNShiny](#): > > 😕 I thought you taste the blood and just go back to fighting. Obligatory \*Buffy \*quote: > [@](#): > > **Buffy:** Spike, I just saw you taste your own nose blood. You know what? I’m too grossed out to hear anything you have to say. Go home. > > **Spike:** It’s blood. It’s what I do! ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nunchucks-actually-work-as-weapons/528339/32 "2010-02-10T20:19:48Z")
Nunchuks, like throwing stars, are illegal weapons in Canada. In the same category as machine guns…just not as effective. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nunchucks-actually-work-as-weapons/528339/33 "2010-02-10T20:23:07Z")
How many nuns could a nunchuck chuck if a nunchuck could chuck nuns? ---
**Author:** ![bleach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bleach/32/3106_2.png) [@bleach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bleach)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nunchucks-actually-work-as-weapons/528339/34 "2010-02-10T20:49:16Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > How many nuns could a nunchuck chuck if a nunchuck could chuck nuns? None. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nunchucks-actually-work-as-weapons/528339.md?page=1)