I’ve been trying to teach myself how to use sai after watching Daredevil several times. I just have one thing that I can’t figure out. How do you switch grips with sai? In this article about sai, it talks about swift grip changing and I don’t know how to change grips, so does anyone have helpful suggestions or a video or something that will help me?
I have a pair. I’ll try to describe the technique I use, since I can’t find any photographs online that would help. Hold the weapon pointing upwards, with your index finger hooked over the prong farthest from you, and your thumb touching your index fingertip. This is the overhand grip.f to change to the underhand grip, you slide your thumb back to hook around the prong closest to you and flip the sai in the opposite direction. At the same time, you open your hand and let your fingers catch the underside of the far prong, with your index finger laid along the length of the handle, for stability, as the tip of the sai nears your elbow. The steps are reversible. With practice, you can make the grip change back and forth quite quickly. If that doesn’t help, I’ll see if I can get my webcam to cooperate for a couple photos.
I had some some training in the use of the sai many years ago. My instructor thought that it woulnd help me focus on my basic katas. I am no great martial artist and very out of practice so I am sure someone will come along and explain this much better.
First of all. the sai works well with empty hand forms (the sai flows into these open handed forms .) the best way i can explain the “flip” is…
1 raise your right hand.
2. make a “gun” with your hand.( index finger extended , thumb out, pink ,ring and
middle finger bent
3 insert sai into your hand, handle up, index finger flat on handlehand gaurd under the three bent fingers.
4 wrap thumb around “blade”
Holding the sia in this manner, you can execute any punch the pommel will inflict a shitload of damage.
5.holding the sia with this grip, extend you arm 3/4 of the way palm facing you.
Slowly at first, practice rotating or flipping the sia using the guard as the axis.
(you will have to move your thumb.) the flip should be a simple quick reversal
of grip. The handle will be in you palm . The “blabe” will be extended resting flat
against your index finger. This also a very effective strike.
Okay, I have another question, now. I don’t want to start a new thread about sai. Anyways, my second question is, how much do sai cost? My friend suggested that I get aluminum lightweight sai since I’m a beginner. But, generally, how much do sai cost? I’ve got about $200 from relatives for Christmas and I have no idea what to spend it on.
A nice pair of (most likely chrome, IIRC) sai will run about $40-$50, most likely. If you’re looking for a deal on just about any sort of martial arts gear, check out the Superfoot website (click ‘retail’). Occasionally, you can get some very sweet deals there.
My advice is in 2 parts:
- Have fun. Don’t drop a metal sai on your toes, because that really really hurts. Don’t try anything to fancy looking without help from someone who knows what they’re doing. You can get hurt.
- Check your local yellow pages. Find a martial arts supply store somewhere nearby. Unless you live way out in the boonies, there’s likely one not too far away. Stop in, tell them that you want to learn how to use sai. I’d say 99% of the time, the people who own/work in stores like that are martial artists themselves, and they can at least make sure that you have the right size to work with. Also, they may have some books that’ll help out.
-Ninja, a shameless martial arts geek.
Ooh, thanks! I think the right sized sai for me is about 18 inches because apparently, they’re supposed to extend from the tip of your middle finger to about an inch past your elbow. Anyways, I found this one shop, but the sai they’re selling are $70 Canadian!! Is that too expensive?
PS: I don’t live in Texas and if the Superfoot does ship internationally, I don’t have a credit card to use anyways. And my parents probably won’t let me. :rolleyes:
Read: Cork all three tips if they are anything even closely resembling sharp. Puncture wounds are not fun and they don’t even leave cool scars.
Am I the only one here who hopes the OP will have better luck than Raphael did with his Sai welding career? 
I mean getting Beat up in two out or the three movies, and then getting emotional in the last…
Cisco wrote
I’ve never seen a sai tip that was sharp, although it’s possible some may be made that way. Despite appearances, it isn’t typically a stabbing weapon.