I am a kali guy and have wondered about this

I remember when the movie came out my instructor was so excited about the stick scenes. He had a background in kajukenbo so he taught “escrima” . Years later i trained in Balintawak escrima and it’s so different.

The perfect weapon was a great movie. Jeff had the look, the attitude and the skills. To this day if I think about martial arts this film pops in my mind. The combos in the gym and the spinning back fists were a step beyond what was being done at the time.

I’ve been training FMA and JKD for 23 years. My best friend is a kenpo guy. I honestly prefer studying and FMA system as a complete. Whether Kali or eskrima or whatever is called. In my profession learning weapons first is a benefit. I implement both, weapons and empty hand; as a requirement. As well as grappling. FMA has grappling but I push learning grappling a deeper level as well as FMA. I say learn FMA completely and the attributes you seek will come out

Great expose Sensei Dan! Also Shihan/Tai Sensei Speakman is a true martial arts legend in his own right. The Perfect Weapon was one of my inspirations for me to learn my cultural martial art of Arnis and to incorporate it into my foundational basis of my martial arts development and journey. THW is an underrated turn of the century "Karate Flick" and doesn't receive enough recognition that it deserves. I have studied with Kajukenbo and various Kenpo masters but there was never an American Kenpo school in San Diego, but nonetheless Master/Shihan Speakman and TPW film absolutely was my first introduction to stick fighting back when I first began my martial arts adventure 32 years ago! It's funny how I was in awe of not only the empty hands effectiveness of Kenpo but this being my first visual of the use of sticks even prior to me even finding about Arnis/Kali/Eskrima. And, til this day, I have even incorporated some of Master Speakman's techniques from the movie &/or slightly adapted them into my Arnis repertoire! American Kenpo Stick Fighting and American Kenpo & 5.0 is an American Gem and an homage to the great American spirt and the western martial arts influence in the world. Sensei Dan, again great stuff! Love it! Keep the good stuff coming! Cheers!

What a movie! Such a hidden gem. I guess it didn't do as well as it should have in the theater. Hollywood should have had another big action movie Speakman to star in after this.

Why wait years to learn sticks, when you can do it right away in FMA? Just learn FMA. If interested in Kenpo, learn it separately.

Sensei Dan, I am so glad that you addressed this question about Kenpo sticks, that I have been asking Kenpo practitioners for years. Master Joe Rebelo and Master Jeff Speakman have given a very clear, comprehensive answer to the Kenpo sticks question. 😀

Chinese Kempo for forty years, FMA for twenty-five tears, they go together like birds of a feather! 😊

What you may not know is: William Kwai sun Chow aka Professor Chow or Thunderbolt Chow had extensive Escrima & Hung Gar Kung fu training from his father before training under James Mitose Therefore anyone who trained under chow such as Ed Parker had exposure to Escrima. It’s not Kenpo, rather has always been a part of Kenpo that stems from Hawai’i. In Hawaii we also use what we call a pocket stick, and we do our forms with the pocket stick in our hands.

Thanks for a very informative interview. Having trained a bit in Modern Arnis, I loved the stick fighting scenes in The Perfect Weapon but didn't know there was a difference between what I learned and Kenpo sticks. I understand the idea of shortening the sticks to "fit" your body but I think I prefer the longer reach. I had the opportunity to meet Jeff Speakman when he came to our (at the time) Vinings location of Joe Corley Karate while touring in promotion of the movie. I believe Jay T. Will (RIP), who was another of Ed Parker's advanced Black Belts, arranged the visit and a short seminar there. Truly memorable.

One more thing....Mr. Speakman. If you are able to read these comments...I wish you nothing but good health and good living for you and yours. Cheers, Sensei!!

Another informative interview, well done. I deeply respect Master Speakman for his open mindedness. It was his journey to explore ground fighting that inspired me to learn Judo to expand my limited ground and grappling knowledge. Respect

Jeet Kune Do/Ed Parker American Kenpo student Daniel Inosanto used Escrima Sticks originally in The Game of Death prior to Bruce Lee using them in Enter The Dragon

Even if I don't agree with Mr. Speakman in regards to the use and practicality of the sticks, I'm still taking in every word, hahahaha! He is a great human being and a great ambassador for martial arts. What I wouldn't give to train with him one day. As always...great interview!! post script....I do, in fact, agree with the use of the stick. Just certain approaches and attacks/disarms i tend to question. Now, HE could probably pull them off. Also, in studying FMA, there are SO MANY damn schools of thought on training with sticks/knives, so I believe it comes down to the approach. Me...well...i tend to just adopt an approach akin to fencing when training/using my sticks. But that is just me. I guess i was trying to convey that even if i don't agree with everything Mr. Speakman is talking about the sticks and how it is used in his system, I definitely know the man has trained enough to finds a way that works for him, and possibly for others. He definitely has put to work in. I just didnt want to leave it as like "OH well what he does is completely impractical, but he was in an action film i liked as a kid, so i guess i respect him." FAR from that notion. Speakman is a pioneer and a great human being. Even though I don't train in the same style as he does, he gets massive respect for me for so many reasons. I hope this edit clears that up, if there even was anyone second guessing as to what i was saying. Sorry hahahaha. It just was in the back of my head for a day and I had to type this in order to feel like I properly got my point across. Jesus...I need to shut up

Wow I just realised the interview is the actual actor of the film. On one side I feel happy to see time ravages us all the same 😢😅 but what a legend of a man and to have such film to record his skill level at his peak for posterity

Thank you for answering my question I asked in your previous video on the Kempo sticks. It seems the techniques are different from traditional Kali.

Great interview. I'm definitely an outsider, as I don't practice kenpo, but it's always good to hear from people so knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

My escrima sticks have literally saved my life in the streets back in the day

AWESOME as always AMIGO!!!

Thank you for having Grandmaster Speakman on. I have my green belt in Kenpo and want to go back and get my brown and black.

If they were to redo The Perfect Weapon, I would like to see Mr. Speakman square up with a grappler, so that he could demonstrate Kenpo 5.0 as it pertains to ground fighting. Add in a weapon and that’s an exciting fight scene

A great interview with an amazing master! Many thanks :)

I love these interviews. Such great questions being asked that you can tell sensei Speakman respects your interview skills and line of questioning immensely.

Fascinating video Sensei Dan! My Black Belt Thesis incorporated Kenpo self-defense techniques (20) to form a kata (Calm Within the Storm). Continuing education in Kenpo is exercising the mind while training the body. Be well 🙏✌🏻

Good interview to discover the specifics of American Kenpo mentality regarding weapons.

I'm a JKD/Kali guy with some exposure to kenpo and I can appreciate the differences between the arts. I can only comment on my experiences FMA tends to go from weapons to empty hand and kenpo empty hand to weapons. In my experience FMA drills more often are partner drills and less structured in comparison to kenpo. There are parallels since both arts teach movement and apply movement and mechanics to various tools or techniques. I suspect that FMA may have indirectly influenced kenpo since FMA was in Hawaii, not in techniques but a style of movement. I also think that kenpo had an influence on JKD/Kali since many of the first- and second-generation instructors had a Kenpo background. I've wondered at times what parts of Guro Inosanto's teaching style comes from Sijo Bruce Lee and what comes from Grandmaster Parker. BTW I've heard that Bruce Lee's first exposure to Savate was from an 8mm film of a match that was given to him by Ed Parker Nothing happens in a vacuum but that's the beauty in this life we become the sum total of our experiences and environment. The arts we study do as well.

Part of the reason I got interested in Kali/Eskrima was because of the Perfect Weapon movie. And yet there are some differences in how they are used in kenpo and FMA.

That was such a fun movie, and the main character getting played in a gang war was a great spin on the usual hum drum vengeance formula.

The more things change the more they stay the same. Kenpo is Kajukenbo is Parker from Bros. Emperado.

Not sure how this came across on my feed but I'm always looking for ways to provide my tiny youngest daughter with ways to defend herself while she goes about her daily life. I was trained in Krav Maga and while I look like a chibi I'm pretty deadly especially with a knife they never will see coming. I've built her a few very inconspicuous self defense weapons and taught her some techniques, but in this day and age I feel they more the merrier. I saw this video and started wondering if i could incorporate these into a backpack or purse so thanks for the information.

First, I got the Kenpo tee shirt! Love it, thanks! I have often practiced Kenpo techniques with an Arnis and Kali stick .

I would add also not just stick fighting but also I would add filipino stick fighting

I learn this under Professor John Conway Sr, he called them wind sticks.

thanks

I've been a kenpo student since 1967. Jeff speakmen tell it like it is..my personal preference for the martialist defense is kenpo because it relys on close quarter hand to hand with a wit of knowing distance for your own personal maximum abilities of power at the end of the strike and kick. Kenpo is very brutal street fighting style that has always fit my personal abilities..RIP. uncle Lee Gonzalez sensai ,master.!

Good stuff

Awwww! Malfunction no . . . . glad he's ok. OMG. Great interview !

Man Kenpo is such a BRUTAL Martial Art...In my opinion the most deadly. I wish Jeff was in UFC 1 with what he knows now. We would have seen A TIGER 🐯

1. There are also short sticks in Escrima (24" or so), avg police solid baton 26", avg Escrima stick 28". PR-24 is for Americans, several Tonfa on the market today are two short for Americans. I think it is a failing to hold weapon skills to the much higher belts. Escrima teaches weapons from day one. The problem with holding weapon training from your studets early on, is that they don't have skilled attackers. I've seen too many knife attacks that would never be done in a fight, a long single thrust for example.

Best defense against a knife is to just NOT be there. Knives are completely unpredictable and can cut with every block and counter. Not to mention that even with a firearm you need to understand the 21 foot rule with firearm and knife.

Think Kenpo sticks looks so bloody cool!

Master Jeff Speakman really should make more films.

Grandmaster Parker Lerned basic knife and stick of the Philippines.He later changed some for his art. Hulk Planis would have been a great. 1 to confirm that.I do not know if Chuck Sullivan would confirm it .I never asked him. You.wish to seek his knowledge.

I'm pretty open to pretty much any martial art. Even commonly critiqued ones like Aikido and Tai Chi. I've had yet to see a demonstration of Kenpo that really struck me as well done. Like what's the deal with the training partners always being stuck in freeze frame position while you blast them with half a dozen strikes? It seems to be a common thing with Kenpo. Real fights are very dynamic. I'm sure I'm just misunderstanding something. Anyone wanna enlighten me?

One philosophy, which I learned talking with Sifu Saul Tallbear, is that you should train with 'practical' weapkns... You aren't likely to be carrying b around na change or butterfly knives, but you might find a stick lying around you can utilize as a weapon if needed

Jun Bao Gung Fu has American Kenpo in its blend of martial arts, so Im studying videos of Kenpo to see how things differ. My knowledge of weapons in Jun Bao is very limited, in my school I see the advanced class always walking in with the Bo (staff) and footage exists of the founder of the art teaching a student Chinese swordsmanship. I would say our school is mainly focussed on forms, application, combatives, and competition. So weapons have their place somewhere but aren't our first priority from the beginner's look of things so far

The way Kempo tends to translate? Sticks or knives make sense.

Kenpo 5.0 Juat one question how do you have for reality fighting be we in my hood don't go to ground because You will get jumped?

Eskrima sticks come in different lengths. Takes 3seconds of looking at an FMA supply store (or Etsy😏) to realize that.

Would love to see a Kenpo 5.0 vs Paul Mills kenpo

Are the stick & knife forms in Kenpo empty hand forms like they are in Kali? My guru shows us the slight variations in empty hand useage but the general movements transfer directly to our stick & knife forms

Kenpo is from Okinawan (way before anyone in the U.S.A. including Hawaii practiced it or knew about it) The only stick was single and double Tanbo. Tanbo are from the hand to elbow about 1 1/2 in diameter. Very schools practice authentic Kenpo tanbo techniques.

Es una lástima que no se lo potenció como el nuevo Van Damme o Seagal

Just helping with the algorithm 😊

Kali sticks are shorter and thus more for up close and personal, just like the knife in kempo. I started training sticks early in my kempo career.

where did kempo stick fight began?

Learn the hand, learn the rod, learn the steel. ;)

He’s on argument breaks down I feel because he talks about if you are confronted with stick knife gun if you’re not teaching defensive an office of techniques with those weapons from the beginning how in the world are you going to be prepared if you encounter them before you get up to that covered in black belt. Again it’s asinine to teach any other way both of the hands and webinars should be taught side by side so that your brain can learn it all

The Perfect Weapon did so much to feature American kempo, and American kempo is so well suited for film fighting due to its rapid hand techniques and large movements encompassing both angular and circular techniques. Like I told someone recently: no one would ever want to see BJJ in fight choreography in a movie: The good guy pulling bottom half guard, stalling for three minutes, and then attempt a flower sweep...kinda boring! Lol. Maybe that's why Rorion Gracie's fight choreography career didn't quite take off after Lethal Weapon. Will some other action star come along to pick up that torch and carry on the American kempo flame in action movies? Or at least an expert in kempo to be a fight choreographer or technical advisor? I think the time is ripe.

I'm sorry but I not sure but they were calling The Kenpo "Club Set" as in the heavier Police Clubs Not The "Stick Set" as in the light"Escrima Sticks".

What the difference between kungfu and kenpo

Why starting to learn that after 20 years !! What is the use of that why not feom day one ? Just like the other stick and knife styles !!?

I think it’s a waste personally to have to wait to you get an advanced degree before you can ever pick up a stick or a knife. The guy in the street doesn’t have an advanced degree and he’s going to clean your clock. I like the Filipino arts a lot better because from day one they get you a custom to carrying a weapon swinging it defending against it and hitting things so that your body develops overtime. Everything I learned the Filipino martial arts from day one I was able to useImmediately and that makes more sense than this carrot on a stick method of teaching that other systems seem to have it having you wait around until you’re a black belt to be even beginning to teach you

FMA?😮

It seems like Escrima is flows more and kenpo looks rigid

More impressive is kali philipines style than kali kenpo style.

Not buying it. These techniques have been added to get money by creating a form and to distance from FMA.

Ummmm I’m not too sure weapons are all that uncommon these days.

American Kenpo is soooo bad. LOL

Well, I got about through a quarter of this video and to me. It sounds like you're afraid to teach somebody before they get that black belt. How to use a knife or how to use? Sticks But you will teach them how to roll around the ground with each other. In the street situation, the last place you wanna be is the ground number one. It's very nice to roll around in a dojo with soft mats, but if you go out and street and if you ever got your face pushed and rubbed on concrete, you would never go down to the ground number 2 people carry knives. Bad guys carry knives and if you think that you gonna use some traditional blocks to get the knife out of that person's hand you're out of your mind. You have to train your students from day one. This is a knife and teach them how to defend against it. But the best way to tea. How to defend against it is to teach them how to wheeled the weapon. I'm so sick and tired of instructors thinking well. If I teach them too much they're not gonna stay with me. They're not gonna keep giving me their money. Stop it as a martial arts instructor your job is to teach people how to defend themselves in the street. If you go to a school that teaches time though, you're better off taking a ballet class. There are martial arts out there that work only in a dojo. Setting, but that's not the reason we studied the martial arts. We studied the martial arts for interpiece. Restart the martial arts to defend ourselves and our family. And those weaker than us.

Are you actual grown ups?

Sorry but kenpo weapons doesn''t compare to kali.

No such thing as kempo sticks....its just kempo people whaling around with sticks ...they dont know anything with the sticks just moving them around..ridiculous

Kenpo is a ridiculous martial art. If it can even be called that. All of the videos these so called black belts post are techniques against people who offer zero resistance and cooperate with this fantasy that the techniques are always going to produce the desired results. They respond to one movement, which often, right off the bat shows a very low knowledge of fighting to begin with, by throwing a series of predetermined, patterned techniques that entail upwards of 20 movements. 😅 You can never respond with three moves to your opponents one let alone 20. Unless of course you have gained some kind of control over the guy. Did he just say on the ground? 😅😅 ok, I am done. As far as FMA goes, most of that is silly too but at least their movements aren't based on prearranged sequences, aside from a few drills. 😅😅😅😅Oh my gosh. No, training these predetermined technique sequences will not help you when someone who KNOWS how to hold you on the ground.😅😅😅 Finally, the only difference between lower and higher belt techniques should be how efficiently and effectively they are performed. This is all fantasy. The guy is talking about performing theatrical martial arts. Did he just say he accidentally stabbed someone on a film set?

I'd like to know where Jeff Speakman got that stick holster from. I can't find it anywhere either online or offline. I like that stick holster and think it's pretty cool, but I can't find it anywhere at all.