Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VSqp2xw8J0&feature=relmfu

When the founder past, there was a split because the head instructor and the son / inheritor of the art disagreed on the focus. this is the head instructors Aikido, which emphasizes Ki development. It is softer and so often seen as less legitimate than Hombu Aikido.

Its a big schism within the community, which is sad.

Also, I believe Bill was referring to the knobs on the Pilgrims staff. About that, I had thought that the knob would allow a bladed weapon to catch on it. That's how I pictured the knob protecting the hand. Just speculation though.

Here are some pictures I took at the Klingenmuseum in Solingen.

A Pilgrim's Staff with long stabbing blade.
German, 16th C.

Interesting weapon...

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Thank you! That's a great find, and I appreciate the photo. I wonder if it had a scabbard that disguised it to appear like a normal staff? Like a sword cane, or the sword used by the blind swordsman....

That looks like some pretty hard evidence that the knobs were used like a cross guard after all. At least in this instance. I still need to make one. I picked up a plumbing end but none of the hardware stores near me carry replacement wheel barrow handles. I suppose they could order me a couple though...

That's amazing! It would almost certainly have been secured in the lower part of the stick. That pilgrim would have turned the other cheek...as he prepared to spit a bandit like a chicken.

Does anyone know if that blade has an edge? or is it shaped more like an estoc?

It has been a few years since I've seen it, but I think it's an estoc blade.