The Tonfa Strike

By Rochelle E. Brenner

Some cool things about the tonfa: You can hide it in your sleeve. Its name also means “crutch,” meaning it was modeled after crutches. Another possible origin is as a handle in a flour mill to grain rice. You can hold it 3 different ways - the coolest one turns the handle into a hook. You’ll see it in shows like some anime, Dead or Alive, The Karate Kid and Tekken Series. 

But the tonfa is best known as a tool for law enforcement agencies, known as a side-handle baton or PR-24. Tonfa are designed as less-lethal weapons for crowd control, self-defense, and subduing suspects. Some military Special Forces units also issue tonfa batons and have extensive training in close-quarters combat techniques. 

The tonfa is an effective self-defense tool. Its design allows for both offensive and defensive maneuvers, making it versatile in real-life situations.

 In martial arts, the tonfa is a tool to enhance self-defense, discipline, and physical fitness. It enhances ability with their coordination, agility, and reaction time. The tonfa class not only helps in mastering the weapon but also deepens an understanding of timing, distance, and the mechanics of movement. The tonfas require exceptional control because they are heavy wooden objects. That’s why the Action Karate curriculum “Striking Tonfa” is performed as mostly blocks and blunt strikes. This unique shape enables martial artists to leverage their strength while maintaining control over the weapon. It is often used in many styles of karate, particularly in styles like Goju-Ryu and Shito-Ryu.

Benefits of training with tonfa include: 

• Hand-eye coordination and ambidexterity, as students learn to use it effectively with both hands

• Sharp reflexes

• Arms, shoulder and core strength training as the weapons are heavier than usual

• Focus, concentration and mental discipline

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In conclusion, a few things to know: the tonfa should cover your entire forearm. The tonfas we use are anywhere from 14 to 24 inches long. If you sand down the handle, it’s easier to use. It hurts if you hit your elbow.