Kuk Sool Hap Ki Do

This is the flagship of the arts taught at NKMAA, and it contains 270 principles that can be expanded into more than 3600 techniques. It is a true Hard/Soft style (Yu Kwan Sool) art, and if offers all the forms (Hyung) of Kuk Sool, PLUS a full compliment of hard style forms. This combination allows students to excel in whatever suits their bodies best, and they are not confined to one or the other.

We have found that the hard style forms are great for younger students wishing to compete in open tournaments, and our soft style forms can be very beneficial to older students because they are designed to maintain flexibility, bone density, and a to give you a myriad of other beneficial health training that promote longevity.

Because Kuk Sool Hap Ki Do is such a comprehensive study of Korean martial arts, it DOES take the average person at least four years (many take longer, and there should never be a hurry) to learn the entire system.  Kuk Sool Hap Ki Do is NOT just an art, it is an entire SYSTEM. While most martial arts stop teaching new material at 5th dahn, the KSHKD system teaches new material all the way up to 8th dahn.  A lifetime of study awaits you, and that can only come from an Instructor who has spent a lifetime in the arts we teach.

To start YOUR journey in Kuk Sool Hap Ki Do, purchase our awesome DVD set.

Ugly Stick
The Ugly Stick was invented by GM Rudy Timmerman, who personally makes them from the finest exotic hardwoods available. After selecting the wood, it is soaked for three months in a special blend of oils GM Timmerman learned about when he was an apprentice woodworker in his dad's workshop in Holland… the same oils his father used to repair antique furniture heirlooms one might find in Museums.  The recipe has been in the family for generations… in fact, the name Timmerman in Dutch means carpenter; or, in our family's case, Cabinet Maker.

After the wood has been thoroughly soaked, I begin by cutting the unique ends to the sticks that give it the ability to rip and tear flesh. The angles were carefully designed to the best angles to create maximum damage capabilities, and even the thickness of the wood is no accident. With the help of one of my students in the Leo community, we tested several diameter and length sizes to see what would give us the fastest strike when used in conjunction with a rope on one end. When that was figured out, I began to test various groove depths and widths to see which would cut the best.

In the end, I was not happy with the linear grooves, and I developed a tool to cut spiral grooves. Much like the cutting action of the Guillotine, the spiral grooves were found to be most effective. Naturally, none of the testing could be done on humans, so I used some Canadian Hard Maple to do the testing on. When struck by my Ugly Sticks, this very hard Canadian Maple suffered major damage. Large chunks and splinters came off the Maple every time it was struck by the Ugly Stick; and, I figured if my sticks could take chunks out of hard Maple, it would no doubt do worse on flesh and bone.

The Ugly Stick comes in various sizes, with the "Pocket Stick" at six inches, and we make the "Dan Bong" fourteen inches long for optimum versatility. Regardless of the size of the Dan Bong chosen, there is no difference in performance. The Pocket Stick can be used as a key holder, and the holes for either a keyring or rope are drilled to accommodate that. Instead of grooves, the Pocket Stick has four brass upholstery nails in the centre, and they are used to "roll" over selected pressure points. Strikes are done much like one would use a knife, and the stick actually cuts just like one.

The Dan Bong also has holes drilled in the end, and these are used to add a length of Parachute cord or Sash cord. When rope is added, the weapon takes on a whole different form, and it is now regarded as a "flex" weapon. In Canada, flex weapons are illegal, so we do NOT ship our Sticks with ropes.

Because of their design, our Ugly Sticks can be used as one would normally use a stick or Dan Bong; however, the design lends itself to a whole new series of techniques I designed specially for the Ugly Stick. From slashing, to cutting, to the use of pressure points, the Ugly Sticks can be used as a perfect personal protection weapon that you can easily carry without looking like a thug out to hurt people. Yet, in an instant, you can whip it out to protect yourself or family.

For those who like to use the Sticks in a traditional school setting, I also have a DVD with forms (Hyung) for the Rope Staff and the Dan Bong. It makes an excellent addition for school owners whose students like to compete, and it is also great for demos. The DVD also has a complete set of Ssahng Juhl Bong (Nunchuk or double rope staff) on it; and, as a bonus, it also includes footage for the Riot Stick and the Cane. This DVD is sold separate, as not everyone is interested in more than the personal protection aspects of our Ugly Stick.

Ugly Sticks are created from some of the hardest exotic wood species known to man; in fact, the material is so hard, it ruins carbide tipped blades and bits so fast, I can only create about ten sticks before I have to replace the bits.  That, and the oils and time it takes to create the Ugly stick, drives up the cost of these beauties.

Ugly sticks are sold in the following combinations:  please visit our goods and services page to order.

Pocket Stick $25.00

Dan Bong $50.00

DVD set of two $75.00 (They contain everything you need to learn how to effectively protect yourself)

Package $125.00 (Save $25.00 - Includes Pocket Stick, Dan Bong, and the two DVD set)

Hyung DVD $40.00 (Dan Bong, Cane, Rope Staff forms)