Thoughts on swivels and bearings

[BBD]

Greetings to all

First, I have to say well done and fine effort to everyone involved in setting up this site. Something like this was way overdue, and to see it done in the UK gladdens my heart even more.

Lots of useful information here, but I don’t want to just take without giving. So here’s the thing:

I can’t help but notice the growing interest surrounding U-swivels, and the related debate about what’s best: swivels vs bearings vs cord. This is my small contribution...

First, a bit of context. I am old. Really, really old. In fact I am 43. So I have seen lots of things come and go, which brings us neatly enough back to the subject of swivels.

I started nunchaku training when I was 20, and back then you could still get U-swivel nunchaku in the UK, although they were fairly rare - I only remember one type, non-tapered octagon (hakakukei) in 12" or 14" reddish wood of middling weight. I have no idea if these were the fabled Dolans, or some Far Eastern knock-off. Dolans seem to be pretty much a Stateside thing when they were around, but these were available over the counter in most decent London martial arts shops. Remember, back then, there was no Internet...

I have to say that U-swivel nunchaku did not enjoy a good reputation for durability and safety, or for handling, come to that. In fact everyone I knew either went for cord or ball bearings. I have a very strong feeling that this is the reason why swivels just died out: people simply did not buy them. Let me repeat that: no-one I knew used them, or had a good word to say about them.

I have two pairs of good quality ball bearing nunchaku that have seen some use over the last 20 years and are working perfectly, although they look their age. I have newer sets with Dazzle brand bearings bought from Woodalls which are also working perfectly. While I have no doubt that a cheap bearing could fail, I really feel that the supposed unreliability of ball bearings in general is being overplayed in some quarters. Buy quality and you will be fine. Buy cheapo Chinese junk and maybe not.

I'm certain that the sheer rarity of swivel nunchaku is behind the mythology building up around them. If the technology was so much superior to ball bearings, it would now be dominant, not the other way around. Again, let me repeat that – if swivels were so good, they would now rule the world, surely?

Finally, I must say that over the years I have (reluctantly at first, sure) come round to the absolute certainty that cord is best. Corded nunchaku are better balanced, faster, snappier, easier to control and quieter to carry. They are also utterly reliable – you can’t get sand in bearings that you don’t have, and milspec paracord or similar just does –not- break

So there it is, posted in the humble hope that it might help.

Respectfully

BBD

[psionics]

Hello sir BBD.


  nice! I wonder about your insights in T-Swivel version? pictures from: http://www.freestyleforum.net/index.php?topic=5737.msg68550#msg68550
though its so heavy(heavier than dazzle), but can able to withstand all the drops in concrete for years(except the problem that it gets rusty), no sharp edges and screws are short-lived(but has longer life than the chain/bearing one). It came from china (they call it longgun| yingjian product | I expect problems for sure lol). about the chux balance, not bad.. but not good either ^^. but i can recommend it for training chux(to work out the muscles).. but not in experimenting/exploring trix since its heaviness can break a bone and it is varnished. The U-swivel, for chux collection purposes, is nice lol. I never yet used one of them but I seen few use them, but it seems like being rare is what it gets the attraction..

[Matt-Chez]

ive used cord since my first set of BB chucks exploded on me,, coincidentally they were dazzle brand bearings, and i wasn't best pleased with them.

you'll find lots of different opinions on what is judged to be "better" Dependant on peoples chucking styles and basic personal preference,


but im with you on this one, corded are smoother, easier to customize and replace, more controllable, quieter, and ive never had a corded set break on me, always seems to be the wood that cracks from strikes mostly,,  never had the wood outlast the cord,, ever.


p.s.  theres lots of us here from the uk,, and i dont even think your the oldest one here, so you don't need to worry too much about that!

and welcome to the forum 

[BBD]

Psionics - hi again (Please check your hotmail - OT tech question there for you!) Never had the pleasure of T-swivel, but the system sounds crude and reliable in equal measure... like a hand-drawn plough. I've got an ancient set of long chain (9x link) super-heavy rubber chux I use occasionally to remind me how old and feeble I am getting. They weigh like a set of chained hippos, but at least you cannot kill yourself with them :-0

Matt-Chez - sorry to hear you had, ahem, quality control issues with Dazzle. Bill Woodall uses them, and I am confident that he doesn't get many product returns... perhaps there are different grades of bearing within the Dazzle brand? His are necked in right at the top to provide full support and stability for the bearing race. Also, the baton comes -right- up to the base of the bearing internally so the part doesn't flap about and get subjected to extremes of torque. Exploding Dazzle - I really am very surprised by this, really.

Glad you agree on the cord thing though; that's reassuring. Also very pleased to hear that there are geezers here even older than me Don't care where they're from, us old folk have to stick together or the youngsters and their newfangled ideas will take over the world.

Sorry but I have to get moving - the curse of work I'm afraid. I'll look back in tomorrow. Really nice to have made a few introductions though.

BBD

[rctrue]

Welcome to the forum. You raised some good points about Uswivels. I have one pair given to me as a gift and I love them. I think they are Dolan's but Im not sure how to tell. Dolan sports was known for having exceptional products. The set I have was given to me by an oldschooler that swears by U's. I have to say they do kick ass!

It can be a headache, but if you replace the ball bearings on chain chuck's once a month. You don't have to worry about explosions as often. You can get them for 4$. Its all preference.