I'm about to buy a 3 section staff, but I wanted some opinions from anyone who currently uses one. I've heard that sectional weapons are a bit more difficult to learn, compared with other weapons like swords and Bo staffs I mean. So, the question is, would it be better to start off training with a straight Bo, or should I just begin training with the 3 sectional?
Just start out with a soft one Cause you will get wacked in the back of the head at some point. Do you have any experience with weapons? Do you have a weapons instructor? If either or both of those questions gets answered "no" I suggest you fix that first.
I have good experience with nunchaku and 6' staff, and I have been unable to use the 3 sectional staff effevtively on the occasions I have tried. You are much better off finding an insructor who can teach you what to do with it.
If I was you I would first get very competent with the 6 foot staff first, learn all the different spins and twrils etc. These spins and twrils can then be taken across to the 3 sectional staff which are basicly the same if the 3 section staff is used at high speed. I would also highly recommend a helmet and shin gaurds as accidents will occur. You should also think about getting your hands on a foam or padded 3 sectional staff before going onto the real thing.