The Top 5 Holiday Gift Ideas from Black Belt Magazine
November 23 | 2020
If there's a martial artist in your life who's hard to shop for, look no further than this list of the best holiday gifts from the world's leading magazine of martial arts.
The holidays are right around the corner and there's no better time to shop for the ninjas in your family! Black Belt Magazine doesn't just provide the history and current events of the martial arts world, we can equip you with all the best products too. From beautiful belt displays, to stylish gloves, to collector's edition books, keep reading to check out this list of the top five gifts to kick under the tree this year.
5. Budo Wall Belt Display
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://blackbeltmag.com/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDc2NzkwOS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2MDg4MzM5N30.5tb4CDOvVXsULQaSphSgXoCrO-tise0xyvPtNOAcPlo/image.jpg?width=1200&coordinates=0%2C75%2C0%2C75&height=1059" id="4388d" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="64f4d9ec9967d435cb2840571bf2392e" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Martial Arts Belt Display" /> <p>Are you really a martial artist if you don't have a classic belt display like this? Every practitioner should be proud of their rank, and the best way to show it off is with this Budo Wall Belt Display. The number of spaces matches most belt systems, but additional ranks can be draped over the upper level if necessary. That arch on top is also great for hanging medals for Karate Kids that compete in tournaments and bring home a ton of hardware! This display holds more than awards and belts, it hangs on to memories that a martial artist can keep forever.</p>
$119.99
4. Black Belt Icon Tee
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://blackbeltmag.com/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDc2NzkxNy9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NTExNzc5MH0.PL0RG84XOtpRzOotCPrZPUUB8kW5Ym5kvPXeYUKi3Wg/image.jpg?width=2048&coordinates=0%2C70%2C0%2C70&height=1861" id="f4189" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="1fb16f8751c1ca158d0533ddbf78a9d8" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Black Belt Shirt" /> <p>If you're looking for something a bit smaller than a belt display, you can't go wrong with a stylish t-shirt from Black Belt Magazine's new apparel line. This Icon Tee is 60% ring-spun cotton and 40% polyester for a soft feel that makes it perfect for training or just looking good. It's not everyday that you see a martial arts shirt that<em> looks </em>cool too, so you better scoop one of these up for the holidays before they're all gone!</p>
$24.99
3. Strive Washable Boxing Gloves
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://blackbeltmag.com/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDc2NzkzMS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxOTg1NzM5N30.g0yu9qi1ePrYpNxqLkieXMD49RFORgqU8Lzw5fUNnvE/image.jpg?width=1024&coordinates=0%2C56%2C0%2C56&height=832" id="c1d66" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="01431818dcde4c2cc6c87ab56c371665" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Washable Boxing Gloves" /> <p>Any martial artist would be lucky to get these Strive <strong>Washable</strong> Boxing Gloves from our friends at Century Martial Arts for the holidays. They come in multiple styles that would give any martial artist the sweetest fists in the dojo. Most importantly, no one should <strong>EVER</strong> have to deal with stinky gloves again! You can pop these in the washing machine and they'll come out looking and smelling brand new every time. The 10 oz. padding is wrapped in a sublimation print design that will never crack or fade, making it the perfect gift for anyone that loves beating up BOBs and Wavemasters!</p>
$49.99
2. Black Belt: First 100 Issues
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://blackbeltmag.com/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDc2Nzk0My9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NjEwNzE4Nn0.SR3h_7-R0sfiWQf5W0Xo5FIYV_7cn1EIDXX0xfZ12ak/image.jpg?width=1200&coordinates=0%2C79%2C0%2C79&height=1041" id="a81ed" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="cb40bc6dc37fe59e602bf6c9bb09850b" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Black Belt Book" /> <p>This gift is ideal for anyone who is a lifetime martial artist. The arts are rooted in a rich history that is respected across the globe, and much of that history is documented in the first 100 issues of Black Belt Magazine's legendary publication. This is a collector's item that documents over a decade of martial arts history with everything from the competitive achievements of Bill "Superfoot" Wallace to the iconic Hollywood performances of Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee. Regardless of which art they study, that special martial artist in your life will be honored to own this special edition book.</p>
$34.95
1. One-Year Black Belt Magazine Subscription
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://blackbeltmag.com/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDc2Nzk2MC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NDk3MzI5Nn0.AlLv595tFBLfWxr4KXUk4kzcUFweYR3LEL4kfCp6iLA/image.png?width=567&coordinates=24%2C0%2C24%2C0&height=610" id="c7d08" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="00ab867e87229d5ae0e5fb1ac755c8fb" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Black Belt Magazine" /><p>Coming in at number one on our countdown is the gift that keeps on giving, a <strong>ONE-YEAR</strong> subscription to Black Belt Magazine! This gift will keep your favorite martial artist up-to-date on all the important news in the community, as well as inspiring stories and historic accounts. The six bimonthly issues would normally cost nearly $50, but the subscription <strong>ON SALE NOW</strong> for just $34.99! The first issue will be delivered to your door in under two weeks and is a great stocking-stuffer to tell your martial artist that five more issues are on the way. 2021 is sure to be better if you have the best martial arts magazine in the world delivered to your door throughout the year!</p>
$34.99
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ONE Championship has formally announced its final two live events for 2020, and each will be headlined by ONE Super Series World Championship matches.
The first will be ONE: Big Bang on Friday, December 4, when Roman Kryklia defends the ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Title against Murat "The Butcher" Aygun.
Also in action, top featherweight contenders Garry Tonon and Koyomi Matsushima meet in the co-main event in Singapore in the hopes of securing a title shot in 2021. Matsushima is the #3-ranked contender in the division, with Tonon not far behind at #5.
The anticipated organizational debut of Amir Aliakbari will also happen at ONE: Big Bang as he meets Russia's Islam Abasov and India's Ritu Phogat clashes with Jomary Torres before the ONE Atomweight World Grand Prix kicks-off next year.
Two weeks later, ONE: Collision Course gets underway on Friday, December 18.
ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai Tournament winner Rodlek PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym gets his shot at Nong-O Gaiyanghadao and the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship.
Nong-O’s Craziest Fights In ONE Championship www.youtube.com
American Lowen Tynanes returns against former featherweight king Marat Gafurov in a lightweight tilt.
Fellow American Troy Worthen steps back inside the ONE Circle to try, and breakthrough the bantamweight rankings against #3-ranked Yusup Saadulaev as both men try to leave an impression heading into the new year.
Both events will return to the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
As the new year inches closer, ONE looks to be in a prime position to continue its extraordinary string of success with exciting martial arts action.
The final two live events will air free on the B/R Live app.
ONE: Big Bang
ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Championship: Roman Kryklia vs. Murat Aygun
Koyomi Matsushima vs. Garry Tonon
Marat Grigorian vs. Ivan Kondratev
Kairat Akhmetov vs. Danny Kingad
Amir Aliakbari vs. Islam Abasov
Ritu Phogat vs. Jomary Torres
ONE: Collision Course
ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship: Nong-O Gaiyanghadao vs. Rodlek PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym
Marat Gafurov vs. Lowen Tynanes
Yusup Saadulaev vs. Troy Worthen
Amir Khan vs. Dae Sung Park
Chan Rothana vs. Xie Wei
Raimond Magomedaliev vs. Edson Marques
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Win Blade in 4K Ultra HD Thanks to Black Belt Magazine!
November 30 | 2020
Half human. Half vampire. Experience the sharper, darker, and slicker Blade now in 4K Ultra HD! Click to see more!
The martial arts action classic Blade is back in 4K Ultra HD, and it will make you feel like you are watching Wesley Snipes in person! The film is available for purchase TODAY (December 1st), but you have a chance to win the Digital Movie courtesy of Black Belt Magazine. All you have to do is share this article on your social media page and tag Black Belt Magazine and the appropriate page for Blade or Warner Bros.
On Facebook, tag @Black Belt Magazine and @BladeFilmsOfficial. On Instagram, tag @BlackBeltMag and @WarnerBrosEntertainment. On Twitter, tag @Black_Belt_Mag and @WBHomeENT for a chance to win! You must also include the hashtag #Blade4K to be eligible to win the FREE download.
<p><u><em>MUST REDEEM DIGITAL MOVIE OFFER BY 6/30/2021. Consumer must reside in the U.S. and register for a digital service provider account (go to wb.com/RedeemMovie for a list of digital service providers (e.g., Movies Anywhere). May only include HD Main Feature. NOT COMPATIBLE WITH ALL DEVICES. SOME DISPLAY RESOLUTIONS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR STREAMING OR DOWNLOAD ON ALL DEVICES FROM ALL DIGITAL SERVICES. Consult your digital service provider for compatible devices, available display resolutions, streaming and download capability and Terms of Service. Ultimate display resolution on playback is dependent upon connection and device characteristics, including screen resolution. High-speed Internet connection required.</em></u></p><p><strong><u><em>Go to wb.com/RedeemMovie for additional details, requirements and technical support. Neither Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. nor any affiliate is responsible for maintaining any digital service. THIS DIGITAL MOVIE OFFER MAY NOT BE RESOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED.</em></u></strong></p>
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A thoughtful question from Mitch Mitchell, an affiliate coach of American Frontier Rough and Tumble, prompted me to commit to paper some observations regarding two common tools/weapons of the frontier. First, the exchange that led to all this:
Question: "Am I on the right track or holding my danged knife wrong?"
My reply: "Bowie designs are manifold. My personal preference falls toward a flat-spine knife with a half-guard because a spine-side guard or broken spine jams up my thumb on a sincere stab in a saber grip. For me, anyway, a nice, straight, full-power stab with a hammer grip on the high line is impossible, and anyway it is a wrist killer."
Mitchell's question is a common one that can lead us one step closer to weapons wisdom. First, I will point out that discovering that certain tactics and grips are wrist killers is possible only when we invest time in hard training with hard targets. If we stick with mirror play, shadow play or tit-for-tat flow drills with a partner using mock weapons, we likely will never stumble on the realities that make certain tactics ill-advised. As they say, train real to find real.
<p>Now, here's my take on the subject of blades and self-defense in American history:</p><p>First, trade-knife designs were myriad. Likewise, tomahawk designs were myriad. Beyond a knife being a knife and a 'hawk being a 'hawk, mass-produced, perfectly weighted commercial blades made specifically for combat were a rarity.</p><p>There were a variety of designs, weights, lengths, guards, etc., in circulation. To survive, one had to be skilled with a variety of tool/weapon interfaces. When modern afficionados fall into a this-is-my-carry-blade mindset, they miss the point of training with these historical items.</p><p>I say that because a knife was a tool first and foremost. Cutting rope, making fuzz sticks for starting campfires, skinning game and all the other actions one needed to undertake in order to survive on the frontier were of paramount importance. Having a knife that served only as a weapon was uncommon.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c5199f0d5f94b617d14d74f081387971" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-runner-src="https://blackbeltmag.com/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDU0MjA2Mi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MTEzNzE0NX0.71RycS8s79paJwf-qSrsvPxEFAJ3rf9DHujB6xl8nFc/image.jpg?width=980" id="79b3a" type="lazy-image"/>
</p><p>The same goes for the tomahawk, which we shouldn't forget was primarily a hatchet or camp ax. Knives and 'hawks are similar in that both were tools intended for daily use. In all likelihood, the bearers hoped never to need to wield them for martial matters.<br/></p><p>Knives and 'hawks are similar in that both were tools intended for daily use. In all likelihood, the bearers hoped never to need to wield them for martial matters.</p><p>Today, we tend to invert the tool-choice pyramid. We often select blades for martial purposes that we envision. Often, we wouldn't dare dull their sheen on mundane matters.</p><script async="" src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
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</script><p>I'm not pretending that I use all the blades in my collection for everyday cutting and chopping. With an eye on historical accuracy, I do own some pretty toys that I don't ding. However, I have a variety of fair-to-middling knives and 'hawks that I've acquired in antique shops, and all are mighty functional.</p><p>I enjoy using them as the tools they were intended to be and training with them to take full advantage of all their martial aspects. I experience growth whenever I'm forced to modify my technique to deal with different weights and lengths as I discover which tactics shake out as functional across all weapon interfaces and thus are of high utility. It's also beneficial to learn which tactics are specific to a single tool because they must be culled from my repertoire.</p><p>My final advice: Go with whatever blade feels right in your hand. When you find that a particular tactic or technique jams a digit, hurts your hand or simply makes you feel uncomfortable, get rid of said move. If you don't and you ever have to use your tool for real, you won't do it with conviction. Remember that it's perfectly OK to not know or use every trick in the book. It's never OK to keep things just so you can feel complete or check a move off a list.</p><p>Never lose sight of the fact that tomahawks were hatchets and knives were knives. They were designed for work, and fighting was just a blip on the radar. In modern times, it's easy to fixate on buying expensive items for fake fighting and lose sight of the daily utility they were intended for. </p><p>Mark Hatmaker's website is <a href="http://extremeselfprotection.com" target="_blank">extremeselfprotection.com</a>.<br/></p>
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Intellectualization is defined as a defense mechanism that entails using reasoning to avoid unconscious conflict and its associated emotional stress — wherein thinking is used to avoid feeling. It involves removing oneself emotionally from a stressful event.
Increasingly, I notice the trend in combatives and other self-defense "systems" to intellectualize — actually, to over-intellectualize. The definition of intellectualization that appears above perfectly captures the meaning as it applies to fighting.In an effort to avoid the pain, consequence, damage and stress of fighting — whether in training or for real — instructors use constructed language to describe the impossible (what's expected in the moment) and use pseudoscience to justify what they're professing.Those of you who have read this column for any length of time have heard me say over and over that if you want to learn to fly, at some point, you have to actually take off and land. The same is true of fighting: If you want to learn to fight well, you have to spend a significant amount of time actually fighting. There is no replacement for this.
<p>Intellectualization takes this rawness out of preparing for a fight. It makes a fight appear to be a clinical event.</p><p>Some of the tripe I've heard describes in exacting detail "how a fight happens" and what you need to accomplish in equally exacting detail. It's laughable. Regardless of the reasoning behind the instruction or commentary — to assure students that they can fight without being hit <insert laughing emoji here>, to minimize their fear, to diminish their stress over the scary event, blah, blah, blah — it harms students more than it helps them.</p><p>One example of this is breaking down video assaults. (Interestingly, this is possibly the best example.) People! Hindsight is 20/20. Reviewing videos of attacks as they happen and videos of our own performance in training is, of course, super instructive and revealing. Video is a tool that can't be overlooked if we're seeking our best levels of performance. But preaching a textbook answer (in particular, application of technique answers) in retrospect isn't impressive. What is impressive is applying principles in a sudden attack and adapting to a violent situation as it evolves.</p><p>Guess what? Droning over countless drills that address one very specific type of attack or event isn't preparing you for anything except failure.</p><p>To the contrary, actually engaging in personal combat in which both participants are free to try to execute whatever they feel like is preparing you for precisely such situations. Linking your techniques to principles throughout a dynamic and evolving situation makes you far more competent and prepared to face a violent personal assault.</p><script async="" src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
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</script><p>Problem is intellectualization takes this rawness out of preparing for a fight. It makes a fight appear to be a clinical event. Yes, it's good to want to become a "technician," but you can't become a technician without repeatedly exposing yourself to the dangers of unpredictability, uncertainty, consequence and fluidity that make up an actual fight.</p><p>Please don't misunderstand this. I'm not saying, "Don't think!" — not at all. My point is that all the talk, all the nonsense, all the made-up words, all the wonky science won't develop your ability to adapt quickly to what's in front of you. Yes, understanding the physiology and psychology is important, but their roles are supportive — supportive to what you must physically execute while under duress.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d330b8f2ad6308c1696b25793a8b299b" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-runner-src="https://blackbeltmag.com/media-library/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDU0MTk3OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MzE3ODc4OH0._ccK8c30xQWU8zSe79cnSvPlZ_eUrljKEmY4BeINC0g/image.jpg?width=980" id="29e66" type="lazy-image"/>
</p><p>Ask yourself this: If one person trains by reviewing video assaults, discussing ad nauseum the stressors involved and performing drills for very specific events, then catalogs them and the associated "solutions" while another person trains in the same way but weights sparring heavily in that training as he or she focuses on the consistent application of principles against all manner of opponents, whom would you put your money on?<br/></p><p>Doesn't it stand to reason that a race car driver who accrues maximum track time actually feeling what his car is doing under various conditions and living with the consequences of his input has the edge over the driver who can get only a third of the track time but has every racing reference written and some great racing games that he plays regularly?</p><p>A balance of critical thinking, cerebral rigor and arduous training with consequences is what we need to become proficient. The quality of the sparring is important, as well, which is why mixed martial arts is the perfect medium with all natural weapons allowed in stand-up and ground fighting.</p><p>Recently, a drop-in traditional martial arts practitioner visited our fight gym. He said he was interested in getting some "sparring time." After watching three moderately intense sparring rounds between some of our fighters, he excused himself and said, "This is just a little more than I was interested in." And they were moderate rounds!</p><p>My point here isn't to impugn but to inform. The next time you're listening to someone pontificate about the adrenal effect or any other topic and realize that the narrative is just too much, wipe the drool off your chin and glove up. You'll be happier — and many steps closer to being able to take care of business. <insert smiling emoji here> </p><p>Kelly McCann's book Combatives for Street Survival: Hard-Core Countermeasures for High-Risk Situations is available at <a href="http://shop.blackbeltmag.com" target="_blank">shop.blackbeltmag.com</a>.<br/></p>
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