On July 28, 2024, students from the Moy Yee Kung Fu School traveled to New Jersey to visit the workshop of Sifu Karim Bendahmane (易艺). He had set up the workshop in his garage to create various kung fu training tools such as the Ving-Tsun (Wing Chun) wooden dummies, 6.5 poles, and tai-chi sticks, among others.
Sifu Karim has been working with a variety of woods types, and experimenting with different methods in crafting the training tools. Ensuring the wood grain is perfectly straight is crucial for crafting the 6.5 pole. This is why Sifu Karim needs to buy the wood from stores, allowing him to handpick the finest pieces for the poles.
Sifu Karim utilizes reclaimed or upcycled wood for the Wooden Dummy (木人樁). He is able to tailor the wooden dummy to match the individual's height for both the hands and legs, as well as adjust the springiness of the base according to personal preferences. He detailed the distinction between a laminated and a solid tree trunk in terms of the body.
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