Every one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has a different signature weapon – and Raphael’s sai makes him the best street fighter of the team.
Raphael is the best street fighter of all the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and that is largely because of his signature weapon, the sai. While he may have brought them up as brothers, Splinter gave each of the Turtles different weapons. No doubt the Turtles’ sensei guessed opponents would find it difficult to adapt to a mismatched group whose combat styles were very different – and he was right. Each one of the Turtles has different specialties.
Raphael, for example, uses the sai. This ancient weapon originated in mainland Asia several thousand years ago, and its precise origin remains a mystery even now. Some believe it began as a farmer’s trident, modified to fend off bandits. Others suggest it was designed as a women’s self-defense weapon, starting out as a hairpin. Although it’s traditionally considered to be a dagger, in reality the sai is better understood as a type of baton. Japanese police began using a version of the sai, called the jutte, as far back as 1669.
Raphael’s dagger makes him a skilled street fighter. The thick blade is usually blunt, meaning it can be used offensively to crack an enemy’s ribs. The design of the sai means it’s best used in close quarters, and it’s perfect for blocking knives. Sai flipping isn’t just for show, with skilled combatants spinning it round to protect their arms, or using the butt end to augment a punch. All this means Raphael is trained for street battles rather than going head-to-head with Shredder and the Foot Clan.
Even though Raphael is the Turtle with the worst temper, it’s amusing to note he has been given a weapon designed to subdue opponents rather than kill them; Splinter may have initially given him the sai to ensure he learned restraint. Ironically, Raphael doesn’t really use the sai to their full potential; they’re designed to be a concealed weapon, but he wears them openly, so his enemies know full well what to expect from him. No doubt Raphael has modified the traditional sai fighting style, because his three thick fingers would require different holds, and they would certainly complicate sai flipping. He seems to have adapted the sai to use them in a rather more aggressive manner, because he’s rarely seen using them in a defensive role.
The sai may well have made Raphael the strongest of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The weight of the sai is noted for strengthening the muscles in the arms, likely meaning Raphael can throw a mean punch – especially if he flips his sai and uses the butt. Raphael is most certainly the most dangerous close-quarter combatant among the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and he’s not to be underestimated in a fight.
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