Raph's sais

[Time Mistress]

Unfortunately, the nunchucks are the only Japanese weapon my Chinese kung fu classes use so I've never used the sais. But Raph is master of the "short weapons" that also include the fans and the hook swords which my school uses. Interestingly Splinter's weapon - the short staff, technically falls into Raph's weapon catagory of expertise.

I can understand why the short weapons would appeal to Raph, they allow him to get up close and personal. But what very little I know of the sais suggest they are a more defense/counterattacking weapon which seems an interesting choice for such an agressive person as Raph. Did he choose the sais (or did Splinter choose them for him) as a method to help teach himself control or am I off base in my thinking. I do know that sais aren't really sharp and pointy like the toon sometimes makes them out to be. So anyone who knows, what are the advantages to Raph using the sais as opposed to say the kama?