The sai has a primarily defensive purpose and is a truncheon rather than a bladed weapon. It is forked with the central shaft extended to make an overall length of 15-20 inches. The sai is made of iron and weighs a couple of pounds. Sai defenses against bladed or staff type weapons can be done in two different ways. An offensive action can be trapped by the sai positioned in front of the user's hand or a rapid wrist movement can reverse the position, bringing the but or handle end forward. Counterattacks are jabs, pokes and strikes. Sais are most often used in pairs. Occasionally a third sai is carried for throwing or as backup in case one is lost in combat.