Besides drawing, I have a particular interest in swordsmanship, in fact, my
avatar is a pic of me in the japanese armor I have made. I have done some
practice with the SCA ( Society of Creative Anachronism), but I mostly practice
at home sparring with my brother and friends. No fantasy stuff, mind you, I'm
interested in ancient warfare.
But if there's anyone here who does ANY kind of weapon's sparring, could you
post something about it? Interesting stories, blunders, showoff tales, or even
just the stuff you do!
Thanks.
I actually collect swords. I also try to get in some general fencing and kendo.
If you want a funny story one time when attempting a more powerful strike and I
accidentally cut my bed pretty good while I was living at home. Fortunately I
now have a more efficient location to practice.
Quote by JudasPriestI actually
collect swords. I also try to get in some general fencing
and kendo. If you want a funny story one time when attempting a more
powerful strike and I accidentally cut my bed pretty good while I was
living at home. Fortunately I now have a more efficient location to
practice.
Heh, yeah, having room enough to do your practice or Katas seems difficult for
most people, I,ve learned. It is good practice for fighting in closed quarters,
to practice in your room. I have always had enough room, since I have always
lived in rural areas, or at least had a large backyard.
I also study the Japanese sword. I spar with the Bokken. I started when I was
16, and have developed many broken knuckles and bruises, but that's nothin',
I've been pretty lucky, as some have said. I like to think it has something to
do with skill. Broken knuckles are a pain to draw with, but I can still do it,
heh heh.
I'm not braggin', by the way, it's just that I am addicted to the rush of full
contact sparring.
What can I say, I'm a stick jockey!
I wish I could spar with ya, Ender75392, it'd be fun!
I've wanted to play with swords since 5th grade, when I found some decor swords
in our cellar. But long story made short, only around the age of 16 did I begin
to think more seriously about it, seeked info about medieval fighting (that was
also the peak of my fantasy and roleplaying, as well as of my "metalic
appearance" time) and seeked ways to get swords. eventually I made some out
of wooden sticks that I outfitted with bike handholds.
My best one was a Claymore with a weight on one end and an aluminium that was
pointing forwards almost like the real one. But it was always hard to find
people to fight with.
Then I got into Anime and stuff and bought myself a simple bokken. Ever since
then I won't use anything else, it's just perfect, this length, the handhold,
the weight.
By now I've got to know also more professionals to practice with (I also was in
the SCA for a time, but why join a foreign organisation when there are friends
all around that manage this quite well privately, and I don't want to invest
much money in this after all), but it also intimidated me, as my skills seemed
rather poor by then... but of course it's always sufficient to impress amateurs
At some point I just HAD to buy a real Katana... real not meaning folded, but at
least forged and sharp with a well-looking handle.
Maybe you've heard of the Practical Katana Plus... that's mine. Though just
cutting trees and other plants is nice, it's mainly just a nice decoration, but
also a good weapon for... well ya never know!
Me and my brother have matching scars over our left eyes (not intentional, mind
you), from Bokken sparring. And the thing is, we were wairing armor at the
time!
Since steel helmets are a bit pricy, We were using some ABS (berrel) plastic
helms (Ouch, says the SCA members) that we made. Unfortunately, the helms showed
thier weakness, and we got gashed. The thing is, we had been using those helms
for about 2 years, and never a problem, but, in the end, they gave out, and we
each gave eachother a scar, mine from him, and a month later, his from me. I
also got a friend, back home in California, that had his entire hand broke from
an uncontrolled bokken strike. Hey, it happens...
I got a shinai that I never use, because I don't know anyone here in missouri
that has one, or anyone at all, for that matter... ...Moved with my family,
long story...
Since I move alot, I usually find someone interested in sparring. Heh, I got a
trail of sparring partners all over the country!
I got my first Bokken when I was 16, and along with it, Musashi Myomoto's
"Book of five rings". They just seem to appear in my life, right at
the perfect time. I'm a firm believer in the saying:
"Live by the twofold way of pen and sword"
That's why I like to draw, and from time to time, write a poem, or short story (
Or at least the beginnings, I can never do anything simple, a short story
becomes a novel...).
Hey, Cannibal, I've seen that there are quite a few people in our age group that
do this, as we do. Heck, back home, I know a whole society of backyard duilists!
We tend to break alot of Bokkens, though...
I did Aikido and some basic Iaido with it. But not really to train
swordsmanship. But i do some reenacting to, not japanese, but european medieval
(viking era, ~1000 BC) I am more interested in craftsmanship though
you really should be using shinai if your just sparing for fun, friends of mine
have broken bones sparing with bokken(few fingers, and a wrist)
i refuse to use my bokken in a match personally, i've had it for three years,
and, up until i got a car, it was in perfect condition, course, now it gets
thrown back an' forth in my trunk, and has quite a few nik's. i really should
tie it down somhow...
my sparing parter uses his for just about everything, and he has gone through
more then i can count...
yeah, taurec has it right, wear gloves! ....though...i prolly never really have
I collect swords also but I don't practise any kind of swordsmanship... well
under instruction anyway. I practice by myself. I would like to study Iaido but
it's not possible in this town. The martial art I practise does have sword katas
but only 2... it sux
Quote by Taurecuber tip #1 Wear gloves !!
.... <grin/>
Used boken for a iai-jutsu practice. and with aikido we use bokens too.
Quote: Though just cutting trees
and other plants is nice
*bangs head on keyboard*
Oh, I do know it's not loved to be seen among real sword-fans, but after
considering the possibilities at hand to get more classical slice practice
objects, I gave up, since I'm lazy.
Also that sword is just not pro enough to be cared of like the real
thing.
I didn't even want to spend the money for the cleaning kit, so I did research
and found substitutes for every component, and not that bad substitutes
actually!
I made the uchiko ball from normal silk, a stick, and fine aluminum oxide mixed
with silicon oxide, both at exactly the grain size of uchiko dust... I'd not be
astonished if it's even better than the classical stuff. I also mixed the oil
from weapons oil with a bit of clove oil for the odor, after reading up about
the chemical properties it should fulfill. I just lack rice paper, but normal
paper seems to do a great job.
I'm definately not the kind of guy who tries to sever stones or metal bars with
his Katana out of ignorance, but believe me I know enough people that would do
that.
I made some gauntlets to use, after a few years, and my armoring skills are
increasing. I think I armor craft more than I draw, heh heh! And using a shinai,
well, it just seems that I never meet anyone with a shinai, only bokkens- or
nothing. I used to fight un-armored all the time, but now, only on occasion do I
go at it without full body armor. But hey, since I have spent over 100 hours
making a full suit of Japanese armor (and modeled after Tom Cruise's red armor
in "The last samurai", only in black), I just find it more amusing to
don the full gear. I like the feel of it, and it protects my ass. Also, I'm not
a sado-masochist, but armor allows for full contact, and all the agressive raw
energy that comes with it (controlled, mind you, since sparring with
friends).
I really enjoy the SCA, because I really enjoy massive battles, and everyone I
have met in the SCA is real honerable, and they give it they're all.
I also really enjoy Euro- midieval styles, too, Logotomie, and I also have a
suit of half plate (cringe, out of plastic berrels), and I guess my other
favorite weapon style is round shield and broad sword! That can be real
ferocious, especially when going against someone simmilarly equipped! Alot of
shield bashing...
I aso have a set of foils and fencing masks, though I am new at it...
Hey, Cannibal, you sure know your sword care, I don't know anything about that
stuff, don't even have a good sword. I guess I'm more interested in the spirit
of the warrior, no matter what style or nationality. It's impressive to hear
about someone who keeps old sword care traditions, that's something I'll have to
study!
I collect blades of various types. I think I'm up to about five knives, a dagger
and four swords. I also am an amateur fencer, although I'm not very good and
lack experience. Still, I'll get better eventually, huh?
The closest I am to being a swordsperson would be me being a fencer. I only
know how to fence with a foil though, and I've never been in a real competition
yet. Soon though!
Fencers are people too! Heh heh, I have found great enjoyment from fencing, and
for all intensive purposes, it verymuch counts as swordsmanship! Though I like
to broaden out and learn all kinds of styles.
A foil is used mostly as a stabbing weapon, while a katana impliments slashing
more often than stabbing (though of course not limmited to slashing).
A shield and sword style tends to fall ito its own catagory, since it implies
the use of different footing (Reversed, so your shield is in front).
A greatsword relies alot on the hips, and the ballance of a fighter, he has to
make sure he uses sufficient force without going off ballance and over extending
himself.
A long sword is easier for the opponent to take control of than the short
sword, as a person can use the leverage of thier opponents longsword against
them. For example, in a sword lock, when both the fighters are sword to sword,
pressing for a dominant stance, the greatsword becomes encombersomb to its
wielder, and the shortswordsman can dance about and bend it to his will. Thus,
the greatsword is a weapon for the battle field, and best used when your enemies
are engaging others. Catch them off guard. Sounds dishonorable, but guess who
would have gone home to see his family at battles end!
With that note,it is interesting to see how battle tactics and honor seemed to
become seperate issues during times of dyer war. Like the revolutionary war, for
example. Gorrilla warfare was frowned apon, since it was policy for a man of
honor to stand in line and take the bullets in civil battle.
But who won the war?
Same for the ninja and the samurai. The ninja were not thought highly of, but
the samurai (who were honor zealots) still employed them, regardless of thier
own strict honor code, which demanded forthrightness, among other things.
So to go back to weapons and theyre usefulness, I believe that different
situations call for different "weapons". A battle is won in every
aspect, or not at all. Musashi Myomoto, the famed japanese swordsman, was
undefeated his entire life. This was because he used his entire world as a
weapon. every movement, every word, rock and wind, the spirit of his oponent, of
his own, everything. This is something to espire to, I think...
I own a cheap-o katana and i practice wit it. my friends and i swordfight all
the time. Theres a kendo class near me and i might join. martial arts isnt
enough i guess. So im not sure if im a swordsman hmmm...
Go for it, Stealthfirestarter, you'll never know if you don't try. I personally
would like to learn more on the art of hand to hand, myself, but I suppose
that's another topic...
*looks around* Am I the only one who hasn't felt the call of a wooden sword
around here? Fencing is my style; more specifically the sabre. My biggest problem is that
I'm a tad too aggressive in my attacks. Sabre allows me to pull more slashes and
less pokes (c'mon, u honestly expect me to just "poke" my opponent?).
I have a couple of really neat decorative swords (one is a gorgeous katana I
wish was real) since I can't afford the real deal. One day I wanna try actual
sword-fighting- much to the dismay of those who know me .
well, i was always fond of kenshin and since then been practicing iaijutsu a
little, and once when i was living in smaller room in my school dorm i drew my
bokken and while practicing a kata....well..split the ceiling light clear in
half hahahha that was pretty funny, and no one at then knew it happened, nothing
that 2 hours of piece collecting and another hour puttign them together with
some model airplane glue cant fix :P
Sicaria, I,ve been wanting fence with sabers, since they sound more versitile
than an epee or foil. all I have is a foil set, and occasionally I can get
someone to duel with, though most of my sparring partners lean more towards the
wooden sword and armor stuff, as generally I do. Though I like to learn just
about anything!
About fighting inside, well it's dangerous, but hey, if you want to get well
rounded as a swordsman, I suppose you should practice in all places and
situations.
Once, awhile back, I decided to do some practice on an oak log that hung out
from a hill. It bounced around like a diving board, since it was only anchored
on one side, but since it was only about 4 feet off the ground, it wasn't all
that dangerous. I used to dance back and forth on it, swinging my sword in
realitive strikes. Anyways, one morning, I decided to go out, like usual, but
one thing was different. the seasons were changing to winter, and the morning
due and frost was covering the mossy log. Though I had done this many times
before, I had failed to notice the frost, and, well, you can guess what
happened. I fell, landed on my shin, heh, heh. once on the ground, I vividly
remember darting strieght up, and looking at the log. Of course, I had failed to
observe the state of the slippery log before, and laughed at my foolishness. I
decided it didn't help to learn to fight on logs, or stilts or whatever
hollywood had lead me to beleive, and that those things really didn't teach me
any more about footwork any more than practicing on solid ground would have.
But I will say, if you want to better your foot work, practice on stony ground,
sandy ground, marshy ground, or even in knee deep water. I have only had
sufficient practice on stony and icy ground (from the stony hills of the
redwoods in northern Califnia, my homeland, to the frozen fields of ice in
northern Wisconsin). It is also very interesting to fight in thick woodlands,
were the saplings are dense and tall. Woe to the fellow who chooses a greatsword
on that day, heh heh heh...
Besides drawing, I have a particular interest in swordsmanship, in fact, my avatar is a pic of me in the japanese armor I have made. I have done some practice with the SCA ( Society of Creative Anachronism), but I mostly practice at home sparring with my brother and friends. No fantasy stuff, mind you, I'm interested in ancient warfare.
But if there's anyone here who does ANY kind of weapon's sparring, could you post something about it? Interesting stories, blunders, showoff tales, or even just the stuff you do!
Thanks.
More or less just curious...
I actually collect swords. I also try to get in some general fencing and kendo. If you want a funny story one time when attempting a more powerful strike and I accidentally cut my bed pretty good while I was living at home. Fortunately I now have a more efficient location to practice.
Heh, yeah, having room enough to do your practice or Katas seems difficult for most people, I,ve learned. It is good practice for fighting in closed quarters, to practice in your room. I have always had enough room, since I have always lived in rural areas, or at least had a large backyard.
I have study kendo for a few years and I am pretty go at it.
I also study the Japanese sword. I spar with the Bokken. I started when I was 16, and have developed many broken knuckles and bruises, but that's nothin', I've been pretty lucky, as some have said. I like to think it has something to do with skill. Broken knuckles are a pain to draw with, but I can still do it, heh heh.
I'm not braggin', by the way, it's just that I am addicted to the rush of full contact sparring.
What can I say, I'm a stick jockey!
I wish I could spar with ya, Ender75392, it'd be fun!
I've wanted to play with swords since 5th grade, when I found some decor swords in our cellar. But long story made short, only around the age of 16 did I begin to think more seriously about it, seeked info about medieval fighting (that was also the peak of my fantasy and roleplaying, as well as of my "metalic appearance" time) and seeked ways to get swords. eventually I made some out of wooden sticks that I outfitted with bike handholds.
My best one was a Claymore with a weight on one end and an aluminium that was pointing forwards almost like the real one. But it was always hard to find people to fight with.
Then I got into Anime and stuff and bought myself a simple bokken. Ever since then I won't use anything else, it's just perfect, this length, the handhold, the weight.
By now I've got to know also more professionals to practice with (I also was in the SCA for a time, but why join a foreign organisation when there are friends all around that manage this quite well privately, and I don't want to invest much money in this after all), but it also intimidated me, as my skills seemed rather poor by then... but of course it's always sufficient to impress amateurs
At some point I just HAD to buy a real Katana... real not meaning folded, but at least forged and sharp with a well-looking handle.
Maybe you've heard of the Practical Katana Plus... that's mine. Though just cutting trees and other plants is nice, it's mainly just a nice decoration, but also a good weapon for... well ya never know!
Me and my brother have matching scars over our left eyes (not intentional, mind you), from Bokken sparring. And the thing is, we were wairing armor at the time!
Since steel helmets are a bit pricy, We were using some ABS (berrel) plastic helms (Ouch, says the SCA members) that we made. Unfortunately, the helms showed thier weakness, and we got gashed. The thing is, we had been using those helms for about 2 years, and never a problem, but, in the end, they gave out, and we each gave eachother a scar, mine from him, and a month later, his from me. I also got a friend, back home in California, that had his entire hand broke from an uncontrolled bokken strike. Hey, it happens...
I got a shinai that I never use, because I don't know anyone here in missouri that has one, or anyone at all, for that matter... ...Moved with my family, long story...
Since I move alot, I usually find someone interested in sparring. Heh, I got a trail of sparring partners all over the country!
I got my first Bokken when I was 16, and along with it, Musashi Myomoto's "Book of five rings". They just seem to appear in my life, right at the perfect time. I'm a firm believer in the saying:
"Live by the twofold way of pen and sword"
That's why I like to draw, and from time to time, write a poem, or short story ( Or at least the beginnings, I can never do anything simple, a short story becomes a novel...).
Hey, Cannibal, I've seen that there are quite a few people in our age group that do this, as we do. Heck, back home, I know a whole society of backyard duilists! We tend to break alot of Bokkens, though...
I did Aikido and some basic Iaido with it. But not really to train swordsmanship. But i do some reenacting to, not japanese, but european medieval (viking era, ~1000 BC) I am more interested in craftsmanship though
uber tip #1 Wear gloves !! .... <grin>
Used boken for a iai-jutsu practice. and with aikido we use bokens too.
*bangs head on keyboard*
you really should be using shinai if your just sparing for fun, friends of mine have broken bones sparing with bokken(few fingers, and a wrist)
i refuse to use my bokken in a match personally, i've had it for three years, and, up until i got a car, it was in perfect condition, course, now it gets thrown back an' forth in my trunk, and has quite a few nik's. i really should tie it down somhow...
my sparing parter uses his for just about everything, and he has gone through more then i can count...
yeah, taurec has it right, wear gloves! ....though...i prolly never really have
I collect swords also but I don't practise any kind of swordsmanship... well under instruction anyway. I practice by myself. I would like to study Iaido but it's not possible in this town. The martial art I practise does have sword katas but only 2... it sux
Oh, I do know it's not loved to be seen among real sword-fans, but after considering the possibilities at hand to get more classical slice practice objects, I gave up, since I'm lazy.
Also that sword is just not pro enough to be cared of like the real thing.
I didn't even want to spend the money for the cleaning kit, so I did research and found substitutes for every component, and not that bad substitutes actually!
I made the uchiko ball from normal silk, a stick, and fine aluminum oxide mixed with silicon oxide, both at exactly the grain size of uchiko dust... I'd not be astonished if it's even better than the classical stuff. I also mixed the oil from weapons oil with a bit of clove oil for the odor, after reading up about the chemical properties it should fulfill. I just lack rice paper, but normal paper seems to do a great job.
I'm definately not the kind of guy who tries to sever stones or metal bars with his Katana out of ignorance, but believe me I know enough people that would do that.
im not to much in to sca but im a larper and im prity good with a sword but more versed with spears
I made some gauntlets to use, after a few years, and my armoring skills are increasing. I think I armor craft more than I draw, heh heh! And using a shinai, well, it just seems that I never meet anyone with a shinai, only bokkens- or nothing. I used to fight un-armored all the time, but now, only on occasion do I go at it without full body armor. But hey, since I have spent over 100 hours making a full suit of Japanese armor (and modeled after Tom Cruise's red armor in "The last samurai", only in black), I just find it more amusing to don the full gear. I like the feel of it, and it protects my ass. Also, I'm not a sado-masochist, but armor allows for full contact, and all the agressive raw energy that comes with it (controlled, mind you, since sparring with friends).
I really enjoy the SCA, because I really enjoy massive battles, and everyone I have met in the SCA is real honerable, and they give it they're all.
I also really enjoy Euro- midieval styles, too, Logotomie, and I also have a suit of half plate (cringe, out of plastic berrels), and I guess my other favorite weapon style is round shield and broad sword! That can be real ferocious, especially when going against someone simmilarly equipped! Alot of shield bashing...
I aso have a set of foils and fencing masks, though I am new at it...
Hey, Cannibal, you sure know your sword care, I don't know anything about that stuff, don't even have a good sword. I guess I'm more interested in the spirit of the warrior, no matter what style or nationality. It's impressive to hear about someone who keeps old sword care traditions, that's something I'll have to study!
I've whacked my brother with a wooden sword I made at school a few times. Does that count?
If you enjoyed it, I think it does
I collect blades of various types. I think I'm up to about five knives, a dagger and four swords. I also am an amateur fencer, although I'm not very good and lack experience. Still, I'll get better eventually, huh?
The closest I am to being a swordsperson would be me being a fencer. I only know how to fence with a foil though, and I've never been in a real competition yet. Soon though!
Fencers are people too! Heh heh, I have found great enjoyment from fencing, and for all intensive purposes, it verymuch counts as swordsmanship! Though I like to broaden out and learn all kinds of styles.
A foil is used mostly as a stabbing weapon, while a katana impliments slashing more often than stabbing (though of course not limmited to slashing).
A shield and sword style tends to fall ito its own catagory, since it implies the use of different footing (Reversed, so your shield is in front).
A greatsword relies alot on the hips, and the ballance of a fighter, he has to make sure he uses sufficient force without going off ballance and over extending himself.
A long sword is easier for the opponent to take control of than the short sword, as a person can use the leverage of thier opponents longsword against them. For example, in a sword lock, when both the fighters are sword to sword, pressing for a dominant stance, the greatsword becomes encombersomb to its wielder, and the shortswordsman can dance about and bend it to his will. Thus, the greatsword is a weapon for the battle field, and best used when your enemies are engaging others. Catch them off guard. Sounds dishonorable, but guess who would have gone home to see his family at battles end!
With that note,it is interesting to see how battle tactics and honor seemed to become seperate issues during times of dyer war. Like the revolutionary war, for example. Gorrilla warfare was frowned apon, since it was policy for a man of honor to stand in line and take the bullets in civil battle.
But who won the war?
Same for the ninja and the samurai. The ninja were not thought highly of, but the samurai (who were honor zealots) still employed them, regardless of thier own strict honor code, which demanded forthrightness, among other things.
So to go back to weapons and theyre usefulness, I believe that different situations call for different "weapons". A battle is won in every aspect, or not at all. Musashi Myomoto, the famed japanese swordsman, was undefeated his entire life. This was because he used his entire world as a weapon. every movement, every word, rock and wind, the spirit of his oponent, of his own, everything. This is something to espire to, I think...
I own a cheap-o katana and i practice wit it. my friends and i swordfight all the time. Theres a kendo class near me and i might join. martial arts isnt enough i guess. So im not sure if im a swordsman hmmm...
Go for it, Stealthfirestarter, you'll never know if you don't try. I personally would like to learn more on the art of hand to hand, myself, but I suppose that's another topic...
*looks around* Am I the only one who hasn't felt the call of a wooden sword around here?
Fencing is my style; more specifically the sabre. My biggest problem is that
I'm a tad too aggressive in my attacks. Sabre allows me to pull more slashes and
less pokes (c'mon, u honestly expect me to just "poke" my opponent?).
I have a couple of really neat decorative swords (one is a gorgeous katana I
wish was real) since I can't afford the real deal. One day I wanna try actual
sword-fighting- much to the dismay of those who know me 
.
well, i was always fond of kenshin and since then been practicing iaijutsu a little, and once when i was living in smaller room in my school dorm i drew my bokken and while practicing a kata....well..split the ceiling light clear in half hahahha that was pretty funny, and no one at then knew it happened, nothing that 2 hours of piece collecting and another hour puttign them together with some model airplane glue cant fix :P
Sicaria, I,ve been wanting fence with sabers, since they sound more versitile than an epee or foil. all I have is a foil set, and occasionally I can get someone to duel with, though most of my sparring partners lean more towards the wooden sword and armor stuff, as generally I do. Though I like to learn just about anything!
About fighting inside, well it's dangerous, but hey, if you want to get well rounded as a swordsman, I suppose you should practice in all places and situations.
Once, awhile back, I decided to do some practice on an oak log that hung out from a hill. It bounced around like a diving board, since it was only anchored on one side, but since it was only about 4 feet off the ground, it wasn't all that dangerous. I used to dance back and forth on it, swinging my sword in realitive strikes. Anyways, one morning, I decided to go out, like usual, but one thing was different. the seasons were changing to winter, and the morning due and frost was covering the mossy log. Though I had done this many times before, I had failed to notice the frost, and, well, you can guess what happened. I fell, landed on my shin, heh, heh. once on the ground, I vividly remember darting strieght up, and looking at the log. Of course, I had failed to observe the state of the slippery log before, and laughed at my foolishness. I decided it didn't help to learn to fight on logs, or stilts or whatever hollywood had lead me to beleive, and that those things really didn't teach me any more about footwork any more than practicing on solid ground would have.
But I will say, if you want to better your foot work, practice on stony ground, sandy ground, marshy ground, or even in knee deep water. I have only had sufficient practice on stony and icy ground (from the stony hills of the redwoods in northern Califnia, my homeland, to the frozen fields of ice in northern Wisconsin). It is also very interesting to fight in thick woodlands, were the saplings are dense and tall. Woe to the fellow who chooses a greatsword on that day, heh heh heh...