Don't worry, I'm not going to keep flogging the dead horse that is the tournargument but I simply can't ignore that line.
Before I go on I'd like to direct you to one of my older posts.
Specifically the one currently labouring under the title of “Removed Post 3”. I'd like to further draw your attention to the part where I say:
“You are an idiot.”
I'll leave it up to you to figure out who I'm referring to this time.
Now that's out of the way lets get on with this post.
“Faux swords”?????
I've got some news for you Mr Poster who I shall not name. Nylon and bamboo simulators may well be faux swords, but so are blunt steel simulators. Unless it is sharp it isn't a sword, it is a simulator. Or to use your eloquent turn of phrase a faux sword.
Now I'm assuming you don't train with sharp steel, because if you did you would be a fuckwit beyond all measure, so you are making a compromise. You are accepting that different blade geometry is ok for you and that the material is the most important thing.
Here's some more news for you.
Blunt steel is not the same as sharp steel. The very thing that makes it safer than sharp steel changes the way it reacts to impact and pressure.
Shinai aren't perfect, wooden wasters aren't perfect, nylon wasters aren't perfect and blunt steel isn't perfect.
Live with it.
Train with the lot and accept whatever compromise you have to make. Just stop pretending that because you use steel you are more of a martial artist than people who happily train with any material.
You aren't.
Incidentally, it may be worth mentioning that a tournament competitior was hospitalised recently after a steel weapon snapped and ended up in his chest.
Steel breaks. Bend it enough and it will snap. The problem is no-one knows how many times "enough" is. Steel is inherently more dangerous than the alternatives.
Now I'd like to direct you to the post entitled:
“There is no point in arguing”
Stop pretending that using only steel shows you've got massive balls. It just makes you look like a twat.
Here's a picture of a puppy in case all that ranting made you sad.
7 comments:
Well now we can add running tournaments with limited protection (though not with steel) as a ball-largener.
As the "idiot" in question, I thought I'd go check my bag of swords for my classes that I teach...
First: Backsword...
15 single sticks, 6 baskethilted shinai, 2 steel baskethilted blunts...
Now, for messer: 2 wooden wasters, 2 synthetics, 1 aluminum... my current students have all of their own training weapons.
Last longsword: 2 wooden wasters, 4 crosshilted shinai, 4 Knight shop synthetics, 2 Purpleheart synthetics, 2 Cold Steel longsword trainers... and a Feder, 3 Gen longsword blunt, my personal Albion, and one cutting sharp.
It seems you like to read more into my posts than is really there...
I use a lot of non steel trainers in my studies... and have countless hours behind bamboo.
"Faux (pronounced /ˈfoʊ/, like "foe") is a French word for false or fake. It is often used in English phrases such as faux pearls.
When manufacturing faux objects or materials, an attempt is often made to create products which will resemble the imitated items as closely as possible."
As you pointed out, nobody uses sharps today in freeplay or to settle matters of honor or a judicial duel... so yes they are all "faux" including my beloved Albion.
So, if anybody would like to read the post in question, without it being taken out of context, here ya go.
http://www.selohaar.org/forum/index.php?topic=507.msg4785#msg4785
The issue posted is over "canon forms" vs "adaptive fight"...
no where do I imply the use of steel over any other type of sword in that post.
Since posting that post in question, I've concluded the WMA/HEMA world is big enough for both "canon forms" vs "adaptive fight" and both are good for the sport.
Think I'm an idiot, np, it's your right, but get your facts straight on why I'm an idiot...
otherwise, you're the one that looks idiotic in the end.
Cheer,
David
Hey Hema"boy"
Sharp steel moves and feels exactly like dull steel, as you clearly have not handled either. Its inherent within the physical nature of the material. Edge geometry does not have impact on the way a sword is used, but only how you wish to kill and mame your opponent. Other than that its the same. Its ok.. I will explain it to you.
A well tempered blade will not be affected even by edge to edge use, as its tempering process is done specifically to account for this. To absorb the impact of another blade and still retain its edge and form without breaking. They spent hundreds of years perfecting this process of tempering and steel selection for swords. Clearly you don't know anything of metallurgy.
In European martial arts, the last resort is going edge to edge with another blade. Even if you do, one would know not use the edge geometry to block, as it is designed to cut and penetrate armour. We train to direct their attack away, and counter-attack within the same movement, using their movement and strength against them. Any experienced swordsman would tell you edge control, distance and timing is paramount. So we practice with sharps for cutting and edge control. Blunts and wasters for timing, distance and technique.
Each material, bamboo, aluminium, plastic, wood or any other, they all teach us something to take into our learning of martial arts. Thats why we don't use just "one". Training with steel doesn't prove we have "balls" but that we are striving to use the closes equivalent while still being as safe as possible. But still maintaining the spirit and integrity in which our forbearer's wrote it down.
One should never enter a tournament without the correct instruction, skill and equipment. Even then accidents happen. Even on a golf course people get hurt and killed. I take it you are a supporter of the "nanny state". Go back to your bubble of ignorance. Even a bamboo shinai can kill someone in the hands of a skillful wielder. Clearly you need to learn a thing or two about a topic before commenting on what tools are used.
Ignorance is not excusable these days. Especially on a topic that is literally a thousand years old in written word and picture for Europe alone. Pick up a book and stop blogging on topics you know nothing about. Martial arts teaches respect and humility, two lessons you have failed at.
Get off your high horse, who made you such a damned expert. Reading your blog, I am amazed that you even think of posting such garbage. the WMA all consider ourselves "students" there are no masters. As for the "magical" or whatever ridiculousness you have found and tried to apply to the WMA is astounding. Even so, if it helps someone become a better person is it really a bad thing? To hold people to a higher law and consciousness of self awareness? Perhaps you could use some of those lessons.
Do some research before spouting off. And belittling people with profanity really shows your lack of character. Try talking less and listening more, you just might learn something.
Looks like you caught some fish with your hook.
Edge geometry has no impact? What?!?! Of course it does!
That said, I'm in the steel only camp, myself.
Steel handles MORE like a real sword - in flex, "slippage," etc. - at the bind. That said, it's not identical.
Glad to see HEMA boy back.
-B.
Wayland - I've found shinai more dangerous than steel in drills. People goof off, ignore defenses, and take risks, because they think they won't get hurt. Then look surprised when that thrust they leapt into really hurt.
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