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Post by sicheah on Aug 30, 2009 1:59:21 GMT
That is very true, especially for a beginner. Getting to know the sword through cutting and handling is crucial in learning of swords. I would not advocate buying and handling sword within 45 days for KoA (or 7 days for other vendor) and returning it to get to know the sword. In my case, I return it because handling the sword alone is a deal-breaker lol. The point I was trying to make is that there is no worry purchasing a sword (that you potentially don't like) from reputable dealers is because you could either return it to the vendor or selling it at sword forums such as SBG and SFI. My advise to Jonathan: Go get a yourself a first sword. LoL
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2009 2:42:02 GMT
good point. i'm looking for an arming sword that will withstand abuse (such as dueling) while remaining versatile enough to cut reasonably well though softer targets. i was so impressed by the destructive tests on the maximilian and DSA knight that i have virtually narrowed it down to those two. however, i am open to any other suggestions you all may have. and btw, while i want a sword that can handle exteme destructive testing, this does not mean i intend to put it though such torture myself.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Aug 30, 2009 4:39:54 GMT
well this really doesn't tell me much but I'll say a few things here in a sort of general way.
0: (zero comes before one so this is absolute priority) DO NOT SWING A SHARPENED SWORD AT ANYONE YOU DON'T WANT TO KILL. therefor you must have DIFFERENT swords for dueling and cutting unless you are looking to kill someone. please don't kill anyone.
1: so you get an arming sword, now you need a shield for your other hand. use the shield to block and the sword to attack.
2: if you must block with your sword use the flats and take the hit up close to the cross guard
3: abusing your sword will break it sooner or later no matter what sword you get. breaking swords is dangerous please wear armor when you engauge in destructive testing. we've all seen Paul and his idea of safety but do you really think a plastic face shield will stop a sword designed to defeat armor? I don't. best policy: DON'T DO DESTRUCTIVE TESTING.
4: Your skill in using the weapon is a much greater determining factor of when the sword will break than the design and steel selection of the weapon itself. don't believe me search through all the threads we've had here when someone cries "why did my sword break? I only did what I saw Paul do with the exact same model!" Paul knows what he's doing. he may not be trained in traditional sword fighting skills but he sure as heck has the experience to know how much a sword is able to take and how to use it in it's strongest fashion. with this in mind get yourself a sword that handles like a sword should and learn to use it well so that it is a great, powerful, and sturdy weapon in your hands.
don't rely on the sword to be tough for you. and please read our sword Safety thread here: /index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=5169
hopefully I've read you entirely wrong and you just think these are the right questions to ask to figure out which sword is really the best for what a sword would have been used for back in the day. well re-read point#4 if that is the case. there-in lies that answer.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2009 14:02:36 GMT
I would immediately suggest the VA practical arming sword. It handles very well, comes very sharp, and you get some of the best customer service in the industry. I just took mine out and thumped on it pretty hard- I cut through some tatami with 1 inch dowels, thrusted/ hacked into a tree stump, and more. It came out the same as at the start, with some scuffs. I really think this is one of the best swords you can get for the money.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2009 14:29:26 GMT
Please follow point 0 from Tom K's post. A sharp sword is just as dangerous as a loaded gun without a safety.
YIS, K
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2009 14:40:17 GMT
Dont want to go to far off topic but Jonathan how far are you from Smyrna GA or what town are you in. (If you want to PM me instead it's OK).Shadowhowler how far are you from me,i was just thinking maybe between us or anyone else around us in GA maybe we could meet up somewhere and either have a small cutting party or help out Jonathan by letting him handle or maybe cut a few things with our swords. My collection has gotten smaller I've needed cash lately being out of work but even i have sold a few swords not because they werent any good but because they just didn't suit my taste or just didn't feel right to me.I have bought quite a few swords online because of other peoples recomendations some I liked some I didn't. I cant think of many that were out and out junk but everybody has different preferances in how their sword should cut/feel. A sword you like a lot I might not care for but you gotta take the plunge and at least start somewhere.If you really hate it you put it on the classifieds and lose 20 or 30 bucks if you have to (live and learn) Find a sword that's a bit less than you have to spend (dont blow your whole wad) that way if you dont like it sell it and have a little bit of cash left over to finance your next purchase using what you sold you first one for and what you have left over or saved up. Some vendors have good return policys so if you dont like it return it for a refund or trade for another model. If you are someware around me i have no problem having you stop over and handle any of my swords.
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Avery
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Post by Avery on Aug 30, 2009 15:20:44 GMT
To derail alittle further, Smyrna's right at 4 hours from me. I'd be willing to make the drive if enough people got in on it. I'll bring a couple of swords as well. Hey Buliwyf, you have room to set up an axe target?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2009 16:29:38 GMT
I live in Donalsonville, so I don't know how far that is from Smyrna.
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Post by shadowhowler on Aug 30, 2009 16:52:46 GMT
I live in Donalsonville, so I don't know how far that is from Smyrna. A quick visit to yahoo maps tells all! Looks like Donalsonville is right near the South/West Corner of GA... near the Alabama and Florida boarders. You are about 238 miles from Smyrna. You are about 309 miles from me in Grovetown Ga. you are about 240 miles from MRL's Showroom. Ta da! The internet knows all... learn it, live it, know it.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2009 17:39:54 GMT
I've got a house with about an acre back yard all fenced in and pretty private although i do not have a proper cutting stand but plenty of room for an axe stand plus my two longbows and target.How many people would be interested in doing a cutting party over here in Smyrna.I have been to a cuting party at David Stokes house in Ala. who has had many cutting parties and now has his own sword page.I could probably get some tips from him. Who here has a bunch of plastic bottle type targets saved up.The one I went to everybody chipped in about $20 bucks each and we had more than enough soda/milk bottles, tatami mats (they are cheaper in bulk) wrapped in different amounts/thicknesses. Plus drinks (non alcoholic until after the swords are put away) and we ordered a ton of pizza it was a great time. But I think any less than say 10 people wouldnt be worth all that time and expense. If a few more people are interested i will see how much advise I can get from David plus check prices on matts.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Aug 30, 2009 17:57:04 GMT
if you get 10 people kick in $20 you can buy abut two boxes of mugen dachi tatami from Nihonzashi in FL. probably 4 boxes if someone goes to pick them up instead of having them shipped. then you just have everybody bring some food and beverages, and since you are in GA go looking in wet areas for stands of bamboo ( bambo makes great targets and if you find a grove they're FREE) that's how you make a good cutting party. trust me 4 boxes of tatami should be just about too much for ten guys to cut in one day.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2009 18:00:55 GMT
I would be interested in going, but I think that I will not be able to because of the distance. I'm sixteen, I don't have my license yet, or a car.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2009 20:18:51 GMT
Tom There's a huge field we walk the dogs at on the weekends,they use it for polo.On the edge of one side there is the river and about 100 yards before is a lot of bamboo growing.A few weeks ago it was still green and maybe 1/2 in in diamater.I havent looked at it in a few weeks but will it get any bigger in dia,it's definatly tall enough. From what i remember last party the tatami mats were soaked in the tub overnight then tied into different circumference's rolls very tightly by using everything from 1/2 a mat to 3 mats tied together.
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Post by shadowhowler on Aug 30, 2009 20:33:40 GMT
I wish there was some bamboo growing somewhere near me... I would harvest it and cut the CRAP out of it as often as possible... I love to cut bamboo.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2009 20:35:01 GMT
There is a very small bamboo grove in my town. I wouldn't trust myself to cut any, though.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Aug 30, 2009 20:36:15 GMT
your bamboo may indeed get bigger, it depends on what type you have there but I'm going to guess it's probably the same stuff I was finding by my place in SC last year which got up to 3-4" diameter and maybe bigger. 1/2 inch is pretty easy to cut but still worth a swing. on those mats I would recomend tieing them together BEFORE soaking them and I also reccomend using postal packaging tape instead of string, it works great and is easier than string.
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Post by shadowhowler on Aug 30, 2009 20:40:04 GMT
There is a very small bamboo grove in my town. I wouldn't trust myself to cut any, though. Bamboo *IS* a tricky target... your sword can get cought in it if your angle and speed are not good... and then get damaged. Its a very rewarding target as well tho... I had never cut mats before Tom's cutting party, but I used to cut the heck out of bamboo. I love it.
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SlayerofDarkness
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Post by SlayerofDarkness on Aug 30, 2009 21:38:22 GMT
Hmm... I have a truck load (literally) of water bottles; probably about 4-5 big trash bags of 'em. ;D I'm not sure if I'd be able to convince my mom to take me, but if I cpould I'd bring a few hundred bottles with me. Suffice it to say that I'm interested. Jonathan- I'm in Tallahassee. By my estimate from looking at google maps and my experience of it taking 45 minutes to get to Cairo from here, it would seem that I'm about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes from you. I don't have a very huge collection, but if you want to drop by sometime I could always ask my mom. And you can cut with my swords. Just not the kaze. If you think that that might be a viable option, just PM me... Besides, it would be nice to hang out with a sword-loving teen roughly my age. ;D My friends think I'm crazy, lol. They think that $90 is stupid to spend on a sword of all things, let alone $300! LOL. -Slayer
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2009 21:56:21 GMT
You live in Tallahassee? That's around an hour from where I live. Maybe some day I can drop by and see your sword collection. I may end up giving in to the temptation to buy three swords, so we will just have to see what happens.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2009 0:12:40 GMT
haha, sorry if it sounded like i was actually planning to duel someone with a sharp sword or do destructive testing. i'm not! i simply want a very functional sword and want to explore my options. i'll probably go with the maxmilian, so if anyone has more info about it, that would be more than welcome.
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