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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2007 9:13:24 GMT
The menuki placement on a 'standard' wrap is a good mark on the correct grip for a katana. Each of your palms when holding the katana, should be directly over a menuki. This is also to be used as a preventative to the horrible disfiguring syndrome commonly known as 'tsubaknuckle', that seems to doing the rounds almongst some of the more eager of our forum members . I hear Craig (kreigschwert) has a scorching case which he somehow feels quite proud of . ;D
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2007 11:13:40 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2007 11:58:43 GMT
NICE swords spud! I've seen some amazing Haidong Gumdo vids on the web. Are the genuine Jingum hard to come by here?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2007 12:47:51 GMT
Yep it seem impossible to find any of real quality here in Australia & the good ones all seem to start at over $1000 US mark from places like www.martialartswords.com. Maybe because they are made from L6 steel? But I’ve seen plenty of unhappy Gumdo’ist complaining that he Federation have made it mandatory to use Regulation blades to compete in cutting comps & yet with over a million members they keep the prices high for Jingums. Seems like a niche waiting to be filled in the sub $300 US marked (hint, hint anyone!) ;D
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2007 4:33:54 GMT
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redsamurai
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Post by redsamurai on Aug 8, 2007 10:04:11 GMT
I would assume by 'expensive', you're talking about these. Agreed. However from what I've seen in the plethora of YouTube videos on the artform, and from what I've been reading after becoming aware of Haidong Gumdo... (i'm interested in taking it up as well - my nearest training centre is run by the 2004/2006 World Championship gold medalist in open sparring!) ...that there are a couple of different types of Korean Swords. One, the jingum after which the MUCH cheaper Cheness SGC blade is styled after. And the Samgakdo, which has a thinner triangular cross-section. (taken from here)Types of Korean swords Historically there are about fifteen kinds of Korean swords some more well known, other lesser known. Elements of the Korean sword include: gumjip or scabbard, most often of lacquer; hyuljo or blood groove; hwando magi or collar; ho in or collar; kodungior hand guard; gummagi or , gumjaroo or , As well there are: practice wooden swords or mok guem, steel swords shin guem and other 20th century innovations. The list would include: * Ye Do(鋭刀) sword is curved, single edged, a two-handed sabre similar to those used in China in the Ming through Chi'ing dynasties. * Kum(剣) sword is wide-bladed, heavy, and long. * Haidong Jingum(海東剣) sword are heavy swords, and can be used to cut bamboo, mats or even tree branches. * Jingum a less noble sword similar to the above. * Samgakdo( 三角刀) sword. The samgakdo, also known as triangular sword, is designed for jipdan or mat cutting practice and should NEVER be used on hard targets such as bamboo. * Ssang Soo Do(双手刀) is a Two-handed sword from China.. * Ssang Do(双剣) are a kind of long knife or knives. * Samjeongdo(三正刀) the sword given to newly promoted Korean military generals each year by the Ministry of National Defense. * Wol-do(月刀) is a polearm Zanbato from China. * Hyup-do(侠刀) is again a variant polearm. * For martial arts students learning sword forms or gumpup practice wood swords or moggum are most often used; then those made out of carbonized bamboo or Juk-to; lastly compression sponge, single or double-edged, with or without blood grooves. Combinations of sword and knife fighting would use plastic blades. Long Sword = Sang Soo Do @ Ssang Gum "Double Swords" Japanese Sword = Wae Gum Sword = Gum (or Kum) (also see wiki)It is the Samgakdo that you see shredding the newspaper into ribbons in the videos. But this blade is NOT a battle blade. I believe for ssangsu (kata) they use the mokgum (bokken) and kagum (iaito), before moving onto the jingum.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2007 11:58:36 GMT
RedSamurai,
Thanks for the info, as for the Samgakdo I really don't know as no ones ever mentioned it before.
"I believe for ssangsu (kata) they use the mokgum (bokken) and kagum (iaito), before moving onto the jingum."
That is completely correct even though its very frustrating. You aren't allowed to use a Kagum (iaito) let alone a Jingum until your a black belt, you have to earn the right.
The frustrating bit is I see students who if you gave them a live blade you'd have to walk around after class with a bucket picking up fingers & or the odd limb. I can handle a blade with fare greater safety than a lot of the younger students but am limited to a Mokgum (bokken) ONLY.
I learn in class with the bokken & then go home & practice with a blade, it just seems a little out of balance. A students experience level should come into the equation, even though I don't have a problem with the earning the right part.
I think my main problem is I'm way past being interested in belts (been there done that a few times now) anymore i just want to train hard & improve & I don't want to know about the rest.
Maybe I'm just old & grumpy, which is another hard earned right LOL.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2007 12:09:44 GMT
Spud, those pics you posted, who made those swords?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2007 12:11:08 GMT
Thanks for that RedSamurai, very informative. Karma +1 to you ;D
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Post by randomnobody on Aug 8, 2007 12:35:24 GMT
The sword pictured is gorgeous and I want one. Where might one find this?
As an aside, I'm growing more and more interested in the Korean side of swords. Both in the blades themselves and their respective styles. Perhaps I should do some research once I'm back home...
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Post by randomnobody on Aug 8, 2007 12:49:17 GMT
Seems I doubled again. To reiterate, give sword.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2007 14:43:35 GMT
This is indeed wonderfull piece of craft.I like the wrapping especially and the floral motifs...
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2007 8:29:41 GMT
Hay guys, I put the link on the post with the pic's www.martialartswords.comLike i said their not cheap (well to me anyway) but look very nice, you can go into the customizing area with the high end ones (L6) & click on the options which will open up & show you their other fittings wraps etc (more Pic's yeh), its good to dream. They also have a rang of Katana's haven't really checked them out in to much detail yet, anyway have fun & let me know if you find any goodies.
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redsamurai
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Post by redsamurai on Aug 9, 2007 9:18:54 GMT
spud,
thanks for the heads-up in your PM. +1 Karma to you matey!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2007 11:32:23 GMT
spud, thanks for the heads-up in your PM. +1 Karma to you matey! No worries red, you'll have to pm me with what you find out & your comparison. Thanks for the Karma as well.
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Post by randomnobody on Aug 9, 2007 11:55:24 GMT
Hay guys, I put the link on the post with the pic's www.martialartswords.comLike i said their not cheap (well to me anyway) but look very nice, you can go into the customizing area with the high end ones (L6) & click on the options which will open up & show you their other fittings wraps etc (more Pic's yeh), its good to dream. They also have a rang of Katana's haven't really checked them out in to much detail yet, anyway have fun & let me know if you find any goodies. I may be making a small (if I convince myself it's small, it'll be easier, right?) investment into one of these. Need to do a little more research, though. So, when's this thing going to be finished, and when will we see pictures?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2007 12:24:13 GMT
Hi Randomnobody,
I think you may need to read the original post I'm "pimping" my Katana, it may take some time to come up with the final design as I've only just contacted Kam & he's sending some samples of what he carries etc. But don't worry when it is all nutted out & done I'll show off plenty of pic's like the proud father.
The Jingum came into this as a side note but it seems a few other people like them & I cant say i blame them one little bit, they are very nice to look at but as yet I've haven't swung one sob, sob.
Unless of course I've misunderstood your question (being about the Jingum's instead of the Katana) in which case please just ignore me.
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Post by randomnobody on Aug 10, 2007 0:59:08 GMT
Right, I know what the thread is. I, too, was sidetracked with the introduction of the jingum. Now I want one. The last question was in regard to your own sword. How much longer until you get going with it? Will there be a pictorial as it happens? Or will you just surprise us one day with some measly "Oh, right, that sword I was customizing, here's a pic, only one. That's it, now go away."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2007 8:23:31 GMT
Right, I know what the thread is. I, too, was sidetracked with the introduction of the jingum. Now I want one. The last question was in regard to your own sword. How much longer until you get going with it? Will there be a pictorial as it happens? Or will you just surprise us one day with some measly "Oh, right, that sword I was customizing, here's a pic, only one. That's it, now go away." I'm not going to rush into this as once it's done its done for good. The process of dussions with Kam has started & once the finer details have been worked out he will start. It may take some time to get fittings etc in from suppliers but never fear it will happen. If i ask Kam nicely I'm sure he will be only to happy to take some work in progress Pic's for us of his work. I will also provide plenty of finished pic's "showing off my baby". Once again don't worry guys I wont leave you high & dry after all the feedback & great info you took the time to share with me.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2007 9:24:24 GMT
Sorry to keep posting,
I dont want to bore you but since some of you have expressed interest in the Korean sword arts I thought I'd post a few of the better (not so airy fairy) vid's from youtube in the "General sword arts" listing.
Hope you enjoy them & it answers some of the questions you may have although most of the good schools don't seem to post anything normally, i guess just like all good schools they are the quite archivers.
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