|
|
Post by chrisperoni on Oct 5, 2010 15:03:52 GMT
My love of swords is similar. As a kid I was really into knights- I collected little figurines and was always playing with toy swords I made or drawing them. I also was influenced by the swords in video games. At first I was always into the typical Euro style- I think it was my big brothers interest in all things Japanese that started me into katanas. Still, as a kid I was always imagining knightly swords or fantasy style stuff as in Conan. I also found it funny that years later when I first bought a sword (slo actually) it was a katana. Somewhere along the way I switched over to them. For the few years before I found SBG it was all about katana like stuff. Some slo’s, some actual kats, some for friends, some wooden bokken. Then came SBG and the forum and it has rekindled my love for the WMA swords. Big time. I have fallen hard for the gladius as well. Something just feels right when I’m holding one. Maybe it’s my Italian heritage speaking to me- reminding me that this kind of sword is in my blood, part of my past. Seriously- It just feels ‘right’ holding a gladius- like I should always have one on me- katanas are super cool but never gave me that feeling. As to how involved are swords in my life. Turns out more than I realized. As I look back I find that they’ve always interested me but I never noticed how prevalent they were in my personality until recently. I doodle them, I imagine scenarios where I might use them, I have them in one form or another all over the place- from the shirasaya letter openers at my desk, to the one I keep under the bed, to the ones hanging on my walls. I have never formally practiced though; they are as much a thing of beauty as a functional tool to me but I would have to say I lean more to the casual collector side of things… with a heavy dose of ‘always on my mind’. (Does that sound a little crazy to you  ) |
|
ChrisA
Member
Senior Forumite
Posts: 1,240
|
Post by ChrisA on Oct 5, 2010 17:07:08 GMT
I am more involved with swords than common sense says I should. But I am less involved than I want to be. I mean, seriously, what use is there to swords these days? I will never use one for it's true purpose. It is not a viable option for protection when there are so many better alternatives available. There is just no practical reason to buy a sword and learn how to use it properly. None. (ok. except for the zombie apocalypse) But I am enthralled by swords. Have been for just about my entire life. It wasn't until recently that I discovered where to actually buy a real sword (a Windlass Raptor) and soon after that I found SBG (and other sites) and learned what to actually do with it. There's just something about the feel a sword in hand, just about any sword, that gives me a feeling of "this just feels right". And I think everyone here knows that feeling. By nature I am a collector/hoarder. I currently have....I lost count...at least 12 swords...? I have no intention of selling any. I have every intention of buying more. I would really like to properly train. Very much. But finding a good study group here is hard (I do know of one of our forum members is near me and has invited me),time is scarce between work and the house, and this has been a bad year for my physical state. Nothing serious at all. I'm actually pretty healthy for a man of my advanced years. But the little things just kept coming: tennis elbow (directly related to swinging my Hero Axe  ), bursytis (not sure where that came from), bad back (years of abuse), shoulder problems (partially torn rotator cuff), etc. And don't mention the weather! Record heat this summer and non-stop rain this fall has kept me indoors. All this kept, and keeps, me from seeking proper training. Lately time has been in even shorter supply so the times I have cut this year you can count on one hand. I have not had the time or energy to even run through drills. And I actually miss it. A lot. Like I miss an old, dear friend. When I mention to my friends, who do occasionally like to do some cutting with me, that I want to train in WMA they look at me with a look that says "What for?" I can't really say. If you have to ask, you won't understand my answer. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2010 17:32:21 GMT
I dunno...I just think they're Cool.
|
|
|
|
Post by whitefeathers on Oct 5, 2010 18:00:45 GMT
Very. I have my katana at my side right now as i type this  It started when i was 11 when we took a class trip to Midieval times for history class. I just loved watching the knights fight with their swords in the staged battles. from then on i was obsessed with anything with knights and armor and swords. Then came high school,sports ,and afterwards the military. kinda forgot about swords. I then got into guns very heavily. I have an impressive collection of old military rifles. Now that im out of the Army and life has slowed down a bit, out of the clear blue i signed up for martial arts classes concentrating on the sword. Some years ago I acquired a fake katana looking thing. I pulled it out of a dark corner in the closet and started messing with it. I then took the plunge and bought a real katana last week. Ive been basically obsessed with it since. Im already looking at other swords and an iaito to train with. I pretty much havent touched any of my guns in the past week. :shock: As a collector I have a feeling i may have more than just a couple swords by the end of the year |
|
|
|
Post by D'artagnan on Oct 6, 2010 23:10:24 GMT
I started fencing at an early age. I competitively fence and and practice Kendo and western fencing. This mixture has led me to adopt beliefs from both Bushido and the Code Duello, and ethics associated with western aristocratic mannerisms. Bushido is based firstly in upper class, sabre comes from the military, rapier/smallsword from the nobility. All of that being said, I would have to say I am a warrior, as I am a practicing swordsmen. Not so much a collector. I only have several pieces to get each job done adequately. I see each weapon as an extension of myself, not just a tool used in a sport. A sword defines honor, integrity, skill, and discipline to me. It is a way of life
|
|
LiamBoyle
Member
Fechtmeister the Clueless of H.A.S.C.
Posts: 478 
|
Post by LiamBoyle on Oct 7, 2010 10:23:26 GMT
I cannot remember a time when I did not love swords and knives. From the days of King Arthur, Robin Hood, and the Lord of the Rings stories when I was a boy until now - I have always loved swords. I have carried a pocket knife almost everyday since about the third grade. Anytime I have been able to hold a sword like object in hand it gets swung. I only own (and technically it's my son's) one real sword at the moment. My wife has her belly dance scimitar, and then I have my wasters. It was only recntly I got my first true waster (Dec of '08) a $9.99 wooden tai chi sword. As soon as I held it in my hand, I felt like I had come home. I practice sword form and drills as close to daily as I can manage, which averages out to about five day a week. I "spar" with my son and his NERF swords as often as I can. He's faster than I could ever hope to be. Do I eat, sleep, and breathe swords? No, but I come pretty close. What would others call this? I don't care. Had I more available funds I would have more swords, simple as that. I'm not going to spend my rent money on a new blade, but I might skip eating luch at work to save the money for one.
There is something pure and simple and honest about a naked blade that I just cannot put into words. They call to me. Am I a warrior, no. I'm beginning to get to old and broken to claim that title, but I will swing a sword until my dying day.
|
|
|
|
Post by deejay on Oct 7, 2010 22:03:03 GMT
My background-I trained 1st in judo-taikwondo-shotokan karata-then Hung Gar Sook-and last,married everything with Kung fu.I was fortunate as a child that our next door nieghbor was japanese and he sparked my interest in MA-his son beat me up alot.In kung fu I met a younge man who was also training in Iado-he introduced me to the art-I trained with him for aprx 14 months out of his cousins dojo in Sr Albert,Alberta-where upon I was involved in a serious car accident that buggered me up good for 2 yrs.My memory was affected and parts of my body,face,and right leg were damaged.The face was repaired,my leg is pinned from knee to hip.My motor skills suffer to some extent-I hate the fact that on my shelf there is a black belt and a sash-which I feel I do not deserve any more-it has been years since Ive actually trained -and I have lost much-so much.My wife calls me her warrior-my nephews think Im a ninja-my grand kids call me pops.But-you put a blade in my hand-and I feel "right"-anytime that I have held a sword since childhood-it feels right.Nothing else for me give me such satisfaction.Am I a warrior-I dont think so!But I am passionate about my swords and learning how to use them correctly.You could probubly label me as that crazy old guy on the corner that goes kungfoin around his backyard with a sword like a nutbar!That suits me fine!!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2010 12:10:41 GMT
I admire them. I rarely cut anymore,(just don't have time) and it's been quite awhile since I bought a sword. I guess I'm a casual hobbyist. I like to customize my swords more than I like to cut with them. I enjoy making scabbards too, though I hardly have time to do it. I'd like to train, but can't find a partner, so I take down one of my swords every so often and go through the guards and practice a few cuts in air, just to keep it familiar. Swords are an extension of my love of history, and my romantic attachment to the past.
|
|
|
|
Post by padric101 on Oct 9, 2010 19:20:14 GMT
Everyday one gets carried. Liam if you know how to maintain the peace then you are a warrior!
|
|
LiamBoyle
Member
Fechtmeister the Clueless of H.A.S.C.
Posts: 478
|
Post by LiamBoyle on Oct 9, 2010 20:56:36 GMT
Thanks, but save the carrying for those who really need it. I may not be able to follow the charge that well, but when many run retreat, I'll be the one still standing there - I can't run, really, I just can't run anymore - it's part of why I walk with a cane.
|
|
|
|
Post by mikejapan on Oct 9, 2010 21:01:58 GMT
I'm mostly involved in Japanese blades. I've been involved with swords for at least 2 years.
But I also love medieval longswords. I was thinking of getting the Hanwei Tinker longsword but I have to invest in other things now.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bogus on Oct 9, 2010 21:36:28 GMT
I have a thing for rapiers, and I'm kind of a history buff, but I am by no means a hardcore sword nut. Casual collector at best, or at least that's where I'm headed...getting out of college and (finally!) getting a job means I have a little money to spend on big-boy toys.
Mostly here to get advice/suggestions from people who've bought some of the swords on the market, as there don't seem to be a lot of places that cater to casual buyers.
|
|
)
), bursytis (not sure where that came from), bad back (years of abuse), shoulder problems (partially torn rotator cuff), etc. And don't mention the weather! Record heat this summer and non-stop rain this fall has kept me indoors. 
