Swords Are NOT Toys!
Dec 3, 2010 23:31:40 GMT
Post by Midori Kawakami on Dec 3, 2010 23:31:40 GMT
Note: the images and video posted with this text depict graphic wounds caused by swords. If you are very young or have a weak constitution, discretion is advised.
Hello SBG,
As we enter another holiday season, there will be several people receiving their first swords, and many others receiving an addition to their collection or their first functional swords. Therefore, I felt the time was appropriate to remind everyone that swords are not toys.
We live in a society where swords have been made obsolete for many of their intended purposes and have been transformed into a lucrative hobby business, as people still collect, use for martial arts, backyard cutting or re-enacting, many different types of swords. Of course, this isn't an entirely bad thing; we no longer have the need to use a sword for defense or offense, but still have the want to be connected to the past...and to chop up some tatami or plastic 'bad-guys'. So, swords are still with us and, with prices at an all-time low and more hack n' slash movies and video games being produced all the time, are enjoying a Renaissance of their own. Because sword perpetrated violence is so low and sword duels effectively ended in the 19th century, it can be easy to forget that swords are first and foremost a weapon, made for killing, and even a sword-like object, mass-produced with a welded rat-tail tang and virtually unfit for use, can still injure or fatally wound someone.
So please remember to ALWAYS practice proper sword safety and etiquette:
*Make absolutely certain the sword you are wielding is fit to use. Check all fittings to be certain they are tight and free of cracks or other anomalies that could make them structurally unsound.
*Be certain of the quality of your sword and the build before you use it. Take it apart; make sure it has a good, solid tang. On Euros, shoulders also add to the strength of the tang. Below are some examples of both good and bad things to look for on a sword, beginning with the bad:
Source: cozun.com
Above we see a push tang and a welded rat tail tang on two katana. The welded rat tail is incredibly dangerous, as the weld is a weak point and can snap if the sword is so much as swung wrong, creating the much talked about 'helicopter of death', where the blade goes flying. The push tang is slightly better, because you have a hand full of metal that is one piece with the blade, but even this can cause a stress point within the tsuka and cause it to break. A much better option is to buy a full-tang sword from a reputable vendor. A full tang looks like the one below:
Source: summerchild.com
The same is true for Euros:
Source: stormthecastle.com
Welded rat tail on a Euro.
Source: sword-manufacturers-guide.com
A proper tang on a Euro.
*Know your metals. Unless a company has the proper machinery to process stainless (making the sword quite expensive), do not buy a stainless sword for use in cutting. Carbon steel is much preferred. There are different grades of carbon steel, meaning that some steels are softer than others and therefore, some will stand up better over time. A steel that is too hard, however, can become brittle, so knowing what you're looking for and for what purpose can be important. Ultimately, however, it is not the steel, but the smith that makes a good sword. Here are some common steel types used for swords (this list is not complete and not meant to be so, but to help serve as a guide):
1045
1060
1095
T-10
5160
L-6
If you're unsure about what you may want in a sword or what steel type, it never hurts to ask. There are many knowledgeable people on this forum who are more than willing to help, whether it be via a thread or a PM. There are no stupid questions, so never be afraid to ask!
*Practice safe swordsmanship. Much 'safe swordsmanship' derives from common sense, but there are some points that always bear repeating. Do not point your sword at another person or animal, or swing it at them. When cutting in a group, make sure there is a clearance of 15-20 ft from the cutting area, and more if you have space. When you have a sword out, point it away from people or pets, edge down (this applies mainly to single edged swords, though you could still have one edge down with a double edged sword). Make people aware of the fact you have a sword in hand so that there are no accidents. Always afford the swords you use and the people and/or animals around at that time with the proper respect, as respect goes a long way in preventing accidents. Don't cut targets that swords were not meant to cut, such as wood or metal, as this could cause the sword damage, even possibly, to break. Also, do not cut towards your legs. If you over-swing, you could end up with a nasty gash and an equally nasty hospital bill.
*Practice safe sword storage. If you have small children or guests that don't quite understand that your swords are sharp, lock them up in a safe place. If you have your swords displayed, keep an eye on them and remind those who come into your home that they are, first and foremost, weapons.
*Perform regular maintenance on your swords. The more often you handle and maintain your swords, the better acquainted you will become with them and the better able to spot potential problems and fix them before they become hazardous.
Source: Hyoujinsama's youtube
This is a basic how-to for cleaning a katana. Any other sword wouldn't be terribly different; just keep in mind swords with two edges.
*Do not handle swords while under the influence. This should be self-explanatory.
Listed below are some images and video of what not to do with your swords and the consequences. I hope they will serve as stark reminders that swords are not toys.
Let us start with some historical examples:
Source: aberdeencity.gov.uk
Source: aberdeencity.gov.uk
www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/web/Mult ... /PIC_8.JPG
Source: aberdeencity.gov.uk
Fatal sword wound to the leg.
Source: aberdeencity.gov.uk
Source: aberdeencity.gov.uk
Source: aberdeencity.gov.uk
Two different skulls. The top one shows a fatal sword strike, while the bottom one shows both a non-fatal 'shaving' of the skull as well as a skull-splitting blow.
Here are modern examples of sword injuries:
Source: sky-news.com
Man was attacked by sword-wielding robbers.
Source: youtube
Yeaaaah...don't do this.
If you have any reminders or helpful tips to add to this thread, along with images and video, please do so. I hope you all have a safe and sword injury-free holiday season!
-Midori. :mrgreen:
Hello SBG,
As we enter another holiday season, there will be several people receiving their first swords, and many others receiving an addition to their collection or their first functional swords. Therefore, I felt the time was appropriate to remind everyone that swords are not toys.
We live in a society where swords have been made obsolete for many of their intended purposes and have been transformed into a lucrative hobby business, as people still collect, use for martial arts, backyard cutting or re-enacting, many different types of swords. Of course, this isn't an entirely bad thing; we no longer have the need to use a sword for defense or offense, but still have the want to be connected to the past...and to chop up some tatami or plastic 'bad-guys'. So, swords are still with us and, with prices at an all-time low and more hack n' slash movies and video games being produced all the time, are enjoying a Renaissance of their own. Because sword perpetrated violence is so low and sword duels effectively ended in the 19th century, it can be easy to forget that swords are first and foremost a weapon, made for killing, and even a sword-like object, mass-produced with a welded rat-tail tang and virtually unfit for use, can still injure or fatally wound someone.
So please remember to ALWAYS practice proper sword safety and etiquette:
*Make absolutely certain the sword you are wielding is fit to use. Check all fittings to be certain they are tight and free of cracks or other anomalies that could make them structurally unsound.
*Be certain of the quality of your sword and the build before you use it. Take it apart; make sure it has a good, solid tang. On Euros, shoulders also add to the strength of the tang. Below are some examples of both good and bad things to look for on a sword, beginning with the bad:
Source: cozun.com
Above we see a push tang and a welded rat tail tang on two katana. The welded rat tail is incredibly dangerous, as the weld is a weak point and can snap if the sword is so much as swung wrong, creating the much talked about 'helicopter of death', where the blade goes flying. The push tang is slightly better, because you have a hand full of metal that is one piece with the blade, but even this can cause a stress point within the tsuka and cause it to break. A much better option is to buy a full-tang sword from a reputable vendor. A full tang looks like the one below:
Source: summerchild.com
The same is true for Euros:
Source: stormthecastle.com
Welded rat tail on a Euro.
Source: sword-manufacturers-guide.com
A proper tang on a Euro.
*Know your metals. Unless a company has the proper machinery to process stainless (making the sword quite expensive), do not buy a stainless sword for use in cutting. Carbon steel is much preferred. There are different grades of carbon steel, meaning that some steels are softer than others and therefore, some will stand up better over time. A steel that is too hard, however, can become brittle, so knowing what you're looking for and for what purpose can be important. Ultimately, however, it is not the steel, but the smith that makes a good sword. Here are some common steel types used for swords (this list is not complete and not meant to be so, but to help serve as a guide):
1045
1060
1095
T-10
5160
L-6
If you're unsure about what you may want in a sword or what steel type, it never hurts to ask. There are many knowledgeable people on this forum who are more than willing to help, whether it be via a thread or a PM. There are no stupid questions, so never be afraid to ask!
*Practice safe swordsmanship. Much 'safe swordsmanship' derives from common sense, but there are some points that always bear repeating. Do not point your sword at another person or animal, or swing it at them. When cutting in a group, make sure there is a clearance of 15-20 ft from the cutting area, and more if you have space. When you have a sword out, point it away from people or pets, edge down (this applies mainly to single edged swords, though you could still have one edge down with a double edged sword). Make people aware of the fact you have a sword in hand so that there are no accidents. Always afford the swords you use and the people and/or animals around at that time with the proper respect, as respect goes a long way in preventing accidents. Don't cut targets that swords were not meant to cut, such as wood or metal, as this could cause the sword damage, even possibly, to break. Also, do not cut towards your legs. If you over-swing, you could end up with a nasty gash and an equally nasty hospital bill.
*Practice safe sword storage. If you have small children or guests that don't quite understand that your swords are sharp, lock them up in a safe place. If you have your swords displayed, keep an eye on them and remind those who come into your home that they are, first and foremost, weapons.
*Perform regular maintenance on your swords. The more often you handle and maintain your swords, the better acquainted you will become with them and the better able to spot potential problems and fix them before they become hazardous.
Source: Hyoujinsama's youtube
This is a basic how-to for cleaning a katana. Any other sword wouldn't be terribly different; just keep in mind swords with two edges.
*Do not handle swords while under the influence. This should be self-explanatory.
Listed below are some images and video of what not to do with your swords and the consequences. I hope they will serve as stark reminders that swords are not toys.
Let us start with some historical examples:
Source: aberdeencity.gov.uk
Source: aberdeencity.gov.uk
www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/web/Mult ... /PIC_8.JPG
Source: aberdeencity.gov.uk
Fatal sword wound to the leg.
Source: aberdeencity.gov.uk
Source: aberdeencity.gov.uk
Source: aberdeencity.gov.uk
Two different skulls. The top one shows a fatal sword strike, while the bottom one shows both a non-fatal 'shaving' of the skull as well as a skull-splitting blow.
Here are modern examples of sword injuries:
Source: sky-news.com
Man was attacked by sword-wielding robbers.
Source: youtube
Yeaaaah...don't do this.
If you have any reminders or helpful tips to add to this thread, along with images and video, please do so. I hope you all have a safe and sword injury-free holiday season!
-Midori. :mrgreen: