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Post by Atlas on Mar 11, 2017 10:45:58 GMT
So, I've recently began to take an interest in sword training and I wanted to buy a wooden sword to practice with. I was looking at practice swords but also noticed cosplay swords in the listings (on Amazon) and was curious about using those instead since if I ended up not resonating with it all, I could still keep it as a decoration of sorts or for cosplay use in the future. However, I'm not really sure how that would work out and so I looked up forums about it. I just wanted to start out practicing forms (I assume that's how people would start regardless lol) but I didn't want to buy the cosplay sword and then realize it wasn't a good move. Any advice?
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Post by demonskull on Mar 11, 2017 12:05:23 GMT
Swords advertised as Cosplay swords aren't designed for practicing swordsmenship. There are designed with at most posing for pics in mind. If you plan on training with a sword, invest in a sword designed for that purpose.
Welcome to the Forum !
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Post by Faldarin on Mar 11, 2017 16:48:08 GMT
Hello Atlas, and welcome! It's a complicated question and answer, but demonskull definitely has the short of it. Swords listed as cosplay, and almost all cheaper pieces don't have heat treatment done to them, or a solid enough construction. They're not fit even to cut the air with any force... just to hang up and look pretty, or carry on your person as a cosplay prop, in general. A wooden sword would be a better bet if you're just looking for something to practice with. Really good ones probably cost more than the cosplay swords you're looking at, but that's because the cosplay swords take the aforementioned manufacturing shortcuts, just to keep the price down/mass production easy. Here's a little reading material: www.sword-buyers-guide.com/buy-swords-online.html Yeah, it's moderately long, but absolutely worth a read if you're new to this sort of thing. If you've got any questions, don't be afraid to register for a full account, and ask!
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gandermail
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Bill, WEWolf, Slackitude...I need to settle on a name.
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Post by gandermail on Mar 11, 2017 20:00:59 GMT
First off, I know exactly nothing about cosplay swords, but I have a shinai and a wooden dao I practice with and they're both on display on the sword rack and to me at least they look kind of nice there so, while your mileage may vary, in my experience you can display a wooden sword and it's a nice touch.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Mar 11, 2017 20:09:40 GMT
I had a boken and a wooden dao both on display in my sword rack until I needed the space. Both worked well for their intended job.
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AndiTheBarvarian
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Mar 11, 2017 20:31:33 GMT
Aren't cosplay swords made of polyurethane foam?
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Scott
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Post by Scott on Mar 12, 2017 7:42:01 GMT
Aren't cosplay swords made of polyurethane foam? You're thinking about LARP swords.
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Post by dolbrin on Mar 12, 2017 20:31:36 GMT
Hello Cold steel makes some pretty good "Polypropylene" practice swords,which are extremly tough. You can get them at, kult of athena,or other places on the net. And you can allways paint them,if you want hang them up.But paint wouldnt hold up to bashing:-)
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Post by Jordan Williams on Mar 18, 2017 16:02:01 GMT
The Cold Steel polypropylene swords are terrible simulators for actual swords though. Super cheap, super tough, but terrible. Basically like what the dollar stores have but tougher.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Mar 18, 2017 17:52:15 GMT
I said nothing when a read about CS. But you are so right. They’re tough and rugged and will smash planks, but a horrible representation for a sword.
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Post by Cosmoline on Mar 23, 2017 16:37:50 GMT
There may be some exceptions, but expect all "cosplay" blades to be wall hangers that are dangerous to use for anything. Not all of them are dull either. Some are basically poorly mounted pieces of jagged shrapnel waiting to be unleashed. An actual sword is safer.
If you want to go with wood, I'd urge you to get a quality Purple Heart trainer on their site or a comparable JSA trainer. Something designed to take blows. These are the safest way to practice, since they are least likely to shatter on you or splinter. They are of course hard wood, but so's a table leg. Just watch what you hit.
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