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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2008 3:40:51 GMT
Hi, I am new to buying swords and was wondering if anyone can help me out.
I am a martial artist and have been studying Korean fighting styles. I am looking for a traditional Korean Geom or Gum style sword for a demo in an upcoming event, for a Tae Kwon Do school. I was hoping to find one for around $200, and have it be fairly rugged.
Someone recently told me that this is extremely hard to find, since the Japanese laws of WW2 prohibit Korea to make or sell a sword to anyone without a permit. Is this true?
Thanks for your time, Big La
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2008 4:54:06 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2008 13:29:30 GMT
Hi Big La, Welcome to the forum! Traditional Korean gom were straighter than the typical katana IIRC. Most TKD schools I know use a kagum (as does mine) so I will pass on the info I have gathered about them hoping that it will help you. Kagum summary and online retailers: Kagum is a general term used for Korean unsharpened practice swords. Kagum are usually made of Aluminum alloy (lighter, Zinc or Beryllium alloy), or Stainless Steel (heavier, and I could find no info on how these are tempered), some are made of more refined steel (ie L6 for $$$). The most obvious difference with the Japanese and Japanese style iaito is the blunted tip and the standardized use of the utilitarian natural brass tsuba, fuchi and kashira. The sori is usually shallow. The official HDGD kagum has a one mekugi of bamboo and one of brass with the kashira screwed onto the tsuka. They are usually wrapped in a cotton ito. These Kagum are not always available in different lengths. These are quite sturdy. In my limited experience they are generally constructed quite well. They are training weapons meant to be used, and used hard Some online retailers: www.martialartswords.com/index.php $295 Al, $370 Al, and $690 L6 Steel www.kendogumdo.com/category/practice-sword/ $187 SS and $242 Al www.huanuosword.com/e/asp/english/index.aspwww.sehyun-kumdo.com/e-sehyun.htmSome of these sites (huanuo and seyhun) are difficult for those of us who only speak English. They all also sell Jingum (real swords). My Sabunim has one to add, but hasn't sent it to me yet - it may also be in Korean. I have not bought any of these swords, so I can't comment on the companies other than say that I have read a lot of good things about Martial Arts Swords. I would say that the best deal is to buy the SS kagum from kendogumdo for $187 (as lemon suggested). Be aware though, it effectively comes in just one size, that it is weighty (feels heavier than they say it is) and does not have a bo hi so it will be quieter. I found this review a great place for info and a good jumping off point for research. Used to be some nice videos there too www.arscives.com/bladesign/koreanswordreview.htmSome eye candy: www.cashanwei.com/product_details.asp?id=SH2165$699 I am sorry that I mixed in Japanese terms, but as you will see, you will need to learn them unless you are fluent in Korean and/or can read Hangul. Hope this helps, and good Luck on your Demo! If you have any other questions, ask. There is an incredible amount of knowledge available here from some very fine folk. And please let us know what you end up getting and how you like it. DJMahoney
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2008 19:41:28 GMT
On a side note, gum in korean means sword...so if you buy from a place that sells many different types of korean swords, asking for a gum won't be of much help in that case . Although usually those places stop using the gum word and use kal to describe swords (which is even worse because kal means knife...ANY knife...which also includes swords...yeah...). If worse comes to worse, you could always just use a bokken...or a katana if you need to show off cutting. Yes there is a difference...but most people at the demo won't know. Even if you got a MAS gum, 99% of the people there would go oh a katana anyways . Anyways, good luck with your demo .
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2008 21:05:15 GMT
Yes, thank you cold napalm For instance, the arscives site has a great picture of a Gum/Kum and then uses Kal before many of the terms described where they really should have used Gum/Kum as the prefix. FWIW: I bought an iaito and my Sabunim is fine with it, as long as I don't poke holes in the mat If you want to go that route, I can post that info too. DJM
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2008 5:30:13 GMT
Thank you everyone for the help. This is exactly the kind of information I was hoping to find. Unfortunately, my sword buying funds have been redirected due to a medical emergency, so I am not sure when I may be able to afford one. Thanks again.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2008 6:19:29 GMT
Well, unless you need to cut things, bokkens can be found online for like 10 bucks. It works in a pinch. If that is still too much, maybe some fellow student can pitch in a few bucks to get one for the demo (been there done that) and keep one around in the dojo.
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