DVD Review: Cold Steel's The Fighting Machete
Jul 29, 2008 13:00:23 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2008 13:00:23 GMT
Hi,
since machetes have been a bit of a hot topic on these boards as of late, I thought I'd do a little review of Cold Steel's instructional DVD set The Fighting Machete. While it really is a bad idea to use a machete in self defense (you will look like a frothing psychotic), it is pretty neat to see the techniques the CS crew have assembled and developed into a machete-jutsu if you will. However, there are some parts of the DVD set that are really worthwhile to backyard cutters who use machetes:
-how to sharpen the machete to shaving sharp
-how to customize the machete
-discussion of tradeoffs of different blade shapes, lengths, and styles.
-how to make foam sparring machetes and spar safely with them
-discussion of the pros and cons of the machete
-the capabilities of the machete
-different stances (including a really eclectic group from JSA, WSA, FMA, and others)
-footwork (essential to transfer power into cutting that pool noodle!)
-throwing the machete (I'm a bit afraid to do this one. Procede w/caution).
-There are also VERY detailed discussions of every type of blow possible with a machete, with every part of the machete:
the pommel
the flat of the blade
the spine of the blade
the point (too many for me to remember)
the edge (from basics: chop, cut, and slash; to snap cut, drop stroke, and some others).
There are also point control drills, defense drills, blocks, parrys, traps, strategies, and tons of other stuff. Like I said, machete-jutsu.
I have done the foam sparring, and it is not only fun, but it is excellent exercise. That is the only use I have for the really "fighty" parts. The strokes, stances, and footwork are really useful for backyard cutters. However, if you take your machete to a cutting party, expect to endure your fair share of good-natured zombie fighting jokes.
I liked this DVD set, and find myself returning to it semi-regularly. If there is no one qualified to teach you, it will save you a good deal of trial and error. The sharpening section is short, but really helpful.
This is the best price I found. They had very good customer service:
www.cutleryshoppe.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=8071
I'm not really sure by what criteria I should rate this. THere's not much else to compare it to. Since this isn't a review of a blade, I'm kind of lost.
since machetes have been a bit of a hot topic on these boards as of late, I thought I'd do a little review of Cold Steel's instructional DVD set The Fighting Machete. While it really is a bad idea to use a machete in self defense (you will look like a frothing psychotic), it is pretty neat to see the techniques the CS crew have assembled and developed into a machete-jutsu if you will. However, there are some parts of the DVD set that are really worthwhile to backyard cutters who use machetes:
-how to sharpen the machete to shaving sharp
-how to customize the machete
-discussion of tradeoffs of different blade shapes, lengths, and styles.
-how to make foam sparring machetes and spar safely with them
-discussion of the pros and cons of the machete
-the capabilities of the machete
-different stances (including a really eclectic group from JSA, WSA, FMA, and others)
-footwork (essential to transfer power into cutting that pool noodle!)
-throwing the machete (I'm a bit afraid to do this one. Procede w/caution).
-There are also VERY detailed discussions of every type of blow possible with a machete, with every part of the machete:
the pommel
the flat of the blade
the spine of the blade
the point (too many for me to remember)
the edge (from basics: chop, cut, and slash; to snap cut, drop stroke, and some others).
There are also point control drills, defense drills, blocks, parrys, traps, strategies, and tons of other stuff. Like I said, machete-jutsu.
I have done the foam sparring, and it is not only fun, but it is excellent exercise. That is the only use I have for the really "fighty" parts. The strokes, stances, and footwork are really useful for backyard cutters. However, if you take your machete to a cutting party, expect to endure your fair share of good-natured zombie fighting jokes.
I liked this DVD set, and find myself returning to it semi-regularly. If there is no one qualified to teach you, it will save you a good deal of trial and error. The sharpening section is short, but really helpful.
This is the best price I found. They had very good customer service:
www.cutleryshoppe.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=8071
I'm not really sure by what criteria I should rate this. THere's not much else to compare it to. Since this isn't a review of a blade, I'm kind of lost.