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Post by RufusScorpius on Feb 10, 2020 17:08:26 GMT
Ok, here it is. The long awaited video.
This isn't a "proof" video where we are trying to show if katana is better than saber, or if Japanese is better than European, or even if one of us is better than the other one. This is two SBG forum members, one from USA, and one from Germany, having a get-together.
I had a good look at marcus' sword collection, we had dinner provided by his wife, and then we went to the gym to nerd out for a bit. I had SO much fun I can't even begin to express! THANK YOU! I have always wanted to do something like this!
After we sparred for a while, we spent the next hour going over techniques and studying the various moves.
For the video: Yes, I made some mistakes and I knew I made mistakes when I made them and thought "this is stupid" right before I took a hit. I know there will be comments on this and that or the other thing so I want to make some things very clear up front. These are NOT excuses- rather before somebody shoots me down, I want you to keep in mind the following:
1. I have been awake and traveling for 32 hours
2. My right knee is completely destroyed and I had it double wrapped and fixed braced in the vid. At about 3:50 you can see me overshoot and not be able to stop because of it. In other words, my footwork is very slow and my mobility is limited. This also caused me to have to overextend some strikes that otherwise I would have moved into the opponent to make.
3. Ok, I should have turned the camera to the side. I should have done that. I didn't do it. That is my fault because it should have been done that way. See reason #1
4. I am not wearing my glasses
Marcus313 is legit. He knows his stuff. When he posts something, it's real. I'm a witness to his skill with a blade, and I am a witness to his sword collection. He has a LOT of really nice sharps!
So without further ado:
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AndiTheBarvarian
Member
"Lord of the Memes"
Bavarianbarbarian - Semper Semprini
Posts: 10,331
Member is Online
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Feb 10, 2020 17:33:37 GMT
Niiice!
Kats CAN thrust!
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Post by RufusScorpius on Feb 10, 2020 17:38:11 GMT
I never understood why people said they couldn't. Every time I ever thrusted at a target, be it a water bottle or a roast beef, the kat went right through with no hesitation whatsoever. If the opening is there, hit it. As a matter of regular practice, the kat is used to come in close and low, then thrust up underneath the hands of the opponent to stab at the chin. In fact, there are lots of stabby moves in the catalog. That is why, as somebody mentioned, the kat has a pointy end on it.
But Japanese style isn't really a thrusting type, it's more flowing and rolling with a minimum of direction changes. Neither good, nor bad. It's just how it is.
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Post by demented on Feb 10, 2020 17:49:55 GMT
Nice sparring session
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Post by Jussi Ekholm on Feb 10, 2020 18:18:32 GMT
Really happy that you guys got together and had fun.  Nice to read positive stuff as there has been lot of negativity lately. |
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Post by nerdthenord on Feb 10, 2020 18:32:48 GMT
Really cool!
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Post by Cosmoline on Feb 10, 2020 20:00:36 GMT
Good job guys! Keep in mind that there's only a limited amount you can do with boffers. Personally I like to use slow play with steel if there's no gear available (as is often the case in long overseas trips).
BTW, I'm going to be in the Berlin area in late November this year if anyone wants to cross blades with my S&B. I'll have my head protection but I'm not hauling the heavy gear over.
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Post by RufusScorpius on Feb 10, 2020 20:22:40 GMT
The simulators worked very well, the only limitation I could see with them is in a bind where you are trying to get some leverage- I don't think they would have the strength to hold up to that.
For everything else, they did a good job. It was no problem to use a natural technique, and because they were foam- there was little danger of any injuries. We wore head protection and hand protection out of caution, which would be the minimum necessary to ensure no real injuries could happen. the worst the foam could do is give a nasty bruise. However, getting a nasty bruise in a non-lethal area is an excellent way to learn how not to get hit. And it teaches that mistakes come with pain.
No sparring is a perfect analog of a real sword fight- but for the time I spent in Essen and with marcus: it was perfect enough for me.
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Post by treeslicer on Feb 10, 2020 20:37:48 GMT
Ok, here it is. The long awaited video. ........................ For the video: Yes, I made some mistakes and I knew I made mistakes when I made them and thought "this is stupid" right before I took a hit. I know there will be comments on this and that or the other thing so I want to make some things very clear up front. These are NOT excuses- rather before somebody shoots me down, I want you to keep in mind the following: 1. I have been awake and traveling for 32 hours 2. My right knee is completely destroyed and I had it double wrapped and fixed braced in the vid. At about 3:50 you can see me overshoot and not be able to stop because of it. In other words, my footwork is very slow and my mobility is limited. This also caused me to have to overextend some strikes that otherwise I would have moved into the opponent to make. 3. Ok, I should have turned the camera to the side. I should have done that. I didn't do it. That is my fault because it should have been done that way. See reason #1 4. I am not wearing my glasses Marcus313 is legit. He knows his stuff. When he posts something, it's real. I'm a witness to his skill with a blade, and I am a witness to his sword collection. He has a LOT of really nice sharps! So without further ado: Absolutely loved the video. Methinks our resident Roman samurai doth protest too much. Looks to me like you did great. For sure you dressed the part. Now that you've had such a fun and friendly visit with Markus, find some way to get down to Bayern, kick Andi's arsch, and record that for us (but point the camera a little more toward the center of the field).   |
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Post by RufusScorpius on Feb 10, 2020 20:50:38 GMT
Heading down to Bavaria via the saltus Teutoburgiensis shortcut.
We were trying to stay inside the white square. When I set up the camera phone the lens imaged in the viewfinder corner to corner, but the video recording cut a bit off the ends of both sides. If I had done the smart thing, I would have put the phone longside down for the wider image. But I normally don't do the smart thing until all the dumb things have been exhausted. That's my excuse and I'm sticking with it.
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Post by markus313 on Feb 10, 2020 21:05:03 GMT
Can pin you up to a wall, I think. |
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Post by markus313 on Feb 10, 2020 21:08:51 GMT
That’s the best thing about these simulators – you can train with a lot of different folks, anytime and anywhere. No need to carry around large amounts of protective equipment. And quite inexpensive.
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Post by markus313 on Feb 10, 2020 21:13:50 GMT
After we sparred for a while, we spent the next hour going over techniques and studying the various moves. I cannot thank you enough for having spent the time and effort with me. It was purely my pleasure. I hope one day we’ll meet again. In a thoroughly positive way, experiences like that are unforgettable, and can be immeasurably productive. I found our meeting to be great fun and immensely enriching – in so many ways. And I'm just beginning to perceive my profits. |
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Post by RufusScorpius on Feb 10, 2020 21:15:46 GMT
Don't forget about the importance of fishing. Very important. It will be your little secret now- my gift to you. I wonder how you will do against your normal sparring partners now?
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Post by markus313 on Feb 10, 2020 21:26:16 GMT
Don't forget about the importance of fishing. Very important. It will be your little secret now- my gift to you. I wonder how you will do against your normal sparring partners now? I am eager to find out. Will definitely choose the Japanese blade more often. You have shown me a clear path into a journey − I see the JSA with new eyes now. |
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Post by RufusScorpius on Feb 11, 2020 18:52:38 GMT
Now that I have had some rest and can look at the video with fresh eyes, I can really see the impact my bad knee is having on my technique. I can really see it just kind of dragging around behind me and I never once lead with the right or cross stepped. Looks awful. Definitely if I fought marcus in my prime it would have been a slaughter.
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Post by Adventurer'sBlade on Feb 11, 2020 20:27:14 GMT
Great work you two, thanks for sharing. If you go to Germany again let me know and I will send you a tripod if needed... vertically filming a fight does not please Odin.
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Post by Jordan Williams on Feb 12, 2020 3:32:09 GMT
Yeah, this is really awesome! Very Nice stuff
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Post by demented on Feb 12, 2020 8:24:44 GMT
Should we make a poll to get everybodies opinion on who won? ...just kidding...although we might be able to instigate a grudge match if we do that
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Post by RufusScorpius on Feb 12, 2020 9:11:05 GMT
Should we make a poll to get everybodies opinion on who won? ...just kidding...although we might be able to instigate a grudge match if we do that Actually, that is not a bad idea. I feel that recording and analyzing training and sparring is invaluable to improving our performance. For example, I know my leg was going to be a problem, now I can see by how much and now I can adjust. And I'm not opposed to friendly s#$t talking every now and then makes it fun! I would be disappointed if I went through all the trouble of getting to Germany to set this up and NOT have forum members dissect the fight. I want criticism and compliments. I don't mind being told I made a mistake if it helps to improve my technique |
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Nice to read positive stuff as there has been lot of negativity lately.
