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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2009 7:34:51 GMT
I was interested in starting a discussion about people's experience with sword injuries accompanied by lessons learned by them. These stories can be about accidental self-inflicted injuries or otherwise.
I'll start.
About two years ago now, while cutting small hanging targets (I don't recall exactly what they were at this point) in rapid succession, during recovery for what was going to be the start of a second swing, I ended up with the tip of a cheap beater sword in my knee.
So, I limped back inside, marveling at my foolishness. I put some alcohol on the wound to disinfect, and applied pressure for more than an hour waiting for the bleeding to stop. When it stopped, I inspected the wound, to find that the blade had actually collided with my kneecap (clearly visible) and possibly part of my tendon (based more on feeling).
Several days of wrapping, re-wrapping, and disinfecting later, I removed the dead tissue with a sterile scalpel.
I walked around with a cane for about six months before the pain in my knee subsided.
I regret not going to the hospital for this one, but sadly, I didn't have anyone around to drive me.
SO
The lessons I learned: 1. Spacial and body placement awareness. - Had I not been alone at home, I probably would have paid more attention to what was around me, to insure that I would not hit anyone, but being home alone, I felt a little more carefree, which ultimately was not a good idea. 2. Have someone around, just in case. - I really regret not going to the hospital for this one. It probably should have been taken care of by a doctor, it may have saved me the several months I spent in pain. 3. Don't be stupid. - Don't use a sword improperly, or in an erratic manner, as it may cause harm to you or those around you.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2009 8:04:08 GMT
Now that you mention it...I cut my finger doing noto. I was not paying full attention to the angle of my blade, and my finger fell prey to the ha. Never again will I allow myself to loose consecration while performing such a dangerous technique. It could have been alot worse... My youtube channel: www.youtube.com/user/outforblood77
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2009 12:12:22 GMT
I've been lucky enough to not yet cut myself on my swords, but I have no doubt it will happen eventually. Let's just hope it won't be anything major...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2009 12:47:17 GMT
Now that you mention it...I cut my finger doing noto. I was not paying full attention to the angle of my blade, and my finger fell prey to the ha. Never again will I allow myself to loose consecration while performing such a dangerous technique. It could have been alot worse... My youtube channel: www.youtube.com/user/outforblood77Ugh. i got the same exact cut while i was doing mantainance on my sword, and for some reason, my (older) brother thought it'll be funny to startle me while i'm working with a LARGE, VERY SHARP object in my hands. My finger slided aside and i got sliced, damn, those kinds of cuts STING! Also, that exact spot seems prone for cutting. What i learned- Regardless of how careful i always am, the surroundings may interfeer, and thus- GLOVES. Nice thick gloves for every time i dismantle a sword.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2009 12:47:56 GMT
I've been lucky enough to not yet cut myself on my swords, but I have no doubt it will happen eventually. it need not have too.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2009 13:33:56 GMT
Well I think you cursed me with this post after I read it I was sharping a tanto had to get up to do something. I laid the tanto down on a table when I walked by the table the tanto jumped out and gave me a small cut on the calf.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2009 14:02:03 GMT
I started a topic just like this not to long ago.
/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=8682
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2009 14:17:55 GMT
A lady I knew working at a store that sold swords (mostly SLO's but a few semi decent Kats) was putting together Katana from a kit (which she didn't know how to do properly) and ended up sliding her hand along the blade and it cut DEEP! From that moment on it was up to me to put the Katana together.
As for me I've never cut myself on a Katana yet (knock on wood) but every knife I've ever owned has drawn my blood. It's sort of a tradition it seems with fate.... ;D
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SlayerofDarkness
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Post by SlayerofDarkness on Apr 8, 2009 15:06:09 GMT
I've never cut myself with a sword, not counting numorous little papercut-sized SLO-inflicted injuries, but knives have been a problem for me as well... I sliced my knee 2 weeks ago. It bled alot, but there was no real damage done. THE VERY NEXT DAY I did something really stupid with the Cold Steel Kudu that I won, and severely sliced up my thumb and index finger.. Three and a half hours later, I was out of the ER sporting 11 new stylish stitches. 5 in my thumb, do the math for the other half. It's still hurting RIGHT now, and now I can only type one-handed... So, there's my tale of woe and loss. Any others out there?
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Post by shadowhowler on Apr 8, 2009 15:16:41 GMT
Sorry to hear about that Slayer... just glad it was not a lot worse... I just wanted to take a moment to share a bit of funny with everyone... We just had a 'Cutting Party' at Tom's house... 8 people cutting with all kids of swords from large two handed swords to small daggers... cutting everything from water filled and empty bottles to bamboo with double wraped Tatami on it. There was contenuos cutting going on for over 5 hours... ...it was nothing short of AWESOME. Everyone was safe... Tom has very strict rules of safty he wants followed and everyone kept very aware of themselves and the people around them. No one cut themselves or otherwise hurt themselves... ...until AFTER the cutting was done. ;D While doing clean-up on the backyard, I cut my finger on a jagged peice of bamboo... and while cleaning our swords, one of Tom's co-workers cut himself on one of my swords. I found it somewhat funny and ironic that... while blades were slashing things non-stop for over 5 hours... no one gets cut... but afterwards... slice/dice. Remember... swords are SHARP... swords are like a gun thats always loaded and pointing in many directions at once... ...lets everyone always be safe.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2009 15:28:12 GMT
Hmm, years of owning swords and a decent collection of knives which I polish and sharpen regularily, as well as yearly skinning , dressing and butchering of venison, pork and assorted small game and I have not cut myself yet. I guess I'm either extra careful, or extra lucky!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2009 15:40:22 GMT
Morpheus maybe you should come down to one of the indian casino here you are extra lucky.
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SlayerofDarkness
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Post by SlayerofDarkness on Apr 8, 2009 16:02:33 GMT
lol, Shadow... you're totally fine around razor-sharp swords, but pointy bamboo? No, that's too dangerous for you to handle. Better watch out for the attack of the anti-blade bamboo groves! ;D oh, and btw Shadow, did you get my PM I sent you a couple days ago? Thanks! ;D -Slayer
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2009 22:18:21 GMT
I think nature of the beast with blades is they cut on you eventually, thats why I draw a minute cut with every new sword .......... so the curious buggers get it outta their system . My tale, decided that putting a proper appleseed edge on my Darksword Armoury 2H Gothic sword was a must, after all it had only been sharpened with an accusharp for an hour, now anyone that tells you an accusharp doesnt sharpen well is lying .......... BECAUSE ......... I dont have a workbench yet so most work is done with manly heaving and spanners. I was able to torque the fishtail pommel off, unscrew the tang nut, the handle and crossguard had alot of green glue on it which I suppose had served it well, I thought wearing garden gloves, wrapping the blade in a towel with tape and holding it by the blade while knocking the gluey crossguard off against the table edge was good ........ NOPE ........ as I was banging it off the blade was progressively sawing through towel, tape, glove ....... well the flesh offered least resistence An hour of elevation and ice and the bleeding died down, sliced it well open on my left hand between thumb and index, I was worried that I might of sliced a tendon but all seemed ok, two months to heal up ......... my moral of the story ........ I needed a workbench, padded vice, and a light hammer ......... right tools for the right job, vigilance, and my workbench will ensure my back is to the doorway so my son doesnt come rushing in and impale himself on a vice bound longblade
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2009 16:11:37 GMT
I've cut myself a time or two, years ago- on a SLO for the love of Mary! Back then, I didn't have the respect or good sense to have even that when it came to swords. Having read others' horror stories were all I needed to wise up.
One particularly bad one I read about on SFI where a man, in the process of completing noto, managed to fully sheathe his blade in his leg instead of the scabbard. One moment of lost focus and he had a sword through the leg. Now, I didn't and still don't know this man personally but I did not get the impression that he was a novice. All that to say, it could happen to anyone...but less so if you're careful and aware. Happy cuts, everyone.
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SlayerofDarkness
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Post by SlayerofDarkness on Apr 9, 2009 17:12:10 GMT
Aren't you thinking of the arm? I certainly remember that, but it would be difficult to put a blade through your leg in noto... (at least, from what little I know. ) -Slayer
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2009 19:26:44 GMT
I'll have to get the full story from my sister so I can post it, but once-upon-at-time her boyfriend somehow managed to either slash his leg with his katana, or put it through his leg, (I think it was the latter, but I can't remember) then limped to the phone to call a friend to drive him to the emergency room. Good times.
I've had no injuries, but one very close call. Soon after I got my Windlass arming sword I somehow managed to get the quillion caught on the pocket of the pants I was wearing while following through from a swing. I'm not sure how the sword ended up that close to my body in the first place, but what happened was that the guard stayed in place but my hand kept moving downward, which made the blade swing upward edge-on into my left forearm with a decent bit of force. This is exactly why I decided to only buy blunt swords at first and not let myself get anything sharp until I'm more experienced with swinging these things around.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2009 23:41:50 GMT
The first real sword I got was a WWII Japanese government issue officer's Katana back in 1983 or close to it. (Still have it.) A friend had been teaching me sword forms, and I had a bokken and a suburito to practice with. A day or two after I got the Katana home, my friend was there, and I brought out the new sword to show off to my friend. He advised me I was NOT ready to do the forms with a live sword. I was bull-headed, and proceeded to go through the forms with a small group of friends present. All went well until I went to do that part of a form where you stab the imaginary guy sneaking up behind you. I was holding the scabbard in my off hand instead of wearing it or just putting it down, and it threw me off enough that the sword went through my jeans like wet paper, and struck my thigh. It only felt like a scratch, so I just shrugged, said Oops! and prepared to continue. My friend stopped me, and made me check it out, as he said it could be much worse than a scratch, and still not hurt much initially. When I did, I was horrified to find a shallow hole about an inch in diameter where the tip of the blade had filleted the skin off. The funny part was that it didn't bleed until after I looked at it, Kind of like the cartoon guy that walks off of a cliff but doesn't fall until he looks down. (I kidded my friend that if he hadn't made me look it wouldn't have bled.) Then it bled a lot. Later it hurt a lot. I should have had stitches, but I was a poor student then, and really broke after spending $250.00 for that Katana! It finally healed on its own with lots of large Band-Aids, and made walking hurt for a long time! We never did find the missing piece of skin. Lord knows, it could have been a far worse injury. Just a couple of months ago, when I had taken my two new United Cutlery Katanas home, I got a little cut from a small slip while wiping the grease off of the blades. Those swords came shaving sharp! When I am cutting, I use the same rules I would with guns, only 1 cutting, all others well behind the cutting/firing line, well out of range of the occasional sword stroke that comes around behind your back. I also have escaped terrible injuries one time when I was doing the final polish on the edge of a Bat'leth like weapon, when I inadvertently dug an edge into my cardboard wheel. The 3450RPM 1/3 HP motor driving the wheel yanked the blade from my hands, and tossed it 20ft into the air, and 30ft downrange. I was scared to death, and quickly counting all of my fingers to be sure they were there Nothing hurt except a sore thumb joint from the thumb getting bent the wrong direction as that blade was yanked away.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2009 14:56:41 GMT
I haven't cut myself on a sword yet. But then, I don't use swords the way I do knives.
Almost cut my dog with my CS Gim, though. I was out cutting water bottles in thebackyard. And, in the middle of a cut, my dog broke her sit-stay and wandered into my blood circle (old BSA thing). Tip of the Gim hits her in the shoulder at the very limit of the follow-through. Fortunately, the combination of when in my swing and the thickness of her coat saved her from a cut.
Now the dogs stay inside when I am outside cutting.
As for knives... Well, just keep them sharp and you'll dramatically decrease your chances of a cut. I have a tendency to abuse knives, so they abuse me back.
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