|
Post by LG Martial Arts on Mar 11, 2016 1:15:15 GMT
From my communications in the past with Jeffrey Ching, he's been very straightforward and honest. Now in respect to the CAS/Kaneie fallout, all I can say is that I sold several of them on sale when CAS broke ties with Kaneie. The fit and finish on the swords were great, much better than most other "production" katanas I've held, used, or sold, and was saddened when I heard of the split between the companies. In any case, Jeffrey has a solid reputation, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend anyone to buy from him.
|
|
|
Post by LG Martial Arts on Mar 8, 2016 23:53:09 GMT
I've had a couple of my Hinderer knives coated in DLC, and they've held up very well over the past couple years - nary a wear mark on them. Thomas Rice of Born In Fire Knives has all of his blades Cerakoted. I'm supposed to receive one of his "Fat Bastard" knives in Armor Kote black in a couple of weeks, should be interesting to see any performance difference between Cerakote and DLC. I'll report back when I run some tests. In the meanwhile, you can check out Thomas's work, and contact him regarding the longevity of the Cerakote on his knives, which are marketed as extreme duty fixed blade knives for professionals. You can check out his stuff (and contact info) here www.borneinfire.com/index.htmlYou can also find his business on Facebook.
|
|
|
Post by LG Martial Arts on Mar 5, 2016 1:25:09 GMT
|
|
|
Post by LG Martial Arts on Feb 28, 2016 0:06:55 GMT
Thanks for sharing. We also do tachi uchi no kurai along with kata at my dojo.
|
|
|
Post by LG Martial Arts on Feb 14, 2016 16:05:54 GMT
looks like they changed things around a little since I last visited the site... I guess you now have to go to your respective MA and make a "searching for" post.
|
|
|
Post by LG Martial Arts on Feb 13, 2016 18:40:13 GMT
unfortunately, there are TONS of McDojos everywhere... people can take a few classes, then change things up a little, and make up a new "art", calling themselves "Master". It's unfortunate, but happens too often. Hope you find a good dojo. BTW, have you tried searching on E-Budo? They have a pretty good dojo list by geographical area...
|
|
|
Post by LG Martial Arts on Feb 12, 2016 0:58:36 GMT
Robert, Medfords are really nice knives. PM me when you get a chance.
|
|
|
Post by LG Martial Arts on Feb 11, 2016 1:12:11 GMT
I started like most kids in the US with TKD when I was around 12... didn't last long. Skip ahead a few years, and I again took up TKD, but at a different dojo and a different instructor. Both my younger brother and I took TKD for about a year (I was 18 at the time), and then saw that the dojo also offered Tomiki Ryu Aikido, so I decided to try it out. Needless to say, I became enamored by Aikido and quit TKD - my brother just decided martial arts just weren't for him While studying Aikido, I also started training in Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo. I eventually received my Shodan in Aikido back in the 90's, and was one test away from Shodan in Jodo, but had to leave Texas to go to college. Unfortunately, there were NO Aikido dojos in Western MA when I was there, so had to go without JMA training for a couple years. After graduating from UMass-Amherst with a BA in Medieval Lit., I moved back to TX and became a high school English teacher... skip ahead a few years and I found out there was an Iaido dojo that had recently opened in the town next over to where I live. As a life long lover of knives/swords/martial arts, I immediately researched the dojo and joined several weeks later. Best decision I could have made, since Iaido became my newest passion, leading me deeper into the Samurai culture and traditions, seeing as the dojo was (and is) owned by Kunio Miyake (Shuko Kai International), who moved from Japan to the US. As it stands, I'm the highest ranked Iaidoka student at his Hombu dojo, although he does have higher ranked students in California. Eishin Ryu Iaido, Kempo Aikijujitsu, and Karate-do are all offered by Shihan Miyake, and I decided to try all three, plus work, and my online business, and my family on top of that. In case you're thinking "man, he's NUTS!", it dawned on me that it was too much to do, so I dropped Aikijujitsu and Karate, sticking to Iaido. I'm close to being proficient enough to test for Nidan, but will take my time before going ahead with the test. Over a decade later, I started taking up Aikido again with the same owner of the dojo I had gotten my Shodan in, but at a different location. Great news was that Dr. Clif Norgaard was a regular guest instructor, which was fantastic! His technical knowledge is second to none, having earned his 9th degree in Aikido while he was training us. He's no longer teaching, but my sensei visits with him regularly. I recently tested and earned Nidan in Aikido (back in October). I've never had to use any of my training, and don't intend to outside of the dojo, but feel confident enough that I can take care of myself/others if I have to. My plans are to open up my own dojo at some point, but that'll come in its own time. For now, I'm content to train when I can in the arts I can.
|
|
|
Post by LG Martial Arts on Feb 10, 2016 19:42:24 GMT
I asked one one of the sellers where the blade was made/sourced, and he said they were made in Pakistan. Sorry, but I've had too many problems/seen others not get what was promised by Pakistani dealers, so I'm passing on these. Below's a copy of my questions and the seller's response
|
|
|
Post by LG Martial Arts on Feb 10, 2016 1:29:26 GMT
Strange though how low the prices are for something being shipped from San Antonio... I sent a message to the seller asking about the forge and assurances about the D2 steel. They do look nice, but the pricing is what's throwing me off.
|
|
|
Post by LG Martial Arts on Feb 6, 2016 17:55:54 GMT
Basically, it's going to come down to how physical you're going to get with your training. Since you mentioned both BJJ and Aikido, I'd recommend a heavier gi, since you're going to be going lots of take downs/ground work (BJJ), and throws, which will quickly tear up a single weave gi pretty fast. Like mentioned before though, heavier can be cumbersome and HOT, so you need to balance that out with the durability. In any case, good luck with finding something that will complement your training.
|
|
|
SNOW
Jan 25, 2016 0:02:31 GMT
Post by LG Martial Arts on Jan 25, 2016 0:02:31 GMT
Stuttgart, Germany: Got about 6 inches last week. It has all just about melted. Snow is fine as long as you don't have to go anywhere. Trying to convince my wife to move to the Southern US but not too far south when I retire. Think she will want to go back to WV or KY...... yeah, you don't want to go too far South... basically have 2 types of weather in Deep South Texas, Hot and HOTTER. It was a balmy 84 Fahrenheit, expecting around the same for the next few days at least.
|
|
|
New guy
Jan 17, 2016 22:39:06 GMT
via mobile
Post by LG Martial Arts on Jan 17, 2016 22:39:06 GMT
Hello, and welcome to SBG!
|
|
|
Post by LG Martial Arts on Jan 15, 2016 15:28:35 GMT
I completely agree with BB... I'd never heard of that site until you posted a link to it. Looks like it's meant to wring $ out of businesses like BB mentioned. Keep up the good work Paul.
|
|
|
Post by LG Martial Arts on Jan 14, 2016 1:50:21 GMT
Whichever route you decide to take with the sword you buy, remember that there are great customizers here on the forum (and online like Fred Lohman, etc) who could redo the tsuka to your liking. That's what I did with my Munetoshi Tessen katana - I HATED the green saya, ito, and sageo it came with (loved the blade though - still one of my favorites), having the rest customized by Fred Lohman with real Japanese silk ito and sageo, plus solid silver crane menuki... I redid the saya myself, sanding and inlaying rattan on the upper third, then painting it with black lacquer. You can see my review of the sword here: Munetoshi Tessen ReviewThis was my 1st review on SBG, although I had been lurking in the shadows for years before I don't want to derail your thread, so please delete if you think this doesn't help.
|
|
|
Post by LG Martial Arts on Jan 13, 2016 0:28:01 GMT
Over the years, johnwalter has made many cutting/testing vids, including some with the Raptor series katanas... you can check them out here: John Walter Raptor Cutting VidsIf you have any other questions, you can always PM me as well. Good luck finding the sword that fits you best.
|
|
|
Post by LG Martial Arts on Jan 11, 2016 1:09:08 GMT
Very cool BB... hope you'll be happy in your new home/shop... can't wait to see what you'll cook up now that you'll have your own place! And very cool that you now have space to host parties, do some shooting.
|
|
|
Post by LG Martial Arts on Jan 3, 2016 0:20:50 GMT
Nice review Adrian Jordan... have you ever thought of adding a zip tie to the hole to make it kind of like a poor man's "Emerson wave"? Some people also mod their Spydies by using a Dremmel on the Spydie hole, also making it into a modified wave (what I've read/heard, Emerson doesn't mind that you do it to your own knives as long as you don't do it for a profit). Pics below are NOT mine, found them on the inbterwebs - and at least one is obviously NOT a Para Military 2 A couple of Zip Ties Spide hole cut out Meat from spine removed - Spydiehole still intact
|
|
|
Post by LG Martial Arts on Jan 2, 2016 23:32:11 GMT
I saw this earlier on my FB feed, decided to share it on the SBG FB page and here as well... hope you enjoy it, looks like a fun and easy piece to make. The guy making the karambit has really great grinder control, don't think I'd do as well.
|
|
|
Post by LG Martial Arts on Jan 1, 2016 22:24:35 GMT
Nice job @findlithui! Can't wait to see the final result!
|
|