First waster - wood or plastic?

[Michael Moulton]

I'm going to buy a waster and I need to make a decision on wood or plastic. I've read a lot here about both and I'm down to either the New Stirling Perfect hand and a half or the With Intent longsword with round pommel. Weights are similar, lengths are similar, I just don't know which is the "better" first choice.

Any suggestions?

[Brian Hunt]

Both are very nice wasters. One factor that may help you decide is to remember that it is a good idea to use plastic with plastic and wood with wood. If your training group mostly has wood wasters, then I would make my first waster wood and then get a second waster out of plastic later on so your training options won't be limeted by who else has a plastic waster.

hope this helps.

Brian Hunt
GFS

[Alan Abu Bakr]

If your training group mostly has wood wasters, then I would make my first waster wood and then get a second waster out of plastic later on so your training options won't be limeted by who else has a plastic waster.

Agreed. That's what I've done myself.
Although plastic does seem better, it is best to use wood against wood, and my group mostly uses wood.
BTW how good are your plastics and WI wasters in terms of correct weight and balance?

[Will Adamson]

I've been telling the potential recruits around here to get plastic if they are only going to get one. It's safer for freeplay, and isn't as likely to break.

Personally, when I'm doing solo training (especially on the pell) I prefer my wood waster. There also seems to be something very satisfying about a stout bit of wood. But then, we're not trying to replicate a piece of wood.

[Jim Churches]

I'm going to agree with Will and Brian on this one. Both types certainly have their advantages. The plastic wasters tend to 'bounce' a little on hard contact, but when working moves from the bind, they behave much more like steel, due to the smooth surface. And wood certainly gives a slightly more satisfying thump to the pell. Less severe (potential) accidental injuries, coupled with exceptional durability tilt the scales for me towards the plastics. Plus, they come in so many varieties! Our group uses both, in addition to blunts and paddeds, as well as sharps for the occasional test cutting session. It is important to use all of the tools at our disposal and use each one in their respective light to maximize the training experience.

As an aside, With Intent and NSW are both good and reputable people to do business with, in my experience. Hope this helps.

[Michael Moulton]

Thanks for all the insights everybody. Since I'm in Virginia Beach, sounds like a question to ask Shane when I get in touch with him. Seems pretty certain that eventually I'll end up with both, though.

[Rod-Thornton]

Hello Michael:

We here in Virginia Beach all have both. While we like wood better for such things as drills, exercises, and study, we now use the plastic almost exclusively for free-play and sparring since it seems to hit less harder than wood, but with more realism and play than the padded weapons we have. So, you really could not go wrong with either, but wood is probably going to serve you better when we go to it at the pell and during drills & exercises.

For free-play and sparring, there are padded weapons and enough loaner equipment in plastic wasters to allow you to fight.

You can always acquire a plastic one later on, after you train a while....that seems to be what we have all done.

Thanks for all the insights everybody. Since I'm in Virginia Beach, sounds like a question to ask Shane when I get in touch with him. Seems pretty certain that eventually I'll end up with both, though.

[Michael Moulton]

Hello Michael:

We here in Virginia Beach all have both. While we like wood better for such things as drills, exercises, and study, we now use the plastic almost exclusively for free-play and sparring since it seems to hit less harder than wood, but with more realism and play than the padded weapons we have. So, you really could not go wrong with either, but wood is probably going to serve you better when we go to it at the pell and during drills & exercises.

For free-play and sparring, there are padded weapons and enough loaner equipment in plastic wasters to allow you to fight.

You can always acquire a plastic one later on, after you train a while....that seems to be what we have all done.

Thanks Rod. I found an old post from Shane that said something similar, and so I ordered a wooden one from NSA. I think eventually I'll end up with both eventually, but wood seems like a better place to start and the cost was a little lower, so that's what I went with for now.