Not to be tooting my own horn here, but I think the solution to this is actually to make "padded wasters" like we are using here in New Orleans. These are the weapons made with the schedule 80 PVC and the hard 1/8" dense foam for the flats, making them very tight and flat with good edge geometry. They are basically between wasters and the more typical padded weapons in effect. At maximum force and speed, they do hurt a bit more than normal paddeds, but unlike wasters they do not seem to cause serious injuries, and are especially more safe for thrusting. Additionaly, made properly, they handle almost exactly like a good waster. I think those who have handled my weapons will testify to this.
I think they are ideal for doing more intense drills. I also personally use them for full force sparring as well but not everybody is comfortable with them for that, as they do hurt a lot more and will leave you with bruises and bumps. Definately wear a helmet! But I think this may actually prove out to be something like a new intermediate training weapon category.
Incidentally, I gave up on the idea of selling them, it's just not practical, but I have posted instructions on how to make them. It's frankly quite an investment in time and effort for something which will not last as long as a waster normally will (if only due to the inherent impermanence of duct tape) and certianly not a blunt, but I have found it an excellent training aid down here which vastly enhances my the quality of drill. We can go from drilling right into hard core sparring any time we want to, and right back again, and I think stepping through the barrier between formal drill and sparring helps make the process more natural and more instinctive, IMHO.
On the other hand I agree with some of the posters that highly experienced partners used to working with each other can achieve close to the same results with wasters or even blunts. I just prefer having the option open regardless of who I'm training with.
DB
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