Cheapest useful for training sword type object to *buy*?

[Jonathan_Kaplan]

Hi, I'm not very crafty, and I was looking at the padded practice sword, which seems drastically different than boffers I find on other webpages. is anyone making those to sell at a webpage? How much would it cost? Are there any other low price things that I can get to swing around and get a feel for how to hold a sword and the weight and handling of it? Thanks! What is the lowest price thing that has some training utility without sucking?

[Alan Abu Bakr]

I have asked much the same, some time ago.
Not just because I'm lazy, but also because I can't properly understand the instructions on the ARMA homepage.

Anyway, from those answers, I can tell you that this sword (though no other weapons on that site, as they are boffers) is supposed to be good, as well as the weapons from Realistic Sparring Weapons, though they don't pad the pommel, as default.
A shinai would probably be cheaper, but the general consensus on this forum, is apparently that they suck (too light, no proper balance and no "edges" or flats and creates bad habits) and I can't find a reason to disagree.

I've made an order to RSW, adding that they pad the pommels.
RSW have quite a nice range of weapons. Not just European ones.
I just had to add a Katana to my order
(the Chinese weapons are tempting too ...not to mention that I'd like to custom order a pair of katars)

[Jonathan_Kaplan]

I thought I saw some of the plastic swords for cheaper than $65? Does anyone know? Thanks!

[Axel Pettersson]

Alan,

a member in GHFS is making prototype wasters based on the nylon wasters we bought from spain, they will probably be quite cheap (he works as a carpenter/handyman at a theater over here and gets his material for free).

With the nylon/plastics, you can go at it pretty much full sped without more protection gear than fencing helmet, throat protection and decent gloces (we use lacrosse), in other words they are quite safe.

Are you attending the Swordfish WMA event? If so, are you bringing your RSW weapons? I would love to try them out.

[Jay Vail]

I have asked much the same, some time ago.
Not just because I'm lazy, but also because I can't properly understand the instructions on the ARMA homepage.

Anyway, from those answers, I can tell you that this sword (though no other weapons on that site, as they are boffers) is supposed to be good, as well as the weapons from Realistic Sparring Weapons, though they don't pad the pommel, as default.
A shinai would probably be cheaper, but the general consensus on this forum, is apparently that they suck (too light, no proper balance and no "edges" or flats and creates bad habits) and I can't find a reason to disagree.

I've made an order to RSW, adding that they pad the pommels.
RSW have quite a nice range of weapons. Not just European ones.
I just had to add a Katana to my order
(the Chinese weapons are tempting too ...not to mention that I'd like to custom order a pair of katars)

I handled an RSW weapon at the 07 IG. It was nice.

Jeanry Chandler can sometimes be persuaded to make a padded sword. They're good. I have two that have held up for several years.

[Alan Abu Bakr]

Are you attending the Swordfish WMA event?

Indeed I am : )

If so, are you bringing your RSW weapons? I would love to try them out.

Alas, that will, most probably, be impossible.
I doubt that I will have them by then.
Well, if all the weapons are ready to be shipped, and the shipping only takes a week, sure, but I'm not counting on it.
It would be nice though.

P.S. Alas... I like that word D.S.

P.P.S. As for plastic wasters, for full contact sparring... I am doubtfull about it and I am reserving judgement on the issue. D.S.

[carlo arellano]

P.P.S. As for plastic wasters, for full contact sparring... I am doubtfull about it and I am reserving judgement on the issue. D.S.

nylon waters for full contact? why not?! Just put on your gambeson

[Alan Abu Bakr]

nylon waters for full contact? why not?! Just put on your gambeson

With full speed and power?
There will probably be some plastic wasters at Swordfish, so I might be able investigate the matter. (well, otherwise I do intend to get some myself. I went with wood first, as it is better to use wood, against wood)