possible crossover?

[Jaron Bernstein]

http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/alb ... knecht.htm

[Stacy Clifford]

Lutel has a couple of nice two-handed sabers too, and for a cheaper price:

http://www.lutel.cz/pgs.php?en=1&pg=kat&s=1

Not going to be quite the same quality as Albion, but I'm happy with the Lutel I have and I'd buy from them again.

[Jonathan Ellis]

that is one of the most intelligent responses I have ever heard. Not only did you not insult me but you took the time to explain what you were trying to say eloquently, but you also showed a neutral argument that pointed out what I've been looking for simply and straight to the point. As to the question of why I don't just learn kenjutsu, well first of all my research into it has been severely blocked by what seems to be snobbish secrecy; the other reason is that from what I have been able to glean from kenjutsu promoting web sites and programs the process appears to have more frills and less power than WMA swordsmanship. Not to mention the fact that ARMA has a commitment to spreading it openly to the public (that impressed me a great deal). Obviously not everything is there for people to take for free, but a significant amount of material exists for those seeking the truth on the knightly art of fencing.

Before you answer, let me just state that any sentence beginning with "I saw it on the History Channel/Discovery Channel/PBS/NBC/Nat Geo Channel/The Playboy Channel or The Violence Channel or anything ending with "Channel" or anything with "website" will not be taken seriously.

How hypocritical is this?! you take information from a website that you value but then turn around and tell me that televison programs (that even feature this organization) and other websites are worthless. You do not have the only truth when it comes to martial arts, or even swords, so do not act like it! If you want me to listen to you express yourself in a manner similar to Sam. That way I know you respect me as a fellow swordsman no matter how screwed up I may be.

[Michael Olsen]

Hello again!

I'm sorry if you perceived insult in my previous message - there was certainly no intent to attack, and Sam was correct concerning my analogy. I'm not going to reply to your last message to me because I don't think it would really go anywhere towards finding a solution for you - I thought your intention was somewhere else. So...

Let me ask some questions and make some assumptions to really try and get to the heart of this issue.

It seems like you are interested in finding a type of sword that one would consider best for fighting against an unarmored opponent. Is that correct?

Would this opponent also be armed? If so, with what?

Would this opponent also be trained to fight? If so, with what?

It seems apparent that the basic killing ability of a weapon is not what is most important to you, but rather the manner in which one kills. Is that correct?

If it is, it seems that you prefer a single severing strike instead of a blow that still kills, but isn't as impressive in its damage. Is that correct?

And it also seems that you prefer a sword (or weapon) that emphasizes cutting over thrusting, is that correct?

It seems that you want a sword that is longer than a single-handed sword, so that you may outdistance them, is that correct?

If so, what kind of single-handed sword? A gladius (30"), an arming sword (40"), or a rapier (up to 45"+)?

I hope this will lead to a better understanding of what you are looking for.

[Aaron Pynenberg]

Hello Jonathon, good day to you. I have been following this for awhile and I too now am a little confused, what is your question as it relates to crossing over of techniques....are you trying to say you want to adopt WMA longsword techniques to the Japanesse Katana?

If so, I must be honest and tell you that albiet your right to try, I find it a tad insulting...the Katana was not designed nor developed for those purposes, and I must say that I think it a total waste of time.

Having said that it is within your right to try it and report back to us on how it works--also having said that, you must first make sure you really understand WMA, as we practice them.

To help this quest I suggest you join ARMA, practice until you develop your skills to SFS level and then try applying the Katana. Only then will you have a solid understanding of the techniques to even be able to apply them-(I am not trying to be smart here, I am being serious).

I also think that this question is moot until you have practiced in WMA for a few years and have demonstrated that you are capable-otherwise any conjecture about whether or not you could apply the Katana is pointless...that's my view anyway...if that indeed is what you are trying to discuss here- Thanks, AP

[AlexCSmith]

Before you answer, let me just state that any sentence beginning with "I saw it on the History Channel/Discovery Channel/PBS/NBC/Nat Geo Channel/The Playboy Channel or The Violence Channel or anything ending with "Channel" or anything with "website" will not be taken seriously.

How hypocritical is this?! you take information from a website that you value but then turn around and tell me that televison programs (that even feature this organization) and other websites are worthless. You do not have the only truth when it comes to martial arts, or even swords, so do not act like it! If you want me to listen to you express yourself in a manner similar to Sam. That way I know you respect me as a fellow swordsman no matter how screwed up I may be.

It isn't hypocritical at all. It merely points out that if you don't have personal experience (training,research,etc) to back up your beliefs then you probably lack the perspective to judge whether what you are seeing on the TV or the Internet has any real value. I would argue that even a good show has little value compared to physical instruction.