test cutting material

[Steven Blakely]

I was wondering what materials besides tatami mats could be used?
anybody had any good results with other materials?

[Stacy Clifford]

These worked really well for us:

http://www.armanorthhouston.org/testcutting0307.htm

These paper targets were made by taking ¾ inch Zurn Pex plastic, and wrapping newspaper around it to a thickness of 1 to 1-1/2 inches. The newspaper can be printed, or unprinted. The paper was secured to itself, and to the pipe above & below it by wrapping with duct tape. These pipe/paper targets then need to be soaked in water for 24 hours to firm up. The source for this idea is in Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Art of the Longsword, by David lindholm and Peter Svard in the chapter entitled, "Test-Cutting", page 225.

[Shane Smith]

Heavy walled cardboard tubes are okay...a bit scratchy though.