Where To Get Wasters

[John_Clements]

We do have some coupons for member discounts with them.
Guys, do your new ones feel heavier than the light one I brought with me out there a few weeks back???

JC

[Jamie Fellrath]

Stew -

Did you buy their "Perfect Waster" or one of the normal ones? There's about a $20 difference and what can I say, I'm thrifty. My wife got the Perfect Waster and I was wondering how it compared to the regular thing.

[John_Clements]

Ok, the one I had at the Gatheirng was rediculously light we all agreed (heck, the thing was actually able to be flexed by hand). The second one I got from NSA was much improved and more robust. Very nice. I brought that one with me to Provo last month. Did you see it? That's my question. Are the ones you have now heavier than that one or the same? (as Kim, she used it). Becuase I consider it suitable only to novices and students more comfortable with a lighter waster. I've weighed it and it's half what the WW or HE ones are. It's very well made and sturdy, but will get knocked around easily by a more robust waster.

JC

[Guest]

John--

If I held the New Sterling Arms Waster that you brought to Provo, I do not remember (sorry!), but the New Sterling Arms wasters that we recieved are actually heavier than our other wasters, but they feel like they are lighter (almost like they weigh nothing) because they are balanced so well...so I would guess that these newer wasters are heavier than the one that you brought.

Also, I was impressed with the construction of the cross, hilt and pommel of these wasters. it looks like they went out of their way to make them feel better in the hand, last longer, and perform more like a real sword (i.e. there are pegs through the sandwiched hilt [am I making sense?] and you can realistically finger the ricasso.). Like I said in my other post, after handling them for under a minute I suddenly felt an intense brand loyalty...their 'perfect' wasters are indeed 'perfect' in my eyes...Now all that is left is to see if these withstand the test of time and intense use...

[John_Clements]

Arrrg, yeah, that's right. My faulty memory again. Sorr for the confusion.
Ok, here's a pic of the one I mean. I posted about it once before.
Is this what you guys have now?

[Shane Smith]

That is a pretty thing! <img src="/forum/images/icons/blush.gif" alt="" /> I don't know how it handles but the slim handle and crossguard are up my alley for certain <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

[GaryGrzybek]

I'm concidering ordering one of their claymore's which seems more like a great sword. I really love the design and I imagine it will handle very well.

Any chance for a discount cupon? <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

[leam hall]

Okay, so maybe a dumb question. What all are wasters used for?

Obviously they look cool and you practice techinque solo. how does one wear out? I keep seeing photos of training where people have wasters but I'm thinking it isn't full speed, is it? If so why do we have the padded versions?

[Brian Hunt]

Hi Leam,

the wasters are what you use to learn your techniques, they are not just used in solo exercises, they are used against someone else to practice your techniques through the use of drills, etc. They will get beaten up, battered, and can sometimes be broken. The only way to learn martial arts is to actually learn to apply the techniques with intent, speed, and power, but never to the point that control goes out the window. A waster can give you a pretty nasty konk if you are not careful. They are also frequently used for controlled free play. The padded weapons are used so you can hit harder during sparing, without worring about taking your partner's head off. Although they can still land with a lot of authority. <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

I hope this quick answer helps.

Brian Hunt
GFS

[Matthew_Anderson]

Leam,

We train in a very spirited way with wasters, performing techniques at or near full speed in partner drills and even do controlled sparring with them so they can take quite a beating over time. Generally, it's a slow degradation of the edges, possibly some minor splintering, and occasioanlly a catastrophic failure such as a big crack or split. Regular sanding and oiling will tend to extend the life of wasters as will avoiding any metal contact. I chewed up a couple of wasters really fast doing sword and buckler with steel bucklers (dumb!). The ARMA approach utilizes a four weapon approach: Sharp steel for cutting practice, blunt steel for excercises, drilling and very light contact sparring, wasters for drilling and controlled sparring, and padded weapons for full contact, full speed sparring. All four tools have their strengths and weaknesses, but together, they make for a well rounded, holistic training program.

[leam hall]

"The only way to learn martial arts is to actually learn to apply the techniques with intent, speed, and power, but never to the point that control goes out the window."

"All four tools have their strengths and weaknesses, but together, they make for a well rounded, holistic training program."

Hehe, GaryG has given me an open invite and I hope to get a full and complete introduction to the various effects of different weapon types. <img src="/forum/images/icons/tongue.gif" alt="" />

After reading John's "How to chose a sword" essay I realize I really don't know enough to actually choose the type of play I really want. Longsword is a good start to get involved and get the basics but there are so many cool options it's difficult not filling the back room with different types of wasters and bucklers and blunts and ......

*sigh* If skill advanced as quickly as desire I'd be doing great.

Back to the original question, has anyone thought of doing an "ARMA supporting Vendors" link? For example, the Wooden Weapons discount page, or NSA's ARMA approved stuff when it is public? Not just weapons, but vendors who have worked out deals for ARMA members and whose merchandise has been inspected and verified as meeting what they advertise? To me if a vendor says their swords are cast and not really for sharp tests then that's fine. Its the ones that don't say, or that say something else that get the experimental business over and over.