Author Topic: anybody into kendo/katanas/swords in general? (Read 984 times)

spitfiremkv · « **on:** May 16, 2005, 06:58:07 PM »

Bought a bokken online,pretty cheap, even if it's just a wooden stick. Gonna see what I can do with it when it gets here, I was thinking about practicing some moves.
For a while I've been interested in fencing and kendo, this could be the first step of a new hobby.

Tumor · « **Reply #1 on:** May 16, 2005, 07:11:26 PM »

Be careful! You could put someones eye out with one of those things!!

Dune · « **Reply #2 on:** May 16, 2005, 10:13:37 PM »

Talk to Daff and Totentanz on the AGW forums. Both are heavy into martial arts and I believe Daff has studdied kendo.

CyranoAH · « **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2005, 03:04:14 AM »

I'm more into fencing myself. I trained for quite some time with sabre, but never made it to the nationals... required too much training and I didn't have the time.

I bought a couple of rapiers but never found one that was even close to the real thing. Too heavy, poorly balanced... I know there are sites where you can buy katanas that are as close to the real thing (with modern materials) as you can get, but I've never been able to find a rapier/dueling sword/sabre that had that level of authenticity.

Daniel

Schaden · « **Reply #4 on:** May 17, 2005, 06:40:48 AM »

You need to train at least 4 -5 hours a week for a year or two before you are proficient with a bo - sai's a pretty good too, I did a year of Kobujitsu after five years of Shukokai - eventually you burn out or at least 99% of people do - it's a very tough sport - if you can call it a sport.

Would like to get into Kendo but I'd have to get various knee's and tendons fixed first....

You can btw buy 17th and 18th century swords over here but you're talking 5-6 thousand dollars for something good.

Saintaw · « **Reply #5 on:** May 17, 2005, 06:42:53 AM »

I did two years of Kendo back when i was in Japan... after two years, we never used the bamboo stick you're supposd to train with... only used the heavy wooden sword to practice the moves with... takes more than a stick to do kendo, good luck

Nilsen · « **Reply #6 on:** May 17, 2005, 07:27:33 AM »

I have a bokken and a long stick. never used the bokken much, but i used to long stick for a few hours every week.

lazs2 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 17, 2005, 07:59:11 AM »

are they like those cricket padle things?

lazs

Masherbrum · « **Reply #8 on:** May 17, 2005, 08:00:07 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by GScholz
I don't know about kendo, but a buddy of mine just got back from two weeks in Scotland, and brought a claymore sword back.

"If it's not Scottish, it's CRAP!!!!"

Karaya

Suave · « **Reply #9 on:** May 17, 2005, 08:25:01 AM »

Some gangs in my neighborhood were trying to get me to join 'em because I'm pretty skilled with the bo staff.

lazs2 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 17, 2005, 08:33:39 AM »

all the gangs around here wear dresses and sandals and carry wooden swords and cricket paddles.

lazs

Torque · « **Reply #11 on:** May 17, 2005, 11:36:52 AM »

went to the scottish highland games last year, freak'n boring but...

wrag · « **Reply #12 on:** May 17, 2005, 12:39:50 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by CyranoAH
I'm more into fencing myself. I trained for quite some time with sabre, but never made it to the nationals... required too much training and I didn't have the time.

I bought a couple of rapiers but never found one that was even close to the real thing. Too heavy, poorly balanced... I know there are sites where you can buy katanas that are as close to the real thing (with modern materials) as you can get, but I've never been able to find a rapier/dueling sword/sabre that had that level of authenticity.

Daniel

You try here?

http://www.museumreplicas.com/webstore/homepage.asp

A note regarding swords vs practice/fencing equipment.

The real thing is often heavier and has a different balance.

Never much cared for the foil. Hated the way they could interpose and arm to avoid the touch. Epee weeelllll .. wasn't TOO bad with it. I prefered the saber. BUT fencing can be very expensive.

JB73 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 17, 2005, 12:53:01 PM »

http://www.drakeshangout.com/gallery/albums/videos/commercials/files/katanaslip.wmv

wrag · « **Reply #14 on:** May 17, 2005, 01:00:39 PM »

Kendo equipment is somewhat different and can be very expensive. Try here..

http://www.e-bogu.com/

The Bokken is more for self training all alone type practice. Not that a bokken isn't used 1 v 1 but they tend to splinter and or break after prolonged use. And can be very dangerous to participants and bystanders when this happens! If you use it for 1 v 1 be prepared to replace it often. And if you ever get hit with one (which should NOT happen if you're doing it properly) you may choose to avoid future 1 v 1 practice with bokkens.

NOTE: Some will practice with a bokkens for live blade demo's!

If you wish further info on bokkens I have a pretty good listing. Prices range from a few dollars to way up there! The cheaper ones are usually of the more brittle types of wood. The materials used in bokken constructuion vary widely. Many that have invested in the higher priced bokken (over $100) would NEVER use them in a 1 v 1.

Strength training can be done with the Suburito. Although some use this exclusively over a standard Bokken.

NOTE: AVOID any sword called stainless steel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The chromium makes them TOO BRITTLE for actual use!!!!

They will crack and break!!!

You could find your own blade has become very harmful shrapnel.