practice swords

[lonecoyote]

Where might I get some practice swords? What are the best kinds and how much do you usually pay for them? What about grinder dulling some cheap machetes?

[JohnJ]

Grinding some cheap machetes is certainly an option but would limit you in terms of sword techniques because the machete is more of a hacking designed instrument.

Bob Burgee's Edges2 training swords are very good quality. They went up only a lil' in price. I got my Zanzibar sword for $55 about 10 years ago and they are now $85 but worth it. Check out www.edges2.com (http://www.edges2.com) for products. You can make contact with them and they hold up well.

Other makers like Kris Cutlery offer good quality. However, I do not think they are meant for contact training.

John G. Jacobo
www.swacom.com (http://www.swacom.com)

[lonecoyote]

That's good information. Thank you, sir, I appreciate it.

[arnisador]

I need to get some wooden bolos as training tools for my son and me. I've been saying that for a while now, though, and I never seem to get around to doing it! If they were in front of me in a store I'd probably just do it. As it is I use a wooden Tai Chi sword or a metal samurai sword (no edge) when I demo something, and neither of those is right for a Filipino system. I do have a couple of live FMA blades, but nothing for practice.

[Sheldon Bedell]

I also would like to know if there is a place to but wooden swords that resemble the Filipino weapons.
I have tried a wooden Chinese sword but as arnisador said it just dose not feel correct.
I also tried to make a few out of lumber but they are clumsy (me not being a true craftsman in wood work)

[Buwaya]

Kris Cutlery sells wooden pinuti's. They're about six inches smaller than I'd like, but otherwise they're perfect.

[Buwaya]

http://www.kriscutlery.com/other/index_woodbolo.html
They go for US$19.

[Brian R. VanCise]

Yes, Kris Cutlery's wooden bolos are great I have a dozen or
so of them. I like there feel in my hands and there length as well.
Grab a few of those and you will probably enjoy them.

Brian R. VanCise
www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com (http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com)

[arnisador]

That's a great price! The shipping seems a bit expensive though.

[Sheldon Bedell]

Thanks for that link I'll most likely pick up a few

Anyone else ever trierd to make their own wooden swords If so out of what type of wood and how did it go

[ap Oweyn]

http://www.takknife.com/

[Brian R. VanCise]

While I have not worked with the TAK trainers, I have had several friends
mention that they are excellent and that they have enjoyed training
with them. I am curious about the TAK sticks, I will have to pick up a
pair for some testing.

Brian R. VanCise
www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com (http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com)

[ap Oweyn]

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts if you take them for a test drive.

Cheers.

Stuart

[Brian R. VanCise]

Hey Stuart,

I will try and pick up a pair over the Holiday's and give a
review here of how well they hold up and how well they
perform to my personal tastes.

Brian R. VanCise
www.insitnctiveresponsetraining.com (http://www.insitnctiveresponsetraining.com)

[ap Oweyn]

Great! Look forward to reading it. Cheers!

[Brian R. VanCise]

I should have a pair in a couple of day's. Then the
testing begins. I will let all of you know of my findings
then.

Brian R. VanCise
www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com (http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com)

[Sheldon Bedell]

I'll be interested to hear your thughts on them

[Brian R. VanCise]

Well I received my Tak 26" bodyguard sticks today and I must
say that I am impressed. First off, everyone that knows me
knows that I love rattan for partner training and kamagong for
individual training. In the past I have owned several varieties
of synthetic sticks and really not one of them met up to my
standards. The Tak sticks were simply awesome in feel and similarity
in vibrational standards to rattan. The weight felt right and
when hitting something the sticks absorbed the right amount of
the vibration so that it was comparable to rattan. Here is the
real upside, I smacked, banged them against a tire, heavybag,
together, rattan, floor and guess what not a dent, ding or
scrape. Nothing, these things feel like they are going to last
for a long, long, long time. These are great synthetic sticks
that really in my opinion are better than any I have tried
before.

Brian R. VanCise
www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com (http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com)

[kroh]

Sounds like these things can really take a beating. They look like they are kind of rubbery. Do they have the rigitity of rattan as well? I would hate to pick up a pair of these and have them flopping all over the place.

Regards,
Walt

[Brian R. VanCise]

No they are not flimsy, nor will the flop around. They are
made out of some type of synthetic plastic like substance.
They are just the right weight and size and feel similar to
rattan. The only drawback is they are a little slick but If
you wear baseball gloves or tape them with cloth hockey
tape they work great. I like them alot and have practiced
with them quite a bit. However, it is hard to improve on
the origional. (rattan) If you want a pair of sticks that
will not splinter and will last a long, long time then these
are for you.

Brian R. VanCise
www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com (http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com)

[kroh]

Thanks for the input...I look forward to getting a pairand trying em out ...
Regards,
Walt

[arnisador]

http://www.kriscutlery.com/other/index_woodbolo.html
They go for US$19.

My wife ordered me two of these for Christr\mas. (They only sent one--apparently "Kris" herself called my wife to apologize! My wife felt they handled it very professionally. Number two is on the way, we're told.) I really like it. It's got a nice feel and a nice weight. Of course it's not built for heavy banging, but I like the feel of it. It brings out my sword-like movements better than a cane does and I'm glad I have it.

But, now I want a larger (wooden) sword. This one is good but I need a bigger one for comparison purposes!

[Alakd'an]

We have an Instructor at Alakd'an Modern Arnis Club who machines our training swords and knives/daggers out of oak, maple and aluminum. Check out our web site at www.alakdanarnisador.com (http://www.alakdanarnisador.com) for photos. We can create any style of bolo in wood or aluminum. You may contact "Buzz" Harrison directly 810-656-5814.

[Brian R. VanCise]

The feel of the KrisCutlery bolo's is great! I use them for
a lot of different drills. I also like to use aluminum trainers
as well as the real thing. Nothing beats training with
different tools, different sizes, different types of wood,
metal, synthetic etc. If one trains like this then it does
not matter what you pick up you will adapt to using it.

Brian R. VanCise
www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com (http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com)

[James Miller]

Datu Hartman just got some new training blades in over the weekend. For those interested in getting some contact him at admin@horizonma.com

:bow:

[Brian R. VanCise]

James,

Those are some good looking aluminum trainers!

Brian R. VanCise
www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com (http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com)

[James Miller]

Mr Hartman has them made in Canada. There are plans for more designs in the near future.

[Balintawak]

James,

Those are some good looking aluminum trainers!

Brian R. VanCise
www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com (http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com)

Brian,

The Journeyman who did the finish work on the two aluminum trainers I have that you have seen makes these. He is the Nephew of the guy I was telling you about. I like Jason Arnold's Work, which you can see in the picture.

[Datu Tim Hartman]

Yup,

Jason does great work!

[Enoch]

Hello All,

I can highly recommend the blades from Alkadan Arnis. They are beautifully done & hold up great to hard hitting.

Peace

[Bill Bednarick]

Brian,
How are the trainers I made holding up for you? I'm going to be building some more when the weather warms up.

[Brian R. VanCise]

Hey Bill,

These trainers are great! Definately some of the best that
I have handled. Hopefully you will open up a store soon so
that everyone can get some.

Brian R. VanCise
www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com (http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com)

[arnisador]

Accidents related to the Japanese and Korean sword arts:
http://www.tsuki-kage.com/darwin.html

[Douglas]

Obviously the rattan baston is the original practice sword. :) However, with a blade, the edge orientation is critical, and a trainer with realistic blade profile is a plus.

Oak is usually the wood that is used, although hickory and ash tend to take more punishment before they crack. My $.02...

[408kali]

We have an Instructor at Alakd'an Modern Arnis Club who machines our training swords and knives/daggers out of oak, maple and aluminum. Check out our web site at www.alakdanarnisador.com (http://www.alakdanarnisador.com) for photos. We can create any style of bolo in wood or aluminum. You may contact "Buzz" Harrison directly 810-656-5814.

Looked for this group on the net and couldn't find anything. The link is invalid.

I'm very interested in checking out what these folks have available.

I'll call as a last resort!

~John

[arnisador]

I can't get the link to work either!

[408kali]

Oh btw here are a few links I've posted elsewhere. These sites carry practice swords: www.bloodsport.com, and www.kaligear.com ...

Hope this helps,

~John

[408kali]

I've tried cloth hockey tape and its sticky, as in the sticky stuff gets on your hand and stick. I recently tried some matte tape for picture frames/crafts and it works GREAT.
I used it on a homemade Sjambok I made and fashioned a worthy handle.
I'm going to use it on one of my little rattan sticks to replace the old handle.
If I can I'll post some pics of the tape I'm talking about, and provide more info (I jacked the tape from my wife's craft table hehehehe).


No they are not flimsy, nor will the flop around. They are
made out of some type of synthetic plastic like substance.
They are just the right weight and size and feel similar to
rattan. The only drawback is they are a little slick but If
you wear baseball gloves or tape them with cloth hockey
tape they work great. I like them alot and have practiced
with them quite a bit. However, it is hard to improve on
the origional. (rattan) If you want a pair of sticks that
will not splinter and will last a long, long time then these
are for you.

Brian R. VanCise
www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com (http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com)

[ap Oweyn]

Well I received my Tak 26" bodyguard sticks today and I must
say that I am impressed. First off, everyone that knows me
knows that I love rattan for partner training and kamagong for
individual training. In the past I have owned several varieties
of synthetic sticks and really not one of them met up to my
standards. The Tak sticks were simply awesome in feel and similarity
in vibrational standards to rattan. The weight felt right and
when hitting something the sticks absorbed the right amount of
the vibration so that it was comparable to rattan. Here is the
real upside, I smacked, banged them against a tire, heavybag,
together, rattan, floor and guess what not a dent, ding or
scrape. Nothing, these things feel like they are going to last
for a long, long, long time. These are great synthetic sticks
that really in my opinion are better than any I have tried
before.

Brian R. VanCise
www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com (http://www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com)
Wow. I forgot about this thread entirely for, what, two years?! Shameful! :)

In any event, I'm glad you liked the TAKKnife sticks. I've been really pleased with the knife I got there as well. And I'm seriously considering getting the Equalizer. (It's the practice sword patterned after a Filipino design.) He's also got some practice barong available (on a limited basis). Seriously thinking about picking one of them up as well.

If I were a rich man...

[Bill Bednarick]

I just made these up and am putting a them in the Ad forum.
http://www.combativecustoms.com/web_pics/moroland1.jpg

[Silence_sucks]

Question, when buying aluminum sheets for making the trainers approximately how much does it end up costing? I'm still looking at making some up for myself but finding a decent place for buying the materials is a nightmare. Now i am wondering if when i finally get around to making them if it will be more worth it to knock up a few more and sell them to people at my class...

[Brian R. VanCise]

I've tried cloth hockey tape and its sticky, as in the sticky stuff gets on your hand and stick. I recently tried some matte tape for picture frames/crafts and it works GREAT.
I used it on a homemade Sjambok I made and fashioned a worthy handle.
I'm going to use it on one of my little rattan sticks to replace the old handle.
If I can I'll post some pics of the tape I'm talking about, and provide more info (I jacked the tape from my wife's craft table hehehehe).

There only sticky for awhile. After that it smooths out and is the best type of tape you can use. (I have been using this tape for over fifteen years and it certainly beats, electrical tape, duct tape, etc. hands down)
The best thing about cloth hockey tape is that it absorbs moisture and does not slip. http://www.fmatalk.com/images/icons/icon14.gif

[Cuts and Bruises]

Question, when buying aluminum sheets for making the trainers approximately how much does it end up costing?
Did you find a source for our aluminum?

It's pretty expensive right now, the 6061 T6 alloy that I use for my aluminum trainers is running at nearly $19.00 (US) a square foot!

It might be a good idea to have your class mates all chip in and have you make them for them, keeping a couple for your time and trouble of course...

[Guro Marc]

First get a good piece of a hard wood semi flexible like mahogany. A good wooden sword can be made with a sword for pattern, drawn on the wood with marker, cut out with saber saw, edges planed down with a door plane, and rounded with a 4 in 1 wrasp. Sand, with the grain 1st with 80 grit then 100, last with 120 grit. Varnish with a foam brush, put on three coats. I have made them for my sons, presents for friends and for me to practice with. If you are really cheap or just do not have any blades to trace, down load the picture of the sword you like, enlarge it on copier till its you size, then cut it out and use it for pattern. You can then make wooden swords of ones you can not get trainers for. This will work for knives also

[tellner]

The very best woods for practice that involves weapon-on-weapon contact are hickory and Osage orange. There was an article years back in of all things Aikido Today on the impact strengths of various woods. To cut a long technical discussion short impact grade (gnarly, knotted,twisted grain) hickory had the best impact strength bar none. No other wood even came close. Regular hickory was second by a couple lengths. Osage orange was respectable third.

The problem with a lot of the exotic hardwoods is that they're harder than a banker's heart. But they have a tendency to chip and shatter.

[Cuts and Bruises]

If anyone is still looking to purchase a wooden trainer please feel free to stop by www.eskrimacustoms.com (http://www.eskrimacustoms.com) or e-mail me at brandon@eskrimacustoms.com

I carve some "different" kinds of things from some scary tough wood. I have some pics of me breaking a coconut and a concrete paver with them. =]

[arnisador]

A reminder not to use live blades in sparring practice:
Man stabbed in mock sword fight (http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/349907)


A mock samurai sword fight at a martial arts dojo sent a Toronto man to hospital with a punctured lung.


Toronto police Staff Sgt. Paul Scudds said an ambulance was called to a building on Queen St. E., east of Woodbine Ave., around 1:45 a.m. where attendants found a man who had been accidentally stabbed while he and a friend were playing with the sword.


He was treated at St. Michael’s Hospital and is expected to recover. The other man won’t face charges for the stabbing.

[Kali Cowboy]

Nick Papadikis from Kombat Instruments LTD make a good aluminum Ginunting trainer. They run about 70 bucks. Also you can cut down and shape a wooden bokkin sword for cheap trainers.
God Bless,
Guru Stephen

[Brian R. VanCise]

Bill has upped the ante and is now making aluminum trainers with wood handles. They feel just like the real thing. Simply awesome.

Check out my Blog: The Instinctive Edge for today's write up on this.
http://brianvancise.wordpress.com/2008/03/24/combative-customs-fighting-bolo/


Then check the Blog out regularly as I update it daily.
http://brianvancise.wordpress.com/

[mattcarpet]

I happen to sell training swords aka bokken, shinai, and wasters if you care to take a look follow the signature. They aren't the highest quality but they are surprisingly good for the price and if your not planning on attacking concrete warriors then they will hold up for a good amount of time.

[arnisador]

I love playing with the bokken! The way it's weighted just makes one want to swing it.

[el maldito de cebu]

Where might I get some practice swords? What are the best kinds and how much do you usually pay for them? What about grinder dulling some cheap machetes?
there are many style of sword fighting from the traditional samurai of japan and swordsman of china. But if I were to be asked in the southeast asia region where I lived I would say in the IndoMalayo region in the south the traditional penchak got the golok in the northern part you have thailand cambodia and myanmar they had the thai chaiya which comprises also with swordmanship but when we talk about the phils. in the northern region which is Luzon they had the itak, in the visayas we have the sundang and penote equivalent to swordsmanship also but if we say mindanao they got the kris which have 5variation if I'am not mistaken with different length sizes and gripping position. if you are interested in FMA style maybe I can advice you if your not havibg problems to visit the phils. I can indorse you to master john mac for penote training but if you have problem travelling well you should look for a school of PTtersia or a school of master gaje' they are expert in all kind of metal weaponry FMA system. but if you are intereste in noerther asian system then try the japanese samurai or swordsmanship in china I think there are already some schools of kung fu weaponry present in your location. I dont know the price but in the phils. I think its cheaper plus you got the chance to look at the beatiful places in the phils. to name a few mactan shrine the birth place of Lapu-Lapu beleived to be the originator of kali and arnis in the visayas region