In Need of Sword Trainer Recommendations

[pguinto]

looking for sites that sell sword trainers; aluminum and/or wood preferred. any suggestions?

im currently comparing stuff from the following sites:
- Combative Customs (http://www.combativecustoms.com/trainers.htm)
- Eskrima Customs (http://www.eskrimacustoms.com/bastons.html)
- Tak Knife (http://www.eskrimacustoms.com/bastons.html)
- Kris Cutlery
(http://kriscutlery.com/documents/philippine.html)
i think i want a pair of barongs, my friend wants a pair of kris swords

[Phil Mar Nadela]

How about this one, http://eskrimakaliarnis.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=5

They only sell two types but they are based in the Philippines and i believe they accept custom orders ( i think).

[DonKey]

There's a good thread with lots of recommendations here

http://fmatalk.com/showthread.php?t=3896

[Bill Bednarick]

I'd be more than happy to make you a couple swords pguinto.
Did I meet you at the Sulong last year?

[Brock]

I think the general consensus is that Bill's work is awesome. I've cruised the internet for a couple of years now looking for training blades and his are the most affordable. Especially his custom work. Which is also awesome because I'm a bit larger than the average Filipino so the grip size of traditionally sized swords are a bit small.

[Phil Mar Nadela]

I think the general consensus is that Bill's work is awesome. I've cruised looking and his is the most affordable custom work I've found.

His work looks really good. I'm purchasing a kris from him when i get my pay pal sorted out.

[Phil Mar Nadela]

pguinto,

Found another one, here is the link http://www.superiormartialarts.com/cgi-bin/uniform/perlshop.cgi?ACTION=ENTER&thispage=escrimastick.html&ORDER_ID=!ORDERID!&affiliate=889 (http://www.superiormartialarts.com/cgi-bin/uniform/perlshop.cgi?ACTION=ENTER&thispage=escrimastick.html&ORDER_ID=%21ORDERID%21&affiliate=889)

you have to scroll down to see it.

[Brian R. VanCise]

Well I have said it a bunch that simply Bill's work at Combative Customs is the best not only in quality but in price. I use my training blades from Bill almost every day. http://www.fmatalk.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

[pguinto]

no, bill, i couldnt make it cuz i had to work. judging from what ive seen so far from the catalog and the posted customs, im leaning towards your site,

a couple things:
1) i want my 1st sword trainers to be metal, not wood,
2) i really like the look of barongs (and i dont mean tagalog)

question:
since ive never held/swung a real sword before i have to figure out what size suits me best, somewhere btwn 19"-22" total length. how much does a 19" barong weigh? is it blade heavy? if so does the wooden handle add weight? being a serrada player, i prefer my weapon's tip end to be lighter compared to the butt end for tighter control

[Bill Bednarick]

Barongs look blade heavy but the balance is kinda deceiving since the blade is wide at the base. The real ones I've handled and the trainers I make move pretty fast. I'll have to weigh mine to be sure what they come out to.

I might also suggest a skinnier blade style is you are looking for less weight in the blade, the big Matulis bolo is pretty close to the length you are looking for and the balance is closer to the handle due to the blades shape.

Either way I'm sure I can make you something you'll be proud to train with.

[Makata]

Bill's work is the best, period.

I recommend him without hesitation or reservation! :)

Lester S.

[Brock]

Agreed. I got a couple trainers from Bill a bit ago and 3 of my students asked me to get them one immediately after seeing them. I ordered 2 more for myself as well... :biggrinbo

[eskrimakaliarnis.com]

Just picked up my new range of sword trainers today....

Take a gander:


http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/allytrainers.jpg


All hand-made in the Philippines. I went to the blacksmiths with my instructor (GM Yuli Romo) and he instructed the blacksmith to make some of his own unique designs...


Still, I much prefer the work of GM (see bottom) as the blacksmith whilst good doesn't have the martial knowledge (and love!) to accompany his work (case in point he asked why the handle of the Sansibar was so small and thought you held it with a closed fist...)

I love working with the Panabases and I really like the feel of the 18" Sansibar. We plan on putting some training vids on youtube soon using these weapons.


If anybody would like any info on prices just give me a shout.


All the best,


Simon


http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/mastersset.jpg

[Phil Mar Nadela]

Ang ganda naman n'yan Kuya Simonhttp://www.fmatalk.com/images/icons/icon7.gif! Thanks for posting.

[eskrimakaliarnis.com]

Maraming Salamat Po :)

I like them too and look forward to using them myself over the next few days.

Ofcourse, the "Baraw" knife pictured above we use all the time. Now if only I could use it correctly I'd be getting somewhere!

[arnisador]

Wow, nice collection!

[eskrimakaliarnis.com]

Thanks Arnisador :)


I am just listing this Ginunting on ebay for $75 with free worldwide shipping (2 - 3 weeks from the Philippines). If anybody from the forum is interested PM me and I can sell it for $65. The barong is the same price as well incidentally. Both pommels are made from kamagong and the aluminuim is 1/8" thcik. I'm not sure of the grade though.




http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/ginunting2.jpghttp://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/pommel2.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/ALUMB.jpg

[Brian R. VanCise]

Nice work! http://www.fmatalk.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

[Brock]

Looks good. I'm tempted...

[eskrimakaliarnis.com]

Here's some more pics of the Panabases (right form of plural?) that we had made to tempt you further ;)


http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/Sticks/panabas1.jpg


Due to their weight (around 300g) and rounded hilt they make an excellent transition from stick to sword. They are 24" long.


And also a slightly different style of Espada Y Dagas that I have ($100 including shipping for FMAT forumites....)



http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/Sticks/espadaydagatraining.jpghttp://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/Sticks/Espadatang.jpg (http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/Sticks/?action=view&current=espadaydagatraining.jpg)

These differ from the ones I originally posted. The ones in my first post I got them to make Aluminium trainers of Live Leyte Sansibars I have like these:

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/Sticks/whitedragon3-2.jpg

I have a bunch of these too but they are difficult to ship from the Philippines and I have to frame them to do so :(

[Brock]

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/ginunting2.jpg

Yep, this one was just too pretty to pass up...

[eskrimakaliarnis.com]

Thanks Brock. As I mentioned I did have 5 and am now sold out in one day!

I'm still hoping to get some stuff done on you-tube with the Espadas but will have to be next week as my training partner is taking a week off. Well. He's helping GM teach so I suppose he's forgiven! And I'm naturally envious heh.

[eskrimakaliarnis.com]

I've had a few questions about the Espada Sets so here is a closer look at the 21" and 32" set and hilts.


http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/largesansibars.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/mediumespada.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/sansibarhilts.jpg

[eskrimakaliarnis.com]

More close-ups of the "Nilantip" (Pinuti) Sword and Dagger + Pira Knife.

These are all GM Yuli Romo's designs. Please note the indents on the base of the blade of the Nilantips. These are for "Squeezing" with the thumb and and index finger. This enables the blade to be rotated without a big movement of the elbow..



http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/nilantip.jpghttp://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/nilantipdagger.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/nilamtiphilt.jpghttp://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/piraknife.jpg

[Brock]

Man, I've gotta' stop checking out this thread or I'm gonna' be splitting my next 6 months worth of pay checks between Bill and Simon!

I can't wait to see the look on my daughter's face when I give her the Barong Bill made. She keeps trying to steal the Talibong he made me. I'm going to try to hold out 'til her birthday, but it's 3 months away. I don't know if I'll be able to make it.

[eskrimakaliarnis.com]

Heh heh heh. Sorry Brock!

Here's some more pics for you though these are from my private collection and not for sale. Check out the idents and the buffing work on the aluminium.


http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/gmbarong-1.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/GMBarong.jpg


Check out the real thing to:


http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/barong2.jpg

:)

[Brock]

Do you have any video of the swords being used. I'm trying to picture the rotational thing, but can't do it. Maybe it's my lack of sleep.

BTW I'm not sure why but Pira draws my attention. It's a beautiful piece.

[eskrimakaliarnis.com]

I was hoping to put some stuff on youtube but my training partner is helping GM teach this week so hopefully next week.

[Brock]

Great! I'm looking forward to it. I've got to get some things up on YouTube as well. My issue is more of a technical problem. I can't seem to get my files to make nice with the site and they won't load.

[eskrimakaliarnis.com]

Brock, I had that problem before.

I use a Div-X converter which helpfully shrinks the files a bit too.

[Brock]

Thanks Simon. I'll look into that.

[Brock]

My family and I got home today from watching my daughter cheerlead, and there was a box of Bill's Barongs for my students. Of course I had to give each of them a few test swing. What kind of instructor would I be if I didn't make sure that the quality of each piece was perfect? :angel:


Boy I'm glad I got that extra one for myself cuz otherwise someone may not have been getting theirs!

[eskrimakaliarnis.com]

Did I mention I had Kampilan trainers as well degned by GM Yuli...





http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/Sticks/kampilan-2.jpg




http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/Sticks/kam3.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/Sticks/KAMP3.jpg



http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/Sticks/kam5.jpg



Made from Sampalok (Citrus wood) and the aluminium is manually cut and buffed.


$135 with shipping if you contact me through PM.



Simon.

[Brock]

Simon, you're an evil man...:EvilGrin: I've gotta' hold off on that one though. I will shoot you a PM later on in the week to see if you can get me a few things my main equipment supplier has on back order indefinetly though.

[eskrimakaliarnis.com]

Sounds cool Brock (not the evil bit though!). I am going to Bohol to celebrate my anniversary in a few days though. The wife is staying at home - JOKE!

Anyway, Master Yuli gave me some more training blades to publicise on Sunday so I thought I would share the with you good people.

First up with have a pira knife and a small barong (I forget the correct name so I expect a slap on the wrst. Or a stick to the knuckle) both at 14 inches long and a 5.5 inch handle. The wood is "Sampolok" (Citrus).


http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/gmyuliknives.jpg

Again, please note that the aluminium is buffed. A problem that I notice with the other trainers is that they attract finger prints extremely easy.

Master Yuli has also made a scabbard to fit these two which is quite unique for training blades. Take a look:

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/gmyuliscabbard1.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/gmyuliscabbard2.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/gmscabbard3.jpg

That's real goat's hair there. I asked Maestro where he got it from. He just looked at me and said "I went up to the goat and cut it off!" :)

Lastly we have 2 pira swords which are 22" long and great for training. Check these out:

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/gmyulispiras.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/gmyulispirasword.jpg

Right now Master Yuli makes weapons "To relax" when he is not training or teaching - which is pretty much all the time. If anybody was interested in getting him to make you a set please PM me to work out a price / time-frame.

I have also posted his excellent flat sticks here (http://www.fmatalk.com/showthread.php?p=30554#post30554)

Simon.

[Brock]

Simon- I got the package today. The sword is as beautiful as the picture folks! Jason just happened to be at my house when I unpacked it so he got a #1 strike with the padded stick straight out of the packaging. I'll test that stick and the other some more tonight and for the next couple of weeks and let you know what I think.

[eskrimakaliarnis.com]

Thanks Brock. Sorry I was only able to put one padded stick in due to weight restrictions.

Best wishes,

Simon.

[eskrimakaliarnis.com]

Just to let you know I have the aluminium training blades in stock again. The length of the blades on the sansibars are:

26" / 20" / 15" / 8.5"

All modelled on Leyte Sansibars I took to the Panday.

PM me for prices / more details.

Simon.


http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/allytrainers.jpg

[eskrimakaliarnis.com]

Some photos of the Sansibars:

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/27inchsanset.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb74/bid4bargains/sanspommels.jpg

:)