I know this may be a really stupid question

[Isaac Bettis]

Hey, I currently live in Korea, but someday willpossibly move back to the states so I was wondering; Are the only weapons you allow "western"? I ask this because I study Haidong Gumdo and we train with a sword much like a katana. We dont do a whole lot of real life hardcore sparring with them (the Koreans say it is for this whole peace of mind philosophical blah blah, I am just in it for the brutality) and seeing as there is not much Gumdo in the states I will want to train with somebody. I guess I am just wondering if such weapons are prohibited or are they merely not used as a matter of course.

[JeffGentry]

Hey Isaac

We study only Western or eurpean weapon's/martial art's, if you get into a group and still do the Gumdo thing i think most would be more than happy to sparr with you, i know i would, I think it can be very benficial to us to do this type of thing.

Jeff

[Lance Chan]

Hi! Welcome to ARMA. I don't know about the other groups but we at ARMA-HK cross spar with many other styles. I personally had sparred HDGD people before like Anthony Boyd and Jason Dudek. So I bet you'll be able to find good opponents from ARMA group in USA. Good luck.

[Lance Meibos]

Well, if someone showed up to our ARMA practice with a bokken, and wanted to spar with us, I know for a fact that at least several of us would be game. We don't train with/use/learn katanas at all (mostly longsword), but it would be fun to face off with one. We could probably learn quite a bit from each other, and if you wanted to learn more about longsword use, we could show you what we know. We just couldn't really teach you anything specific to katanas (or Korean swords, for that matter). The answer to your question, therefore, is that such weapons are not used as a matter of course.

[Jake_Norwood]

Hey Old buddy.

I know there's a Gumdo school in Chicago. I have an open invitation to spar one of the guys out there.

Jake

[Mike Chidester]

We just couldn't really teach you anything specific to katanas (or Korean swords, for that matter).

Well, unless you want to use it like a messer...

[TimSheetz]

Hi Issac,

Are you all the way down therre in Jeju? Getting tired of oranges by now?

I had a guy spar with me a couple of times and he was really into Gumndo- but they didn't spar since it was ART.

I'd say switch to a back sword or better yet a gross messer and you will find the transition of weapon pretty easy IIMO.

But since the focus is on using Historical European techniques, maybe starting with Long sword (gross messer is about the same) is a good idea.

Just my opinion.

Best,

Tim Sheetz
(formerly of Pusan, Korea )