Postby Aaron Pynenberg » Thu May 24, 2007 6:44 am
Matt, it is best to keep the plastic with the plastic. In our trials this just plays better. It is possible to use wood with plastic but you will see that there is a disparity between the two mediums. The "like steel" feel comes when you keep the plastic together.
Just a quick word also on the use of these. I saw on a diffrent forum, where a Military Trainer, (of all people) was seriously against the use of plastic saying things like they are "ridiculous", knocking the color of them.
I find these kinds of comments ignorant and silly. These are simply tools, that add to our practice routines. They are not meant to replace wood wasters. Wood still has a place in our art and there are some effects that wood simulates better.
To ignore the benefits of these plastic swords however, is really stupid. Police and Military trainers worldwide use a form of a paint ball gun called "simunitions" these guns mimick our service weapons by expending a small paint "bullet" at the target, which does have a pain penalty and marks the shot. These guns have a light blue colored top slide to destiguish them. They are used in conjuction with actual firearms training.
I draw the same conclusion with our practice weapons and think they are just an additional step, not a replacement for anything.
Eric will be at the International event, taking orders and having some stock on-hand to sell. He also has put up a set of longswords as door-prizes. As serious practicioners, I encourage each of you to look at these tools as just another training method, but also a step in the right direction for our art. Here is a tool made by a practicioner, with you in mind. He has incorporated about a year's worth of trail and error and constant feedback from us. He is a perfectionist and each sword is made to the same standards.
That's all I have to add, so good luck Eric!
