Originally Posted by Mike Brewer

I don't know if "enjoying" is the right word. I'm finding it useful, but it's still hard not to let the fighter in me come out and just go "Aw come on!" now and again. But then, the ability to separate one part of my life from another is one of many reasons for doing this in the first place, so it's all good.

I did score a beautiful damascus sword on eBay, though. I paid $49.99, and I believe I got a real bargain. I haven't found anything by the same maker for under $499.99, so I paid 1/10th of what it was worth (good looks, a killer smile, martial arts godliness, and good at math? Stay back ladies...he's married!). Just managed to get lucky and find it on a no-reserve auction. Here's a pic:

http://www.thesteelsource.com/images/wjf701large.jpg

I'm sure it won't be my main blade, but my Dad makes damascus as well, and I love the steel.

Like so many martial arts, iaido is a good excuse to buy more shit.

And I'm not trying to blow holes in your theories or anything, but I've probably dabbled in a couple dozen arts over the years. Not seriously studied, mind you, but done the seminar thing and taken a few private lessons in some, studied others in more depth. Guro Dan is certified at the instructorship level in about twenty. So far all I've heard jubaji talk about is wrestling and iaido...