Sword Arts

[freefighter2010]

Why bother training in sword arts ? I mean what use is it in 21st Century ?

Its not as if you can carry a sword around in public (unless of course you want to go to jail)

[Guest]

That’s a pretty blanket question you could apply to many areas of martial arts, not just swords, not just weaponry, and not just traditional martial arts. It all comes down to each person’s motivation for study. Many people don’t care about what you can and can’t carry or use in the street, that’s not why they study. They may be a martial athlete and competitor, they may be a recreational martial artist, or they may study for a love of tradition, culture and history.

But hey I’m moving to the States, people already look at me funny, I may as well have the sword too.

[Guest]

As much as I'd love to (and plan to) move to The States, it won't happen for a few years. I was going to be coming over to LA in April to see Vu, Guro and Erik - but Boxing commitments won't allow. So I wait in anticipation Mike for your trip to Ireland, I'll be there - holding my sword.

[Guest]

...as mentioned last year I have a box of untouched Reserva, as I promised at the time - it has your name on it.

I guess I will have to balance the Guinness on my centerline....

[kanik]

Why bother training in sword arts ? I mean what use is it in 21st Century ?

Its not as if you can carry a sword around in public (unless of course you want to go to jail)

Well I tought myself how to use one and I am pretty decent, first time I ever picked one up I was pretty decent... same with bo staff, nanchaku, but the tonfa took a little work... In my oppinion, you train ANY melee combat and it will increase your other areas of melee combat, someone highely trained in staff will be able to use bare hands as well, even with no training, not as well, but still better than untrained person. Ya know? Besides, ever heard of fun? Or sticks... how about the benefit it would give for your improvised weapons??

[nathan rd]

Why, you ask? Just look what someone turned into the London police during a recent knife amnesty. Daily Mail article You can blow up the picture to see how big the thing is. According to the Daily Mail, knife crime is a big problem in London. Also, the BBC has reported that the U.K. is restricting the availability of samurai swords for the same reason. Bladed weapons can do a lot of damage.

[nathan rd]

Attached is a pic of the weapon in question.

[nathan rd]

Cars, boats...hell, even kitchen appliances can do a lot of damage. That's no reason to outlaw anything. It's a reason to take more personal responsibility for being safe.

Oh, I wasn't necessarily justifying the policies of the U.K. government. I was trying to oppose the original poster's assertion that training in bladed weapons has no value in our lifetime. It clearly does.

[Guest]

Why, you ask? Just look what someone turned into the London police during a recent knife amnesty. Daily Mail article You can blow up the picture to see how big the thing is. According to the Daily Mail, knife crime is a big problem in London. Also, the BBC has reported that the U.K. is restricting the availability of samurai swords for the same reason. Bladed weapons can do a lot of damage.

But how does that mean that bladed arts, on a practical level, have any value in the UK if everything is outlawed? Surely, that just re-enforces the original post that in day to day life there is no practical worth, because in the UK blades are illegal? The only way your point makes sense is if you are advocating the carry and use of illegal weapons.

[Ghost]

5 years in prison for carrying a knife, forget it, why risk it,
if things get really bad dress up as batman and no one will mess with you.

[Ghost]

Attached is a pic of the weapon in question.

Yes, i know i see guys carrying them in the street all the time.

[nathan rd]

Please try not to misinterpret this post

Uggg...how did this thread turn into a discussion of government regulation of weapons? I didn't intend that. My initial post was an attempt to show that the original poster was incorrect, and that training in bladed weapons does in fact have practical value in our lifetime because bladed weapons are used and do damage.

[Tant01]

Say pommel. (the verb)

Uggg...how did this thread turn into a discussion of government regulation of weapons? I didn't intend that. My initial post was an attempt to show that the original poster was incorrect, and that training in bladed weapons does in fact have practical value in our lifetime because bladed weapons are used and do damage.

Don't take it personal, eh? LOL Roll with it buddy. You have a most valid point.

It doesn't take much imagination to improvise some thing that can be used in a sword like manner.

I doubt if umbrellas or the walking cane will be outlawed anytime soon...

I never got into the sword much, frankly, they scare me. I like my knives and my right to carry them very much. While I personally prefer a short tool, I have nothing against learning the sword... In fact, what little I know of them has helped my ability to adapt and improvise. Almost any old stick will do...

In a pinch you could even use a steel wire antenna... or a broom...

[Ghost]

Don't take it personal, eh? LOL Roll with it buddy. You have a most valid point.

It doesn't take much imagination to improvise some thing that can be used in a sword like manner.

I doubt if umbrellas or the walking cane will be outlawed anytime soon...

I never got into the sword much, frankly, they scare me. I like my knives and my right to carry them very much. While I personally prefer a short tool, I have nothing against learning the sword... In fact, what little I know of them has helped my ability to adapt and improvise. Almost any old stick will do...

In a pinch you could even use a steel wire antenna... or a broom...

Keep your personal preferences to yourself mate.

[Tant01]

You know what...

Keep your personal preferences to yourself mate.

There was no innuendo intended. What we have here is called double-entendre

(Those can be accidental where innuendo is always intentional)