OK So in all honesty.. this thread is for me, by me.. if you want to play along and post neato stuff.. that's super.. if you want to block my user-name because of this thread.. well that's your loss kuz I'm a pretty hip cat, as SC woulda said.. (shameless plug to myself).

BUT its that time of year where i get all giddy kuz its nice outside n' i can start playing with sharp objects again w/o fear of putting another whole in my ceiling (don't ask)..

Anyways im just going to collect in post up neato vids n' tidbits about swords (mostly japanese make) and make this thread my lil collectors vault.

few starting points

Tameshigiri = Practice cutting.. usually a rolled soakd bamboo mat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9txp3AAroI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi1K7B7Wrj8

(surprisingly difficult - not to cut, but to cut CLEAN since you have to have the blade in PERFECT ALIGNMENT w/ the angle of the cut else blade will drag.. can also break/bend the blade on hard wood w/ a poorly aligned cut)


Iaido= drawing/sheathing of sword
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TURkC...eature=related

and then there's Kendo.. (Japanese sword fighting)
basically just smack each other around..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4SHWXQBVL4