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I found a really great old sword at an atique mall yesterday. It is a 1864 ( stamped ) decorative fraternal sword.The Knights of Pythias, to be exact. I did a bit of research on it and found out a little bit. They go anywhere from 50.00 - 500.00 + . It has some really intricate engraving, I mean REALLY intricate. It has a lotta tarnish on it, but all of the fittings are in good shape and nothing is damaged. The leather on the handle is even very much in tact. I paid 20.00 for it. My question to ...

Ever since Dtg got me on this 1000 cuts practice, I really have noticed a change in my hasuji (edge alignment) has improved considerably from where I was before I started training w/ this particular exercise. By repeating and repeating your cuts in practice builds muscle memory and allows the swing to eventually get to a second nature situation. Also, the healing after workouts seems to speed up as well. I am starting to have real belief that if one uses this technique of practicing each cut, one ...

What about the use of rolled up soaked newspaper as an 'alternative' to tatami? I don't think I will ever try it, but I am curious. I've seen vids, and it seems like an impractical medium for anything other than 'backyard cutting'. If you have tried this before, what were your impressions? Good? Bad? Ugly?
Salute!

What I have come to realize, is that it takes a very skilled hand to be able to sharpen and properly form the geometry of a katana's edge. http://swordforum.com/swords/nihonto/americanized.html This site has a picture towards the middle which shows proper katana geometry and different edge geometries as well. As elegant as the edge might be, I'd say it is among the most difficult edges to refine by hand. I may post a video later on my sharpening and polishing a katana, but it really is physically, ...

Do you think it's possible to complete the more complex cuts using a straight bladed Euro as opposed to a katana or other Asian style weapon? I'm sure it is, but I just haven't seen it. If anyone has seen a vid of this on theytube, hit me with a link. I've seen cats cutting bottles and basic cuts with the broadsword, but nothing intricate.
Lemme know what's good.
O.T. Ray Vizza