Tameshigiri

M

Mobile-eyez

Joined
Dec 23, 2008
Messages
219
Hello all,
For the past 8 years, I have heavily studied the martial arts. One of the many areas I have not explored was that of what is known as Tameshigiri, or "test cutting".

I am planning on learning this skill in the coming months, and need a good sword that will hold up to light to medium cutting. I have been seriously looking at a Paul Chen sword through CAS Iberia/Hanwei. The sword I'm probably going to get is the Musashi XL Light.

Does anyone know about this particular sword? Any recommendations for other swords to check out? Any brother or sister martial artists here on the forums willing to help me out? Thank you for any information you may be able to provide.

-Mobile-eyez
 
Mobile-eyez said:
For 6 years I practiced a style known as Hwa Rang Do. Now I am helping my old instructor develop a new system.Haha
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Erik Remmen from Northwest Safari Outfitters in Olympia, WA is the only Hwa Rang Do-ist that I haver personally ever known. Do you know him?

With tameshigiri, you are testing BOTH the blade AND your skills, simultaneously. Unless you spend some time studying a formal sword cutting art, you are hoping for the best with what you have to work with, which traditional JSA practitioners find to be substandard.

IMO, with your needs and lack of sword cutting experience, if you like the Musashi configuration, you would be better served by the XL or the Elite. The fuller on the XL Light will do nothing to advance your cutting ability and presents a weakening point for the sword bending you are likely to do.

The correct targets for tameshigiri are tatami omote/goza mats, and bamboo...ONLY.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
How are you testing the blade? I know there's some flexing going on if you don't have the blade in line through the whole cut, but they aren't THAT whippy are they? I thought they were stiffer blades that wouldn't be threatened by a wet straw mat.

Not poking fun. Trying to understand.
 
Erik Remmen from Northwest Safari Outfitters in Olympia, WA is the only Hwa Rang Do-ist that I haver personally ever known. Do you know him?
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I can't honestly say that I know him. I practiced over in Florida.

How are you testing the blade? I know there's some flexing going on if you don't have the blade in line through the whole cut, but they aren't THAT whippy are they? I thought they were stiffer blades that wouldn't be threatened by a wet straw mat.
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If you don't have good cuts, that causes some stress on the blade. I guess after a few really bad cuts, the blade can actually bend on you.

I don't plan on just picking up a sword and cutting though. We will all be getting cutting swords and practicing with them for about 3-6 months before we actually start cutting. I've practiced sword for probably about 3 years now, but I tend to focus on the staff or spear. I'm decent for a novice, but I'm by no means an Iaido practitioner, and I have no experience with cutting mats.
 
Mobile-eyez said:
Hello all,
For the past 8 years, I have heavily studied the martial arts. One of the many areas I have not explored was that of what is known as Tameshigiri, or "test cutting".

I am planning on learning this skill in the coming months, and need a good sword that will hold up to light to medium cutting. I have been seriously looking at a Paul Chen sword through CAS Iberia/Hanwei. The sword I'm probably going to get is the Musashi XL Light.

Does anyone know about this particular sword? Any recommendations for other swords to check out? Any brother or sister martial artists here on the forums willing to help me out? Thank you for any information you may be able to provide.

-Mobile-eyez
Click to expand...

Ok i'll chime in. when your starting out you are going to blow cuts while developing your control of the sword so you want to select a sword that is forgiving. By forgiving I mean a sword that is "very" flexible. Some swords by creation flex less than others meaning they are likely to take a "set" or "break" under stress. start out with mats they are forgiving save the bamboo for later its far less forgiving.

What ever sword you choose remember to relax, listen to it and feel it.

Good luck :)
 
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