Tatami mats

[Gaucho]

I'm looking for a better material for cutting targets than rolls of paper(you end up with bits of paper all over the floor)or duct-taped foam or carpet(the duct tape gets all over your blades and is a nuisance to get off).

I wonder if any of you have found something better. I've been considering rolled tatami mats like those used for the testing of japanese swords. Do any of you have experience with cutting tatami with knives? Any ideas where I might get the right type of tatami for this use?

TIA


------------------
Gaucho

Tuvo muy mala suerte...se callo en mi cuchillo.

 

[Rude Water]

I think Bugei has these (bugei.com). The usual media for cutting is large diameter bamboo. Tatami is extremely tough! You might find a dojo that is getting new mats, tatami is much less forgiving than newer mats, most dojo's are moving away from it for injuries sake.

If memory serves Hiroshi Ikeda Sensei may have tatami....www.bujin.com is his company in Boulder.

hope that helps.

rw

 

[the4th]

You may try contacting Lenny McGill at magills@magills.com he cut up a bunch of straw looking mats with an AFCK on a video I saw.