Where are the trainers?

[shmoopiebear]

Originally posted by brownie0486
I don't allow aluminum trainers in class as they have injured some with gauntlets on as people get more aggressive. It only takes one mistake and the metal trainers can inflict nerve damage, broken bones, etc.

Gauntlets are always on me when training but somehow I get whacked above and below them continuously. As to realistic, I don't need to feel the steel on me to know I got cut good. As well, if you do take a cut it won't feel like the dulled trainers and in fact you probably won't feel anything.

When training with the Bowies we either go less than 1/2 speed or use plastic bowie trainers. Less than half speed is okay until they are ramped up to go faster, then when we get to moving them pretty good, the weight will injure you if you don't convert over to wooden or plastic on the long knives.

I've held numerous classes using the wooden trainers as described in a previous thread and thats about all people really want to deal with after an hour or so in class taking hits to the forearms, wrists, chest, neck areas.

The wooden trainers will put a hurt on you after a day of training, gauntlets or no. Gauntlets keep the bruises to a minimum but the backs of my hands, the lower wrists, above the gauntlet on the forearms take a good beating all day.

Use a metal trainer like that and students will certainly suffer injuries and be discouraged prematurely. Metal trainers have never worked out as well as the wooden trainers as when you are are hitting flesh you are actually bruising bones. Catch an aluminum trainer to the wrist bones even slightly or a knuckle and watch how fast people drop off the class with injuries and quit training.

Anyone who has trained some will no doubt know the aluminum trainers are for SLOW movement and basically used to gain the mechanics of the technique. Anything above that speed and injuries ocurr even with protective gear. If you leave one spot unprotected, the other guys trainer will find it. Result: you go home injured, bruised and battered. I have a hard time concentrating on the techniques and timing while training when I'm in pain from being whacked or in fear of injuries from the other guys trainer through prior experiences.

My wooden trainers split often enough, I just hand them another one thats not so and we are back to business.

Brownie

me: I totally agree with the above points. The only thing is that when I train, I emphasize targetting. Especially in Sayoc Kali and other eskrima styles I have trained, it is known that the knife is not an impact weapon even though it can be used for so. The attributes of the weapon facilitate getting the job done with techniques learned. It is a ripping, slicing, cutting, slashing, thrusting, and stabbing weapon. One does not need to "drive it home" so to speak to be able to cut. The attributes of the real weapon facilitate this. Unlike an olisi, baston, cane, etc... which requires power behind the technique to break limbs or maim from impact, all the knife needs is a cut with the edge or point in the right place to bleed out somebody and possibly kill them. Unless one goes for a knockout to the head or chokes or breaks the neck or spine, impact weapons usually don't have to be fatal. Edged weapons, on the other hand, attack the vascular system. It is like cutting a fuel, transmission, or brake line in a car. No fluid and parts won't run or work. Impact weapons would be like breaking the axle or transmission, bendig the rim on wheels or flattening the tire, or removing the steering wheel. The car runs but it ain't going anywhere or it won't get very far at all. In terms of pain, whether be blunt or edged weapon trauma, the victim may not feel anything, anyways. It is the aftereffects or consequences that are felt after the blow is made. Depending on the severity of the damage or trauma inflicted will determine it's effects. That is why some people in self defense advocate carrying training knives. Legally, they are not knives. They are for TRAINING ( I like to call them mugging defense training tools ). They may be blunt impact weapons. It depends on intent, context, and application. They don't really cut although they make great blunt impact weapons. Is it a knife or is it a baton? You decide. Personally, I think they can be used for both although they aren't truly edged weapons unless they have a sharpened edge that can actually cut. It depends on what the tool was designed for. This is an interesting thread. Cheers.

 

[shmoopiebear]

This is an idea after my own heart. I give this the SCAMF ( super cheap @$$ m*ther f**ker ) award. Congrats!

Seriously, this is a great idea. I have had friends in SCA / LARP make foam knives and swords cutting or carving out of that blue foam in PC shipping boxes. Wonderful stuff!

Originally posted by Cougar Allen
Another approach is to glue up several layers of heavy cardboard and cut a knife out of that. They don't last long but they're safer than most trainers. You still have to wear safety glasses.