Well, to tell you the truth I know what I've learned from forums and books no actual training. Just wondering how many people would consider dueling with a rival using bokken/bokuto or a better choice shinai. I say better choice as in not as many injuries recorded and they are still dangerous.

As far as duels go, give me the shinai every day. with the kendo bogu, and a modicom of common sense, battles can be fought with very little injury. But I cannot stress enough how important the common sense factor is here. The people I spar with are all trained in one martial art or another and we all have respect for what we are doing. In spite of this, we have had injuries from sprained ankles to broken collar bones. Just as in any M.A. respect and care form the basis for mutual enjoyment.

To tell you the truth I would use some bokken or a pair of nunchukus and a pair of tonfas

If you wanna go unarmored, you could try a fukuro shinai which is less likely to cause serious injury than a bokuto or a kendo shinai. You can still injure someone even with a fukuro shinai however. Proper training is paramount.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by shadowdragon:
Well, to tell you the truth I know what I've learned from forums and books no actual training. Just wondering how many people would consider dueling with a rival using bokken/bokuto or a better choice shinai. I say better choice as in not as many injuries recorded and they are still dangerous.[/QUOTE]

I think you watched "The Last Samurai" to many times. If you have to duel please use a Shinai, a bokken will crack your noodle!

Charles,

Is this an actual fukuro shinai? I was trying to find them earlier and my web search brought me to http://www.kendogumdo.com/category/shinai-bamboo-sword/bps-05.php . I've never seen a partially wrapped shinai before, always only the regular or the fully covered.

It's an interesting site that lists sharpened aluminum swords under their "practice sword" section that are good for vegetable cutting and has a stainless steel blade listed as the "Official used by the Haidong Gumdo Federation" practice blade.

Thank you in advance for your answer, your knowledge and willingness to share it is appreciated.

Roman

No a fukuro-shinai looks like this http://www.jinenkan.com/Shopping/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=23&cat=Equipment

The bamboo under the leather cover is different from a standard shinai. I have no idea what that was in your picture.

Thank you, Charles. The whole site is...well, interesting is the nicest thing this Minnesotan can think of to say about it.


Cheers,

Roman

Oh I didn't look the site over. Just went looking for a fukuro shinai on google.

Charles,

Oh, I wasn't referring to the site you referenced, (I actually saw particular site when I was trying to answer my own question), it was directed at the www.kendogumdo.com site. http://www.kendogumdo.com/category/practice-sword/

If you have time check out the practice swords and real swords. The descriptions and very appearance of these blades seem...interesting. I've not seen anything in my (albeit limited) research regarding "highest grade aluminum". Have you seen the zinc/aluminum alloy that most iaito seem to be made out of referred to as just aluminum? Additionally, if you feel these questions would be better answered over at swordforum just let me know and I can check over there.

Cheers,

Roman