Omote Mats Tameshigiri Test Cutting Handmade Katana Sword

[Colton6977]

woqw that oriental man chopped it twice before it even fell! now THAT is skill....

[khanrhy]

For someone without swordsmanship training(me) I wonder if it would be best to start with a boken and perhaps dope the edges with a little red paint. That way if I see red paint touch my hands, legs, or arms, I am certainly doing it wrong.

[SwordNArmory]

I would say "yes" to the bokken, but "no" to the paint. If you're moving so fast you have to worry about hitting yourself with the bokken, then you should slow down.

Two reasons.

1) Move slow in the beginning to let yourself track the cuts. If you move too fast through transitions, it becomes less cutting and more flailing.

2) If you use paint, it will fling EVERYWHERE.

Take it easy & slow. Once you get comfortable enough, then pick up speed. A good instructor makes it much easier, too. ^_^

[khanrhy]

I guess I ask because I forget what program on The History Channel I was watching. However someone was experimenting with an Aztec/Mayan sword/club. You know the ones embedded with shards of obsidian.

Well a few swings later and a careless sweep of his legs and he nicked himself good.

I was thinking a semi-dry dope would help mark myself if I unknowingly get contact. Without risking injury ;)

[khanrhy]

You words make much sense. I would love to progress up in skill so that I might train in the two-swords style of Miyamoto Musashi.

[shikamaru15x]

those are dry, or soaked?

[SwordNArmory]

The mats have been soaked and were damp when we cut them.

[SwordNArmory]

The mats are very fun to cut but they are much more challenging than Wara mats. They also weigh almost twice as much once soaked. Thnx for the comments!

[wizzbangtg]

Very nice cutting. Those mats look like great targets.