Thread:Aramirtheranger/@comment-26210095-20160720181512/@comment-26863727-20160729032708

A gym by me has about two dozen people who come to spar. It's not a very official thing though. I have only a few swords, and I will practice cuts with those on various objects (sometimes meat), occasionally making soaked newspaper rolls, which are supposed to be three times as dense as a traditional Japanese tatami mat prepared the same way. All I know is that I've never seen anyone cut straight through one without resorting to greatswords or a dadao. By the way, stay away from the cheap stuff(anything under US$150 should make alarm bells go off in your head), and make sure to learn how to properly care for any battle-ready blades you get. Steel sparring swords don't need as much, but if you have no time at all for maintenance go for a nylon or wooden one. Plastic is too slippery and bendy in my opinion. Don't get fooled by titanium either; it would be better than steel, but it absolutely hates keeping an edge. Tungsten is too brittle. And stainless steel is also much weaker, but it does have the perk of not needing oiling.

I will also spar with my fellows sometimes. Occasionally, just for fun, we have a melee with this Asian martial arts group that goes to the gym as well. Sparring is an excellent way to try out the techniques in practice. You can drill all you want, but in an actual fight your opponent is not going to say: "I shall use this technique. You will then counter with that technique."

Back on topic?