Thread: My son wants a sword

I just know when I was a kid if id have had a sword i would have lots of fun slicing and dicing stuff. Remember lighters and hairspray? Haha

We're a Korean-martial-arts family (the arts are Korean, we're not). My son is 12, and has earned his 1st Dan belt in TKD. He does the sword art (Kumdo) summers, but prefers Hapkido. When he longs for a sword, I always say the same thing: as soon as you earn your 1st Dan in Kumdo, you can have a sword.

At this point, he'd be over 18 before managing it anyway, even if he goes all-out. But if he had dug in and accomplished it sooner, I'd be fine with it, b/c our school is traditional and won't put a black belt on him until he demonstrates readiness.

The responsibility concerns should also extend to your son's pals and other family/persons who might not appreciate the lethality of the instrument--no matter the temper/edge capability of the instrument. That's all in-house decision making as I see it.

So back in the day... my roomate and i used his "Samurai" replica sword to "SliceOmatic" (akin to "SledgeOmatic" tm Gallagher Inc.) a pumpkin or a watermelon--something large and pulpy.

First whack bent the the blade through the vertical axis--the longest cross-section. IOW the absolute stiffest/strongest plane of the metal was about the hardness of plumbing solder.

You'll figger it out. Car is around the corner...time for manly discussions.

Is there a fencing club in the area you live in?
USA Fencing

Originally Posted by Hart

As long as it doesn't fall apart any silly POS will serve the purpose intended by most young men. Lessons on value and quality still apply.

I disagree. They should also be able to be safely used as swords.Otherwise, sooner or later someone will get hurt.
Cold steel makes decent stuff. As does paul chen.

Originally Posted by Hart

That reminds me of a television show that had a sword expert on who demonstrated how sharp a katana was by slicing a bundle of straw of some sort. He then did the same with a dull European broadsword and explained how the refined edge had little to do with it's lethality.

I recently saw a reenactor who had switched into crafts (hammering coins etc) after a dull sword crushed his index finger. They reattached it, but because the bone was crushed it grew very crooked and misshapen.

Swords are not playthings. Dull, or sharp. They're weapons and should be treated thus.
I am all for allowing kids a dull sword, but with the sword should come guidance and tuition. Just giving them a sword (or letting them buy a sword) and then giving them complete freedom with it is a bad idea.

At that age I was into knives and swords. I got mom to order me a sword and when it came in the mail my dad had to go pick it up because it was to long to fit in the mailbox, not a PO Box. He didnt say much about it at the time. To make a long story short he had me take it out and whack, chop, shred and beat to death all the weeds that were growing around the barn and windmill and feed lot. The sword lost its luster and magical powers in about 15 minutes and I sold it to my friend the next weekend..

Originally Posted by Bruno

I disagree. They should also be able to be safely used as swords.Otherwise, sooner or later someone will get hurt.
Cold steel makes decent stuff. As does paul chen.

My point was, based on my limited experience, the sword like object is unlikely to be used as a sword. To go a step further, only when it is used "as a sword" will someone sooner or later be hurt.

The difference between interest in having a cool sword and being interested in sword based martial arts I think is key. There is no middle ground where you can casually flail around with a long piece of steel when the mood hits you.

Originally Posted by Baxxer

Really? as I remember it, making arrows was even more fun than actually shooting but maybe that's just me.

I am afeared that I have ruined many enthusiasms for my son by insisting on "the right way, with the right tools, in the right order".

Originally Posted by lomax

At that age I was into knives and swords. I got mom to order me a sword and when it came in the mail my dad had to go pick it up because it was to long to fit in the mailbox, not a PO Box. He didnt say much about it at the time. To make a long story short he had me take it out and whack, chop, shred and beat to death all the weeds that were growing around the barn and windmill and feed lot. The sword lost its luster and magical powers in about 15 minutes and I sold it to my friend the next weekend..

Brilliant!

Hart: I think we have found the middle ground. A swordish shaped Machete! A well sharpened curved Scimitar ought to be the ticket!