9 Ring broadsword or normal?

Hey, I'm almost old enough to own a sword, which most people think is kinda usless, but i firtwirl alot and am interested in making some fireswords, 2 to be exact. I was wondering if their were some expirienced people out their who could give me some advice; should i get 9 ring broadswords (they have rings that make it sound cool and are larger) or just normal broardswords (small, cheaper and don't make much sound). As either performers yourselves or from an audinces point of veiw, which would be better?

Also i have seen both stainless steel and aluminium broadswords, is their much diference in performance and durability?

chimeara, you live in melbourne, as do i. swords are illegal without a license. they cost $138.10

apart from that, bender is the only local guy with experience that i know of.

cheers, pete

Yeah, i know about the liscence..., but thanks

the rings are primarily used to catch spears, so unless you've got a violent audience, they'll be of little practical use.

If your heart is set on a fire sword, it won't hurt to base your choice on what type will allow you the greatest flexibility (eg smaller swords allow for a greater range of movements, can be used simultaneously)

And for safety sake, please practice with a blunt wooden or foam version until you can reliably not hit yourself at all before attempting fire.

please don't wick the blade too close to the handle,
if you're wielding anyone's fire sword, please don't point it downward for too long, because anything slower than a sweep will cause flames to lick up the sword, engulfing your hands.

come to wednesday fire gathering and i'll give a rundown on safety and technique. I am too slack to make a video.





yet.

oooh... please make a video... please please please!!!

please

i've got really old COL footage that didn't make the cut (likely the poor lighting and not my cellulite)

Thank's bender. Yeah i'm getting some wooden broadswords from ebay. Yeah i havn't been to a wednes' fire gathering yet, but i've wanting to for a long time, i've got heaps of school work at the moment, but i'll try to come in a few weeks, mabey i can bring my cam. and take some footage for the other guys?...

The nine ring broadswords look cool, but after wicking up, the rings won't move very well, and certainly won't make much of a sound bangin' on the wick. The ring holes, however, are quite helpful if you're going to wire the wick on the sword!

are the rings visible during the burn?
perhaps they are a nice revelation during a routine, showing themselves as the flames subside!

listen to bender, that man is badass with crazy hooked sword things.

The rings remind me of a crazy kung fu weapon, think it's called a horse axe. It's a hardcore weapon, like a long staff with a big axe head, with rings thru it. It's for killing horses, apparently the rings help make a bigger wound somehow. I remember this being about 5 years more training than a single sword, so unless you are planning on doing any gigs at wild horse bars, i'd stick to a pair of short swords with nice balanced handles.

From the little i've seen of 2 short sword kung fu, there's a lot of cross over with poi movements.

Will be back in melbourne early july, would love to learn some sword techniques.

matt

bender yer right - in the beginning of the burn, you can't see the rings, but as the fire subsides, you get to see the rings!
TheWibbler, are you talking about the pu-dao? it's classically the "horse chopper", short staff with a broad sword head. The Kwan-Dao is similar... "pu dao & Kwan dao example"

I thin kthis is the weapon i was thinking of

Third one down from top

http://www.namyang.co.uk/learn-martial-arts/gallery/shaolin-weapons-pictures.php

*takes deep breath*

[SIGH]

really there are some great vids somewhere stuck in that pipeline

One way to do it is to NOT wrap the wick ALL around, but to only attach it on one side of the broadsword... still the fact that something is attached to the blade will muffle metallic sounds created by the rings...

Think very carefully.

Take up the offer of any blade training you are given.

Look at re-enactment swords if you want to make your own. Expensive but they are made to battle with (Blade striking blade shied armour they take a lot of punishment) so should last depending on various things like how hot your fuel burns as it can destress the blade.
Aluminium in my mind is only good if you want to hang it on a wall.

Oh if you do go far a re-enactment one don’t go for the cheep option (around £50) you want a good make at least 100 quid don’t know what that is in dollars and I cant be arsed to check.
This is a good English make. Check out the vids. The people with the big sticks are to separate them.

http://www.lancasters-armourie.co.uk/Videos/nlhf/nlhf.htm#

Caldicot fights are better

Oh but you wont get one of there blades for less than £260.