Saberforum exclusive! Djem so vs. Makashi

[Darth Nonymous]

Hey everyone.  here is a quick edit of some sparring Me and VorNach did last night. Just sharing it here with the forum. Enjoy!

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCTlcnsZtHU" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCTlcnsZtHU</a>

[Kham-Ryn Kurios]

Good video, I wish I could offer advice and such but I don't know a lot, I just do stuff.

Anyway I wanted to give you two points for wearing gear.

It really isn't that hard to lose an eye and if you break the tiny little bones in your hands, no more dueling for you.

Keep it up.

[Master Lucien Kane]

 Nice sparring video, looks like you guys have some dynamic pairing going for you. I like parts of the takes on Makashi, and Djem So seemed to be pretty encompassing. So all in all looks like a fun time you guys had.

[Kaiden Shardsbane]

Sweet.  Question:  What did you use for gloves?  They looked like hockey gloves to me.

[Darth Nonymous]

Sweet.  Question:  What did you use for gloves?  They looked like hockey gloves to me.

VorNach is using lacrosse gloves and I am wearing street hockey gloves. The street hockey gloves have been pretty cool because they are a bit light and cooler than regular hockey gloves. For sabering they work perfect. I think if you were to do any actual weapons fencing, lacrosse gloves would be a minimum.

We are experimenting with different armors to see how they work. The sabers are cool because they are pretty safe to begin with. We will do a vid in the future about protective gear.

We are going to have to get down to business though. We keep sparring the whole time and not shooting

[Darth Nonymous]

Good video, I wish I could offer advice and such but I don't know a lot, I just do stuff.

Anyway I wanted to give you two points for wearing gear.

It really isn't that hard to lose an eye and if you break the tiny little bones in your hands, no more dueling for you.

Keep it up.

Thanks much.

I think it's important that we start promoting wearing gear when doing this stuff. It not only allows you to be protected from serious injury, but it allows you to practice techniques at speed and with real power. The is no reason for bruised knuckles and welts on the brow when you can get some hockey or lacrosse pads at "play it again" for under 50 bucks.

[Veldryne]

Nice vid mate. With the way you controll your saber in the other videos I'd love to see a longer continuous flow duel from you guys in low light.

Keep making the videos. They are brilliant.

[Master Nero Attoru]

Very neat.  I like seeing how the protection offers you more of a chance to not hold back, it's something Artorius and I should try once we get more protective gear.

It's also neat to see a little different take on Makashi... is your background more classical fencing stuff, Nonymous?

[Darth Nonymous]

Very neat.  I like seeing how the protection offers you more of a chance to not hold back, it's something Artorius and I should try once we get more protective gear.

It's also neat to see a little different take on Makashi... is your background more classical fencing stuff, Nonymous?

Thank you Master Jedi,

No fencing here. While I have fought and sparred with fencers, i never have done any myself. I have done most of my formal training in Chinese martial art.

My Makashi is related to "Wudang 13 sword" which is a single handed side sword kind of a philosophy. What most would call "Chinese" jian.

VorNach actually brings the European arts to the table. But, one of the reason we work together is because in the the end, everything is pretty much the same. We do lots of comparative research into the martial arts in general, the  lightsaber stuff gives us a place to practice it all.

And yes, you should definitely get some gear. You don't have to hold back if you get good stuff. And like I said before, there are great pads out there for next to nothing. You could easily set your self up with a full suit of sparring armor for under 100$. Even just gloves and a mask will free you up.

What I have to do is find good head protection for the younglings. Fencing masks might be a bit pricey. But I don't know.

Any suggests would be welcome.

[Master Lucien Kane]

What I have to do is find good head protection for the younglings. Fencing masks might be a bit pricey. But I don't know.

Any suggests would be welcome.

I'm working on that... Well I'm working on it for adults as well as kids.

[Master Nero Attoru]

That's even more interesting then!  One of the first times I've seen Chinese martial arts adapted to saberplay, and I quite like it.

For the fencing masks, it might get a bit pricey... but you can get the basic epee ones for relatively cheap ($45 I believe at Absolute Fencing).

[Veldryne]

Lower mesh mask and mesh goggles for airsodtwould work. Would come to about 25$

They stop .20 gram BBs at up to 500fps. I'll find a link Monday while I'm at work.

[Master VorNach]

Anyway I wanted to give you two points for wearing gear.
It really isn't that hard to lose an eye and if you break the tiny little bones in your hands, no more dueling for you.
Keep it up.

Goodness yes, use protective gear!
I know many people talk about having good control or using points of contact so they know what to change to not get hit there.
This does not address the slip, the trip or the unexpected change of angle that plants a sword tip in your eye or smashes a finger joint.

Accidents happen and taking basic measures to minimize the soft spots is a great idea. This is important for all participants. I feel terrible when my training partner gets hurt and I was involved. I worry less when whomever I work with is protected and this frees me up to concentrate on the bout.

Street hockey and lacrosse gloves work great for the hands and wrists and are usually pretty cheap, especially if you can find them 2nd hand. A cup is an excellent idea. Worst case scenario you could buy a set of cheap work gloves and epoxy or tape some closed cell foam to the backs of the hands and fingers.

Fencing masks are probably the best for general face protection and work moderately well for the throat.
http://www.amazon.com/Absolute-Standard-3-W-Mask-XS/dp/B001HKVWJK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336970874&sr=8-1

This is the style of mask Darth Nonymous and I are both using:
http://www.amazon.com/Absolute-Removable-Elite-3-W-Mask/dp/B001HKPH0A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1336970874&sr=8-3

This leather shell can be bought or made if you want even more protection:
http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2012/019/e/0/high_resolution__fencing_mask_png_by_m10tje-d4mv7q3.jpg

And it is possible to paint onto these masks without impairing your vision. Or, if you're really ambitious, sculpt something:
https://secure.flickr.com/photos/ammnra/4698685552/

So for the cost of an mid-level Ultra Saber you could have decent protective gear that can make your training safer and more productive.

[Master VorNach]

Nice vid mate. With the way you controll your saber in the other videos I'd love to see a longer continuous flow duel from you guys in low light.
Keep making the videos. They are brilliant.

They are a lot of fun to do as well.
Getting something longer, when we're not choreographing or highlighting a specific aspect/technique, is going to be a matter of time. I hope we'll get some bouts that are longer as we work on this. Right now, they end when they end. 

Thanks for the feedback and comments!

[Veldryne]

Okay, the protective equipment i mentioned, found a few different options that will  all work


First, basic mesh airsoft goggles, metal is steel, about 1mm thick, as i stated holds up to .20 bbs at 500fps
http://www.shootercbgear.com/product_info.php?products_id=3565

Neoprene lower mask, looks kinda like a sith breather, but itll still protect your teeth, great in conjunction with the mesh goggles
http://www.shootercbgear.com/product_info.php?products_id=3264

Mesh option, same idea, i have taken many shots that would have knocked out my teeth and been saved by wearing this exact one, better breathability than the neoprene too
http://www.shootercbgear.com/product_info.php?products_id=2839

Same mesh, but this one has ear covers as well, so a misplaced saber strike doesnt cause you to look like a rugby player
http://www.shootercbgear.com/product_info.php?products_id=2095

Full head mesh, pretty comfortable to wear, pretty durable too
http://www.shootercbgear.com/product_info.php?products_id=2970

These last two are a hard plastic shell, i dont like them as much because of the reduction in vision, but they are padded, adn you can add more padding easily enough with a kit for bike helmets
http://www.shootercbgear.com/product_info.php?products_id=2242
http://www.shootercbgear.com/product_info.php?products_id=1046