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Set to music, done in costume, just for practice, we are all interested to see what other people are doing with their spin work. Got a saber spinning routine to share or find one you think we should see? Post it here.

Let me start things off. This is a re-post of the 2014  year in review. This video is the result of an open submission call for videos on various saber forums. The following montage blends footage from the three participants (Darth Venturous, Darth CH3M15T, and Darth Cephalus) featuring saber spinning in different weapon combinations to music by the Noisy Freaks. Videos taken during 2014.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_fabiOtA6Y (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_fabiOtA6Y#ws)

Fantastic!  If this doesn't get the members racing for a saber to practice spinning then nothing will.   8)  :o  ;D

I'll post one of my older videos here to try and revive this thread, as I feel there needs to be more submissions to it. Hopefully before too long, I'll have a much bigger one with more content uploaded that I will share as well.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=J74XyZF-ais (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J74XyZF-ais#ws)

Wow that one is a blast from the the past. Thanks for posting it and have a point.

Practice saberstaff freestyle routine set to Kismet by Bond. Edited down a bit for length. Features green blades in honor of the season. I tried to work in a few contact rolls I have been working on though they are still works in progress. Enjoy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDPXbzv3rc4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDPXbzv3rc4#)

Now that I've finally gotten some new batteries, I thought it appropriate to make a new video with these.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoJ8DKtL5Vg&feature=youtu.be (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoJ8DKtL5Vg#ws)

Sweet. Seen some things I haven't seen you do before. More to learn now.... This spring, once I've learned staff, I'll do some videos. Since you guys are better, I'll just have to find better locales. However, I will soon post a video about a small exercise routine I do to cycle between hands, direction, and flowers for single saber. It helps coordinate my hand switches and gets that offhand involved.

If I could give you several dark side points at once, I would. Glad to see your work take a theatrical direction. Superb and very well timed.

Many thanks. I've been wanting to do something like that for a while now.

And thats why YOU are a Master....... all the points man   :)

Respect   8)

Well done sir! Thank you, enjoyed
that very much! Dark point to you

Points for the exceptional dual wielding. Straight up Starkiller style.

Master Venturous....so nice!  The video editing and music was a really nice touch I have to say.  Point!

Thanks for the points :) There's just something about spinning a glow stick to Lindsey Stirling that is just fun.

Lol agreed!  And not just any glow stick but the expensive kind.  Cool I was gonna ask who you had playing in you're vid, we like her stuff :)

I've been watching all of you guys' spin videos as well as Master Venturous' tutorial videos, and I made a video--thank you guys for those videos that taught me how to do this! Spinning is so much fun. My camera quality is not good, but my shadows do some cool stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVpzef4U0Pg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVpzef4U0Pg)

Well done and good choice of music. :) The only thing I would recommend is to do one during the daytime outside so we can see more of what you're doing. Sabers don't always need to be lit to have fun with them. ;)

Thank you! I have one with the light on, too, I just hadn't uploaded it. Your wish is my command:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgMZZTNqgYM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgMZZTNqgYM)

Very cool :) Well done

Very nice. I particularly like the timed ignition. I don't know that I have seen that before. I am guessing you have stunt saber with a latching switch and you are spinning with your thumb on it and lightly depressing it to the beat. The effect is especially good in the dark version. I also like how the black outfit makes only your face illuminated in that version. Gives you a floating head look that works well with the shadow. Now you just need to get a good camera sometime withing the next several months and you are all set for this year's year end spin montage.

Wow that was fantastic  :D

Super awesome!   I would have destroyed that TV, I'm sure.  Me + indoor spinning =  OH CRAP.   :D

I was going to ask if that was Stirling.

Practice saber-staff routine with spinning and some contact moves to Peter Gabriel's Steam. In this video: various spins, tosses, and rolls. Also two halo 360 rolls, some halo transitions, neck rolls, under-leg spins, and a couple things I don't know the names of. A couple near misses, but I am starting to get the hang of these things, and my modified saber-staff is working out well.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAjp9N60104 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAjp9N60104#)

Half spinning video, half music video, here's my first attempt:

http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=23929 (http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=23929)

I also want to say a big thanks to Venturous for the awesome YouTube tutorials, which I'm using to learn to spin. Great work!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR1bX1OucgsmuuBmdcNU5kw (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR1bX1OucgsmuuBmdcNU5kw)

That is true love right there. You've found your diamond in the rough with your girlfriend and that was a cool video you made together. Also, great job on the spin work. I especially like the speed at which you use that staff. Great job. :)

Aww thanks a lot! I loved your Saber Shadows video, the dynamic lighting effect of the sabers against that white background was fantastic, especially with the Guardian Blue :)

Glad you enjoyed it :)

Very nice tomofoyle. Music + Spinning + cosplay= triple threat. Point to you sir.

Hey guys all these awesome spinning video and tutorials inspired me to pick up my very first Ultrasaber. I can't wait to start practicing. Keep up the fantastic work,

I am glad they helped and welcome to the forum. I will start you out with a point. Are you light side or dark side?

Light side please  :)

Then have a point

Here i am practicing a couple of new moves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoT-_XyfvkM

and this is my favourite move duel reverse grip move
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCfv3PiVyuU

In honor of Star Wars Day 2015 (which also happens to be Towel Day, the Glorious 25th, Geek Pride Day, and my wedding anniversary) a bit of triple wield saber. Staff in one hand and single saber in other. Some obi-ani spins, some plum flowers, some regular flowers, a hand switch, etc. Some moves are a bit clunky but it is what it is at the moment, still a bit of an improvement over the last time I tried this. Music by BLEO. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wD8czdKNL8

Oh man..... awesome...... my brain struggles with how you did that throw from rh to lh with the staff while swapping your single saber from lh to rh...... just awesome..... +1  :)

Ok so heres some epic graffiti i found. so i HAD to do some spins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRcqHaN4YYs

And some single blade soresu free form spinning.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiXFsJG-aL8

This is what happens when you add long blades on a dual wield practice session in a confined place. You can see me struggle a bit with my environment as I work with some of the more complex spins and turns. I left the mistakes and pauses in so what you see is raw freestyle footage. Please be kind. Music is Wickerman by Iron Maiden.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVkCIZx2Yt8

That was some epic spinning C.  Especial when your turning yourself. Good control managing those giant blades.

We should try and get another group video done soon. Like for the end of July or something. giving us a couple of months. I'd want to utilize the general grievous graffiti again or some other interesting back drops or locations. Might costume up to do it aswell if i have time and can be bothered. Even if its just the 3 of us again, Luckily Me you and Venturous can specialize in different skills. Anybody else wishing to contribute would be added bonus.

Fantastic moves and lightsaber wielding gentlemen +1 to you both. And that is some awesome graffiti.

Gents those are some fantastic videos.  Your spinning skills are amazing.

Can you please share some details on your preferred hilts (incl. detail like non-std pommels or sound and/or lith-ion batteries etc. if applicable) and blade lengths?   I'm curious to hear what you guys find works best in terms of size, weight and balance.  Thanks.

I personally use standard pommels on all of mine whenever I use them as a single or dual sabers, but I wouldn't object to trying other pommels. All my sabers are stunt sabers only, so no sound in them, but they all use lith-ion battery setups. As for blade length, I prefer 24" when I use a staff and 32" when single or dual wielding.

It was hard to tell in some of your dual wield videos.  Sometimes it looked like you had a 32" in one hand and 24" in the other.  Just an illusion?   
Ps- what hilts were you using?  Thanks.

Usually when I do videos with dual wielding, I'm usually using my 24" blades, but when it comes to feel, I prefer 32". The hilts I use are Aeon initiates from Ultrasabers that I got as a Phantasm Initiate staff.

Oops I just realized I confused your videos momentarily with CH3M15T's.    I think it was his videos where I got that sense of different sizes in each hand.  For your videos it was clearer that you were using 24".

The answer to that for me is complicated.

Staff: For staff spinning, I use two coupled V3 initiates with 24" blades. They have tennis grip covered over with silicone grip tape on the handles. If I am going to do contact moves though, I replace the 24" blades with 16" blades and add a silicone wrapped yari staff extension to the middle.

Dual wield: I usually use my two initiates with their 24" HG blades (the rest of the blades I use are MG) but I am trying to transition into longer blades as the last video shows. The blades in that were 36" with much longer hilts. The one in my right hand was about 50" long and was my usual one hand saber. My initiates at the moment are sporting one 36" in the right and one 32" in the left. I like the 24" blades for speed, because it makes the flips a lot tighter, and because it spairs my legs while learning new moves. They are not as dramatic on camera though.

Single saber: My single saber is an emerald driver saber with sound. It is an archon v2.1 body, a choke and tapering emitter from another manufacturer, and a dark omen pommel. The saber itself is long (16") and the Omen pomel is there to give the back end weight to move the point of balance to the choke. A lot of the flips and rolls I do with are possible because of this length and weight.

Darth C have I ever seen you're Archon "hybrid" lightsaber in pics? You might have used it one of you're vids but it may not have been recognizable while in motion. I'm always down for some custom lightsaber candy pics. Plus my love for the Archon is partially fuelling this request :D

Thanks for the detailed reply.


Are you using the heavy grade there specifically to shift the weight balance forward?

That is partly why, also the saber came with them, and it has to do with durability. The initiates are my working sabers and they take a lot of abuse.

One of these days soon I will see what I can do. Watch the gallery thread.

You guys are making a strong case for the initiate V3, both for dual wield and staff.   I might just have to go for a pair next time there's a sale.  (I "like" my Aeon v3 but part of me feels it's a bit too long and that I'd be happier with a shorter hilt).

Have any of you skilled spinners tried the newer initiate v4 or apprentice v4, and if so do you have impressions on how they compare to your v3s for spinning?

I've never used the V4s, but they look pretty sweet and I'm sure they would feel comparable to the V3s.

My three hilts are the Aeon RGB, initiate silver, and dark initiate red. I got the Aeon first for the cheapest RGB option but fell in love with its simplistic design due to there being very little to hurt your hands and fingers on when rolling and catching etc. I followed it up with the initiate for several reason. 1 again cost, 2 it was in keeping to a similar style and i was intending on dual wielding, so both sabers would look sort of like a pair. 3 it was smaller so easier to controll for my daughter and for my weaker off hand when wielding 2 blades. Using one long blade and one shorted blade for defence is already a legit dual wielding fighting form.
Then i got the Initiate dark red blade with coupler so i could create a staff.

Now my Aeon RGB my favourite blade is a 36" but i chopped off 2.1/2" so its like 33 1/2" or something random. Best length for me. I have a 40" blade but its hella long. have to be careful not to stab the floor.
sometime i'll drop my blade size down to another 36" blade i chopped to like 33" or 32.5" little bit shorter than my other one to experiment with my optimum length. Most of the time It goes in my initiate with its shorter hilt to be my slightly shorter off hand. Or i'll use the 24" if i want.  i have a few lengths of blades to play around with. I'll either have a slightly longer one in my dominant right hand, or it'll be much longer. Theres always a size difference for me. until i can play with both initiates for the first time when i get it back.

Now for me staff at the moment. i couple two different sized hilts with different sized blades in it. So the balence point is slightly off. i try to even the weight out as much as i can. for me it still feels like theres a definate front or leading blade with the weight and feel of it. but i don't mind this at all. when i get my initiate silver back from the shop with the 24" blade i can try an evenly weighted saber staff. I'm considering maybe taking off a couple of inches of one of my 24" blades. i would love a short saber staff i could spin epicly fast.

a nice little practice session here. tying in those two saber one hand aerials. I've Been working on another new move today too :D I shall make a video for it and any others soon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fee6UcMIqTQ

A-ha.  So I wasn't crazy after all.  I was seeing what I thought I saw in your videos. ;D

I'm not ambidextrous in the slightest so I could see myself really struggling with left hand development and would probably need to stay smaller on that side as well if I were to try dual wield.

Btw are your aeon and initiates v2 or v3?

The V4s have better styling as far as appearance goes, but the V3s have a more robust overall feel to them. The 3s also, IMO, have better choke points and more secure blade retention.

My initiates are V2 and the Aeon is the The Aeon.  RGB model.

Done and posted here. The Archon is the second one down.
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=24259.msg364943

After watching a few of your guys' youtube videos I kept wondering to myself why do they keep saying "Obi-Ani"?  What the heck does that mean.   I mean I knew you were referring to a move but why was it called that.

So rather than asking I used search (I know... shocking.  lol) and found this thread:
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=3445.msg348968#msg348968  (discussed on page 1784-1785, between Jedi Nox and Venturous)




So naturally, I'm assuming you're referring specifically to this scene:
(http://imageserver.moviepilot.com/2430134-anigif_the_star_wars_prequels_boiled_down_to_one_gif_25792_1288045878_15-so-what-s-up-with-star-wars-episode-vii-s-new-lightsaber.gif?width=517&height=349)

It is this one
(http://i.imgur.com/4thrz.gif)

In terms of personal satisfaction and achievement it looks like a cool flourish to learn.   

But in terms of the actual duel in the movie, that scene was just plain........... dumb.   A prime example of everything that was wrong with the prequel movies.

George:  "Let's do something cool.  Can we have them do something cool here?  Maybe spin wildly at each other?"
Yes-Man McCallum:  "Sure George, that would be great.   Let's do it."

To be fair, that gif is on repeat to make it look silly. They did the move throughout the film but usually only once at a time. As far as I can tell, it is actually a spin that exists in Wushu and is the first part of a plum flower. Mostly in the movies, they use it to deflect blasters, which seems legit to me. Like most of the spins we use though, doing it in battle, especially that close to the other person, would be unwise. That is why it is artistry rather than combat.

Yeah, I know the gif is repeating.  But in the actual movie they did stand there motionless for several seconds while they did it.  I didn't count how many rotations but it was probably a half dozen or so.

It seems completely pointless in combat like that.   If a Jedi did that against a lesser opponent as a form of posturing (think puffer fish), intimidate the opponent into not even bothering to fight him...  that would kind of make sense in their whole philosophy of defense only (avoid a fight whenever possible, etc.) but why would two equally matched opponents do that at each other like that.    It did seem silly in the movie.

I absolutely hate the term "Obi-Ani" and I know of others who hate it as well. As such, I have begun calling the move the "shoulder roll" in order to get away from that name. That was the scene I was referring to in that other post, but I simply don't feel that name should be used anymore. The only reason I used it in the first place was because most people know what move you're referring to when you say it.

I think it was used in the movie as a means of gaining momentum for each strike they did. It was pretty pointless and only made to look flashy, which I suppose looks cool to those who don't know or care too much about the practicality of such things. I have seen the move used in a practical way only once and that is when turning with the move to deflect a glancing strike to the back before countering.

Tried doing another tutorial. Just basic pointers and tips for building up to dual wielding. I know i'm probably repeating other tutorials out there but i keep getting asked for advice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulwZ_XnHI_c

then i was practicing this weird move. Right hand is doing the plumb flower in reverse while my left is doing the plumb flower forwards. Alternating Natch!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_8_5oRYR4U

Just another quick vid where i'm trying to tie some new moves in to my learned set.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yda-NHp-o8

Lightning storm = Sithy Lightsaber practice :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DoToje9PZI

Sooo smooth DARTH CH3M15T...and a suitable background indeed :)

Thank you. And yes i had to seize the moment there to get those shots.

Heres some more dual wield. video isn't edited too greatly as theres numerous fails in there when i was tired and cutting it all together.
Working on some more single saber work later also and maybe part 3 of my tutorial for later on in the pipeline.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk4aLvhz-VU

Some single saber practice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPApcDOlQV8

More Epic Dual Wielding
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogp1M_vLFTs

I finally got caught up on these. Tine has been scarce lately as my son is starting to crawl, so my computer time is limited to a few minutes a day. The rest is guard duty. At any rate, good videos. The work shots are great because we can see the moves in a raw form taking shape. It also gives us decent bloopers like when you almost lost your head at about a minute into the single saber video. The main thing I like in these videos is that you are putting in more footwork and body spins and are getting pretty good at them. I have been trying to work on this myself, but it looks like you are a lot more comfortable with them currently than I. Might have to do with my confined practice area. Gives me something to shoot for.

So, I was playing with some foam swords when muscle memory made me spin them both. At the same time. I quit trying to spin two sabers at once because I just hit myself a lot with my awkward right hand and that sucked. However, I continued alternating hands while single spinning because it looked cool, you guys told me to, and I trust your expertise because you all look so awesome spinning! Naturally, I grabbed my sabers and went outside to find out whether I could do this dual spinning with them. I recorded it so I could laugh at my flailing around excitedly (and now you can too). I decided to post it because I wanted to thank you guys. It's silly and there is so much flailing but the fact I can do it at all is so cool! Those tutorial videos and the advice are the reason I am able to spin at all. Thanks so much to all of you!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXVEr58ErpU&feature=youtu.be

Also, I saber spin to get my cardio. This is amazing exercise when you do it for 10+ minutes straight. Just put on some dance music and go! Since I already had my amazing recording apparatus (my phone propped on a water bottle) ready, I recorded the tail end of my workout as well. Includes tripping on random fabric in gravel. :D

P.S. Please pardon the pajamas in these videos, I didn't plan to record!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlJLAvD3-dQ&feature=youtu.be

It certainly is good cardio, especially when it's hot outside. It looks like you have a single saber down pretty well and are getting pretty proficient with dual sabers. The only thing I would suggest is practicing the dual sabers a little slower and work on smoothing out the transitions. It looked like you were trying to go too fast with the moves before you were ready to, but practicing those things slower helps develop the speed. It also looked and sounded like you were using heavy grade blades, which can make things a bit more awkward, but even better for cardio. Now all you have to do is get you a saberstaff and you'll be golden. ;)

Thanks! I haven't practiced the dual spinning much at all, I didn't realize I could do it until just tonight. That's why I shared it, so I could yell thank you at the internet. Practicing with both hands gave me the muscle memory. There will be much practicing after the rejoicing period, heh. They're also mid-grade blades, rather than heavy. I didn't think I'd be super rough on them so I just went with the standard.


I have the coupler for my initiate v4s, but the staff is MASSIVE put together. Because one of my initiates has sound, I use the vented coupler which is 3 extra inches, both of my blades are the 32" and I'm five foot two. So...Saberstaff is very, very difficult. It's almost two feet taller than me. I also have a 36" blade on my Archon, and even standing on tiptoes when the thing comes behind my back I'm lucky not to hit the ground and then myself. Short people problems. XD I keep thinking I'm gonna buy the shorter blades this fall, but then I think i'm going to use my play money to buy a Catalyst instead. It looks like it would be way less rough on my hand than my Archon is with the smooth grip. But some of you mentioned using the v3/2 initiates, and now I'm wondering about those.

The weight of the bottom of the Archon makes spinning way easier, and because it's so heavy, going back to the initiates means I'm spinning so much faster and more cleanly. It's my favorite for practice. However, the choke on it is awful. I mean, it's great for the holding and the weight and all (and looks awesome), but the ridges beat my hands up. I taped it with cloth tape today, but now it looks stupid and I am aesthetically displeased. Maybe I'll change my mind once I actually use it this way and my hands aren't all sore.

Do your sabers cause any of these problems? How are the grips? I've been meaning to ask the other spinners out there what issues and solutions they have had. My questions about which models you were using were already answered. I did wonder if the flat smoothness of the earlier versions of initiates were better for spinning, and you guys seem to be pretty happy with them. Do they slip through your hands at all?

Inzane asked a question earlier in the thread about the v4 initiates--if you're still around--the standard v4s are pretty great  (I have messed around with them), but I don't recommend getting the emitter windows like I did if you want to spin a lot. A little, it's fine, and the windows make it look super cool. Unfortunately, the most comfortable choke point, at least for me, is right on top of them. :(

Initiates definitely make spinning a lot easier and a lot faster in my experience. Especially if you use initiate blades as well, but those aren't for everyone. As for the smoothness problem with the grips, I too had issues with that when I first got my dark standard issue staff with the vertical grooves. They cut my hand up pretty quickly. The way I got around that was to just wear some gloves while practicing until I got to the point where I could do the spins without the hilt hitting my hands in the same spots, so I learned to spin it without having that issue again. That would be my recommendation if you don't want to change the aesthetics of the saber itself. The best way to avoid such injuries though is to practice the moves slow enough so you aren't injuring yourself, then gradually add speed to the moves. You should in turn develop the coordination for the move without it injuring you.

Glad you got it. In my experience, that double Obi/Ani was the major hurdle. With that and the flowers, the rest is basically just variation. As Veturous said though, take it slow. Don't get too into the body spins yet. Learn the flower and the obi/ani, how to move from one to the other and back, and how to change direction. With one the blades are going in the same direction, with the other, they only appear to be.


I would go for the blades and a different emitter instead. Get a couple grab bag blades and cut them down if you want to save on cost. Put a warglaive emitter without the claws, a catalyst choke, or a choke from one of the other guys and any low profile emitter on your Archon and you will find it to be a very nice spinning saber. When I am not using my initiates, that is what I use actually.


The V3 initiates are actually not flat; they have two choke points, the higher of which is where I grip mine for spinning. If you have a saber you like though that is not easy on the hand, there are a few solutions. Leather wraps or padded tennis grip work well, as does electrical tape. Duck tape makes some patterned products that work as well. My personal favorite though is silicon tape. The best way to get it is look for duck brand self fusing fix it tape. It is roughly the same thing you get from a juggling shop for half the money. The best way though is to just save the fancy stuff for a saber fit for it. Any MHS saber will work if you swap in the right emitter or emitter/choke combo.

As to your spinning, it is looking good. Keep at it and don't do anything to mess up your hands or shoulders, and you will be pulling off the more complex moves in no time. Can't stress the shorter blade thing enough though. I see you having to hold your shoulders up in those dual wield spins to keep from hitting the ground. Ge the move down with shorter blades where you don't need to compensate, then you can make the adjustment when you switch to longer blades a lot better.

I'm still here.  ;D

That must've been a while ago.  I've since gotten a v4 Dominix which has a similar profile to the v4 initiate. 
I think overall the Aeon v3 and my initiate v3s are very ideal for spinning.  They just feel so natural in hand.

My Dominix is easy to spin too, and like you with your initiate noticed the sweet spot for balance of a v4 Dominix w/ 32" blade seems to be right over the windows.   It doesn't bother my hands at all.  But I wonder if using that as the pivot point over time will wear the anodized coating off the window edges.  It's probably not an issue for the silver hilts but for Dominix and Dark Initiate v4s it could be.

Btw good job on the videos.   

Master Venturous: I hadn't really thought of just eventually being able to spin without hurting my hand, that's a heartening realization. I think my initiate emitter window bothered my hand at first too but it doesn't now, so I must have gotten used to it.  You're right on the body spins, I am definitely not ready for those with dual wielding yet, I'll have to work up to it.

Darth Cephalus--I think it'll end up having been my biggest hurdle as well, once I started doing that spin, I realized I was at least capable of learning dual spinning, where I didn't think I was before. I'll definitely take the advice and work on getting the spins before moving around too much elsewhere. I am so gung-ho about new shiny lightsabers that it didn't really occur to me to purchase just the choke/emitter, that is a fantastic idea and what I think I will do. I absolutely love the Archon's weight.  Yeah, that experiment dual spinning was what sold me on needing shorter blades. It was very difficult to keep them from hitting the ground (which is why to improve at staff I'll have to have shorter blades, since two feet is too difficult to compensate for, as I have to spin at face level). And yes, good advice from both of you on the spinning. I'll have to go over a few of both of your demos again to work on smoothing out some of those spins and figuring out how to transition well.

Inzane--Yeah, it was a long time ago, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to answer anyway. The emitter windows don't bother my hands anymore, but I found myself wishing I hadn't got them because it looks silly on camera when I'm doing choreography or spinning when I can see me holding the window. Not a big deal, as I am very pleased with them overall. To answer about the anodizing, I just examined my sabers (I have the v4 Dark Initiate LEs), and there are a couple tiny silver spots on the very edges of the windows, but they are so small I hadn't noticed them before, and I've spent a few hours a week spinning since April.

Thanks for all the helpful advice! I may be able to get my aesthetic dream saber sooner saving money on a spinning saber. :D

Wanted to cover a move that I included in my Saber Shadows video and breakdown how to do it. Something to add to your repertoire to help with movement.


www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0rrisS_o7A

Thanks.  Point.   8)

Awesome tutorial Master Venturous. You can also use the backward plumb flower to turn your body around the other direction. I also think theres away to turn around the other way than you were in the tutial (using forward plumb). sort of against the spin but it breaks up the plumb flower slightly into somthing else. This helps in dual wielding into the staggered plumb flowers while spinning.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB-PwGDpzf4

It looks like the move you're doing there is a slight variation of the plumb flower, but it looks cool regardless. I was wondering if it was possible to do it with two sabers and it looks like what you are doing comes as close as possible to that.

just my latest footage from a few weeks ago that i go around to chopping together. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz59D2sRRsE

Venturous: Thanks for the tutorial!
Ch3m1st: Awesome as always, thanks for the example vid.

Here's a recent freeform workout...odd music, but that's what happens when you tell Pandora to give you dance music randomly. XD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6cScPAMHWU

You're welcom EchoEternal. I rarely post any tutorials or that much advice on here. i mainly use these forums to satisfy my own ego or to try and get one up on the other spinning masters  ;D. But sometimes i have my moments and can be useful i suppose. Working on my next tutorials soon. Where i actually demonstrate moves. I'll be focusing on the flowers / windmills and their variations tips that helped me and all the other moves they tie into, so watch this space for that.

Until then i was brushing up on my single saber work too. I've come to a bit of a wall with learning new tricks so i've decided to get better at all the ones i know. resorting to melding two moves together.. Within all the free form and rand tricks, i was practicing the ..... errrm. its like a blade barrier but instead of sending the blade around my body i'm spinning around so it looks like the blade is continually spinning in that locations (forgot what its called now). I added in the aerial hand switch instead of the pass to try and spice it up a bit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWSvIS19SRY

The first way I found to spin in dual wield plumbs was the opposite way. The trick is to turn on the low beat towards the reverse obi/ani, eclipse, whatever we are calling it these days, spin. After I saw your video CH3M15T, I tried your tactic of turning on the overhead beat and it is a bit easier: no chance of clipping your leg, which is nice. The spin is faster though so I found that practicing it was a good recipe for vertigo. I will have to give it more time later when I have the time to spare. You can actually turn either way with an obi/ani or reverse, one direction you go with the transition and let it carry you across, the other, you throw the obi/ani and turn after it. I like that all of us seem to be moving our bodies a lot more these days. To me that seems to indicate that we are getting comfortable enough with our spinning to start to move around and with it. Leads to a lot more sophisticated routines,  even if it does make those routines harder to film without moving out of frame.

So I have a few new ones. The first is quad wield (double staffs). Here I am trying to prove that despite the lore, you don't need four arms to do this.  This is my first attempt at double staff. These are full length saberstaffs. This is hard to get time to try as it takes two staffs and a lot more room than I usually have to work with.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQwgOFgFirs

The next is fire sword. This was my first go around with a fire contact sword while it was lit. I got brave enough to try a bit of contact towards the end of the routine. I lost a bit of arm hair but it otherwise went off OK.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oey7J6h7YIA

The final is dual wield fire sword. I was feeling lucky so I tried this the same night. First attempt at this too obviously. You will notice I have at least two people with wet towels behind me in case I catch on fire. Thankfully, I did not need them. These things are a lot heavier than my normal sabers and the fire creates a lot of drag, but I think it went well.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eTrTozoOtA

Wow those fire swords look amazing, good work! I recently bought a fire staff and have been practising lots, but haven't been brave enough to set it alight yet...

There is a guy by the name of Ken Hill on YouTube that has a lot of good contact staff tricks and lessons he teaches on his channel for all those interested in learning that type of thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjW4QS3v8l0

I do fire staff as well. Unfortunately this is the only video I could get onto youtube. It's out of focus and it was in my "KEEP IT AWAY FROM ME" stage, so I wasn't doing fancy stuff with it. But here it is. And no, the people in the background aren't reacting to me.

I'm a frickton better at it now. But no good videos...

Awesome fireswording Darth Cephalus. I want to give it a try but want to keep hold of my hair.
Still practicing my dual wielding. Heres my latest vid. shot from an elevated angle (my upstairs window). With my new camera (phone).


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF3H0xf2P74

CH3M15T, I like the simultaneous reverse plumbs near the end of the video. The new camera seems to be working well. I makes the blades pop without some of the grain of your last one. Not sure about the high angle though. Dogo, I know what you mean. I seldom post a video without looking back on it in a week and thinking, "that move looks so much crappier there than it does now" we are our own worst critics. The fire is intimidating and it can go wrong; my sister in law lit her head on fire the other week and lost an eyebrow. If you wet down your hair and have a spotter, it is mostly just psychological though. I particularly love the sound that a lot fire makes when it moves. I did not put the fire videos to music so I could capture some of that. Once I get more confident with it, I hope to try out some of the cower contact moves. Those swords though are hard to get close. The weighted pommels make them a lot like trying to handle two staffs. I doubt the flowers will ever be as tightly contained with them as the ones in CH3M15T's videos. I am always struck by how tight and neat his flowers are.

Oh gosh, I would never spin without a spotter. I really should record myself now, this video was a long time ago. The fire doesn't really intimidate me now, though I have a healthy fear of it.

Now I've done performances with it at Celtic Fairs. It's a cool experience.

Haha I can definitely see myself being exactly like this to begin with!

I'd be very interested to see more videos so if you manage to shoot any then post them up :)

Fantastic video CH3M15T. The sabers look a whole lot brighter and more awesome than they did on your other camera!

Still a work in progress but here is my version of what I am calling the rotating plum flowers. It is that thing CH3M15T has been doing. Mine rotates a bit differently, and I have pulled it in to fit my confined practice space, but here it is. A plum flower spin modified to work around spinning footwork. This version is designed to work with a slow spin in place. This is still a bit rough and I sometimes miss the overhead transition.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYGOjhHoDR0
Same spin as the last video but designed to cover ground. Instead of a pivot in place, I am alternating.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuEpq7aD0YE

Am I the only one who notices the similarity between saber spinning and flag spinning? Are they essential the same techniques? Long, long ago I used to flag spin (and not for the marching band), I always thought it resembled the more show-y type stuff seen in Star Wars.

There are certainly going to be similarities, though the techniques used in each probably vary quite a bit. The weight is also different, which means there will be differences in how you control it and how you handle it.

Similar yes. Both deal with orbits, planes, and circular motions. There is also similarity to poi, rope dart, nun-chucks, and a few other things. The main thing about saber spinning is, as venturous mentioned, the weight. Sabers are weighted at the handle, which allows for the tight flips and some of the close to the body spins that require a change in direction. Some of that you can't do with flags or poi, which are weighted at the other end and rely more of centripetal force. All fall under the subject heading of object manipulation. The fun thing is that if you have skill with one kind of spinning object, you can usually adapt a great deal of it to another. You see the same thing when a single saber person starts working with a staff. Yes you will have to make adjustments, and no you will not be able to do all of the moves with one you can do with another, but it will be a lot quicker than starting fresh.

So I got hold of an Ultrasabers Aeon V4 and I modded it up. Some people asked about the balance and how it was for spinning. I put together this video to demonstrate. It actually spins well but not like I would have guessed. The rubber O rings on the top ridges below the emitter make a nice point of rotation as you see in the first few seconds. Overall, it is well balanced and fun to spin. The only complaint is the light-ish pommel that makes the saber a bit top-heavy. That is not a problem unless you try a contact roll, which I did in the video and nearly dropped it. Also testing a blue color bump on the cheesy video editing software I use to add music.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSDVXPWF4hE

second day of spinning with my Aeon V4. I decided to show some of the spins I am working on. In here you will see some horizontal spin/hand switches and some leg work. Towards the end, there is also a neck roll to a toss. I have also been working on incorporating larger orbits into some of my work. Feedback welcome. Music is London After Midnight: Pain looks good on me. I don't know why, but blue blades seem to put me in mind of more Gothic music. I call this one Blue Aeon... creative huh?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JWFg55kAJ8

Hello, after watching Darth Cephalus and Master Venturous on youtube, i managed to (Kinda) get the Obi-Ani down :D Using a 36" Ultra Edge on a Dark Warglaive. Form is terrible and pointers would be cool and it hurts my forearm and shoulder after a while, but here you go :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvecOQJctIw

I just addressed this video in another forum topic, but I'll add what I put there in this one so others can comment on it as well. While watching the video, it looked to me like your wrist was controlling the move a lot more than it should be. With the shoulder roll move you were doing, the wrist should turn with the forearm, especially when bringing the saber back to the front. I also noticed you turning and leaning your body a lot more than is necessary. I see a lot o people do that when they first learn this move because they are afraid of hitting themselves with the blade and they want to ensure the saber is able to come back to the front. If you control the move more with your forearm and less with your wrist, that should fix both issues. For reference, here is a video I did that might explain it a bit better or you:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mMbg0ZXjQw

I also noticed that the moment when the blade makes the transition from back to front, your arm and hand are pretty far out to your side. Bring your hand in closer to your hip and you will find it less taxing on your forearm.

Hey Guys. Haven't posted in a while. Though i'd contribute.
Cephalus, Keep on at those rotating plumb flowers, Its a very difficult move to do but already your showing promise. But you are restricted with space as sometimes you need to stretch out and certain points on some swings to help either change direction, (i.e rotate), or to whip the blade back into a quick spin again. Also you seem only to be rotating in one direction with the rotating plumbs flowers, you should be able to turn your body around in both directions with this move. its just getting down the footwork, timings and being proficient with both forwards and reverse alternating plumbs. Alot more fun outside without the worry of damaging anything, and being able to travel some distance with the move, or just do it on the spot. I also try and change my rotation direction at the end of a long flowers rotation to help un-dizzy myself.


Anyways without further ado. I present to you some alternating plumb flower aerials. Not sure if you've done something like this before Cephalus. But here i am practicing it and tying it to some other simpler and similar moves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5VxofWbEH8

CH3M15T! good to see you back. I have put the turning plumbs on hold for a bit as I work on my single saber. I plan to revisit it after spin wars 2. To answer your question, no I had not thought to try flips like that...but I have been working on a slightly different variety. I put together a quick video to demonstrate the difference. I didn't jazz it up at all, but there you go. your version looks great, and as usual, the speed at which you do it is most impressive. I will have to give it a try next chance I get. I am also loving the new camera: everything is so crisp.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VO7LK8haKg

Your compliments are well received Darth Cephalus. Gratitude.
Here i demonstrate the rotating plumb flower in both directions i think, with variations thrown in. I try to keep my movements slow in parts to help people visualize what i'm doing for each step., but i'm prone to try and speed everything up. Oh i also managed to get some reverse alternating plumb flower aerials in there also.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K1wj4RqS60

Just some more free form based around the forwards + backwards obi-ani. Flowers and rotating plumb flowers. I need to practice more rotations with flowers and focus more on reverse grip for a bit as i've negelected that area for a while.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC5LHGCJlN8

I also shot this days ago. I wasn't going to post it because the move ended up being used in the video of my last post. but here it is again in better light with an added fail in there to prove i'm still human. lol. I'll probably end up deleting this video at somepoint.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqCz8MghNsQ

I like that horizontal hand switch. I will have to try that out. I have a 1.5 alternating flip I have been working on you might like. I will see about posting a video as soon as I am more confident with it.

When is Spin wars 2? I need to repair one of the connections in my saber, so its currently non operational *frown*

I was thinking of posting the call for videos soon. I just have to find the music. I am planning on seeing if there are enough participants to have a light side and a dark side video this year. It is the light side music I have not been able to find yet. If I can get it together, I will post the call for videos shortly after Halloween, with a deadline of mid December so that I can work them up by New Years again.

In the meantime, here is a collection of all of the flips, tosses, and hand switches I know for two sabers. Set to Hell or High Water by Rosetta Stone. Contains single flips, double flips, 1.5 reverse grip flips, forward, reverse, horizontal, and a flowered flip I have been working on.


www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVHJzFaQgJI&feature=youtu.be

My son's first attempt at dual wielding LED sabers. The apprentices learn so quick these days. Last week, he was leaning to walk, now he is preparing to defeat the corrupted and self-righteous Jedi Order. They will never know what hit them.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5woshfbMeoc

Thought i'd posted theres here already but might have forgot.
Feeling great envy and hatred towards your sons incredible Sith Lord abilities, i decided to unleash my fury onto my daughter and be had a duel of epic proportions. think she might have won! landed a really nice knuckle shot too, ouch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEvXcFZwq7k

then just a vid of the usual stuff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUizBN2q94U

So I have been working on getting my dual wield transitions to be a bit more fluid. I had been finding that I often ended up repeating a move and trying to figure out how to get out of it and into another. This led me to practice more with music to get more used to working in footwork and integrating more variety. These two videos are my most recent progress. The first is a relatively fast paced freestyle routine to Shadows by Lindsay sterling. The second is a slower routine to Caravan by Bond. For the record, these are dark initiate V3s with color discs and added silicone grips. As always, feedback or suggestions are welcome. Enjoy.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPZv5OujLAE
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxVwcS3dYzY

Looking good to me. Some Kali would definitely help with transitions. (im sure there are other arts as well)

i'd say keep messing with it because like i said, looks good!! Point for you sir!

Ok, so i had a few people ask me what i mean when i say combat spinning. I think i saw a video earlier that explained it...but you know me....i'd rather show it.

Not so much spinning, as just beating up an immovable object.

DISCLAIMER - Do Not Use Your LightSaber Like This!!

You'll see as it progresses i get more and more violent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaDjltfPjME

I've got to figure out some new transitions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9FtXUqTsRU

Nice.

Just finished this one...was quite a bit of fun..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBdTigs0Fd4

When my staff gets here i'll post some spinning.

Very entertaining video, love it! You have a flair for the dramatic. I look forward to seeing a saberstaff video :)

^Super fun RyanG83Jkd I really enjoyed your video!  Point awarded!  Looking fwd to your next one as well :D

sick..

Hey everybody! I finally had some time to record some progress so I can see where I'm at. Stumbling around a bit, probably because of sprained ankle. :( It's a pretty long video--Single spinning until 3:20, dual spinning until 4:20, and the rest is saber staff. I'm finding the dual spinning learning curve much steeper than the rest. Still stuck at the basics there, but will continue trying to improve! Nice videos everybody, and the instructional videos are fantastic as well. Thanks for all your help! I love spinning. :) Also I have no skills in video editing so that's awkward.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_YNapamVSg

This is great!  I need some pointers on transitions like this.

Looking very good with those spins Echoeternal. The dual wield does have a steeper learning curve, but you seem to be getting there. With the staff, I am rather fond of that horizontal behind the back to overhead transition myself. I suggest spinning in the same direction as the blade as you bull it out from behind your back. I makes the slow part of that move look a lot faster.

Real nice Echo. Looks to me like you might even be holding back the speed a little bit ( not saying you went slow by any means, again, impressive ). I don't normally do too much spinning...besides my " think " mode...which is the behind the back spin...or more commonly known as the blade barrier here on the forums. Don't get me wrong, when i first picked up the staff 15+ years ago that is mostly what i focused on. I find myself coming back to it. Everyone here loooves that Obi - Ani spin. ( A lot of martial artists will call this the " Senseless " spin, but i find anything that changes rhythm can be used as a PIA attack. It throws your opponent off...that being said, if your sparring someone who is known to be aggressive...or a fencer or kali practicioner....be careful with spins, they love to crash and a spin will most definitely get you hit. )

You can turn the Obi - Ani into an attack of sorts. You still do everything the same, but as the blade comes to the front of your body you torque your feet/Hips more and the blade can slash at the upper body/neck/head. Do not try this fast though, you must condition your hip and shoulders...especially shoulders...for this to be effective. Anyway, this last rambling was probably better suited for the combat section. Felt the need to share it here.

Reposting your link because of this rambling!! Great job!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_YNapamVSg

Cephalus: Thanks for the advice! I did see I sort of spun during it in the video once and it looked a little better, so I'm going to work on doing stuff like that more often.

Samhain: I think I'm full of transitions primarily because when I spin, I just turn on music and turn it into a cardio workout. I just constantly try to keep the blade spinning, and doing this forced me to figure out different transitions. For instance, if you're spinning one direction on the side, say upward, if you turn your body the other direction the spin will reverse and be going the other direction. The obi-ani can reverse the direction of your spin as well. Just play around with it with some nice music and it'll happen eventually on its own. There are also some good tutorials from Cephalus and Venturous that are helpful in that regard. I think I remember one of their videos specifically showing this.

RyanG83kd: I was holding back some due to the sore ankle, and I was sore from the night before. I'd been terribly out of practice and spun for like two hours straight followed by an hour of dagorhir drills (foam weapon fighting). I was sore all over (dagorhir works those shoulders and hips you mentioned :)). I love doing the Obi-Ani, but I do know it's really hard to work into a combat situation. We've managed to work it into choreography routines twice, but it doesn't naturally happen when we're coming up with it, we have to put it in intentionally. In foam weapon fighting, not really at all. Most spins in combat end in getting stabbed. The spinning seems to come in handy in dagorhir most often when faking. Really easy-to-do fakes with a pointless spin that looks like a strike.  The opponent tries to block it, then it rotates into a strike on the other, unguarded side. Other dag players that don't spin have trouble executing them as well (it's more obviously a fake), I'm guessing because I'm working mysterious spinning muscles they aren't.

Well done. I really like the speed at which you do a lot of the staff moves, especially the halo spin. Keep it up!

Awesome video Echo, great work. You're really nailing those throws! Keep it up :)

I completely agree about the challenge of dual wield. My puny mind struggles to concentrate on two sabers independently, so I haven't made much progress with it.

I like the transition at 4:39. I've been finding it difficult to find smooth ways to switch between the vertical and horizontal planes with staff spinning so I might have to give that one a go :)

i just realized the only video i had was a staff spinning video....and that doesn't count... so here is my contribution. It was raining outside, so i kept it limited...was still a good workout.

Constructive criticism appreciated.

https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=i1VGGhU2QAM

That link isn't working for me. Just takes me to My Vidoes page on YouTube. Try going to the video and copying the link you get if you press Share?

Sorry about that. Im planning on going outside later tonight and doing another one. I really had to slow myself down because of the ceiling. The one for tonight will most likely turn into shadowboxing....but i'll do my best to keep it spinning.

Combat Experience = 15 + years..
Spinning Experience = Limited....Maybe 2 - 3 years of off and on training ( i've actually only been trained in combat spins ) The only really cool spin i've ever learned was the Plum Flower many many years ago. Realizing after checking out everyone's videos that if i deconstruct the plum flower, i can do other spins i wasnt even aware of.

I do a staff warmup often. Halo spins, behind the back and such. Echo and Sam have me wanting to try flipping now too.. Very impressive!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1VGGhU2QAM

All im practicing in this one is mostly the plum flower. I like to try and work lots of different angles. Again, Constructive criticism appreciated.

ok, so i went for it on this one. Tried a little bit of the flipping...that's going to be a new skill set i have to master. I really need to work the left side more, injuries prevent me from training. That side fatigue's rather quickly. Still conditioning though. Train train train!!

Any pointers appreciated. Left a lot out. Im fastest with the behind the back and plum flower spins so that's what you'll see.  ;D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ltd1RB87rps

Great videos! You're great at this! :)  The combat experience makes you look much cooler and more stable than I do while spinning, as my balance is awkward and my movement looks a lot like stumbling because I am much more aware of the saber's positioning than my body's positioning. Seeing the way you move is helpful in this way, I can try to mimic this. Also I should hold my hand up near my chest like martial artists do. I have recently noticed that I hold my hand up there, but limp-wristed, and it looks pretty silly flopping around like that. XD I don't think I have much in the way of pointers, you have a strong handle on the spinning already, and can just add more moves to plum flower and obi-ani. Throws just require practice. The higher throws are accomplished by switching to reverse grip during the senseless so that you can backhand it pretty high. Saberproject on Youtube shows some of these in convenient slow motion in their Youtube videos.

Thanks. And I'll try the reverse grip flip tonight. I actually started adding Palm spinning during the plum flower. Need to speed it up, but it adds a full rotation to the top and obi ani ( bottom ) parts of the spins. I think I can add a flip as I bring it back to front as well. Having fun exploring.

I find with the tosses that you can get more heft from a reverse grip toss but more rotation from a regular grip. You snap it over your thumb. I do a lot of practicing indoors so rotation is more important to me than heft. I am loving the freestyle by the way Ryan. Just as a pointer/suggestion, you do a neat thing with your first plumb flower in the video where instead of the top spin, you pull the blade across quickly behind your head while keeping it horizontal. It is a stall almost and it looks good. You never did it again so I was thinking it was unintentional. If it was, you might try doing it on occasion intentionally as a variation. The butterfly kicks are looking good too. I would never be able to pull off those things.

Thank you kindly sir. As for the horizontal sweep, it's from the Chinese broadsword. I wasn't sure if it looked good cause it does force you to slow down quite a bit. Still trying to speed it up. And for the life of me I can't halo spin with just the lightsaber....staff no problem....but this lightsaber....!!!!!

Almost have the palm spin transition for the obi ani mastered. It'd be much easier with a staff. Thanks for the tips on flipping. Still messing with it....almost knocked myself out earlier.....  :D

That happens. The worst are the horizontal over-head flips. They are easy to miss and will brain you if you can't get out of the way quick enough. CH3M15T posted a few some time ago, so I was trying them out.

Halos with a single saber are more awkward than with a staff, but still doable. They are easier with a staff because obviously you have more of a handle to grab, but you can still use the same technique to grab the end of a single saber as it comes behind the head. Not sure if I've ever done any videos on doing it with a single blade, but you can apply the same technique to it as you would with a staff.

Got it to work tonight. Also got the palm spin added to the obi ani. Extra rotation On the spin. When I ice pick grip the obi ani it's easy to generate an extra spin in front, so now I'm adding a flip ( trying to ) when holding hammer grip.

I find it very meditative when moving in continuous motion.

Did a warmup and tried adding some flips in. Left in my mistakes. Still feel like im muscling it, cant seem to find a flow with it yet. I will, just have to keep at it!

You'll see at the end the palm spin during the obi ani i was talking about. When i get the lightsaber staff i should be able to do a double palm spin. Cant wait to try it. Still smoothing it out a little bit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWShpY3a530

Sharing some practicing I did today.  I didn't get to work the reverse grip throw in there like I was doing before I recorded.  The camera started to die as I was about to go for it, you'll see I look at the camera and slow down a bit at the end because of that.  Thought I'd share anyway though.  I was mostly trying to figure out ways I can change directions and switch hands.  All that good stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwD1agUIK_4&feature=youtu.be

Some single saber test footage. Partly to try out my new gloves, partly to play around with the echo feature of my editing software. Set to Neon Tiger by The Killers.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IXhChLt32Y

Also realized I posted this one to the wrong thread. I had it over in choreo so I am moving it here and taking it out of there
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kApB120VDdo

Very nice. What did you use to get that effect with the blurred/streaking motions? Looks amazing!

That was the echo effect in after effects. I found it installed on a computer where I teach, so I decided to play with it.

It's nothing special, but my gf snuck a little video of me and my first night with my Emerald Bellicose and my stunt Apprentice V4 for the first time!
https://youtu.be/gbIvEVFcnWA

I shot this to send a friend and show him about where I'm at with spinning.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePViKLxRD04&feature=youtu.be

If y'all would just delete the "s" in the "https" URLs you're posting, the video would embed.

I'm working on a playlist of saber training, and there are enough spins for everyone. ;D

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5tx91JroW-Wa-_vuf3KXvw/playlists?sort=dd&shelf_id=0&view=1



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gab0aMrG_m0&index=1&list=PLl9wmduKa380mmnspRW6yOcev850vfNlO (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gab0aMrG_m0&index=1&list=PLl9wmduKa380mmnspRW6yOcev850vfNlO)

Didn't realize my video link had the HTTP"S" on it, so here we go. My girlfriend snuck a video the first night I received my Emerald Bellicose and coupled it with my stunt apprentice V4.  Afterwards I tweaked my sensor settings so ditch the false clashes and such. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbIvEVFcnWA

WOW . . . Really love that echo effect DC, especially with the FoC . . . +1  :)

I did too. Maybe this year, I will offer that as an option on footage submitted for spin wars 2016.

Lots of great stuff in here! Anyone using a CF8 and the spinFX? Piecing a saber together and wondering how seamless it may be?

After seeing that echo video I'm like now I have to learn all of this.

Yes, I am completely new at effects editing but it is pretty fun. I found another fun effect called time warp. I especially like the way power on and off look with this one. The second video is the original footage. It is a first run at blade on blade contact spins with lightsabers. I learned this from Lucian Kane. He calls it stickie blades.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Og1GprPaIOY
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ysV-At_93M

Just practicing a bit before work.  I wish I had more time to work on this stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE58XzxP1L8

The finger rolls are looking good. The best thing I can suggest to spice it up from there is try using stalls and reversing the pattern. You are always doing obi-anis with the right and inverse with the left. Try to get used to doing each with the other hand.

Second attempt at blade on blade contact spins with lightsabers. I threw some dual wield flips and hand switches in here as well. One thing I particulary like is that I figured out how to roll one blade around the other while passing the stationary blade to my empty hand. Basically I discovered a new hand switch for dual wield based off this move. I get better at as the video goes on. 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnCm4oHyo7U

Outstanding! Looking really good and excellent control/restraint.

Thank you very much. I really loved watching this. I know that the "sheet of light" effect is an artifact of digital cameras software and your speed, but it was still very hypnotic. I think this was much better than the one in the darkness.

I only hope that I can move that well with practice.

Hey, look who did an Obi-Ani video? ;D I feel so proud of my speed here!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWU_KOnED8I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWU_KOnED8I)

Looks good. And you are turning with it too. Strikes are not really my thing but yours are done with quite a bit of feeling. Keep up the good work. Point.

The speed is good, though I would caution against that whipping action you're doing to bring the saber back to the front. That can really take its toll on your shoulder if you do it too much or too intensely like that. Other than that, it looks good to me. Next step would be the plum flower.

I'm glad you mentioned that ;) I learned my lesson with it, and whip my arm up to a certain intensity, so as to not harm the shoulder. ;)

This is just a simple video I make in honor of May 4th of me spinning to Elements by Lindsay Stirling.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMNgCd4H0pI&feature=youtu.be

Amazing as usual. Love that little slow motion part at 3:00, so cool!

Always good to see a full demonstration from you.

I wish the cameras I used had picked up more light than they did, as it is a bit hard to see what I'm doing. Next time I do a video like this, I'll have to film it in my apartment where the light actually shows up more. Was still fun to make though :)

As always, a pleasure to see your spins, Master Venturous!

Aerials and a light pike? Who are you and what have you done with Venturous? Awesome and inspirational as usual. Makes me wish I had time to film something today. Alas, out of town relatives are hindering my ability to spin. I will have to live vicariously through your videos and reward you with points.

I was looking forward to seeing a video from you for May 4th. It was like another opportunity to make something similar to the spin wars. Maybe you can post something when you get back from the relatives.

And yes, aerials and pikes is a thing now. I was going to include double staves in there too, but realized I only had a set of batteries for one staff. Maybe next time.

Double staffs? I can't wait. I have been wanting someone else to pick those up so I can steal appropriate some moves. I may be able to film something tomorrow. Perhaps I will just have to respond with a Revenge of the 5th video.

Double staves requires that you have pretty much mastered dual-wielding. And dual-wielding is my weakest weapon style, so it will probably be a while before I get around to tampering with that. I was playing around with a shortened pike earlier and thought double pikes would be fun to try out. I'm going to focus on the combative side of things for a while, then maybe I'll start dabbling in those kinds of videos.

My revenge of the 5th response is filmed, but it will be tomorrow before I can post it. That makes it at least partly on time. Since yours was a day early, I am going to count it.

We shall look forward to your video with great interest.

Very nice. I know I'm late. But here you go  :)

http://youtu.be/ub0KCwJhE4E

Took a while to format but here it is. Double lightsaber staff spinning to Dream On by Aerosmith. Still not perfect but I think much improved over my last attempt at double staff. Ambient light was high and my red filters on my initiate staff were a bit aggressive, but the red comes through on occasion.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw_vAINYvCs

Are those single sided saberstaffs you are using?

Nice vid, I'm still working those flips.

The green is a saber staff. The red is the dark sentinel v4. It's almost the same length as the staff though.

Nicely done. Dual staff can be pretty cumbersome, bit it looks like you handle them pretty well. You easily carry a lot over from your dual wielding.

I coulden't resesit answering the challenge from your earlier post. I wouldn't say easily though. The last time I tried this (a few months ago) I hit myself in the face and busted open my lip. Round two went a bit better.

The pacing for that double staff video is surprimgly easy to follow.  It almost makes me feel like I could go out and try it.  Usually I'm lost in the woods rewatching over and over trying to figure out what you're doing.  Maybe I've just watched one too many Darth Cephalus tutorial and I'm starting to understand XD

Wish I could get in on this with you guys, only have one staff. I suppose I could order another sentinel v4. Doubt it though...this child of mine can get expensive. Thus why I lurk in the shadows more.

Something kinda funny happened Cephalus. I remember you saying you were teaching a seminar or something of the like for spinning and such. Turns out a teacher at one of the schools who is a student of mine at the academy asked me to teach the cheerleaders and some members of the marching band how to walk, move and dual baton little flower ( obi ani ). They were a talented little group and we only had two students whack themselves while practicing. I had them learn on short staffs for strength development and told them to move on to redwood or red oak once the rattan started to feel like air and/or an extension of their body.


I guess if you would like to see my techniques I could use my combat staffs. You'd actually see me throw on a helmet due to the weight of them. One mistake at speed is a visit to the ER.

That's marvellous, you really deserve the "Four Hands of General Grievous"-award!

Partly that is because I had to force myself to slow down. That was one of my problems last time. The full staffs are so heavy they get away from you with one hand (especially the left) if you are not careful. The solution was to start slow and build up speed then get faster, then slow down, then transition. I was learning that as I spun this time. The slower pace and larger moves though does make the timing a lot more evident.



I would really like to see this. I have s-staffs which are short and the rules are different. If the staff fits between your body and your hand with your arm extended, there is a lot more you can do with it. I don't know if that is the case with yours but it would be interesting to see. Just slap an imperial cog sticker on the helmet and call it cosplay.



Two staffs would actually be Pong Krell, but I have never turned down an award and don't intend to start now.

I don't know if this would be considered spinning since it's primarily based around strikes, but the intent was to look flashy.  I was trying to sync saber sounds to my stunt through Sony Vegas.  Some manual pitching, stretching, and timing and this is the result.  Not perfect but that's okay for now :)

Using a stunt Dark Apprentice LE V4 w/ Fire Orange.  30-second video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ_aMBRW-lA

I'm trying to expand what I'm doing with finger rolls a bit.  Here's a quick clip of what I'm doing.  After recording I'm thinking it would be worth trying to go straight from the aerial into the finger roll on the right side.  The issue is it takes a bit of momentum to get that reverse finger roll to get going.  It's worth a try though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL_XzvHaLJI&feature=youtu.be

Looking real good! Smooth.

https://youtu.be/NRbWgZ7N1nc

Added some drills that would normally be done with two broadswords (Chinese to be exact.)

THe two staff's in the beginning are my combat weapons. The red oak in particular is very good at smashing things with little to no effort....thus, my training speed in the video. I switch them out for my training staff and saber staff. In order to give you a better demo I would need two weapons the weigh close to the same. ( typically half a pound will not mess me up. Anything more can mess with the " sync " )

@phantompencil: I like that move! Also the sound editing was great!

@Samhain: Where has that wreck of the pickup gone from behind you? :) (Nice spin!)

That downward crossover is a tricky SOB isn't it. For the record, you can do the super obi-anis and dual plumbs with two staffs as well. Watch out for the former though as they put your face at risk.

It can be. I'll have to give those a try. I'm going to be putting together a lightsaber spear with some pikes. Real excited. Allows me to use to more like an actual staff. For the most part.

The camera is sitting on it lmao

@ Ceph

Forgot to mention, i have never tried the standard plum blossom with two staff's. We do it all the time dual wielding. The school I use to attend 15 years ago used it as a precursor to the next rank. ( with swords , not staffs )

I tried it today, easier than i thought but i definitely see your point with watching out for the head shot! I started doing it " at speed " and had to let one go so it didn't whack me! I might just get another saber staff so i can do these properly. The weight still throws me off if it is not equal.

All this double staff stuff and I'm like "I can try that". Then I immediately realize I've never spun a staff in my right hand on its own.

If the unequal weight gets you, you should try triple wield. Staff in one hand and saber in the other gets you used to dealing with the discrepancy. I find triple wield with the staff in my less dominant hand to be a lot of fun.

And Samhain, yeah I would say going from single saber to double staff would be a bad idea. There is a reason that there are only two people on this forum that I know of who have done it. Like Venturous said, you want to be a fluent double user with a decent proficiency in staff before attempting it or you will clock yourself. The dual wield is more important than the staff proficiency. I would say get dual wield with short blades, go to long blades, pick up staff skills, get used to staff in one hand, maybe try triple with the staff in the dominant hand, then try it.

Double staff is one of those things that you shouldn't even attempt unless you have a good amount of experience with dual wielding single sabers. Even then, you're going from two blades to four blades, which essentially doubles the chances of wacking yourself. As Cephalus said, it would be better to try a staff in one hand and a single in the other first before progressing to dual staves.

Just playing around with some ideas.  I kind of like DC's idea of doing moves backwards so I wanted to try a full plum flower in reverse.  Not sure if it's right but it's still pretty weird looking.  I also wanted to try throwing in as many unnecessary spins into a plum flower as I could using finger rolls.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOjW-V8vV-k

So I actually reversed the video and my reverse plum flower looks almost exactly like a normal one.  So I think I pretty much got it.  I might should post it because man aerials look funny on a reversed video.

I was going to say that the reverse looked right to me, but that would still be interesting to see. I have never viewed one of these in reverse before. Great way to test the form though.

As to the reverse plumb, it is an odd move, just like with the reverse Obi-Ani. Basically in a standard Obi-ani and plumb, the blade follows your hand. You throw the shoulder, the shoulder pulls the hand, and the blade follows. To reverse it, you are letting the blade lead. This is what leads to that dangerous shoulder whip in the reverse Obi-Ani. If the hand follows and the shoulder does not, you have the momentum to hurt yourself. With the standard plumb, you turn the shoulder throw into a turn by keeping it going and transitioning across the body for the upward stroke. With the reverse, you stab behind and let your hips follow the path of the blade. In some ways, the plumb is easier because it harder to not have the shoulder move at the end if you are already moving towards it; you just let the shoulder finish the action.

The only suggestion I can give on improving what you have is that you work on moving your off hand off your chest. If you can find a better place for it, you will sell the moves more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwJluIvJS8k&feature=youtu.be

I see what you mean. The odd bit is that in reverse, the aerials pick up speed rather than lose it. My favorite part though is the first/last move. A finger roll into an aerial is impressive, but an aerial into a finger roll with no pause to grip looks insane.

I feel like I might could do that.  I was already doing something similar in a previous video. An aerial at the end of the reverse obi ani directly into a finger roll.

A brief dual wield freestyle to Transcendence by Lindsay Sterling. Working in a very enclosed space. It had been a while since I posted, so I figured I would throw something together. Also fiddling with a video filter. It will be a while longer before I can post anything serious, but this at least shows that I am still alive.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX3fCxXAtWw

You always make this stuff look so effortless.

I'm still alive also. I'll post my latest video her also. I've been practicing different moves by using the back of my hands to either catch, knock reversal some moves and some balancing in there. Very difficult, little control and minimal room for error. Also trying moves like these are proper knuckel brusers. be warned. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8n87swcAfE&feature=youtu.be

I'm giving you points again because it's to impressive.

CH3M15T my old friend. You disappear forever and then come back with an epic viking beard and contact moves. Good to have you back ... and challenge accepted.

Man, Venturous, I have been watching and studying your youtube videos for a long time now.

Good to see where you stomp.

You are excellent with a blade and staff.

Just wanted to say what up and good videos, good technique!

Well heres your next "Challenge"  double / simultaneous arial tricks. Some old some New! Super difficult. Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OWMf3zJPZY

There are a couple of those I have not tried. That dual one where you throw one after the other will have to wait until I can get outside. Out of curiosity, did you ever see the dual blade barrier I came up with. I thought it would be up your alley. I have smoothed it out lately but have not been able to get a video. These are a couple of old ones though that show it from in front and from behind.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRJ3Ur2_T0Y
www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7KPDjzAdDw

The other thing you missed while you were gone was the dual wield sticky blades. This was based on something you had started to do some time ago and something that I saw Lucien Cain doing more recently. This video also has some of the dual aerials you mentioned in it as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnCm4oHyo7U

Also dual staffs.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw_vAINYvCs

Now we each have something to work on. ;)

Work and the baby keeping me busy. I still find time to train! My " force enhanced " staff in action.  ;D ;D

https://youtu.be/V6ZoUoZ_3c4

Too old I am. Yes. Too old to begin the training.

Alright, I'll bite. How old are you considering to be too old if I may ask? I think the company you find may surprise you. There are plenty on here who saw the original trilogy movies in theatres.

So I finally had the opportunity to light my fire staff the other day... and it's such amazingly good fun!  ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDE2MRZpK-A

Good stuff. Feels a bit different when you light it doesn't it? Most of that is in your head but there is a bit of drag as the fire pulls to the back of the spin, heats up the air there, and actually attempts to go the reverse direction. Jeans and a T-shirt is a good choice. If you plan to get more dangerous with it, I highly suggest leather. One other thing is that I notice some fire spitting out the end near the early part of the video. You seem to have very thirsty wicks on that thing, so be sure to spin them out before you light it. That will make it easier to put out as well. Otherwise, looks great. It is nice to have another fire spinner on here. Point.

tomfoyle... you have been practicing and like the lady said at the end there was no dropping !  ;D

Well done and thanks for sharing.  Awesomeness point for you.   8)

And you get another in an hour cus when I'm slightly down in the dumps I often go to your May the 4th music video and still get a good chuckle.  I especially like the flying sabers and garbage take out parts.  Hope that hot girlfriend is still with you.  ;)

Thanks for the tips! Can't wait to do it again and put in some more interesting moves. It would indeed be great to have more fire spinning stuff on the forum. I think a couple of people have mentioned it but there haven't been many videos. I went back to rewatch your fire sword videos from a while back, very cool stuff! I'd definitely like to try fire swords at some point. And don't you just love the roaring sound the fire makes? Feels really nice swinging it around!

Haha thanks. We performed the Star Wars medley again in costume at an open mic night on May 4th earlier this year, it was pretty funny. With the taking out garbage, I was actually just moving it out of the way to make space but when I saw that I had caught it on camera it made me laugh so I had to include it!

P.S. Hot girlfriend is still here, she was in charge of fire extinguisher!

A bit of slow motion sabering, just for fun! Obi-Ani and Plum Flower.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAFEzJ6Q7g8

Just some stuff I was doing last week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMEH0XlP74I

You're getting really good with those aerials.

It's hard to keep the momentum going with the 4 finger roll.  I almost think it's not worth the effort.  I've always struggled to find any real application for it.  While I don't feel this videos much to look at, I do feel like I demonstrate a lot of control over the saber using aerials and finger rolls.  That was really what my goal was.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3myhK9mkqZo&feature=youtu.be

That finger roll blade barrier looks nice. As to them being worth it, my favorite use of them is above the hear. It is something I picked up from CH3M15T. It lets you make a bunch of rotations far from your body, that you would not be able to do without using the finger rolls.

Thought I would stick these in here as well. I had the opportunity the evening before last to try out a different camera and a couple new fire tools. It gives you some of the moves you will be getting in the upcoming tutorial reboot series (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/717541782/light-saber-tutorials-for-everyone). Please keep in mind that this is behind the scenes non-choreographed practice footage. It contains some moves I do not know well yet but will have mastered before I share them with you in tutorial form. I have left the drops and bloopers in as well as the side talk. The camera I will be using on the series will be better still than this one, but this is a step up I am sure you will agree from the project video. The first video features fire saber, the second double fire saber, and the last is fire staff.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=szQQz4gfOyQ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6F0axxnC8A
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSMAClz5bn8

Outstanding! Looks like a lot of fun, and well done for having the guts to try some moves you haven't mastered yet. But do be careful, looks like you came close to getting a flame up your back at one point!

I'm becoming sorely tempted to invest in a fire sword or two, they look great  ;D

That tabbard is leather, so the only thing at risk was a bit of hair. Still, glad I did not set my head on fire. I have seen that happen.

Figured I would post this in here as well, so it gets to sit in this timeline. This is a more or less finished version of my flying or levitating lightsaber technique. It includes five different levitation techniques. The learning curve was steep on this one, but I think I got there in the end. Hope you enjoy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-8pd1Gn4YU

Spinning for my niece and nephew's school fair. The commentary in the background cracks me up.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bSsikFiryo

One more from the same venue. I was not planning to do fire spinning, so I had to be a bit careful. As things were, I freaked out my fire safety by performing without my hair tied back.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOIivQNfTsY

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO-XZWBRnfg&feature=youtu.be
www.youtube.com/watch?v=krEv3ofFxSc&feature=youtu.be
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ids4ki0Gs5Y&feature=youtu.be


First tries with my new sabers.

I just got my saberstaff ready. Makes me happy.

Fixed the embedding on these. For future reference, that "your video will be located at..." link does not work right. If you go to the watch page for the video, coppy the address and remove the s from https, it will display as above. Good spinning by the way.

Figured I'd post this here.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTATfcgVWUw&feature=youtu.be

Fixed your embedding.

Nicely done and good music choice, but what connection setup are you using that allows you to go from dual sabers to a staff and back so quickly?

That is the new Ultrasabers quick connector. It is similar to a pneumatic hose connection but is MHS. Look on their main store page towards the bottom or under accessories. I think it is about $35.

Hey Venturous. Yes, it's the ultrasaber quick release coupler.

Here's the same velocity as before with new members. We still have 7 others that might post some vids. At the end we string together some other drills. Hope you enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb8C7R0lx0k

Very nice. The kids commentary is awesome. Best line

" Now THAT's how you use a Lightsaber. "

Epic. Point for you good sir.

Yea the kids are a trip. There were some choice bits during the warm up Irish I had gotten. I did a bit of flying saber and the kids were postulating that I was actually using the force.

Most recent look at free form flying single saber. This one contains a single hand reel I have  been working on in addition to more polished versions of the moves from the earlier videos. It also includes a couple of those jump strikes I was working on.  I liked the way it went to the music.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORXnuVuQO_A
Also a quick response I did to a dance off video posted by Daniel Lane of TSL.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIfyrbGi6tQ

Here's a quick spin video I made with my Bellicose:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQWaMn_mN9E

Pretty quick with that thing fire fan. Good work. That green gives nice illumination too. Might want to turn down the sensitivity on your flash on clash though.

I meant to post this in October, but I was not done with it. I am thinking I may re-cut the audio and submit the 30 second footage for the light side in spin wars. The sabers are technically white, so it works. Besides, my son is too young to realize that I would be co-opting his dark powers in support of the light.

DARTH TYNAN

EPISODE 22 MONTHS: THE APPRENTICE GROWS

It is a dark time for the galaxy. The young Sith apprentice Darth Tynan, sabers in hand, has driven the Jedi forces from their stronghold and pursued them to the corners of known space. Still the cowardly Jedi resist complete extermination.

Brought to a standstill in his efforts by the stealth of his prey, the young apprentice returns to the Video Store planet and the tutelage of his master. Perhaps if he can unlock the secrets of the Dark Side, he will be able to finally bring his foes to ruin.

The only thing to do now is train and wait....

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmdqvcagviU

This is a long version of an alternate video I shot for spin wars light side. I was messing around with some dual wield moves.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7_llsGZkr8
For the final cut, I removed all the spots where the saber went off because I grazed the button in mid spin. The end result was this.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZzfHIL3UMw

This is a rough draft of a work in progress for a simple routine consolidating the elements of set one of my tutorial series. I wanted something that can be done single wield, dual wield, and staff. I show a version of each in the video. This is a draft so I am open to suggestions.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWpgjT-5bCE

Thought I would share these. This one is functional looking one of the final routines to my first two sets in my tutorial reboot series at full speed and in low stance.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwV-36kDLHs
The second is a more artsy thing I put together with footage from practice sessions on campus on my way to the car. And yes ... people walk by when I am doing this. Mostly they stare and move on. Sometimes they stop for a bit. They almost never say anything. I even tip my hat to someone about a minute and a half in, but I tried to work it in to the flow. I just consider that I am doing my part to keep Oregon weird. It is set to Winterborn from the Cruxshadows.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzkKWptMCkg

I haven't been doing much with sabers lately compared to you guys, but I do try and a bit of practicing.  I've mostly been uploading short videos on Instagram.  Here's a compilation I did of the last few I've posted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8vYvVsmZow

I don't know, I see a fair bit of variety in there. The assisted hand roll transition looks good. Also, I just realized I never posted this one on here.

A little Saint Patty's Day thing I threw together. A bit more playful than the usual.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbAUVV76aGY

still here, still training!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1HBNHbV3Gk

The stuff I'm doing here's surprisingly elaborate but I'll be damned if you can see it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKT3c2twSt0&feature=youtu.be

@Ryan
Nice echo effect. I may have to try that. It looks like a single echo offset by about .33 seconds? Makes the quick disconnect look more impressive too. My quick release is on a FedEx truck now. I should get it tomorrow, or whenever FedEx actually decides to let me get it as opposed to leaving notes and running without even knocking like they usually do.

@Samhain
Ah the old sabering silhouette in the dark routine. Don't worry, you can still see some of the complexity. You can even see your hand a couple times. :P

I mean there's like this tiny window where I can spin and the blade color show up well while still being able to see the person doing the spinning.  During that windows when I'm usually working or running errands XD

I know that window, and it is quickly going away for me.

Trying to get back into the habit of posting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa_e44nHDpk&feature=youtu.be

Dang it Samhain. That was awesome. I may not know that much about spinning, but I know enough to know that that was no simple feat. That was gorgeous.

@ DC -- Yea, close. I had it at -0.30s. Figured out some new techniques with the QRC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG6UH3jnt2g

That was awesome Ryan. I'm assuming all the color changes was from VFX. They looked great. My favorite part was when you appeared with the Star Lord mask, the way you did that was awesome. It really looked like you had some form of teleportation/super-speed. Great job.

That was quite impressive Master Venturous!
I have been learning under the tutorials of Darth Cephalus and have about a year of practice under my belt. I am currently working on Intermediate spins and teaching my young padawan daughter the beginning basics. Darth Cephalus tells me that by teaching what I have learned, gives me a better understanding and know how as I progress. I believe he is right. I have watched some of your older videos and love your art form. This new one is done quite well, so much I had to watch it again. I am a big fan!
Just wanted to give you a shout out and show respect where it is due.
MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU MY FRIEND

Thanks very much. You can definitely learn a lot from Cephalus and he keeps pretty active, both on his channel and the forums. And he is right in that by teaching what you know, you'll gain a better understanding of it yourself. A lot of people think there is a teacher and a student, but we are always learners.

@ Taegin - - Thank you kindly! The color changing effect is just an Fx filter. The Echo effect is at the end.

Teaching is the best way to learn! What works for you, may not work for others. So it gives you a chance to break down the material different ways. Maybe more " baby steps " are required...I have a lot of students who learn visually, some who learn kinesthetically. Whatever the case I agree with Venturous 100%. We are all, always learning. Even the best instructor is still learning ( doesn't matter the art, weapon, or practice for that matter. If you stop learning, you stop growing!! )

One thing for sure, Teaching someone something you know like the back of your hand makes you realize you may not know " the back of your hand " as well as you thought. It will in turn, make you even better every time you teach it. We have a saying ( many ) at my academy. " We learn to teach so we can Teach to learn. "

Keep at it my friend. Time + Consistency = Success!

Got in a quick release coupler. Disconnect is easy, reconnect is a bit trickier. This video is my first spinning session with it. Now I am no Ryan with this thing yet, but I think with some more practice, I will get the hang of it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGlppaL6A-Q

You all are going to force me to get one of these... Nicely done though

Very nice! I only have 5 QRC techniques at the moment, working on more. I know for a fact you'll get it down quickly.

And yes, Venturous, you have to pick one up as well!

I'd kill for a QRC on an apprentice staff with 24'' blades! 

Anyway I recorded some of what I was doing today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gT9UWw04vE

I don't know that I'd kill for it, but I would probably severely maim. :D

That is pretty awesome. Unless I already know the move you are making, I can't even see what you are doing it is so fast.

Nicely done! From what I have seen and learned from you in the past, it will take you no time to get that reconnect down the way you want it. I still thought it looked awesome. I want one of those but I am going to wait until I get enough practice in with my v2 coupler I am getting for my Dominix Le v2 and my Aeon v2. I do have a question though, what do you suggest as far  blade size for spinning a double ended saber? It seems to me that my 36" blades are too long for this sort of thing.

Awesome Samhain! Dude you rock with those sabers.

36" is way too long as far as I am concerned. The ones I use are 31" in initiate sabers. When I use full size Aeons, I use 24". Fot me it comes down to the back pass. If I can't do it reliably without the saber tip hitting the ground, the blade is too long.

Just a practice session with some combos I am working on to test the balance of my new Shock. This at least gives me something to contribute until my voice comes back and I can do the review on the new Diamond board. A couple behind the head catches and a lot of flips in here along with some contact-ish moves.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNpv8maL9JU

Here is the final version of the short routine I put together for Michele C. Smith's May challenge. Now I just have to figure out which take to use.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ghSiLvQZyM
Also, I was working with a quick release coupler, and there were a lot of ... shall we say "technical difficulties". I don't usually do blooper reels, but this time I thought I would share some of the trials and tribulations with you.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdJGhMiIzss

Put this in the wrong place the first time. This was my first attempt spinning with an acrylic blade. The weight is about right as long as you are careful not to drop because the blade itself is fragile. It is odd getting used to the idea that it has a front and a back though. Music by Tom Waits.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KH7flMgzH_o

Thanks Darth Cephalus. I took your advice on the 24" blades  with my full size Aeon v2/Dominix Le v2 and it works so much better. I didn't even attempt the 36" blades. They seemed way to wobbly.

Making some progress with hand rolls and the one handed front spin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyaV1r2eItA

That is coming along nicely. Those front rolls look really clean.

Making some progress!  It feels good when it starts to come together.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y23SwuwFPrc&feature=youtu.be

nice! I agree, love that moment when something clicks. Looking good!

Just saw your video.  Ooh my now this in it's entirety is smok'en shmexy !  Great presentation.  Love the coat, hat and that music.  The end reminded me of a fireworks show.  Totally appreciated how strong your movements/spinning continued to be and the closure was perfect.  I would be so nervous tossing that acrylic Ripper blade but as usual you confidently made it look so natural.  :D

totally awesome point  8)

I'm pretty late to the party with the quick release coupler.  I've never seriously practiced two sabers.  I never really practiced staff seriously until recently either.  So I'm playing catch up all the way around.  I'm making some progress with a staff and this couplers really making me want to learn more dual wielding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1FAV10bAOE&feature=youtu.be

Outstanding work! Your spins are fluid and beautiful to watch, as always :)

I have one suggestion: Record in High Definition, if you can? Your videos deserve better than 240p!

Wow Sam, that was BADASS!  I LOVE the quick release so staff=>dual-wield with incredible fluidity  8).  Outstanding job sir.

Unfortunately I'm only able to record with my iPad camera. I can't really afford a proper camera.

I'm working with some 29-30 inch blades now, heavy grade.  I'm liking the extra weight for using a staff actually.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MUYOdddfu4&feature=youtu.be

B-E-A-UTIFUL!  Sam your spinning is truly spectacular ^^  The progress you have made is nothing short of incredible; thank you for sharing  :D

Here's the latest from my girl crush... the incredible spinner & stunt person Michelle Smith who lives in Vancouver.  ;D



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvCF_SvaxM4

She would have lost a few body parts doing that LOL. You should buy her a couple US sabers to spin with :)

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Michelle actually has one... a gift from a few of her students and patreon supporters.  But I'm definitely going to gift her with a saber staff from my collection.  We just have to figure out what best fits her needs. :)




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wgl2wym96k0

She is very good, think I'm going to hurt myself trying those moves.

Impressive

She is definitely worth watching.

This was a joy to watch. Thanks for posting it. If I were even an eighth of as good as her I would be happy. That was a thing of utter beauty, and now I need a staff.

I have created a staff in different lengths/weights from Michelle's instructions and from polycarb. tubes.  Makes a huge difference to practice with these prior to using a saber staff and much more easy on one's bank account.  The Aeon/Dominix v2 stunts as a staff are the best to start with.  I generally use the 16 - 24 inch blades.  :)

And I'll take a tenth of being as good as her... but unfortunately I'm not dedicated towards putting in all that practice lol.  ;)




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysXY-3k67KI

Snoke had me do a late night training session!  Catching a saber in the dark with a bucket in your head isn't as easy as it looks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXfMqjmqhWE

Nice

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M. C Smith actually has a learning group she moderates on Facebook. Nice to see some of her stuff come up in here. Truth be told, I post over there more often than here these days. Partly still stung on rule 3, partly blocked by it. I like to talk about what I am spinning with when I spin and increasingly that is not something I can talk about here. If you want to do the moves she teaches, you can technically do them on an Aeon, Dominix, or other basic, one piece saber. I would not recommend trying to learn them on anything but a V2 though. You will do yourself harm. Enso uses a V2 Dom pair with weights on the emitters for stuff like this. I use ...something I can't talk about. Point is, it should be basic, with nothing to catch on your clothes, and it should be as thin as you can manage. You might also try wrapping it in grip tape. Cobra Seal tape can usually be found in the plumbing isle of most big box stores.

Thanks for the share DC.  Lot's of helpful words of advice.  And as Michelle says and you well know... it's all about practice and that means successfully completing 100 - 1000 repetition/times or more lol.  ;)

point  8)

Some video from my friend I'm teaching to spin.  I think he's looking good.  Our costumes will be finished soon and we'll have a Qui Gon vs Maul spinoff!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_WDY7L0MSk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL8CJpFXXbU

You're right Sam: his spinning does look good^^  Point of fact: you both look awesome (I truly wish I had the skills of either of you  ;)).  Very impressive  :D

Thanks, I've only been training him maybe a little over a month or so.  We meet about once a week.

Had some fun at Charlotte Comic con this weekend!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YY7t-L6uGQ&feature=youtu.be

Very nice there.
I may have to learn spinning, especially since my dueling skills are...less than stellar

Why not learn both?

Not saying I can't. Just saying that learning spinning might be a wee bit easier

Why did I decide to check this thread out right when I should be going to bed. I thought I'd be able to have a quick look and head off. What a fool!

 :o

Right. I've done the same thing more than a few times. :D

I figured US might be a wee side forum for me. A tab that I pop into a couple of times a day. Meh, ten minutes.

So much to see! So much to read! I can't get out...is there an exit?

No, it's just as addicting as the sabers themselves

Unedited for my upcoming video, shot fresh just hours ago! When it's in the final video it'll have saber hum and whooooooshes. Just a quick spin demo, the kind of thing that I would use for 2v1 or 3v1 to gain some breathing room (or to look pretty).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8s1_okhCzo

Very Cool! Simply love the way these sabers look at night.

Sabers definitely looked cool moving like that

Achievement Unlocked: General Grievous
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHptJmOD1Pk&feature=youtu.be

Yes indeed. Once again, great job.

Killing it

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Definitely looking good there

We've got our con event coming up next weekend so I'm trying to get him ready!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3EF9d4ESzg

He is ready.

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Doesn't he play Qui-Gon? I'm pretty sure Qui-Gon doesn't use a red saber. Other than that, the only way I can tell it isn't you is because he isn't quite as fast. Definitely getting there though.

His batteries died so he used mine for the video.

Sam your friend is amazing!  His progress is marked and incredible  :)

I look forward to seeing the both of you in another spinning video^^

You shouldn't have to wait too long.  We should be finishing up out cosplays this week and headed to our first con as Qui Gon and Maul on the 10th.

Essentially that video shows him doing 3 "sets" and that's going to be the basis for our back and forth on stage.  We've even done a little choreography too, but that's a work in progress.

Still training as much as possible. I've been using my spar gloves every session no matter what weapon I use now. Almost feels strange without them now. Anyway, the learning curve with spinning and using the QRC was the hardest.

This clip also has me in the costume I'm using in one of our group projects. Kylo Ren tunic and belt.
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kg4YZFuPNA

@ Ryan
I didn't mention in the challenge thread, but I love that video. The costume looks great by the way.

@Sam
It is funny to me how much his spinning reminds me of yours. I had not noticed until I saw it on someone else, but you definitely have your own distinct flow these days.

Fun idea for the future: Spinning in the dark with only the blade visible. Guess who the spinner is by the spinning.

After watching some of the vids posted by you three, I can actually almost always instantly tell who it is. In all of the vids that Ryan posts with the filters, I can always tell which one is him, and which ones aren't. It is actually really cool for me, because you always hear of how you can identify people by their fighting styles, and so to see that IRL is really cool to me.

Hopefully that's a good thing lol.

It makes sense as we usually practice like a mirror since I'm a lefty.

I did a recording of me with the cross guard doing a series of moves I put together for Lee to do.  I'm going to add to it, I just visually wanted to look at myself doing it to see what I didn't like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WkpR8CXkho&feature=youtu.be

Also this is my new student.  I didn't post this where anyone could see it before, but here she is!  We've only had two sessions, she's picking it up quick.  I hope it means I'm a decent teacher!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2k35N9oNdw

Looks good Sam,

If that is what she can do after 2 lessons... yeah you can teach lol

I would work with her a bit more on the shoulder roll (aka Obi-Ani), as she is doing the pulling action half way through it like I see a lot of beginner do. Other than that, it looks like she is well on her way to be a challenge even for her master.

Funny enough she was doing it fine off camera, she was very nervous about having a camera on her.

Incredible Sam!  I would not have thought that such fluid spins could be accomplished with one of the cross-guard sabers^^ 

Outstanding work!

At this point I'm pretty satisfied with my speed using heavy grade blades.  Using my Menace staff here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZLC2ryXaGk&feature=youtu.be

Sam I never get tired of watching a master at work^^

You truly are quite the expert  :)

So true. Great job Sam. I need to continue working with my staff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIxYPSsqQxo&feature=youtu.be

Awesome work! Grip tape helps a lot when you start trying to transition this to the saberstaff. With raw metal, it will slide rather than roll.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es_tfSYweZw
A bit of freestyle spinning to Meatloaf for Friday the 13th.

Lol go Sam!  Seriously you make that look effortless  :). And I wholly appreciate the "outtakes" intro  ;). Keep it up my friend^^


Wow Ceph I WISH I had your dexterity and skills!  Outstanding saberwork!  8)

Looking good Sam and D.C.!. You've inspired me to throw up a training sessions vid. Practicing in most of my Kylo Ren costume...by the end.... Need better lighting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4MS4w35iMQ

Lookin' good Ryan. You got that QRC reattach down.

A bit of spinning in costume for my niece and nephew’s autumn school fair. For those who watch to the end, I can confirm that no one was injured.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oj-YDB6b5s

Great work, but the ending was the best haha.

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Wow Ryan, great job!  You have some serious skills  :). I like the camera work; at the end are you over clocking the frame rate? 


TR is right^^

Beautiful fluidity!  But, yeah, that ending is great  ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-epF6dKJj8

Nice progress on that

I gotta give it to DC, his helps the only reason I've gotten as far with this. 

It's very satisfying to see yourself do something you were completely perplexed by just a couple of weeks ago.  With time I hope to pull this off perfectly every time.  This move has been my arch nemesis for a while now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvsLSIYBeaU&feature=youtu.be

Nice work. All the bruises and mild concussions are starting to pay off.

If only you were kidding.

Also no thanks to you know who's help either.  I'm almost 100% crediting my progress on this move to you.  Your little break down on how to do it with a single saber was my "Ah ha!" moment.

*And the crowd goes wild! 👏

Nicely done, Sam  :). I applaud you for also showing the "outtakes" as well; shows character sir  ;)

Do it for Devo!!!
Frantic saber spinning to Devo's Human Rocket. I took two goes at this and could not decide which I liked better. Don't forget to rewind!!!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmIuJ383n1I

I've already told you how much I liked this one.  The best videos are the ones that inspire people to go practice. -1

I threw together some clips of stuff I've been doing this year.  Tried to keep it under a minute so I could post it to Instagram.
http://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=oWG7_PztfEs

I think it was right around this time two years ago that I started doing this stuff.  I think the most exciting thing to me is that there's still stuff I want to learn, there's still cosplays I want to do, and generally speaking I'm not even close to tired of the hobby yet.

Definitely some nice work there, guys

Sam...you have got SKILLS my friend!  I would be jealous...if I wasn't so busy cheering for you  :D

AWESOME job!

you know how I much I resisted this a year ago. Here is my progress...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYImQEj9Tbg

So much fun just watching you play around. Is your saber really blade heavy? It looks like you have the tip weighted or something. Love the blade color too. ;D

Impressive Ryan! That was wonderful to watch my friend, your athleticism really shines as does the fluidity of your saberwork  :)

-1 for an awesome job^^

thanks! And its the heavy grade blade. Thats mostly what I've been using lately.
 

Very nice Ryan! You look a hell of a lot better than me lol

-1

Very good work there

Some spinning in my Darth Nihilus costume. Wanted to get some video of how it moved and I was out and about in it on Main Street, so why not?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pol9k0eaq1Q

Looks awesome!

Stealing ideas for when I have to spin in a cape.  Looks great and moves well!

I needed a bit of a costume warm up for a possible event tomorrow.  Man I'm glad I did, it was a lot harder than I remembered.  Hopefully in the daylight it will be easier.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7Wum8ofhBk&feature=youtu.be

Both of you...are incredible!  Truly enjoyable and outstanding to watch!  Thank you for sharing  :D

If I just watched the blade itself, and not you as well, I'd think it was one of the Inquisitors spinning hilts. Your speed and accuracy is incredible.



I meant to comment on this earlier, but I didn't get the chance. Your costume looks fantastic, and as always, your spinning continues to impress.

so these are my first attempts doing an angel roll on a 36 inch single blade saber.  I normally use a 32inch blade.  I don't mind showing my progression, eventually I think I'll be able to hit this move like a pro.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taiuMwNz1PM&feature=youtu.be

Making some progress.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yghzeklN0Rc&feature=youtu.be

Sasquatch Saber: when you are doing some awesome force saber levitation and everything  is working fine, then you discover that your camera was way out of focus the whole time.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hYbk3uguII

Haha. Still cool though. You haven't done any videos of you doing saber levitation in a while. Good to see you are still doing it. Even if we couldn't really see any details. :P

So many times that has happened to me.

Nothing special, I'm just trying some stuff out to see how it looks on camera.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wywYbScWV9Q

Short answer...it looks awesome.

Thanks.  The first part is basically a speed test, seeing how much faster I've become.  Then I tried an angel roll in the dark with my staff and lastly I'm attempting to see if I can do an inverted and normal plum flower simultaneously.

Messing with my video editor a bit. I call this one Chipmunk Killers.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoNe7JZsfhU

Awesome! -1

I love the 1.5X speed Killers. -1

1.25X actually. At 1.5 they mostly just sound like what it use to sound like when your player ate your tape.

Meh, I just knew it was faster than what the album plays at.

Don't mind me, I was just being a pedant.  ;)

Don't mind me, pedantic is my mother tongue. :P

Wow DC, I wish that I had your (ambi-)dexterity!  Wonderfully done!

-1 for you  :)

Ghosts of Saturday Night: Slow Tempo Spinning with an acrylic blade to music by Tom Waits. After several videos lately where I was testing speed, it was nice to get back to something a bit more rhythmic and lyrical: a literal change of pace. The blade is a bit heavy and fragile so I did not want to tax it overmuch. Still it does cut an interesting silhouette. The song is a long time favorite. Hope you enjoy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsaFtmKdsLE

Thanks for sharing DC, that was very relaxing and mesmerizing to watch. I could watch the slow spinning to Tom Waits for hours. -1

I found this fountain downtown and thought it would be a cool place for a video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldib4sMWDx8&feature=youtu.be

Nice Sam

Sam, you're gonna cause a wreck. :P -1

Sam that is an awesome backdrop to some incredible spinning!

-1 for you  :)

My mystery box saber handles really well!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pgqQ05DeKw

Happened across this May 4th video again and thought I'd share it.


www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXDoiZC5JGg

as always, very nice.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2win3y-_4I
This is a modified Ultrasabers Initiate V3 with a crap ton of rubber tape on it and a weighted pommel. I think maybe I finally found something I can use to practice some of these moves with a lightsaber. I start off with some hand rolls, then some fishtails, then some neck wrap things, then angel rolls. This is all still sloppy and far from where I ant it, but progress nonetheless.

Light side or the dark side, it doesn't matter when you learn the skill!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEIGJOZiqfk&feature=youtu.be

I want to record this with the saber lit in some darker lighting.  Rough to do without being able to see.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNawYpYUBYk

Nice Sam, and back at you.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HV9-mCI_vs
A bit of random practice with some contact moves thrown in here and there. The angel rolls are a bit rough with the coat. Cuff links didn't help either. Even without both, they are not as smooth as yours yet, but just you wait.

I can't have anything 😆😆😆

I envy the both of you with your spinning skills

As do I Therion. But it is amazing how much you can learn just by watching them or their tutorials.

Don't be envious, learn to do it!  It's easier than it looks (for the most part) and it's a hell of a lot of fun.

No! be envious. Envy is the path to the dark side. Envy leads to motivation. Motivation leads to practice. Practice leads to skills, and skills lead to sweet moves that make other people envious. Yeeeessss I sense your motivation. Take your saber.  Strike me down with all your envy and your journey to the dark side will be complete!  ...
...
Or, you know... what Sam said.

See, this is why I love this community. You guys are hilarious.

But I am working on it. Still not nearly as cool looking as either of you, but I am slowly learning new tricks. I really need to go watch more of your tutorials, but I just haven't had the time.

See the part you're missing is we are here.  We do things.  We respond.  If you need help, ask us.  I've literally made a video breaking a move down for someone on the spot when I read the question.  If you'd rather, you can pm one of us.

Yes, the video was for me. ;D It was quite nice. Still don't have it down great, but it is better than before.

I'm sorry, I'm usually an avatar guy and everyone's changing theirs.

No problem. I am too, so it has taken me a while to get used to everyone else's new avatars. And again, thanks for making that video.

Yeah, anything help.  Feel free to hit me up about anything else.  I'll totally do it.

https://youtu.be/MsMmNJEgKXU (https://youtu.be/MsMmNJEgKXU)
(not sure how to embed videos yet)

Hi all! Short video of me practicing with my new Phantom V2 (Dominix V2). I'm working with like a 6x5 space in my apartment so I can't get the wide motions or fluidity that I want! But I think I've got the Obi/Ani down pretty well and working on my figure eights and behind the back transfers.

Once it warms up I'll get a better video outdoors where I can really get into it!!!! I'M SO HAPPY I BOUGHT THESE. Can't wait to make another order in a month or so.

Let me know what you think! I know it's a little clunky atm!

THANKS ALL

Your videos not up because of a copyright issue or something.

The video shows up as being blocked on my end due to possible copyright issues.

Jinx...I guess I owe Sam a coke.

-_- i had music on in the background

My dual wield technique is quite a bit behind my other skills.  I'm trying to improve and make it my own at the same time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL2XJdFWJ0o&feature=youtu.be

Sam your skills never cease to impress and amaze!  You're awesome  :)

I appreciate it, but this is definitely something I need to work on.

I don't know about that. The flow looks pretty good to me. The only things would be to get more comfortable with the toss so that your off hand keeps moving. You will have to slow it down a bit, but try to avoid the dead stop. The other thing would be to start working on getting your hands on different patters or on different tempos. Try an upward figure 8 with your dominant and and an obi/ani with your off. Also look at isolating the top part of the wing spin for the over shoulder. At first you will feel and look like a chimp doing it, but in time it can look awesome.

The wing spins are no problem with a single saber, but I keep hitting myself in the back using it in dual wield.  But I'll give these things a try.

http://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=KIUQKW6Y3WE

Very nice, Sam

I really like how this Apprentice handles and the silver LED looks awesome.  Really glad I got this in my mystery box, as I probably would've never gotten this hilt or color on my own.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tdCMp_QoPU&feature=youtu.be

It is my go-to hilt for that exact reason. Once again, nice spinning Sam.

More excellent spinning

Practice session: contact and other stuff
Drilling those angel rolls, but I think I am making progress. Also some fishtails and a few other things I am working on. Weighted Saber seems to be working out well.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYOIHPJ4Z4k

I think it's time to start focusing on something else.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE7JJNmGF34

You da' man! Yes, the boredom, ah- complete control, on your face and in your body was easy to discern.

I just started watching DC's tutorials today and am planning to take up spinning.

I'd reccomend Venturous as a good resource as well as DC, especially if you've got a staff.

This post is really a shout-out to Darth Cephalus, Master Venturous, and SamHain. I wanted to say you three have really been my springboard into taking up saber wielding.  DC’s tutorials got me started, Venturous’s style caught my eye, and SamHain’s video documented transformation inspired me.  So cheers to you three, and cheers to what this new passion has kicked off for me this year!
I’ll have a chance to get some video up soon, but living in the frozen tundra of nearly northern WI has it’s outdoor options limited this time of year🙄


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Ah yes, another recruit for this year's Spin Wars. Goood....goooooood.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZWZ-Rp38vk

I'd been drinking and confined to a 6x6 space (apt is packed with furniture and it's too cold to go outside) buuuut I've got most of the basics down!  ;D as i'm sure y'all can tell I'm focusing on behind the back transfers and fluidity right now. The song actually went perfectly because it was slow and fast tempo and gave me a nice template.

Let me know what you guys think! I can't wait to be able to spread out and get more into it! I love my saber!

Looking good to me.

https://youtu.be/YPtkAVfj2Qo


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Whoo!!! It worked!!🤘🏻


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Next time guys, just lost the direct link and remove the s from the https

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPtkAVfj2Qo&feature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZWZ-Rp38vk

Here's a few of my recordings from the last week or so

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc7qPpgx7ik

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snS6PZYO-Qs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvLlo4YQYJ4

many thanks, Samhain- appreciate the tip, and moreso the assist! please forgive me if I biff it once or thrice more. that was, after all, my official YouTube cherry ;D

Firstly I want to say great start Elwood.  I'd like to see you not try to force it so much though.  Let the moves flow.  I recently made this same point to someone else.  It doesn't have to be fast to look good.  It's more important, in my opinion, that your speed stay steady.  Some moves being fast, some being slow really takes away from it all.  Here's an example of slow and fast demos and maintaining the same speed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YUvxg0AaQ8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpKhkoAfxJQ

Thanks, SamHain138. It certainly helps when i have tunes going, too( which i didn’t at the time).  Point for the pointers, Sir!


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Whoops! That would be thanks at SamHain13- my bad! That’s what happens when you try to have a real life convo while posting.aaaaand also finding out you can modify your own posts.  slick!


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Has anybody done much experimenting with a reverse grip reverse obi-ani?

This is a video I did on the plum flower, which includes the obi-ani in reverse grip.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrG4gArMXEI&list=PLtxs8UJy21n7Sbsd1qRzzLrZO8zVh9mp_&index=19

Nevermind, I just realized you were asking about a reverse obi-ani in reverse grip, which is different that what I show.

Uhh...Challenge accepted?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QwoSBxNWTw&feature=youtu.be

No problem. Still a useful tutorial seeing as I haven't learned how to do the plum-flower in reverse grip yet, so thanks anyways.


Nice. I was trying it earlier, and I couldn't tell if I had it right or not, but it looked about like yours (just not quite as clean), so I think I am doing it right. Strangely enough, I find it easier than the regular reverse obi-ani.


Thanks both of you.

Haha it feels completely ridiculous to do.  Don't know if I'll be keeping this one in the move set 😆

It feels like it shouldn't look cool, but in your video it looks pretty awesome. Though admittedly, everything in your videos looks awesome. :D

It is a bit since you don't have to fight around the blade as much. General rule of thumb: if it is possible with a staff, it is possible in reverse grip.

Stole this from Samhain. Still working on it. This was my first practice session.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwp60O4wkDU

*zooming in to the video to find the velcro apparently holding that friggin thing to Cephalus’ hands*🧐 hmmm....
Ha! I dig how your “practice” is still a thing to watch🤙🏻 Excellent progress, mr. Sir! i am looking forward to having the freedom of space to work on those 360 degree tosses!!


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 http://youtu.be/l8hiHt3DevY (http://youtu.be/l8hiHt3DevY)

Gotta tune down that impact response😬


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Yes, my diamond had that problem too. The first time I used it, it sounded like I was being attacked by a battalion of troopers while was spinning.

This is the best minute and a half or so from my practice on the way to the car today. Angel roll combo is about where I want it I think.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgC-6WQlW5M

Yup🤘🏻 a pretty damn good minute and a half er so! Cheers to you!
Also, a quick question: do you use 36” blades, or go for the full 40”?  From what i’ve seen, you’re in the tall-ish  side.  So it had me wondering🤔



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I’ve never really used this Ray Park style back pass because of the fact it kind of messes my costume up.  But here it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f39b1oX-IAM&feature=youtu.be

I actually use almost exclusively 32" blades. I am about 5'11" barefoot, about 6' with boots. I find the 36" blades require me to pull up on a back pass or else I hit the ground. I can use them and 40" ones and do when I want things to be a bit more over the top, but the 32" ones are more comfortable. You also don't want the added blade weight for things like the angel roll.

Really? Huh.  I mean it makes sense, it just seemed to me that in your videos your blade to body ratio belies that.  I suppose footwork and a long coat can play tricks on the eyes. I’ve been digging the 32” as well- also keeps me from breaking my house while having to train indoors😬 i’m at 5’5” on a good day, and i can’t argue one bit what 4” on a blade can change when doing back switches.  I want to give a heavy grade 24” a shot to go for some high speed and tighter circles🤔 ever given that a try?


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Nice, Samhain!!

Proof that sometimes we must put aside our vanity in pursuit of greatness🤔.....it also looks pretty rad and just a tad ba’dass as hell🤙🏻


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My first saber rocked a heavy grade 24". I also learned dual wield with a couple of those in initiate V3 hilts. They operate like Kali sticks.

Rad! Then with my new Dark Catalyst hilts, it should be precisely what i was aiming for🤙🏻 my aim was to get the weighting without the length- again to help me work indoors with a bit more freedom. Many thanks for the tips n’ info, you spectacularly skilled and Samaritan dark lord!🤘🏻

Point when i get to my puter😬


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You know, I never realized he put that xtra half turn in there until you did it. Maybe I need to spend a bit more time with a staff sometime soon.

That’s probably because he does it lightning fast.  He’s got little routines he does at cons and stuff.  Since I do the cosplay I like to make sure I can do all of his signature moves.

If you do any looking you’ll see him doing some variation of this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56wEL4ucIt0

This is sort of my own take on the sequence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13zWPOcqTXQ

I can do it with his style of back pass but it’s messes up my belt and tabards, so you see me do the simpler variation usually.  I usually finish that sequence with a throw as you’ve seen before (just not in the dark with a $600 lightsaber).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRD5gVVZmrY

I do like to make it my own a bit while still having his moves in there.  The amount of thought I give this stuff that no one ever notices.... ;D ;D ;D

I do like to make it my own a bit while still having his moves in there.  The amount of thought I give this stuff that no one ever notices.... 😄 😄 😄
[/quote]

Yeah, but that’s why it rocks so hard- YOU know the thought you put into it🤘🏻😎 and seriously- you are a smooooove operator with your Menaces, Samhain!



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Also my favorite part about that video of Ray is the Maul in the crowd reevaluating his cosplay choices  :D :D :D

If I ever get to meet Ray at a con it's going down.

I was thinking the same thing. You hardly ever see a proficient fan at one of these things watch one of the stars show their moves and then answer back with better ones. Some day.

On a side note, the choice of Ray Park for Darth Maul is the reason i love TPM so much ... He really helped to make lightsaber fighting so appealing and his duel was so inspiring ...

All the contact sword practice has certainly had an impact on using my old practice staff.  I really want to get a v2 heavy staff for this stuff now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbFrjf-r0wA

This was at a costume event I did recently. One of the stormtroopers said "hey, you should do a thing" Before I knew it, they announced me on the stage. I sent someone for my second saber and improvised.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wup6ZSpr0U

Haha makes me think of like 90s totally radical Nihilus 😆😆😆

True story, this video was filmed and edited by our resident Rebel Legion ewok. I think the original music playing at the time was Miley Cyrus.

A totally rad tad of improv🤘🏻!!


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Looks awesome!

Also thank you for the great tutorials. They are extremely helpfull.

Greetings  ;)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=APqLbwATtJw

Working on some reverse grip inverted obi’s n stuff, then going into a  bit of combat flow.  Fun fact- i used a little fish-eye  camera thingy so i could actually capture more than waist-up!😄


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The mask wasn’t working out for me today, way too hot.  Kinda ended up looking like Alice Cooper with a lightsaber 😆
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB28eBs-pfk&feature=youtu.be

Lol!🤣 Mil-e-wau-kai is Algonquin for “ the good land”.....also i’m about to sith-slice your head off


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And of course- STILL super smoove!🤙🏻


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Some updates of some of my recent stuff:

First off...Rain
In Oregon, if you don’t practice in the rain, you don’t practice.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBahohAj7Og

Next...Sun
If you don’t like the weather in Oregon, just wait a bit.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0l7FS96IqE

Finally...some contact work
This is a look at some of my recent contact single saber. I start out with the combo I am working on. Then I move on to some fishtail to toss variations. Next is some angel rolls, and finished off with some weird thing (if it has a name, I don’t know it). Yes, yes, I know...the blade makes contact with my arm a few times. If it helps, you can assume my jacket is made of Zillo beast hide.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOYDvya2WEM

Very nice! That really is coming along. Lookin' good

Lovely costumes and displays, DC and Sam!
You do know how to make these events memorable!

Nothing really special, I just felt like swinging around the ol’ Guardian. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6GKjrIa90o&feature=youtu.be

Still some good stuff, Sam

practice makes perfect Sam. Good stuff.
 this is some random clips. its for a vote but I think it still counts :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qTOxzMgwPE

Ryan- i’m partial to the pencil filter🤘🏻 and i dig your vids, too!!

And yes, Sam’s always making me feel like i should be elsewhere practicing with my saber🤙🏻

Aaaaaand Cephalus- dig your new darksaber, and kudos for working through the weather!!🤘🏻


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Definitely some interesting looks in there

 More rain Practice please. the heavier the better. Thank you. also do you have tips for protecting sabers in the rain? Particularly Aeon or Dominix V4's? So much style as always.

Spinning to Lindsey Sterling? I already thought you were cool. Done deal. ;)

Thanks  ;D I've done a couple videos now to her music. Something about it just lends itself well to spinning.

 http://youtu.be/5L0eWvAQnZo (http://youtu.be/5L0eWvAQnZo)

 http://youtu.be/vW7ZNkNxRZ0 (http://youtu.be/vW7ZNkNxRZ0)

Wanted to get these up before the weekend was officially over🍀🤙🏻
Cheers and (in my best Irish lilt) may the force be with you!


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Pretty good stuff there

Thanks, Therion! Much appreciated🤙🏻  and i’ll take the opportunity to say i’m a HUGE fan of Therion’s Wrath!!  I’m primarily wielding a catalyst, so seeing your modwork has been wholly inspiring!
There’ll be a point for you when i get to my computer next, sir!🤘🏻


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-chuckles
Thanks. I'm glad you like it

Nice Flow!
Point.

Here’s me doing some stuff.  I haven’t been doing much with sabers lately.  But here I am, screwing around in the dark.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUR50prVVUI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN81uL8gVmU

It's always beautiful watching you work Sam. Nicely done.

Great new videos here guys! I enjoyed all of them  8)

Definitely good stuff here, Sam

Very Nice! I gotta get a staff. Points

Yuuuuup😯 That’s beautiful swingin’ in the dark, Sam🤙🏻


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I’ve got a longer video for you all today.  It was a nice night out and I was doing some practice with the Menace.  I’m planning on doing the cosplay again in a couple of weeks so I’m trying to get back into the swing of things with it.

Its a tricky one to use, lots of sharp stuff on it, but I really enjoy using this saber.  I wasn’t going for crazy speed or any particularly difficult moves, just transitions and moving around.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h_O_2Y2zKo&feature=youtu.be

 That was awesome! I've been hoping you would post some longer videos. Looks fast enough to me. I personally would much rather see smooth controlled spinning like this than super speed any day. Iv'e seen people that are really good go so fast it losses it's appeal. The helicopter spins were the highlight for me.   

I usually practice short sequences to wow people on the spot in costume.  That and I like my posts to be usable on Instagram.  Those posts can’t run over a minute.

Nicely done once again. Like Gar said, it is still plenty fast. Much faster than my own attempts with a staff. I also agree with Gar in that speed isn't always what it's about. I like seeing speed, but I like seeing it with the quality that it would be at a slower speed. Anyways, great job.

I actually don't mind the 30-50 second vids that you often post. Sometimes (though I would like to), I do not have the time to watch all of DC's videos, but if you have a video I will watch it because I can fit it in.

A couple of things I took away from this recording.

I like moving towards my audience with the hand changes, I’d like to pair that with the overhead spins and the slashes.  

I also like how the same moves can look totally different with a little moving around.  I’ve started doing this more,  and I think I’ll work on neatening it up.

I’ve said it before, I can do the Ray Park half arm tuck back pass, but I don’t usually because it messes my costume up to do it over and over.  I think I found my solution in this video, start with my normal hand change as I move into an overhead and then hit it as a finish.  One shouldn’t be a problem.

My speeds ok, it’s not priority with this saber, it’s pretty heavy.  I like for the moves to look like they have some power behind them if the focus isn’t speed.  The weight does make that easier.

It’s a shame I’m not really comfortable doing contact moves on my Menace.  The greeblies catch hair or clothes so it’s hard to practice.  I might be able to fish tail it, I used to do some simple wrist rolls and stuff with it.  It’s just it wobbles a bit with the QRC.  Maybe I should pick up an adjustable one.

I didn’t do any aerial moves either, but that’s because it’s dark and that saber costs close to $600.  I’ll save them for when I can see 😆

Cliff’s noted your post😬.  I always dig your staff work, and i can’t wait to get my hands on a coupler!(next order, baby!!🤘🏻). 

I agree on using the north/south plane( that’s what i refer to when i’m doing a recording) when doing a routine.  Even just getting a couple slashes or a few transition spins when facing or facing away from your audience adds some depth.  I hadn’t noticed until i finally got to get outside again and record on St Patty’s weekend. 

Also really digging your movement on this one! Those overhead vined arcs and spins are just awesome with a dual saber🤙🏻

And man, tossing up a favie saber in the dark is indeed unsettling!





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https://youtu.be/Mj_Ta7QI8eI

https://youtu.be/PTLYn6yapHE

Couple clips of the good stuff from today’s practice at the studio!
Let me know if these end up blocked or broken- may have some copyright fun😬


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Just remove the s from the https in the link and it will embed it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj_Ta7QI8eI&feature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTLYn6yapHE&feature=youtu.be

Weird- i thought i had.  In any case- thanks for the assist, Sam!🤙🏻


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 Ok. You just posted a video spinning a lightsaber to RUN-DMC! ;D I wish I could award multiple points at once.
I might have to make you a custom Star Wars themed skratch mix when my arm is better.

Agreed. Your getting some extra points. Nice training session.

you guys inspired me to switch gears and go back to some sabering. I've been working Ye Olde' Kali sticks, as always. Haven't really thrown up anything new, so here we go. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfdLYETxgtw

I've always admired your level of control and one thing I love about your style is how you very the speed of your strikes. Masterful as always.

Nice job Ryan! *hides list of moves he’s going to steal from that video*

Beautiful as always Ryan.

Elwood, I think those are the first videos I have seen of you, well done. Your reverse-grip has far surpassed my own.

 That's rad Ryan! A lot of really good stuff from everyone in the last few days. So much inspiration.

Right?🤣.  flourishes and control- i love it, Ryan! ....plus i may have snagged a bit from the EclipseFlowerDefinitlyNotAnObiAni thread🤙🏻


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Thanks.  Slow is Smooth, smooth is fast. We will use speed transitions at my academy to show that you have the weapon and your footwork under control at all times. Keeps you in Flow better as well.Speaking of which, those Saber chukka's you have are awesome! 
Already stolen some of your stuff. I haven't mastered it with the staff yet, but I can pull off an Angel roll 6 out of 10 attempts now and keep it smooth. Smacked myself in the head REALLY hard the other day when I tried it at speed.
Thank you Kindly. Working on a QRC #4 spin vid at the moment. Definitely have to share some of the bloopers on this one. Don't have anything I like yet, other than a ton of fails.


I agree. Lots of great stuff the last couple weeks. Let's keep it going!
Lol. Now im going to end up calling it that.

Here you go. Different type of expression. Not a single little flower or blossom.  Training for our Fan Film so im going a little outside of my comfort zone with the rigid, two hand, big steppin' movements. I prefer dual wield :)

Venturous, it's no Sterling but the song reminded me of one of your spin vid's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG9zrOVoPas

That song was used in one of the previous Spin Wars Episodes (I think either Episode 2 or 3). I like how it is mostly strike oriented, which is something I need to incorporate more of into my style. Plus, that gave me an idea which I don't believe has been done before. As a new challenge to issue people, you have to make a five minute video of free-style spinning without doing a single little flower or plum blossom. That would teach people to not rely so heavily on probably two of the most common techniques and to learn how to work in other moves. And to be quite honest, I'd probably fail that challenge.

I love your martially rooted vids, Ryan.  Given that i’ve been an amateur ninja(insert chuckle here) ever since i was a wee lad, seeing you bridge that with lightsabers just leaves me with that feeing of awe like when i was little.  Watching my first Norris, Lee, and Van Damme- oh the amazing montages!!🤘🏻


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Prepare for imminent vid bombardment!!!  In response to Master V’s “no eclipse/flower spin” video challenge:
 http://youtu.be/Y8XycNay3X8  (http://youtu.be/Y8XycNay3X8)

 http://youtu.be/cyNGotide_8  (http://youtu.be/cyNGotide_8)

 http://youtu.be/dxKT7XygDJY  (http://youtu.be/dxKT7XygDJY)

 http://youtu.be/Mm1Y5EAU-Ts  (http://youtu.be/Mm1Y5EAU-Ts)

 http://youtu.be/oDFPxDLVAEY  (http://youtu.be/oDFPxDLVAEY)

What you’re not seeing is the deadly fruit assault we fended off via an Xbox 360, Kinect, and fruit ninja!


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I suppose chopping fruit qualifies.... ;D Nice series of strikes. I definitely need to add more to my style to break up the monotony of spins.

No joke- it’s a really fun way to work out striking fluidity, and like i said a killer cardio!  My fiancé and i take turns and work on our strike form to prep for our choreography we’ll be tying into soon.  That’ll be a special video posting titled” Our First Dance🤘🏻😁”


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 That's a brilliant idea. I cant't wait to see the results.

 You show that fruit who's boss Elwood!!!
Strike hard!
Strike first!
No Mercy for fruit!!!

P.S. Can you saber me up a smoothie? Thanks.

Looking through my old uploads I saw this.  Thought it looked kind of cool and forgot even recording it.  It’s weird seeing how similar he moves to me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL8CJpFXXbU

 
Like master like padawan😁.  Indeed, Sam, i think you’d make for a good teacher!  And on a side note- it’d really be a shame if you maybe posted some more of your crossguard saber work....juuuuust saying😛


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  Yes yes yes! A damn shame!

Looking good.

Good stuff Elwood, would like to see you with some room so you can move around.

Sam, well done teaching the flourishes! His movements definitely have a Samhain flavor to them, but I can see subtle differences. Points for all.

It’s some older stuff but it should suffice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXfMqjmqhWE&index=3&list=PLbCdZ0FCQ3zXPfT9_8lqfvu2C-KJGAsIR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKel3fEHdCk&t=0s&index=5&list=PLbCdZ0FCQ3zXPfT9_8lqfvu2C-KJGAsIR

Yup- that’s some pretty good sufficing right there🤘🏻😁

And hey- are those custom blades on that bad boy?


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That whole saber was an amazing scratch build I picked up and I did do the blades myself.  I sold that particular saber.  My current Kylo saber's blades arn't as nice but I had to make them to fit the smaller sockets.

(https://i.imgur.com/YbD7JBX.jpg)

My current one's a converted black series.  I think eventually I'll make some new side blades but I just haven't gotten around to it yet because it's a little tricker with the sockets fit.
(https://i.imgur.com/99tfMIV.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/IyLGhaL.jpg)

Very cool!! You do make the darkside look pretty good, Sam🤙🏻 point when i get to the computer!


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More excellent stuff, Sam
Definitely liking your modded Black Series there

http://youtu.be/Z1WiM6LG6ww


First ever practice session in my Rogue Jedi gear.  I picked up the boots and my thigh piece for the second part. Fun fact: the music’s my composition🤙🏻


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Excellent work with the Consular there.
Nice motto on the wall, too

Nice. Lookin' smooth Elwood. Great transitions.

Hi guys,

after 3 months of destroying my kitchen, the weather is finally nice and I practised outside for the first time (YAY!).
Nothing special, just making myself dizzy  ;D.

cheers

http://youtu.be/YlOrp1n6_-M

Cheers, indeed! Looking good, Matt🤙🏻 feels good to stretch out a bit, eh?


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Thank you!
What a feeeeling, I can move now, haha. Congrats to your saber acadamy, it looks great. I wish I could practice with you guys  ;).

Looking good Elwood. So you make music too? What are you working with to make the music?

Also looking good Matt. Everyone is killing it! And Sam, That cosplay is awesome. I particularly like the last pic. 

Thank you Gar-Wi (cool profile pic ;) ) and love to the forum. All the videos are great and very inspirational  8).

I use Garage Band iOS version exclusively.  I found it’s the easiest and fastest recording setup to keep up with how i write.  Plus, having everything for finishing( mastering n stuff) right in one place is awesome🤙🏻


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A bit of catchup. I just realized I never posted these here.

This was an April 1st spin session as my alter ego Darth BunBun. It was also the second outing of my drone used to record it. The general rule of thumb here: Beware the parks and open spaces. The dark side is sometimes caught frolicking.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WVrmtQ7K_E

These next two are older videos I revisited with some cheap filters I just found. Expect these filters to be an option in this year’s Spin Wars.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0M-bk-7sOw
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMt8SwXKT-k

Paying no nevermind to the freakout factor of a 6 foot bunny with a lightsaber(which is pretty awesome)- those filters are pretty rad, too🤘🏻 also a fan of that rainbow trail one, DC!


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Just some slow and smooth spins on my crossguard and Menace.  Nothing complicated,  I just felt like showing it doesn’t have to be break neck speeds to look good.  Keeping a uniform speed and executing smooth transitions can look really awesome!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkU-sJ549pw

Very nice and smooth 8)!. I looking forward to try out a staff soon.
cheers

 Smoooooove and stylish, Sam!🤙🏻 thanks for yet more work with your cross guard!  And your staff work is always enjoyable😁 I think i dig the slower speed stuff with the dark backdrop the best- it’s almost like there’s a super-friendly lightsaber hovering around you😄


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Go Sam! Since I'm just getting over an arm injury, I started to use my sabers for the first time in a few weeks last night.
I can ONLY go slow due to the injury, so it's nice to see others doing the same. You still look faster than me when I was going full speed, I think because you are so much smoother.
You rock! Thanks for sharing your awesomeness. :)

Thanks again for sharing, Sam

So very jealous of that menace staff Sam...

DC, I showed Keira ( my daughter ) the Darth BunBun video and you are now a household name.

This is one from the vault, cleaning out all the old video's in preparation for upcoming projects. Anyway, if you have ever seen any of my sword, staff or empty hand freeform video's, there is a good chance you've seen the " skeleton ". I use it mostly for range control. When I was trained with the Staff/Spear, we would use structures like this to force tighter angles/flourishes. Limbs can actually be added to it as well. This one is a very basic version of something we used at the Academy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ9I33yglbc&feature=youtu.be

lol. I'm honored.

Nice. Love the FX (I haven't spent the money on those ones, I just use the free ones :P). I think the only time I've seen the "skeleton" was in a video you did testing out an US blade. I wouldn't mind building me one sometime.

Very nice idea for tightening one's form

 First videos ever. Lets start with the excuses shall we? ;) Here we go!
I had been up the entire night and was about to go to sleep when my best friend sent me a video of his newborn son, Kenzo.
He asked me to send him a lightsaber video in return (how could I say no to that).
The reason I'm explaining what I'm doing in the video is because he knows nothing about this stuff other than the movies and I'm also just showing off the sabers because I'm trying to get him to buy one. I know, I know, plum FLOWER, but I kept saying BLOSSOM. I'm adding a spin at the top anyway so I don't even know what you call that. I have only been over my arm injury for about two days so it's super sloppy and I was falling into that trap of switching hands and then switching right back.
Also This is my third attempt at dual wielding (as you can see from the slop transition where I smack my blades together). I also hit my leg more than a couple times, and a chair that is off screen.
There is one curse word so I will just put the link. And the Harlem Globetrotter move was just to make him laugh. Wow! That is a lot of excuses.
I have performed as a DJ hundreds of times in front of hundreds of people at a time, but showing you guys my attempts at spinning is way more nerve wracking. I'm also 5 days sober. I promise less excuses from now on. I just felt like if I didn't post something soon I never would. Thank you Cephalus and Venturous. If it weren't for you guys I wouldn't even be able to attempt any of this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUqnBvLOdC4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2_1ad1ffUs



   

It’s about time, Gar!!😁 honestly dude- looking good!  Your dual wield is smoother than anything i’ve attempted yet, and your left hand seems to play along with your right much better than mine(pardon the envy there😜).  Keep it up!


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I wish YouTube didn’t compress my videos so much.  But here’s me fooling around in costume at a con this weekend.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8Io1v5ObRs&feature=youtu.be

Well, color me impressed.

That was not bad at all. Way smoother than you were making it out to be.

Practicing on a windy night in the dark.  Not ideal conditions but it’s when I have time to do it.  My saber kinda went all wonky on me a couple times.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApoXstirTtg&feature=youtu.be

So when I was doing my photos as Maul I did a little bit of spinning.  I for sure want to head back to the area and do a proper demo.  I did some test shots and I figured I’d share with you guys.  I need to go back with a better camera and frame some of this up myself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59KJmLqqpC0&feature=youtu.be

Smooth, as always.

 Smoove n inspiring, Sam!  Your heaven spins are awesome( and insanely level with both staff and single saber!)🤙🏻


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Hi to all,

I just practiced a bit of new stuff and slowly developing some little routines that I like (like the sit(h) down move, haha).
Sadly I couldn't use the better takes for the video because my camera dicided to make it blurry
but anyway. Have a good one  ;).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-bzc7jFZjE

 Nice! Looking pretty smooth, Matt! So what was the rough development time for the sit(h) down?  It’s so subtle, yet powerful😄


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Haha, thank you. This happens when you practice all at once. Wait for the reverse version  :D.

Very nice Matt. Smooth. How long have you been spinning?

Thank you Gar-Wi. I started spinning 3,4 month ago. Yesterday I got a little bit into reverse grip for the first time and little transitions and throws.
I hope this is not too boring for the advanced spinners here because I've still have so much to learn to make it look more interesting. My goal is to work on several moves in the next monts and developing one nice routine.
What you guys prefer in your performances? Always freestyle or having a concept. I guess combining both worlds works best for me.

Greetings  :)

Lookin' good! I say this to all of my students at the Academy no matter their level of skill. Always go back to basics, always, always, always. They are more important than anything else you will learn. The Intermediate/Advance technqiues are great, but entirely worthless if you do not have a mastery of Basics.

Keep at it, looking great!

As for " styles " for training. I always start with some basic drills, intermediate flourishes and then some Diamond footwork with some Box steps and cross steps. For demo's, Freeform all the way. Dont think.....feeeeeeeeeel.....

Agreed on all fronts, Ryan! Though i’m not as schooled martially as you- i know the importance of building from the ground up.  Whether it’s in ballroom, saber work, or choreography, if your feet aren’t stable then you’re on your face(or your back given the circumstance😉).     

I find when i do my practice i almost 100% freestyle as well- though if i’m working new footwork or body movement, i’ll do smaller routines so i can continuously circle back for a smooth repetition drill.  Then i come back to a general freestyle to work on multiple transitions into said new move. 

And again- lookin’ good, Matt!


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Thank you Ryan for sharing your knowledge and being an inspiration! It's exactly what I've learned so far, be patienced and work on the basics. I've tried to lay down a little plan what I want to do when I'm spinning, just to break that habit of repeating myself, but it didn't work, so after a while I said, ok, just do it and have fun  :D.

Also thank you Elwood, means a lot  ;)

Great advice. I dig the Bruce Lee Enter the Dragon reference about feeeeeeeeeel.....

I was watching this and it struck me; you guys doing all this spinning now sound so unsure about yourselves sometimes, but believe it or not, you are all well beyond the people who used to be considered the masters many years ago before people like venturous and the TPLA hit the scene. Case in point: Banditcar. Some of you know what I mean. It is just nice to see the skill level of the community as a whole move so far so fast. Keep the videos coming.

Hey thanks for watching. As I said before I wouldn't even know where to start without you, Venturous and all the other people here who share their knowledge. Big thanks for that again  ;).
As for me personally I'm always very self-critical in my creative work or when I show something to others. I guess this and just having fun keeps me going on.
greetings  ;)

I'm still amazed at how fast some of these whipper-snappers learn. I show off a move and the next day someone is doing it better, faster, and with three other variations.

Lol🤣 i’m 36, dude- so i don’t think i can quite class as a whipper snapper.  But i still totally appreciate the kudos from the very folks that got me into it via tutorials🤘🏻 this is just a great community to be a part of!


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i'm posting this one on behalf of my most amazing other.  She's a competitive ballroom dancer with former ballet training, so she's got some awesome pivots and foot work- just need to get her into her warrioress stance a bit more ;) we begin our choreography for our wedding duel pretty soon- and we've already got a few months of practice on an amazing waltz for our first dance.  yes, yes- it'll be posted(probably with about 30 angles lol) sometime after October 6th ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcPSmHSE2aM

It must be the sunglasses: as soon as she started wearing them, she loosened up and the saber work dramatically improved.

Thanks for sharing this.
Should be an awesome duel to see at the wedding

Yup- that’s what i thought, too😄


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That's because she was invisible!

working in a couple recently( and kind of accidentally) learned moves. thanks, DC and Gar-Wi 😄
And also just realized i misspelled  “Krayt” in my vid’s title😬
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fce_QTw30fo

Man, you got that roll looking sick! Your style is looking more and more like an intricate dance. Nice.
Really cool to see your bride to be getting down too.  :)

Some more excellent saber work there

A practice session as seen by an ant. I was out practicing on my way to the car, trying out some new tosses, some different pacing, and my quick release coupler, when I saw this small insect filming me from atop a blade of grass. Turns out he was a really cool guy. He air dropped the footage to me and even said I could post it in exchange for a drop of sugar water.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKp5_yP95ms

Awwwww....You found a friend!😁 nice to see some staff work again from you, DC!🤙🏻
I need to look into those day blades...


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If you see that cool little ant again, tell him I said thanks for letting you post this.

Very nice DC. Couple things I really liked, when you threw both sabers up, that was cool. Also all the contact work. Many of those I am afraid to eve try, because I don't want to drop the sabers, but I have been trying to do the neck roll thing, so that was cool to see someone else do it. Also, you already have green grass, I am kind of jealous, but not too much. I like the cold. I just want the grass to practice on.  :P

Thanks on all fronts, Gar🤙🏻 i really appreciate the words😁



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Many thanks, Therion😁 and thanks again for sharing some of your stuff!🤙🏻


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Weeeeeeell the damn batteries died while I was in the middle of recording.  Oh well, posting it anyway.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQjqnCf7-08&feature=youtu.be

 Constantly killin' it Sam. Dope.

You've got some crazy speed in that vid Sam.

After training with the fire sword that saber feels like nothing in my hand.

Awesome Sam🤙🏻 seriously, your horizontal spins are so smooth and consistant! And that is one particularly mega-bright blade!....well until the batteries KOed. 


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Sam, your left hand work looks better than my right...and I'm right handed

as titled- my lady going to town!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiqiJwC87cg

Damn! She's fast!

Here’s some throwaway practice stuff with my fire sword and lightsaber.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ5DFMRn2FQ&feature=youtu.be

This kids reaction at the park to angel roll made me laugh.  Someone was recording us apparently lol.  Give this one some sound lol.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfV8vSrLZ3w&feature=youtu.be

She's got that reverse grip going hard there

And Sam?
Yet more good work going there

I don’t always go fast, but when I do
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxCj4V5ACFE&feature=youtu.be

It literally looks like you set that video to like x2 speed.

I promise it’s not lmao, I’ll be glad to prove it on skype or a live video if I have to.

Oh, I know it's not. I was just merely stating that because of the speed that we usually see things from you, it looks like it is sped up artificially.

I’m not thrilled with it, but I tried to do some spinning in costume for May the 4th, I figured I’d go ahead and share it even if it’s early.  For the actual 4th I’m still figuring out what I’m doing, but it’ll probably just be hanging out in costume somewhere.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgSM0moaQvs

Keeping things going
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBxXkxNQddw&feature=youtu.be

Video is blocked.

Had this problem before.  Should work if you try it again.

Not yet. Still says copyright issues. :(

I’ll pull the audio then I guess.

 There we go! Sickness! I've got to get a purple saber. Any tips or tutorial links on getting the angel roll or other contact moves? You got that Sh%# down brother!

I posted my progress as I figured it out, there's a thread.  Basically I saw someone do it, and I just went out and hit myself in the face until I could do it on command.

http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=36356.0

Thanks. :)

More excellent work, Sam

Hey guys,

first of all I wish you a great may the 4th and wow, I just watched so many great new videos here. Everybody rocks!  :)
So, I enjoyed my day off and finally had time to practice. I didn't want to cut anything so I just stoped where the track ends.

cheeeers  ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVQFunU2IT4&feature=youtu.be

Very nice Matt. Loving the Orange blade.

Great stuff Matt! I would say that is really good considering that you've only been at it for a few months, but that's just really good in general. It looks like you have been doing this far longer than you said. Good music and nice long video too. Impressive. -1

Many thanks Gar-Wi! I'm quite satisfied with the progress so far. It's just so much fun to learn and discover new things each time.  :)

Also thank you Taegin! The orange blade is my favourite. I wasn't sure of the hilt at the beginning, it's a Initiate LE v3 with a Malice square pommel,
but I fell in love with this thing. It's so comfortable. ;D

Matt!🤙🏻😁 super smooth, and looking good, dude!


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A day late, but this was my warm-up before studio hours yesterday🤙🏻
http://youtu.be/STrbsbkibcY

Happy belated May the 4th!!
With a special nod to Matt(who happens to rock some good electronica might i add😁)


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Haha, I had to laugh out loud when I heard the song.
Great video man! I love that jump-horizontal cut-I kill you from above-combo @1.25  ;D.
Hope you had a great day at the acadamy, how was it?
And thank you  ;)

Good sabering, but I was also caught unawares by the music. Is that German hiphop? Whatever it is, the tempo is a perfect match. Were you freestyling to that or is that in post?

Thanks, DC! That was Peter Fox, and it’s kiiind of a blend of german hiphop and pop.  It was done in post, but i seem to get pretty lucky with my wielding tempo and my tunes😁


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Trying out some new exercises i'm working out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHaapdcc4QM

More excellent work there, EG

Just some practice session with a slight filter of some work with a quick release coupler from Ultra Sabers. Not nearly Ryan smooth with it.  A bit of spinning, a bit of contact, a bit of flow, a bit of Russian Shashka, set to some appropriate Spring music.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVyJ_a3XUMw

I'm not entirely sure how the Nutcracker is Spring music, but maybe you know something that I don't.  ;) Anyways, another very nice demo from DC.

It is in the nutcracker, but the song is waltz of the flowers.

Ellwood. I have to describe your flow as tight like hallways. ;) +1



What can i say? The man, the myth, the legend. Great choice of music. -1

That makes more sense as to why you'd have chosen it then. It did go really well with the video too.

Gonna start practicing now. That looks wicked. Gonna go practice and then goto raves with my saber lol. Will be epic.

lookin' good! Nice training session Elwood.

Loving the music DC. As well as the QRC training! Smooth as always.

Some late practice at the studio🤙🏻 just a clip from a larger session i trimmed down for instagram.
http://youtu.be/DV1sRKC9eWY


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Rad. That place looks like so much fun to practice in. I was wondering when you were going to block out the light from the windows.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2BnVEHr8XI

more saber staff practice! two dominix V2's with 24" blades for my semi-wee stature ;D

I was inspired to do an action tribute to an American Ninja Warrior( that also happens to LOVE StarWars) that I met through Instagram. enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3Lqm4OpiRw

Nice dramatic lighting by just using the saber. Excellent

Excellent choice of music there. It also makes a ton of difference having a dynamic camera shot. That is something I would love to start doing with my videos, rather than just have a static straight on view the whole time. Well done sir.

Yeah! Spinning, light, camera, costume everthing is on point. What can I say...great work!  8)

Thanks, guys!😁🤙🏻 this one was really fun to do- and i also have to say that my camera woman did an awesome job for her cinematic debut! I’m hoping to utilize those talents again🤙🏻


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It was a nice night yesterday, so I went out for a practice session  :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC4D_28rdcw&feature=youtu.be

Matt, you keep getting smoother and quicker!🤙🏻  dig it!😁 also dig the tunes😉


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