Saber Forum

Hmm. The more I think about this, maybe I'm only 1/4 joking.

My son showed off his Initiate to my Dad last weekend, and, like me or pretty much anyone who's ever held a weapon, the first thing he mentioned was, "Damn, this thing's for real."

So, that got me thinking. Are Ultra Sabers sort of the perfect take anywhere, "concealed" in plain sight, self defense weapon? I mean, I'm not going to suddenly stop carrying my Sig around, but for folks who don't, won't or can't, seems to me you could do far worse than a 24" Initiate. And no one is ever going to stop you from carrying one either. In my state I can not legally go into a bar, a stadium, etc... while carrying my pistol. But this? It's just my son's toy light saber, you know, like they sell inside at the souvenir stands. Look, it lights up. Isn't it cool?

I feel MUCH better armed with my son's initiate than I do with a knife for instance. One of the better self defense techniques when facing attack, especially from more than one assailant, is some sort of diversion: like a coat, or purse or umbrella or something. Get that swinging around in your off hand and strike at them with that. It takes a very well disciplined person to not react and block anything coming at their face, even something as innocent as a jacket. You get them looking at that while your real attack is prepped and launched.

Well, folks, can you imagine anything more distracting than sparking up an Ultra Saber in the low light that most self defense occurs? Haha! Everyone within 30' would be just staring at the thing. You know? In fact, the only person NOT staring at it would be you. It's your diversion and your defense all rolled into one thing.

And so, THAT got me thinking about Seattle's own in the news flash in the pan "super hero" Phoenix Jones. This dude, since he refuses to really arm himself, NEEDS an Ultra Saber. How flipping cool would it be for him to jump in on another mugger with an Ultra Saber? Some dude grabs a lady's purse, in leaps... PHOENIX JONES!, lights up his RGB Dominix set on yellow to match his gear, bad guy thinks "Oh it's that silly little dude and now he's got a toy ligh... OUCH MY WRIST IS BROKEN!" Ha! Think of the marketing tie-ins, the free press, the news coverage!

Ha. Anyway. Daydreaming.

I think you're right. The worst you'll likely get stopped for carrying an ultrasaber is that maybe if you light it up on a main street at night, it could be considered a distraction to drivers or something. They are very innocent. And when you think about it, they are designed and built essentially as a training weapon. Like a bokken. It's often mentioned that Heavy Grade blades can go up against bokken on even terms, and though a bokken is a training weapon, you cannot deny that bashing a thug with a wooden sword WILL hurt him. Heck, a proper bashing will hurt him SEVERELY. Factor in as well that many people recommend safety gear (pads, armor, etc) when dueling with ultrasabers in a contact fashion, and I have to say these things would make EXCELLENT self-defense tools.

Of course, they are portable, but bare in mind as well.... they aren't EXACTLY something you can just carry in your pocket. Oh, you can clip it to your belt... but whatever will you do to carry the blade? Not to mention if you take the blade off to carry it, you will have to avoid the thug long enough to get out your hex wrench and put the blade back in and secure it before you can bash said thug. Personally, I don't mind just carrying it all around assembled... except my friends would start calling me Tatewaki Trekkie, the Blue Thunder of Troy High. XD (Ranma joke lol)

Well. Funny you should mention carrying it around, and, sure it helps to have a cute five year old in tow. But, hell, nerds are pretty much a common site these days, at least around large Metros that I frequent. Star Wars shell, Decepticon armband, goofy haircut... who would look twice if you've got a toy light saber, right?

And check this out: My oldest and I go camping in the mountains. My Dad got him this fancy ass lightning proof mega light (like you can't feel it in your hand) mountaineering umbrella. The back sling for this thing just happens to take the 24" Initiate. Perfectly.

Regard:
 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu9MxmdAZ-o#)

Ok, so, yeah, he needs a little work on his Iai-do, but you get the idea. It probably looks a little more intimidating up there on your shoulders though. It's way nerdier / innocent hanging from a belt.

Now I can't get the image of someone telling a thug to "Hold on a minute." While fumbling with a hex wrench, trying to get his blade back on his hilt out of my head! lol.

Hopefully folks realize I'm not talking about carrying it around without the blade! The 24" hanging from your, or, PHOENIX JONES'!!! belt or rigged up on your back like above is just slightly more practical.

lol I knew you meant carrying it with the blade, I just saw it and thought I'd address it anyways. Also, I forgot to mention... these metal hilts make a good whacking tool in and of themselves. But at least around here cops do get a little POed when they see something like that alone. Like those big flashlights cops have themselves? My pop bought one to keep in his car, like the giant metal Maglights? Got pulled over, opens his console at the cop's request to get his ID out and the cop sees this thing in there and goes ballistic on him. XP So it probably comes off more innocent with the blade anyways... lol

I've always considered carrying my lightsaber but never could think of a practical means of doing so. Something over the shoulder seems like the best way to go, though I haven't been able to make something like that yet.

I could post pictures of this umbrella sling if you want.

In college I needed a way to carry my swords around campus riding my bike so my Dad rigged me these PVC plumbing scabbards. I wore them over my back. They worked really well, and for what they were, they looked pretty sweet too. However, keep in mind, what they were was... PVC plumbing.

Wait, let me see if I can find a link to this umbrella company. Maybe they sell replacement slings. What makes them even cooler is that the "scabbard" itself is mesh, so, if you pop the saber you can see it lit inside.

EDIT: It's one of these things: http://www.euroschirm.com/usa/index.cgi (http://www.euroschirm.com/usa/index.cgi)

WARNING: There is jazz on that website, and it's in frames so I can't actually link to the exact umbrella. You could probably call them up a distributor and ask for a sling though. Looks like there's different ones. His mesh one is black, but it looks like the have color keyed ones too. :)

Wait.... a little off topic here, but, your college let you carry SWORDS on campus? You are so lucky... (in my area there are technicalities that allow you to carry a sword, but no one does because the cops are idiots and pulling out the codes about it on them just makes them madder.)

I was on the fencing team. Even so, probably would not have been a big problem there. The enrollment at the University was equal to or more than the population. I can't really start commenting on cops, laws and that sort of thing here. Not really the forum for it.

Ah, that makes sense then. And yes, you're right. Not really the place for a disscussion about Law Enforcement. (FTR, I totally support the Cops and all. I just don't much like when people don't use their heads. And I have a big mouth. LOL)

Don't cops in Britain only carry night sticks? Maybe for the 21st century they could switch over to lightsabers, especially with the country's Jedi population. Any US fans who happen to be lobbyists or members of parliament for Britain? lets get on this!

I'd say get on it for the states too.... but the way things are here, at least in CA, they'd give em' to the cops and then outlaw them for everyone else. And that'd be bad for Ultra's business.... lol

That'd be bad for whoever tried to take my ultrasabers is who it'd be bad for. We could all form a militia...

I think its pretty an self-defense weapon :P
but everything can be a weapon, if you know how to use it!
But I've already had an dream, where I pull out my Lightsaber out of my trainingbag..
and the person just laughs.. "Hahaha, you will beat me with this toy?"
Just secounds later he and his friend lying on the ground..

Never underestimate an Ultrasaber.. :D

I'll add something not quite on-topic (and then back on-topic)... but... I used my fencing sabre vs. my friend's shinai while we sparred--all the while asking him to just "do his thing" and I'd do mine, no need to "go overly easy" or whatever.

Not like we were both trying to WRECK one another, but... I wanted to see if I could still deflect/parry/whatever-you-like-to-name-it his incoming actions... and it wasn't a real problem.  Pretty easy, in my opinion.

And also NOT to say that he didn't hit me when I choose the wrong line (or timing) of defense, etc. etc... and of course not to say that I didn't hit HIM.  Au contraire; I think that day... I probably had the upper hand.  :)

ANYHOW... back ON topic...

Short story = I live in an apt. complex.  It was late--like 11pm, midnight, something.  Knock on the door--lightly.  I'm a bit skeptical, so I just sort of... ahem... moved my Luxeon V direct drive (blue) saber over to the doorway area, out of sight for anyone I opened up to greet...

I open, cautiously.  It's one of my neighbors.  :)  Whew!  But that's not all.  He's dropped his keys out there, where there is (for some reason) VERY very little light, and there is fairly tall (tall enough!!), wet grass.  He has no keychain light ANYHOW... not like it would matter.

So yeah, he's like: "I lost my keys, ya gotta light?"
Barely moments later, I pop on the saber from this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os7TxBQfEZs# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os7TxBQfEZs#)

(This Lux V LED was given to me by Master Yoda [Michael] of FX-sabers, btw)...

...everywhere it is friggin' *FLOODED* with light!  He says: "WHHHOOOAAA... D&*%^^%%, what the... what the heck is THAT??  Some kind of miner's light?"

hahahah...  :)

Then I snoop a bit around outside, and maybe 5 seconds later:

"Oh, you mean THESE keys?  :)  These ones here, sitting out in the light, plain as day??"  hahahahha

So... yeeah... I say on a "practical/real application" thread... I like this aspect, especially since it is non-violent.  :)

Too bad can't watch it.. contains content of Sony music entertainment and is disabled on my country.. >: (

Hey, Novastar, key finder officially added to real applications! My wife's all excited about my son bringing them car camping for night lights in the tent. Hell, maybe I'll even carry the umbrella and let my son pack it around backpacking. Fight off a bear or something. Oh damn! Hell yes, lighting one of these things at night might scare off a bear too!

That said, I like violence a whole lot, so I'll keep day dreaming about martial applications! Heh. I just had a funny conversation along those lines with my friend a few weeks back, went something like:

ME: "What do you mean, weird?"
HIM: "You've got to be the most violent peace activist in the world. And: That's weird."
ME: "I don't think it's contradictory to be against war and pro-violence."
HIM: "Dude, doesn't matter if it's contradictory, or not, it's still, weird. You teach your kids how to fight dirty, and they wear home made tie dye shirts. What that is, is, smurfing weird. What it is not, is: Normal."
ME: "I do not teach them how to fight dirty! There is no 'dirty' in a fight you didn't start."
HIM: <pause and stare> "Dude."
ME: "Yeah, OK, I guess I can see that."

Hey... I fight dirty and wear homemade tie dye shirts.  And I do share your opinion about there not being such a thing as a 'dirty' fight.  I'm not really inclined toward violence, but I do believe that peace can only happen if there's someone willing to fight for it.

And since I want to stay on-topic:  One practical application I've found, is using the hilt as a flashlight.  It looks cool hanging from your belt as part of a costume, and also illuminates your path when needed.

"I'm gonna get 24th Century on his ass..."

[img width= height=]http://mimg.ugo.com/201004/42731/cuts/futurama-energy-baton_480x360.jpg[/img]

All I can say is "Yes! Front Row..." XD

Go Riker. But I must wonder.... did they save Lucas's head?

I use my Dominix v2 as a portable night-light of sorts while maneuvering around the house late at night while people are asleep.  No one wakes up from me turning on the lights so I don't trip on anything while getting myself a glass of water or whatever. 

I've been doing martial arts for over 15 years, and I was a Marine. So weapons of opportunity are kind of my thing, anyways. I have custom parksaber, and I carry the hilt around with me everywhere. If cops ask it's a prop, if anyone ever tries to mess with my family that Luke RotJ style pommel I have turns into the object of their destruction. Even the 3/4'' blades are dangerous in trained hands. These LED sabers are absolutely amazing weapons, and the best thing is... to the common eye... they're toys.

This thread inspired me to start a discussion on creating realistic self-defense techniques using various UltraSabers products: http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=4977.0 (http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=4977.0)

I totally feel like an ultrasaber would be a good self-defense weapon. Even without the blade, just shine them in the face with the LED and conk them on the head with the sturdy metal hilt.

And the emitter end of the SI hilt is pretty sharp....

one could carve out somebody's heart with the raven lol!

After reading these I will not be surprised if these aren't allowed on a plane ::)

Dear god why would you do that?! Lol


They wouldn't even let M.J. Take an umbrella or a cane on from England on.

I could see a few sabers looking a little pipe bombish if they went through X-ray.

On a dark alley. . .you walk with your US lightsaber past large garbage containers.  The alley is just wide enough for a small car to pass through, and it seems as if the only light is the glow of the moon, blocked by the tall building on the right side.  As you venture down the shortcut home, you get a sense that there is evil lurking, waiting.  You grasp your GB guardian ultrasaber.  You are glad that you torqued the set-screw before you left the party.  Suddenly a hooded bandit jumps out from behind the garbage container.  As he takes position just feet away, your hands come together and raise the guardian-activating the switch an intense blue light aura immediately catches the bandit off gaurd as his eyes strain to see you through the light.  The menacing hum of the obsidian soundboard is all that is heard in the brief second before you suddenly turn off the saber.  Immediately the light and sound disappear.  The bandit's eyes strain to constrict the pupil diameter, but it is too late. . .with one double handed blow, you leverage the strike of the 36" heavy grade blade to full velocity and follow through, a crushing strike to the temple.  Your momentum has led you through a 360 degree spin.  During the spin you activate your saber once more to illuminate your surroundings. . .the bandit is "out", and as you deactivate the saber again, you reach for the cell to call the police. 

Totally went through an airport with a saber one time. They thought it was a bomb... and didn't understand it was a lightsaber... It was one of the MR Obi Wan hilts... I need to find that so I can convert it. They did let me through though.

I always tell people to go a touch earlier, declare that badboy, and be ready to do the dog and pony demo so they it how it works if you're gonna fly with a lightsaber.

I'm the kind of guy that would get a kick out of messing with these people. I'd need to think about checking them with the Sig or trying to carry it on. Ha. If the whole family took them to Florida it'd be a bundle of four pipe bomb looking things in a black duffel bag. How's that for red flag? Might make the news. Would have to weigh the chances that the TSA guys jack them if they're checked, (Sea-Tac's TSA agents are among the countries most likely, to steal things from your luggage. They prefer jewelry, prescription drugs, guns and women's underwear.) or risk getting shot or fingers stuffed up my nethers if carried through security.

I'm not sure my wife'd be crazy about either option. :)

The problem was I forgot it was in my bag... Not to mention I was a Marine at the time... I was just glad I hadn't left one of my combat knives in there...

I almost had to use one of my sabers as a weapon once...

My friends and I like to cosplay at the local buskerfest, and I had my full Jedi rig- cloak and all. And a 6 foot long saberstaff, made of TCSS parts. Before the last act of the night, my friend left me to go off and attend an open-air screening of "The Perfect Storm", and once the act was over, I started to head toward the bus stop a couple of streets up. I had the staff lit, as that whole area is pretty dark, and drivers can be kinda dumb. So there I am, walking along carrying a 6 foot bright blue staff like a walking stick, when I hear a whiny female voice "Ohmigod, WTF?" I stopped. It wasn't the first time that bright staff of mine had startled somebody, so I figured I would let her have a good look, and be on my way. She seemed normal at first, kind of curious. She asked me what I had, and I answered "It's a lightsaber". Well, some switch in this ...person's head went over, hard. Suddenly she started to rage, screaming her fool head off with words that would have peeled the paint off of the walls of the Jedi Temple. I held my ground listening to her rant, not fully realizing what my hands were up to...Partway through, I realized that I was in the process of uncoupling the saber at its midpoint, giving me two nasty sharp threaded hilt ends. And somehow, I could see a mental movie unfolding..I could almost sense that if she attacked me, it was most likely to be a roundhouse punch or slap from her right hand, coming in at my left. And I knew how I would counter it- don't waste time blocking, raise both hilts up and stride forward, slamming both hilt ends into her obnoxiously screaming face. And somehow I just knew that if I did that, she was going to drop- drunks aren't too steady on their feet, especially not when whacked in the face by two heavy pieces of metal wielded by a 220 pound thing like myself.

Fortunately it didn't come to that, I didn't have to break that hussy's face. Once I saw that she was all talk, I told her to *beep* off and not to follow me, and away I went, keeping an eye on her to make sure she didn't try to come after.

Wo, Amanita? Are you a dude? I guess I always thought you were female. Hmm. Weird. Wonder why/how/when I got that idea?

But anyway, yeah, people who don't know how to fight (which is usually readily discerned) start off with a great big, lunging, hand breaking, right hook about 90% of the time. The other 10% are lefties, so...

Some of us are also ambidextrous, so we just like to frustrate those odds. ::)

High-five for the extreme minority! I used to be ambidextrous, but not anymore. I'm still closer than most, though. Anyways, I can definitely see using my DSI for self-defense.

Navajas - I live in Harlem (yeah, white girl in Harlem, what could possibly go wrong?), and the other day we literally had someone try to break in while we were HOME! lol

My roomie and I both play softball, and we both keep our favorite bats bedside, but I also keep my Prophecy SRD next to my bed. (I just wish it had sound now, lol!) But with a snap-hiss it comes to life, and you KNOW someone's reaction is "WTF???" when my roomie's bat collides with their head.

Even being extremely tall and using a long weapon like the Prophecy in a tight space, I know what my limits are, and I know how to work with my range very well. We have tall ceilings, so one good over the head strike to an arm, like you suggested, *crack*, and there goes an important part of your body. Even if that doesn't stop them, two steps backwards and I've got a nice choice of kitchen knives to turn the tide for real. :D

When you got picked on daily at school, you begin to evaluate EVERYTHING for value as a weapon, and how to use the terrain to your advantage.

You.

I like you.

Anyways, yeah, I've had the conversation before that people will give me crap for having a lightsaber, and trying to start something. I generally reply "I'm a 5'10, 2-- pound boy from the Bronx with a black belt and some football trophies. I'm carrying with me what is essentially a polycarb and aluminum shinai which serves as both a diversion and a signal in case of trouble. Let them try"

Okayl the last two posts especially are good points. I live way out in the woods (southernmost part of NS), so we've got a ton of wildlife. Coyotes,bears, the occasional wolf, all sorts of critters. I'm 6'6and 320 lbs (though most people don't believe it) and I know what a bit of suprise, shiny green light and noise can do. I'm not saying you should go hunting with your saber, but I use it when I'm walking at night because street lights can be nearly a km away or more in some places. Sabers do help with an intimidation factor when it comes to critters, but knowing how to use them to the best advantage helps too ;)

Everyone does. *teehee!*

 :D

This is a big convincing point for me, although I don't think I would want to try it out on a big bear in spring. . .sometimes they can be curiously hungery, too much for folks own good. :-X

Don't get me wrong here lady, an aluminum baseball bat is a fearsome thing. Probably one of the most realistic scenes ever filmed in movie history is when Ghengis Khan goes apeshell with an aluminum baseball bat in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. You could change history with 500 aluminum baseball bats and a time machine. Also, as I've said, Ultra Sabers aren't too shabby either.

That said, for two women living together somewhere they don't feel safe? Might I suggest one of these (http://www.cabelas.com/pump-action-remington-870-8482-express-tactical-defense-shotguns-1.shtml)?

I'll use whatever's in reach in a pinch, but I'd just assume use the ole pistol if something dangerous was actually happening.

I agree with Jammo... That being said... I live in California, so my lightsaber is a fantastic incognito weapon.

Also I carried lightsabers with me in my turret in Iraq... Just in case I ever got the chance....

Come on... knife kill? How about lightsaber kill... That being said... I never got the chance

We never really got to use our fun little Air Defense turrets thanks to our forces efficiency in neutralizing opposing airpower, but every gunner agreed that a gun kill was more bad ass than a missile kill, so I understand the sentiment.

I feel plenty safe, lol. Being 6'4" tends to make all but the most daring fool scurry away. For the rest, well, it's the same reason you never assume a Mandalorian has been totally disarmed. ;)

My roommate is actually a guy, and while not an imposing one, the two of us make a pretty good team in that regard. Still... I like the way you think, sir! :D

LOL, I'm very much female:) I'm short, about 5'4, and stocky in build, part of that being fat, part muscle. My legs are muscular as hell, and my forearms are getting to that point.

In regards to the confrontation I described, I've had people ask me "Why didn't you drop the saber?"
Whaa?
Why the heck would I drop what could have been my biggest advantage if that hussy had tried to get physical? Why would I drop something that she could get a hold of and use against me? Why would I drop a several hundred dollar prop and risk losing it?
Dropping my saber would have been one of the stupidest things I could have done.

Christ, now rereading what you wrote about that I can't figure out why I thought you were a dude after thinking you were a woman before thinking you were a dude. *sigh* I must be getting stupid a long with getting old. I really thought I read some pronouns in there that, well whatever.

I'm going to stop typing now.

Jammo and Lucien: Granted, when things go bump in the night, I reach for my Sig. But a woman home alone? I tell my wife to get the 870. For a person with no thought to carry and/or train, a shotgun is a better choice for home defense I think. A good dependable shotgun is much less expensive, much easier to use and much more intimidating. You always run the risk of having an invader not give your pistol credence, especially if held by a woman. It's much harder to maintain your bullshell bravado regardless of who's holding it when you hear them rack a 12ga. and point it at you. Hell, hopefully that keeps you from actually having to use it, and if you load the first two with bird shot, even if you do, you hopefully won't kill the guy and end up in prison for daring to defend yourself.

Not to mention a couple loads of rocksalt is enough to make any home invader sit down and wait for the cops to get there.

Long guns do have a touch more fear factor, it seems.

I don't know, I have more fear of a sawed off shotgun then a rifle, or any gun really, if I was inside a house/apt with bending corners.

Plus, they make these nice little rubber slugs for shotguns now, that while they might not be as... potent... as regular shells, are quite handy.  It'd keep you from blowing holes in your wall, and you won't have to worry about accidentally killing your victim and getting sued by his corpse.

Now, back on topic.

I took my sabers to my Eskrima class and sparred with them a bit.  My master was quite impressed, except for his words of caution "Not to break a $60 toy."

Meh, I'd just assume use buckshot and leave nothing to chance... besides, Arizona has reasonable self-defense laws. If you have proportionate force or imminent danger you can pretty well do whatever. Not as aggressive as places with castle laws, but generous enough to not jail people for legit uses of force.

Yeah, around here if your hand touches a weapon in those situations, you get prison for life.

Where do you live? I would love to relocate to NYC, but if NY is one of the places that ridiculous about self defence, that's a negative right there!

I'm in NYC - Harlem. It depends on what your definition of self defense is. NYC it's almost impossible to even own a gun let alone actually get a carry permit. I mean, people do own them, but it's tough here. On the other hand, when it comes to beating the snot out of someone with a lightsaber or something, I'm pretty sure you can get away with that if it's on your property. Carrying is again a difficult issue.

They'll stop you if you're carrying a staff for example, so a lightsaber with blade attached is out of the question, unless you're, say, going to a con or party, or something. Hilt would be fine most likely, so if you have a pommel with a nice edge to it, you might get away with that. :)

Chances are, anyway, that the worst thing that will happen to you if you do happen to defend yourself, particularly in your own home, is that you'll be brought in to take a statement, and maybe questioned. Outside your home, take it as it comes. If you bludgeon someone with one of those pointy pommels like on TCSS, you might have more explaining to do, and you'd likely lose the saber as evidence.

Oddly enough, last time I was in NYC I carried a saber around, and nobody hassled me- I've got some pics in the general gallery thread, "where has your lightsaber travelled" or something like that.

Perhaps having it lit made it look like a toy, or perhaps the fact that I also had robes on.

I have to admit, being hassled just for carrying a staff worries me- I've been known to practice solo with bokken, or more recently, the polypropylene version in some of our public parks. (Keeping a distance from other people, of course). How do you carry weapons used for martial arts practice back and forth to practice? I know a lot of NY'ers don't have cars. And not everyone belongs to a school either, so being restricted to "recognized" schools as practice places isn't practical for everyone.
Gahh, I hate Nanny State rules. I consider myself a fairly liberal person on many issues, but I believe the right to self defense should be paramount. Sitting around singing Kumbaya never made bad guys leave anyone in peace, at home or in the street.

I love my polypropylene bokken! Also I agree with you about self defense

I've got an awesome collection of polypropylene- a katana, longsword, sword breaker, and gladius from Cold Steel, and two Chinese sabers made by somebody else.

It's a shame that what amounts to saber spinning with those in an NYC public park could get me in deep doo doo, from the sounds of things. Here, the cops seem okay, as long as it's not sharp and you're not trying to hurt anyone. Heck, I've gotten into friendly sparring matches with friends down on the waterfront, and nobody's said anything.

Polypropylene bokken FTW!  I have the longsword, arming sword, and the dagger.  Good stuff.

We generally meet at Washington Square Park, during spring and summer, and never get gaff from the cops. If anything, they are just as interested as the NYU crowd.

That's always good to know:) I imagine it's obvious that you guys aren't trying to hurt each other for real, which is one thing cops watch out for. I imagine NY'ers are used to performance, and showing off. I remember doing a bit of kata right next to One Astor Plaza, with my Shock LE, while my friend watched, leaning up against one of that skyscraper's big white fins:)

I miss NYC, I'll have to check out the NY Jedi classes next time I'm in town.

I have a polypropylene dagger and gladius. The gladius is pure awesome.

I should get some more polypropylene weapons... They are really amazing.

I'm getting the buckler that Cold Steel plans to release. Let's see- I still need the single hand sword and dagger, and the wakizashi and tanto.
Too bad a practice session with the things in Central Park would probably be frowned upon:(
But here's a fun idea! Jedi vs Sith fighting over Belvedere castle. One side defends, the other lays siege. As it is, I wanna do a costumed photo shoot there like nobody's business.

thanks y'all for adding another "if some idiot ever attacks me" scenario. i'm a big guy 6'2" bout 225 and have been waiting 15 years to apply all my hard learned martial training for some reason no one ever bothers me and im not the type to start any kind of problem. *sigh* ill keep waiting i guess. anybody know where the really stupid criminals hang out?

I think it's best to avoid combat, but I guess you could always hire a hitman/hitwoman to kill you or put out a bounty on your own head....

I wouldn't do it, they tend to use guns and surprise ::)

Although I get the first is saying, I know a few places where I live that if I went there at a certain time of day I could likely run into unsavory types very easily. I'm not about to go there and see if I'm as good as I think I am though. Recently had a master of some form of martial art, the one where you use your opponents actions against them? Anyway he tried to save a woman being attacked by three guys, and died for his attempted heroism as did the woman. When dealing with criminals, if there is a pack level you can be overwhelmed even if a master.

So a word of caution.

So do other criminals..?

Anyways, I'm not about to go out and find a gang to beat up (especially not with an LED saber). That just seems irrational.

Well and generally if you're going to go up against overwhelming odds... being armed to the teeth doesn't hurt.

My sensei taught me, if you get into a knife fight you'll get cut, and if you get into a gunfight you'll get shot. Just easy logic, if you're in the situation where you are fighting against people who are going to kill you, you have to be ready to accept those consequences.

That's why I don't hunt out trouble, that being said trouble has a certain way of finding me, and I've gotten used to the company.

Personal story on the subject...shortly after our group formed, a couple of members were outside in the parking lot of our practice space, which is (unfortunately) in an area of town known for a "rough" element, when several of the locals came through and started to hassle them. Both are former Military, and trained martial artists, and they just started to go at each other full force like there was no tomorrow. Several of us came running outside to watch the match, only to be greeted by the site  of the locals backing away commenting about the "crazy guys beating on each other with glowing clubs"...that's when we all lit up and rushed in, and had our first night time grand melee in the parking lot. (certainly not our last!)
We haven't had any trouble in the neighborhood since that night, and the neighborhood watch, and local parents regularly drop by now to chat with us, drop in to watch, and some have even joined us.
But DAMN I wish we coulda gotten the reaction that first night on camera!