Archive for June, 2009

Recently a few of us old timers decided to add the Chinese “Big Sabre” or “Da Dao” to our practice. However, finding reliable, reasonably priced practice versions of the Da Dao was not as easy as we had hoped.

Most of what we encountered fell into two camps: lightweight and sometimes poorly constructed “wushu” swords, or swords in the $200 to $500 range; sturdy enough but too heavy and razor sharp. Neither camp fully fulfilled my desire for an inexpensive, durable, and realistic yet safe practice weapon.

The unrealistic balance and potential risk of the weak “rat tail” tang made the former camp undesirable; and the risk of practicing new material with a heavy & sharp sword should need no elaboration .

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It may not be not be 1776, but in recognition of Independence Day, all classes are cancelled for the weekend of July 4^th.

Take a break, have fun, and enjoy the fourth! Feel free to continue to practice on your own of course

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth…