Hubby thinks that students should keep their mind on what they are currently training instead of looking at some distant, possible future. He encourages a degree of looking ahead but wants to keep the training focussed.
I think that the swords are beautifully crafted and worth showing.
Jian and sabre:
The jian is semi-sharp and not to be meddled with, whilst the sabre has not been sharpened. Both weapons are real swords. They were pretty expensive when Hubby bought them so I dread to think what they might cost these days.
Hubby doesn't mind people touching the sabre but won't allow the jian to be handled. I don't blame him. I wouldn't let anyone touch it either. The handle is rayskin and looks like alien flesh. The sword is a reproduction of a 'warring states' weapon and is a functional straight sword. The sabre is quite different, with some wonderful brass detail on the scabbard and hilt.
With Barny, Tim and Dom he illustrated the nature of 'balance' with a sword and how to recognise a balanced weapon. He used other swords to show the difference between different calibres of product, and the pros and cons of each.
A balanced blade feels very different a rubbish one. I'm aiming to get a lightweight 'real sword' dao at some point but struggle to find one that is light enough for me to handle. Hubby's main sword is REALLY heavy.
