[Bill Love]

So I've found a new use for my old Slab O' Poly-confined space practice tool! I saw the neat Swing swords on the MBlades site while surfing Paul Southren's online mag and found my eyes wandering over to my Cold Steel Waster, which has just been collecting dust since I got my Rawlings and Zugadore. I started by chopping the blade off at 24 inches and kept cutting and trying 1/2" at a time until I hit 22", which feels about right in my hands (although you may want to start at 26'' or more if you prefer a more blade heavy sword). The rubber collar/bumper at the tip is the tsuba retainer from one of my Cold Steel bokken. Don't laugh-the finished product feels amazing and is perfect for use in limited spaces. At speed, I find that I don't miss the full size blade at all. It may look funny, but is sure does perform, and best of all, it doesn't feel like a Cold Steel poly waster any more-it feels like a sword!