Hi all,

Here is a vid of some of the cutting seminar hosted by Kunstbruder earlier this month. Mostly it's me babbling, but it gives you an idea of some of the things I cover in a cutting class.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geL7LYGXgUY

Great information. You don't happen to have the full unedited video do you? Keep them coming!

-Ian

No, sorry, most of the video got corrupted (I didn't take it, so don't ask me how!).

Besides, if I put up the whole seminar there will be no reason for people to invite me to do one for them, and I like to travel. :)

Interesting info and demonstration. Thanks for sharing.

whats interesting that i keep seeing moreso is the fac that when doing a cut, its not justdownwards or upwards and pivoting the sword with your wrist, i.e the sort of movements used when trying to strike with a mace or an axe.
but that your also supposed to pull the blade back towards you as your cutting, to create

i nticed this when, using my accusharpe sharpened about half of the blade length (of 58cm which includes the 3 inch long ricasso) 440J stainless wallhanger jian, (dont worry i check the sword for rattle and damage frequently. )

point is that attempts to cut decently aside from making tiny nicks by using the top 5cm f the blade and tip to make tiny cuts, i wasnt able to cut large 3L juice bottles filled with water, BUT. once i applied that pulling motion i was able to almost cut through the whole bottle, a previously unheard of feat for me.
then again ive learnt pretty much all my cutting technique from videos just like this. including COP and blade to target alignement.

so dont think videos like that dont have their uses. people like me who are just trying to be 'good enough' find such little tips very helpful,.

It was a great class, and being able to use a properly sharpened blade (our School Albion Crecy was what I though was sharp) was a great help...

That damn piece of gambeson was irritating me for a few weeks...

Thanks, guys.

Jean,

Meh, too much work. :)

Good video Michael!

I also found another great one with your demo of how to roll and soak the mats. The flat stones and square box like that for soaking is a really good tip, I'll try that.

I usually tie with electrical tape, that works good too and is easy to cut through with a sharp blade.

BTW. I think Jeans idea for a video production would be great. I know it'd mean some work for you but you already got the talent and experience and others with less already produce and sell their stuff, would be a waste not to share yours.

Thanks Johan.

Something to think about, I guess, but I'm not entirely happy just dumping info on people. Knowledge in martial arts can't be given or taken, it has to be earned. You can read all the books, see all the videos and still not be able to do anything with it. So in making such videos, it would seem as if I'm helping people, but I'm not really sure that would be the case.

There is nothing worse for a student than fostering the illusion that he/she knows something they actually don't understand.

"If you can't cut with this..." priceless :) .