I was wondering if anyone has ever tried using clay (or a similar product) for cutting practice? I have seen a few mentions of wet clay dummies being used in Russian cavalry practice in late 19th - early 20th century. Since that was pretty much at the end of the cavalry era, I am guessing that use of wet clay to practice proper cutting must have originated much earlier, and was likely not confined to the Russian Empire.

I am also curious what other materials might have been used for cutting practice in Europe throughout the centuries of interest to this forum. Straw dummies? Clay and straw combinations? I am fairly certain that tatami mats and plastic milk jugs were in short supply.

See the Cutting Clay thread by Michael Edelson
http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t...light=clay

Thank you, Lloyd. Unfortunately, the easiest thing to do (search the forums for "clay") did not occur to me. But that's exactly what I was looking for.

Andy

They cut lead too. Good luck!