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Rawlings Synthetic Wasters?
Sir Ulrich:
http://www.woodenswords.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=KS%2DSS
Does anyone know how good these are? I mean I want some training swords and I aint using my blunted steel without hand protection and I don't feel like shelling out 300 bucks for a pair of gauntlets that I am not even gonna use for living history. I do have 2 great helms I assume these plastic wasters wouldn't do denting damage to them either like wood or steel would. I just wish I knew where to find one that would be the equivalent of a 13th century sword, these ones look like they're 15th century styles, I know I am picky about this but I need a bit of help looking around for wasters and not quite sure where to start.
Sir Edward:
I haven't watched the video, so I'm not sure what his review says. I'll probably watch it later.
My impression is this (I do own one): For starting out, they're fine. But they're not ideal for learning the art, compared to other options, for two main reasons:
1. They run a little light, which feels great when you're starting out, and make you nice and quick when free-fencing with them. But it doesn't teach you to use a more properly weighted sword, and lack the mass for good parries and deflections.
2. More importantly, IMHO, they're too flexible. This sounds like a great safety feature, and it is. However, someone HAS DIED taking a thrust through the eye with one of these, so it's not a guarantee of being safe by itself. But the main reason to dislike the flexibility is that it will also impact your training, because these swords tend to bend around each other in the bind, making windings very difficult to do, and they're an important part of the art. This also throws off parries and deflections.
Something I also wasn't thrilled with, is that they keep some bend if you leave it in a hot car for a while.
For a better synthetic trainer, I would go with Purple Heart:
http://www.woodenswords.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1513
These have a more realistic weight, and are built tough. The blades are stiff, but have enough flex. The flex is more on-par with a steel trainer, rather than being flimsy like the Rawlings swords, or completely inflexible like the aluminum trainers.
Sir Brian:
Even with synthetic swords you should wear adequate hand protection such as lacrosse or hockey gloves. Nothing interrupts your training longer and faster than broken fingers! :-\
Sir Edward:
--- Quote from: Sir Brian on 2014-01-29, 15:09:47 ---Even with synthetic swords you should wear adequate hand protection such as lacrosse or hockey gloves. Nothing interrupts your training longer and faster than broken fingers! :-\
--- End quote ---
And a fencing mask!
Sir James A:
--- Quote from: Sir Edward on 2014-01-29, 15:21:17 ---
--- Quote from: Sir Brian on 2014-01-29, 15:09:47 ---Even with synthetic swords you should wear adequate hand protection such as lacrosse or hockey gloves. Nothing interrupts your training longer and faster than broken fingers! :-\
--- End quote ---
And a fencing mask!
--- End quote ---
Definitely a mask too! Someone in Europe/England was killed by a synthetic sword through his eye. They may be "toys" compared to sharps, but they are still to be respected.
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