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MrDave

MrDave

Viking male from Israel
Posts: 4

Using a sword instead of katana

So, I recently got into HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) and for now I'm training with the group's spare swords, but I'm on my way to own a sword of my own. A real one, just not sharpened. And I was wondering if it's okay to do programs (e.g. Ronin's Blade) and workouts designed for katana with a sword. Okay as in that it won't be incorrect because it was designed for other equipment. I suppose that's a silly question, but anyway.
 
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I have a 2.5lb Chinese 1.5h sword and same weight Chinese 1h sabre that I do Tai Chi forms with and more dance like. I also did Aikido and Kenjutsu weapons for 4 years with bokken (hardwood katana) I would recommend for Darebee katana exercise use a hardwood bokken. For very fast use a shinai (bamboo). I have a steel katana also 2.5lb weight not sharp but have done cutting practice using plastic bottle filled with water.
 
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I don't see any problem with Darebee's programs and workouts :)
 
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With the bokken workout you go for a swish sound, with a heavy sword like a 2.5 katana it could cause a strain when repeating a movement many times. I do my sword at home so it's not like I have the space of a gymnasium then be very active. A European 2h sword can weigh around 4lb, a Conan movie replica around 9lb.
 
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Hey, @MrDave . Good question. There's not a thing wrong with using historical European swords for the exercises here, as long as the sword you would use is designed for a two hand grip. The various "Witcher" work outs here are designed for European type swords, anyway.

As @thinman described, the difference in weight between what the illustrations show (a basic wooden Aikido type bokken) and what you want to use may require good judgement. A good starting point might be to weigh what you intend to use and compare that to a wooden bokken weight (about 1.5 - 2 pounds), and if there's significant difference, reduce the number of reps per set. As a test run, do 1 set and see how you feel. Adjust as needed.

Have fun and be safe.
 
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Some years back I made a training sword, the duct tape jobby in the photo. It had a thick grip and weighed 5lbs, I would do my Tai Chi forms with it and my weapon forms included doing a mirror version with other hand.

QZJ_1556971151.jpg
 
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I use to Tai Chi sword form with a 9lb short handle sledge type hammer which made want a Conan sword . . .
the-fathers-sword-conan.jpg

7.5lb sword

 
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Thanks everyone for the answers and suggestions!
I'll have a longsword which will be around 1.5 kg in weight (~3,3 lbs)

I will definitely try out the workouts designed for longswords/broadswords first, and when I'll move on to katana-based stuff, I'll see how well it translates to sword use.

By the way, @thinman, your sword collection is impressive!
 
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