Sword testing on a Tire-Pell

[tsafa]

My reviews are mainly based on striking car tires 2000 times at full power. This is principally a durability test. I do offer some other comments as well.

A sword is not a light-saber. In order for it to have any effect it must strike the target hard, at great speed and accurately. Swords were used from horseback using the momentum of the horse while bracing against the stirrups and saddle. This will add an extra 25 mph to the strike. My SCA fighting experience also shows that most strikes will be bocked by the shield. The shield is usually hard wood. Often they will also have to block strikes from heavier weapons such as axes, maces and poll-Weapons. Swords must therefore be very tough to be combat worthy because you don't know what you will encounter on the battlefield.

You may view my sword reviews on the following webpage:

http://mysite.verizon.net/tsafa1/swordreview.htm

[Jason Moore]

Very Nice.

[Dotanuki]

Interesting, I also use tire striking as a training tool, it similates striking a body quite well. It is used by a few sword schools [Japanese] as well.

Anybody using tires as a training tool must remember that your sword [steel or wood] is absorbing a tremendous amount of kinetic energy, quite different from tameshigiri. The fatique factor of the steel or wood will reached must faster than in other manners of training. [usually resulting in breakages during impact]. I read your review of the S/S katana from United Cutlery, I am surprised it lasted 2,000 cuts, although I can't imagine it lasting much longer [brings back memories of Zatoichi's cane sword only lasting one more cut]
tsafa, these comments are not directed toward you, but rather to reinforce your warning of this being a more extreme/dangerous type of training. There is no such thing of not stressing safety enough.

[jsamurai07]

In this Tire striking training , would one use the blade side of the sword ? Also is this used to test repeated blows though not to a solid or non giving surface ?

":-? A new broom sweeps clean , but the old one knows all the corners "

[tsafa]

I use the edge in my testing. I do make some strikes with the flat just to see if anything unusual happens. The tire and the whole pell move with each strike to some extent. So in answer to your question, this is a target that gives.

The impact on the sword is similar to what I have experienced cutting Pepsi bottles.

[rick]

a tire is pretty unyielding you get your strike right or it makes you eat it

[tsafa]

Actually my tire pell is very yielding. It absorbs most of the impact, it gives a very slight bounce with a sharp sword. The bounce is considerable with a blunt.

Here is a picture of my setup. The whole pell gives some sway at the post and then each individual tire absorbs too.



http://mysite.verizon.net/tsafa1/pell/newpell.JPG

[rick]

I've used tires as a target before , and if my swing was off the tire let me know

[tsafa]

That is does very well.

I've used tires as a target before , and if my swing was off the tire let me know

[rick]

that was my origanal point

[tsafa]

I have updated my tire-pell webpage with two swords. Both swords are under 3 lbs and both passed. Both cost about $120.

Hanwai Practical Knightly

CAS Iberia Lionheart

You can read the full review here:

http://mysite.verizon.net/tsafa1/swordreview.htm#Knightly

[Robert P. Norwalt]

Nice site overall. At least you take your swordsmanship seriously, and that is a breath of fresh air. I'd say the tire pell is a good idea for training, but for testing the reliability of any period peice, somewhat unscientific. I personally go by the American Bladesmithing Society flex test, and a rockwell hardness test.

For my personal pell work I have been using a heavy bag, and hanging stumps for ax, polearms etc. Good idea for rebated blunts and rattan, I think I'll set one of those three tire deals up.

I always wish Myth Busters would tackle this one in a controled environment, with period correct maille, gambasson, sharpened and dull weaponry. I've done it with butted maille, and sides of pork. And I've done it with full fresh killed white tail deer. Awesome results.

[bobO]

Tires do not hit back! Sorry just being a smart *ss. I am going to ask some friends about taking a deer head off, I can see the looks already. Robert, I like your sig,anything worth doing is worth doing well.