One Mat vs. Two Mats

[Ben]

Which do you prefer?

I find cutting one staw mat more challenging than two. Because one lonely straw mat bends easier, if your technique is not good the sword will not pass easily through the mat. To me, two mats rolled up has more rigidity and is effortless to cut. Four mats on the other hand would probably be more challenging than one. I just haven't had the nerve to waste that much mat in one cutting session.

[goose710]

Ben
what you say is true one at times can be more difficult to cut when i feel lazy. first bad cut brings me back to focus. four matts is the most i've cut at one time but maybe when flush i'll try six!! ya gotta love it . By the way anyone read japonese??? have a script on a habaki that (my guess) is japonese and would like to know what it says will post a pic if answered
keep cutti ben
goose710

[Brian Brazier]

I agree with you Ben, one mat is allot less forgiving of a bad cut, plus I feel like I get more feedback through the sword

[Ben]

I find pool noodles to be supremely unforgiving of bad form. Most untrained people that I let attempt to cut one with my sword end up only grazing it. Then it springs back and they look at me with a confused look on their :-Oface.

[Jason Moore]

I have yet to try them, but I think I will get some.

[Brian Brazier]

It would be great if you could find a place to get them in bulk for resale, as after summer they are nowhere to be found (at least in Seattle)

[RedZorak]

Since I live on in a popular area on the coast, I can get them for about a buck each during the summer. I can sometimes find them in the winter in some of the dollar stores too. But I much prefer tatami.

[Brian Brazier]

I would perfer tatami omote or even beach mats, but since tatami omote is so expensive I only use them once a year, I don't mind beach mats but again here in Seattle after Summer they are nowhere to be found, I will probably have to just order some through SOM, but the shipping is a killer on those

[bobO]

Ben,have you heard about mugen dachi CO. There south of you in the bay area.

[Ben]

I thought they are in California. I live in south Mississippi (one of the few urbanized portions).

[bobO]

sorry ben I thought you were in Seattle,it was late.They are in cali.The message was for brian.

[Brian Brazier]

www.tameshigiri.com, is the same place

[Ben]

Oh, that explains it.:-?

What do you think about buying used mats? That sounds kind of gross, does that company clean them before they sell them?

[Brian Brazier]

the mats they use in Japan are mostly used mats that come out of peoples houses, but the tatami omote from Tameshigiri.com are new

[bobO]

Used mats are o-kay,but they are more likely to have grit in them,which can scratch your sword and dull it quicker.They also smell like old socks when you soak them.Also some can be thinner then others.One thing I wanted to add,when cutting two or more mats it's easier to track your cuts,you know are you scooping your cuts,following thru etc.

[Nanshoji]

I wouldnt really know about that because Im too afraid too cut with my high qaulity swords, because I look at the beautiful blades and get to scared to cut with them because of the fear of scratching the blade. Silly to buy a $110 sword thats ment to be used for cutting and not, dont you think?

[rick]

I live in an apartment the complex is full of *ssholes they freaked when me and my girl where sparing with our bokens I almost got arrested for domestic violance so if I take my sword out to do some cutting I'll probly get shot by the cops