Comment by waster

I'm a Fiore scholar-level longsword practitioner and cannot say enough amazing things about learning to use weapons like this based on historic manuscripts. It's why my HN username is "waster" – we train from the start with wooden wasters (practice swords), as was done historically. If you're in the SF Bay Area and care to learn, check out swordfightingschool.com; or search for a HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) school or club near you.