>>1330610Hard to find any good sabers for under a couple hundred dollars. And the only one I know of that is overbuilt (I.E. not historical) enough to trust to not fuck up are made by a company called Zombie Tools (the only good "Zombie" brand). I actually really want one.
https://www.zombietools.net/shop/dcapitan-sabre/>train with itNo... One does not need to take up HEMA to learn basic blade safety. Just as one does not need to be a Special OPs sniper to understand basic firearm safety.
The basics;
1) Don't be an idiot
2) If it is a one handed sword/machete, always keep your off hand against your chest or behind your back. It is unfortunately common for people to cut fingers off their own hand.
3) Don't put all your energy into a swing like it's a baseball bat. If you miss your target or what ever, you should be able to control the blade and not spin in a circle, or throw it, or fall down.
4) Glancing blows happen. Be sure to stand in away that a glance does not land the blade into your shin. And have an escape root behind you to jump back if needed.
5) Assuming the handle if going to fall apart, or you may let go, and the blade will go flying. This is not uncommon with really cheap swords, or improperly seated ax heads. Make sure there is nothing with in a 180 degree arc of your swing that should not be stabbed.
6) If you use a lanyard, consider that letting go may send the blade swinging back at your torso, legs, or head... That being said, if no one is around you, it maybe better to just let the blade go flying if you slip. Or if people are around, consider tying the lanyard so it physically can not leave your hand.
7) Don't use it around people... Just ever... but if you do; Keep your bubble (5+ feet all around you) free of people or things that you don't want to cut, never swing a sharp object (knife, ax, sword, ect..) with any other person in your bubble.
