What to do for a 12 year old who says she wants a "sword"?

[JParanee]

Buy yourself a nice sword that you both like

Keep it safe and tell her someday

sword handling and etiquette is best taught with (Boken) wooden swords

In Samurai culture a wooden sword is given at I believe 7 or 8

My girls all had pocket knives at that age used under supervision

I keep a large amount of guns (unloaded) swords and knives on display in my home

Only a fraction

I have found that to educate and show them under supervision is the best way for me and my children

Everyone knows their children best so it is a very personal judgement call

But I would take advantage of any interest other than dolls if it were me

They grow so quickly and find other interests.......take advantage of the connection now

 

[crimsonfalcon07]

I always love seeing pics of your collection, Joe.

As for the OP... First, she might really like the ARMA folks if she's really serious about western medieval sword-fighting. The SCA tends to be less good, IMO, when it comes to actual sword techniques.

For a decent starter production sword, I'd look perhaps at Hanwei Practical line, Kris Cutlery, or the occasional Del Tin or similar. Or, Scorpion Swords, by a fellow on here by the name of Chris Palmer (Archer Here is his screen name) does the occasional sword that's on the more inexpensive side of things, but still great quality. I definitely agree with the notion to get something that you both would like, since it's entirely possible you'll end up with it in the long run.

I'd have to look and see what she wants, but myself or someone else (mecha, maybe you?) might be up for making a short sword from one of her sketches or stories or something. That might be more likely to stay meaningful to her, even if she somewhat grows out of the phase.

It's the rare female fighter who has the strength to fight with a brute force approach. Finesse, closing the distance, speed, and getting off-line may all be important, and a sword built for a girl might need to be built differently than one built for a giant guy with a lot of upper body strength.

 

[blackbrit]

Buy yourself a nice sword that you both like

Keep it safe and tell her someday

sword handling and etiquette is best taught with (Boken) wooden swords

In Samurai culture a wooden sword is given at I believe 7 or 8

My girls all had pocket knives at that age used under supervision

I keep a large amount of guns (unloaded) swords and knives on display in my home

Only a fraction

I have found that to educate and show them under supervision is the best way for me and my children

Everyone knows their children best so it is a very personal judgement call

But I would take advantage of any interest other than dolls if it were me

They grow so quickly and find other interests.......take advantage of the connection now

Wow. Thanks for sharing this photo. My Dad, now passed away, has a collection (tiny) that my daughter and brother spend time fondling and discussing on a regular basis when we are in WA state, which is quite a bit. My brother and I both are working on supporting her interests in guns and knives. The sword interest is newer. Neither my brother or I have had any experience there.

But I'm loving the idea of getting a sword for me that we both like. I'd be following the advice from this thread in choosing one. I could see doing that for me, and doing the bokken for her, first, as I save up for another one.

I'd have to look and see what she wants, but myself or someone else (mecha, maybe you?) might be up for making a short sword from one of her sketches or stories or something. That might be more likely to stay meaningful to her, even if she somewhat grows out of the phase.

It's the rare female fighter who has the strength to fight with a brute force approach. Finesse, closing the distance, speed, and getting off-line may all be important....

Wow. Having one made is not a thought that had crossed my mind, but what an incredible idea. Size, weight of the sword has. My first thought is gratitude at the suggestion, my second thought is that having one made from her sketches might well be something she should earn the right to after learning respect for a practice weapon.

 

[blackbrit]

Last thing for now: another reason to narrow down whether she's interested in a sword for use in learning to swordfight or for costume and display..."real" swords, reenactment swords and stage combat swords will, as a rule, have high carbon blades of some sort and be fully tempered to withstand shock and impact. The tradeoff for this is that they will also require regular maintenance to keep them from rusting.

You can get low-maintenance, display and costume swords that come with stainless blades, but those really can't be used for anything much because they are not built for contact.

So there's really several different markets for swords depending on use and sharpness, and each requires a different level of maintenance.

Okay; I've been watching my daughter as I've been learning on this thread. I'm going to start with something "pretty." Just bought this cheap stainless example from Amazon that has good reviews. (From Assassin's Creed, something she also likes, but doesn't play. YouTube is her friend.)



Rules: She can only use it for display/costume. If she wants to learn to use a sword, we will do as you all have suggested. Probably a few lessons, maybe Cold Steel polypropylene, see what she actually does.

She's getting my Dad's fixed blade hunting knife and a folder for Christmas. The display sword and some inexpensive but balanced throwing knives are for her birthday in a week or so. This will work as a start. For Christmas I'm going to give her a few choices of lessons, including the choice of a few private lessons with her former Kung Fu Master, who I think would work with her with basic weapons, if she wants. Otherwise, she can have a three or four fencing lessons or whatever else we have locally.

For better or worse, a plan!

 

[SeaxyBeast]

Rules: She can only use it for display/costume. If she wants to learn to use a sword, we will do as you all have suggested. Probably a few lessons, maybe Cold Steel polypropylene, see what she actually does.

I'd skip the Cold Steel poly trainers, personally. I wanted one right up until I tried one at my instructor's house. Haven't wanted one since, despite the price. The weight is too far forward, which makes them unwieldy for sword techniques and puts too much power into the swing and into the hit. They are also quite stiff and unsafe for thrusting. Both of these things make them difficult to control for any sort of sparring or drilling. They just don't feel right or move correctly for a sword.

 

[blackbrit]

I'd skip the Cold Steel poly trainers, personally. I wanted one right up until I tried one at my instructor's house. Haven't wanted one since, despite the price. The weight is too far forward, which makes them unwieldy for sword techniques and puts too much power into the swing and into the hit. They are also quite stiff and unsafe for thrusting. Both of these things make them difficult to control for any sort of sparring or drilling. They just don't feel right or move correctly for a sword.

Okay; so one of the wooden bokken? Need to re-read the thread maybe. Sorry! Or are you thinking Cold Steel with a dull edge? Apologies if you already told me.

 

[JParanee]

Have fun and always remember the most important lesson of the sword is respect and control

A live blade is so much more than a piece of steel

 

[SeaxyBeast]

I prefer the way a bokken handles to the CS trainers. I've done light, very controlled sparring with bokken, but even then they can pack a sting and break a finger if you are not careful (let alone the danger to eyes, teeth and skulls). Shinai do less impact damage, but are much lighter than a sword and this affects the feel as well. Rattan is safer than hardwood and heavier than a shinai, but has balance more like the CS trainers. Nylon wasters like the Rawlings or the Pentti III are safe and sword-like in handling, but more expensive.

If sparring is not a concern, I'd choose the bokken. If I planned to spar and money was a sticking point, I'd choose rattan. If sparring and handling were a concern, I'd choose the nylon wasters. But that's just me.

Chances are, however, that if you get her some lessons with her kung fu instructor s/he will want your daughter to train with either a wooden Chinese sword or a spring steel wushu sword. You may want to check that avenue first before choosing a practice weapon.

 

[EdgyGator]

My 14 year old son has a black belt in TKD. Received it when he was 11 (started at 4). He asked for a katana (yes, not Korean) upon receiving it.

I told him he'd have to get his 2nd degree first. I'm hoping that takes till he's 18 (it's a very good school).

Does she study martial arts?


If it were me, I'd consider one of the Cold Steel polycarbonate practice swords (in the desired form). Perhaps you can get one too and the two of you can spar a bit, and perhaps you can point her towards a qualified instructor. My son has two of the CS polys.


My son became interested in swords at 4 or 5. Being a woodworker with a reasonable shop, I was able to make him beveled swords without too much effort (the bandsawn prototype was frowned upon). Once I had the process down, it was easy enough to repeat. Metallic silver paint, wrapping for the handle and he was off. I became quite the wooden bladesmith for several years. The curved shield was probably the most challenging piece.


Good luck!

 

[sirupatespecial]

There seems to be a lot of "12 y.o. kid is not responsible enough for a sword" type thing. Only you know that. And things are different these days...I guess. And not for the better I may add. I got my first firearm at 12. I haven't shot anyone yet. And I'm 53 and have probably come closer to shooting someone since I got old enough to realize that I don't really want to fight anymore....So, buy her a damn sword! Whatever she wants. Heck, you're only 12 once.

 

[crimsonfalcon07]

Yeah, I have to come down on the "encourage her interests while you can" side of things, political commentary aside. There's really a very limited window to enjoy the world of swords and medieval fantasy, etc, before it starts to become socially weird to people. Doesn't have to be sharps, of course, but as has been mentioned, there was a time when many 12 year olds learned out to shoot. If they can handle a gun, surely they can handle a sword.

 

[blackbrit]

My 14 year old son has a black belt in TKD...

Does she study martial arts?...I became quite the wooden bladesmith for several years. The curved shield was probably the most challenging piece.

Good luck!

She studied Kung Fu for a couple years when she was really young.

Your woodworking sounds like it is awesome - and came in very handy!

 

[blackbrit]

I prefer the way a bokken handles to the CS trainers. I've done light, very controlled sparring with bokken, but even then they can pack a sting and break a finger if you are not careful (let alone the danger to eyes, teeth and skulls). Shinai do less impact damage, but are much lighter than a sword and this affects the feel as well. Rattan is safer than hardwood and heavier than a shinai, but has balance more like the CS trainers. Nylon wasters like the Rawlings or the Pentti III are safe and sword-like in handling, but more expensive.

If sparring is not a concern, I'd choose the bokken. If I planned to spar and money was a sticking point, I'd choose rattan. If sparring and handling were a concern, I'd choose the nylon wasters. But that's just me.

Chances are, however, that if you get her some lessons with her kung fu instructor s/he will want your daughter to train with either a wooden Chinese sword or a spring steel wushu sword. You may want to check that avenue first before choosing a practice weapon.

Point(s) taken, and pun somewhat intended.

 

[blackbrit]

Have fun and always remember the most important lesson of the sword is respect and control

A live blade is so much more than a piece of steel

I like how you put the lesson, Joe. A good one to grow up with.

 

[JParanee]

I'm dragging my kids to the new Hobbit movie soon

Than they will be all fired up on the swords again ............. At least for awhile

Great to be a kid

 

[blackbrit]

I'm dragging my kids to the new Hobbit movie soon

Than they will be all fired up on the swords again ............. At least for awhile

Great to be a kid

Same here! My daughter is counting down the days. They may all want elvish swords...

 

[Raymond1000]

Take a look at the Society for Creative Anachronism. http://www.sca.org Crimsonfalcon is correct that SCA combat is not as authentic as groups like ARMA. They don’t work from old sword manuals like George Silver’s Paradoxes of Defense. That sort of training is what specialists got. Knights, men at arms, mercenaries. The closest historical analogue to SCA combat is the basic training of local freemen who get called up as supporting troops fighting off—or in—an invasion. “You guys make the shield wall. You guys with the war scythes and pikes, stand behind the shield wall, kill every horse or man you can.”

What the SCA does offer is a family friendly environment where swords are a part of life. Children watch tournament fighting—rattan swords are the standard—and play safely with Ensolite “swords”. Your girl writes stories set in some quasi medieval setting. That’s exactly what the SCA has on offer. “The Middle Ages not as they were, but as they should have been.” That is, with flush toilets. Without the Black Death or invading Vikings.

She can learn to use a drop spindle to make thread. Then use her thread to weave something on a warp weighted loom. She can study medieval cooking methods. She can learn about fashion from the fall of Rome to the Early Modern. She can learn to dance the galliard and the pavan. She can make or buy armor and train with rattan swords. As sports go that’s pretty safe, but she’ll get enough bruises to learn that swords really are dangerous. Most of all, she can study these things in a fun, safe, supportive environment.

 

[syco1138]

I'd probably watch some of Skallagrims videos and have her do the same. They're very enlightening. For a blade I'd probably go with a Condor Bush Cutlass, or one of the Cold Steel swordchetes, along with a trainer of similar design. I wouldn't blunt it, as a blunted blade is still extremely capable of killing( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBLWS23HRm4 ), removes all utility from the blade, and (if I may) could damage the trust between you.

 

[blackbrit]

Take a look at the Society for Creative Anachronism. http://www.sca.org Crimsonfalcon is correct that SCA combat is not as authentic as groups like ARMA. They don’t work from old sword manuals like George Silver’s Paradoxes of Defense. That sort of training is what specialists got. Knights, men at arms, mercenaries. The closest historical analogue to SCA combat is the basic training of local freemen who get called up as supporting troops fighting off—or in—an invasion. “You guys make the shield wall. You guys with the war scythes and pikes, stand behind the shield wall, kill every horse or man you can.”

What the SCA does offer is a family friendly environment where swords are a part of life. Children watch tournament fighting—rattan swords are the standard—and play safely with Ensolite “swords”. Your girl writes stories set in some quasi medieval setting. That’s exactly what the SCA has on offer. “The Middle Ages not as they were, but as they should have been.” That is, with flush toilets. Without the Black Death or invading Vikings.

She can learn to use a drop spindle to make thread. Then use her thread to weave something on a warp weighted loom. She can study medieval cooking methods. She can learn about fashion from the fall of Rome to the Early Modern. She can learn to dance the galliard and the pavan. She can make or buy armor and train with rattan swords. As sports go that’s pretty safe, but she’ll get enough bruises to learn that swords really are dangerous. Most of all, she can study these things in a fun, safe, supportive environment.

I just spent some time on their website. Looks like it could be interesting to her. We have some re-enactments here in the S. Appalachian mountains of colonial times. Wool carding and spinning captures her for a couple hours every one in a while. Thanks for continuing to open up the possibilities.

Kind of an aside, and certainly off-topic, but people in Europe caught upland birds in nets, prior to the use of guns, is that correct? I ask because I have an excellent upland bird dog and am a glutton for knowledge. Couldn't go bird hunting this fall, much to my daughter's chagrin. (The dog is the Black Brittany of my username and avatar. French Brittany, French/European standard where tricolor black is one of the colors of the Brittany. Different than with American Brittanys where black is a disqualification.)

All right, returned to regularly scheduled programming.

I'd probably watch some of Skallagrims videos and have her do the same. They're very enlightening. For a blade I'd probably go with a Condor Bush Cutlass, or one of the Cold Steel swordchetes, along with a trainer of similar design. I wouldn't blunt it, as a blunted blade is still extremely capable of killing( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBLWS23HRm4 ), removes all utility from the blade, and (if I may) could damage the trust between you.

This is always about building trust between ourselves and our children, isn't it? That's why all these possibilities are so good. Ignorant Mama is not a good idea at all. Saying I need to learn works for her, though.

 

[Raymond1000]

It's off topic but...are you familiar with the typeface designed to help dyslexics read? http://www.dyslexiefont.com/en/dyslexia-font/