The following link is an unfortunate and horrible accident that occured during a cutting session...
http://forums.swordforum.com/showthread ... 6f&t=79231

Essentially, an experienced practioner was attempting to give a novice some cutting instruction. Due to the lack of knowledge of the novice and just plain stupidity of both, the experienced guy was seriously stabbed when the blade came loose from the handle. A pierced lung and 2 broken ribs is pretty serious.

My "plain stupidity" remark is not meant to bash the victim. I am truly empathetic towards this person and certainly wish him a speedy recovery. What I am attempting to say is no matter how trained one is, mistakes can happen and they can be deadly. Cutting is extremely dangerous and must be performed with the utmost patience and control. I have been to some cutting seminars where this could have easily occured.

Some very simple things could have been done to prevent this avoidable accident...

1. Always, always, always inspect the sword before and after using it. The novice would not allow him to inspect the sword since "no other man is allowed to touch his sword". This thinking is plain moronic. A student should always allow the teacher to check the sword, especially if that teacher asks. Foregoing safety because of some sense of misunderstood tradition is simply unintelligent. Please remember that this novice had no formal training whatsoever. Where did he learn this tradition...the Highlander series? I myself do not allow everyone to hold my blade. I do however allow for inspection, especially by others more knowlegdable than myself.

2. Never use a sword with only 1 connecting point. These swords are unsafe.

3. Always remain calm when cutting. As an instructor, if my student is not emotionally in control, that person either shapes up or they must leave the class. Anger and swords do not mix. Do not allow the potential of hurting someone's ego be a greater risk than potentially ending their life. A bruised ego heals quicker than a collapsed lung.

In conclusion, I know this post is a bit of a downer but I certainly don't want to read about this happening to anyone on this forum. I urge all of us, both new and old to be very safe in our training.

Thank you

That is certainly a very unfortunate accident that could have been avoided. I read the entire thread on SFI and noted that a few people were a bit quick to place the blame on the brand of sword in question, but I started wondering if the integrity of the sword had been compromised by the actions of the owner, which it had been.

That's truly a horrible story. I hope his injuries heal quickly and there's no permanent lasting effects other than increased sensibilities. It's hard to know when and where accidents will occur since they're random in nature.

Tom's recommendations are a great start. However, I'll point out that most Federation swords are single-pin and are perfectly safe to use. A poorly constructed sword is a poorly constructed sword. Single doesn't necessarily mean unsafe.

Invest in a good quality sword, maintain it properly and follow the instructions of your teacher. And if either of you (student or instructor) feel the situation isn't safe, stop.

Although the Federation sword may have only 1 pin, I believe that it also has a bolt at the butt of the handle. The only Federation sword that I have handle was built exactly like my MAS, 1 pin and 1 bolt. In my opinion, these are superior in safety to the double pin. If all Federation jingum are built to this spec, they are well built indeed.

Thank you

I have nightmares about things like this, which is why I ALWAYS stand to the back and right of the cutter, effectively out of the trajectory of any piece of flying metal or bamboo.

My sympathy to the wounded man and his family. It really is true - "One bad cut can ruin your whole day."

Just as a comment on the sword, though the victim states that the sword is indeed a Cheness, the owner stated that he bought it over two years previously, which is before Cheness started selling swords. So it looks like a Cheness. And I have a sword from Masters Cutlery that looks like a Hanwei Bushido. But it isn't.

Meanwhile, the owner had replaced the bamboo mekugi pin with a wooden mekugi carved out of a twig in his backyard, which is a sure recipe for disaster. Combine that with two plus years of attempting to cut things ranging from two-inch thick plywood, 5-inch in diameter bamboo, to even the trunks of trees, just whacking away at them. And a complete failure to maintain the sword as well. An accident waiting to happen.

All goes to emphasize proper training, proper sword maintenance, and proper safety procedures.

And for the love of God, please... wear shoes.

In this particular case, one bad cut can ruin your life. Always, safety first.

Also it should be noted that common sense should dictate what you attempt to cut with your sword. Mistreating your blade by attempting to cut all kinds of crazy things is reckless to say the very least. By compromising your sword – you also have the potential of not only harming yourself – but also your fellow students. This is a good reminder to all of us to listen to our instructors and heed their advice at cutting practice.

I read this thread through, and I have nothing but respect for the instructor who was wounded. It takes a very forgiving and honorable heart, as well as a highly rational mind to be able to point out all the particulars and present all sides of the story as he did. Being able to explain everything and to defend the person who had injured him is a great example to all of us, regardless of what sword style/martial art/field of interest we study.