Video on Shashkas

[cole parzenn]

This doesn't have much to do with Systema Training and Practice but I know it'll interest some people here. They're a great example of Russian engineering.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8339305234510333885

[Alex Basile]

Very, very cool. Something that is faster on the draw attack than the katana is real interesting. How'd you find this video, anyway?
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Dynamics don't change because standards do.
(observation that's become a personal motto)

[cole parzenn]

Yes, Shashkas are a very cool weapon. As for being fast to draw and attack than a Katana, the Ninjatō's short length provided Ninjas a tactical advantage by being quicker to draw (very useful when you don't wear armor). Ninjas would point them strait at their opponents during pauses in the confrontation to keep the opponent from knowing the length of the sword. It's a million little things like that that got Ninjas their reputation.

[Alex Basile]

Pointing the tip toward is a good trick. The edge would work, too (because it's thin, it's hard for the sight to,"catch," and to tell how long the blade is). I'm real interested in some of those other tricks you were talking about. I know plenty about the ninja, but I actually never heard that one (I heard about it reading about Sayoc Kali.). Another good one is the khkuri. That can do the damage of a short sword, at the weight of a light tomahawk & the size of a large knife. It's got hooking ability, too. Real cool. It seems to take some practice to get it out of the sheath fast, though.
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Dynamics don't change because standards do.
(observation that's become a personal motto)

[cole parzenn]

Lots of cool ninja tricks...

Claw things were worn on their hands to climb walls and 'catch' blades, trick doors were built into their houses, various blinding agents were thrown into an opponents eyes for getaways, dark blue (not black) was worn to blend into the night, etc., etc..

Then they were hired to protect the feudal lords they had been picking off and they developed all sorts of new tricks.

What interests me is how one can learn to use a Shashka outside of the Ukraine/part of Russia that was the Ukraine at various times. Those things look seriously awesome.

[Milos Malic]

Offtopic, but jeweler lady looks like something I wouldn't like coming to my dreams.
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