Test Cutting and the modern Western Martial Artist

**captainzorikh** · Posted On: 7/03/2010 5:02pm

Lots of good info there. Thanks!

Incidentally, the coming Zombie Apocalypse should provide plenty of opportunity for test cutting on actual human bodies ;)

**Permalost** · Posted On: 7/04/2010 12:05pm

Is there any background info on those pics in the article of the saber test cuts while on a bicycle? That sounds like a bad idea.

**DdlR** · Posted On: 7/04/2010 6:41pm

It's from a circa 1900 book called "Fancy Cycling"; basically a set of bicycling tricks and stunts for amusement.

http://www.ingenious.org.uk/See/?s=S...rget=SeeMedium

**captainzorikh** · Posted On: 7/05/2010 8:56am

Originally Posted by DdlR

It's from a circa 1900 book called "Fancy Cycling"; basically a set of bicycling tricks and stunts for amusement.

http://www.ingenious.org.uk/See/?s=S1&ObjectID={030040B5-01D6-6B18-819B-3F72880A5C22}&source=Search&target=SeeMedium

Fascinating. And here we see an example of swinging a sword without using the hips. Of course one can say that the lack of force generated by the hips is made up for by the forward progress of the bicycle, but the fact is that the swordperson has to figure out how to generate the maximum power possible without the use of footwork and "putting your hip into it."

Funny, though, the description seems to sound like it is describing a backhand cut that ends up in the position illustrated, or am I reading that wrong? The picture seems to show the lady preparing to swing something I might call a "basic flat snap." Is there any more text that describes this "sword on a bicycle" technique enywhere?

**lklawson** · Posted On: 7/06/2010 7:40am

Originally Posted by CodosDePiedra

Is there any background info on those pics in the article of the saber test cuts while on a bicycle? That sounds like a bad idea.

As DdlR says, the women's photo comes from an article on bicycling feats. It was probably published in more than one source. The source I found it in was a Woman's magazine from the time period. The men's cycling is from a contemporary issue of The Strand and focused on bicycle use in the military.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk