Potentially very good news from the Knight Shop, due to a change in the material being used in the Rawlings Red Dragon range swords, the blade weight has decreased significantly, this could be seen by some as a bad thing, however I feel this brings the range back in line with the original idea of the range.
If you remember back when the project started with the first Rawlings range, the plan was to have two ranges, one for sparring and one for drilling. then with the new Nylon range we tried to satisfy all camps with one blade.
Since then however further experimentation with materials has provided a better but lighter synthetic for the blade, this means that we will now have a lighter therefore safer blade aimed at the beginer and at larger competitions, and an advanced or Pro range aimed at well, advanced students and professionals.
So why the difference?
Mainly it is one of control, the lighter swords should be good for the three scenarios where there is maximum chance of accidental injury.
1: The beginner, who being unfamiliar with the art and it’s tools has not learnt control.
2: The instructor wishing to correct the imperfections of form of an energetic but exposed student. (for example striking a student’s exposed limb when the student strikes with a vigorous but undefended blow). A lighter correctional tool can save the student a lot of discomfort whilst encouraging good practice.
3: Larger competitions where due to adrenaline and ego the ability to control blows becomes limited.
all of these circumstances in my opinion warrant a lighter blade that still maintains the proper balance.
The Pro range will be significantly heavier and reflect the greater control expected from a more advanced practitioner. These will be more suited to drilling and for competition amongst those more familiar and controlled in their attack and defence. (ie those who really on skill rather than turning a blade art into a stick fight).
I’m reserving ultimate judgement until the weekend, but I think the two ranges are the right way forward.
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