This is something I wrote back in 2015, and is useful information for anyone interested in test cutting with sharp swords. I’ve made a few updates since the original for the re-posting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should one practice cutting?
Answer #1 (Stock Answer): Proper cutting mechanics should be trained with every swing of every training session. Target cutting with a sharp sword is referred to as “test cutting” because it exists as a test of the mechanics that are routinely practiced with blunt swords. How often you need to test cut depends on what you’re training. If you’re making major changes to mechanics/interpretations it’ll be more often; if you’re working on honing the basics, less often.
Answer #2 (Perspective Answer): It will also matter a great deal about what you are trying to accomplish in HEMA. If you are only interested in the modern sports parts then there is really no reason to. If you’re interested in understanding the full context of how to use a sword then you’ll probably want a passing familiarity with it, more or less dependent on which parts of the historical use you are more interested in. (Hint: swords were tools of both sport and violence back then)
Answer #3: Whenever you want to have some fun making one thing into two things. Obviously modern HEMA has no real practical value to anything, and just doing test cutting because it is fun and awesome is as valid a reason as any.
Did they cut in period?
As of this writing I’m not aware of structured test cutting as a form of training in the Medieval/Renaissance period – we have very little documentation as to what kind of training they did to develop martial arts skills of any kind! However historical martial artists had two advantages that modern practitioners do not: a living tradition with qualified teachers who understood proper cutting mechanics, and the ability to observe the effects of cuts on actual opponents in combat. We use test cutting to make up for these deficiencies in modern practice.
Why are rolled tatami mats used as targets?
Tatami is useful because of two primary attributes, neither of which is being a flesh simulator.
- It offers excellent feedback on the quality of the cut. It doesn’t only offer pass/fail feedback (did the sword go through or not), but can give more information about the mechanics of the swing.
- It is consistent. You can be sure that every time you perform a test cut against a tatami mat it’s exhibiting the same behavior and the difference in the result is due to the cutter. There are different types of tatami, and some are much easier to cut than others. Some tatami, such as used floor tatami, is inconsistent among itself. “Tatami Omote” is the common type to train with in HEMA.
2022 Update: Tatami is in critical shortages now due to the supplier closing up shop. People have been experimenting with different options (Paper – The Next Tatami? (Spoiler: No)) but there is no clear replacement.
Should I step or stay still when I test cut?
You should be able to do both. Standing still means that you need to be able to properly engage the hips into the cut to generate power without a step. Stepping adds more focus on measure control and timing of the blade motion with the step. Just make sure that safety and control is always at the forefront. Movements that are comfortable with a blunt can get clunky and awkward when delivered with a sharp.
Myths
Test cutting is useless because it doesn’t look anything like fencing.
“Just because you can do it in front of a cutting target doesn’t mean you can do it in a fight. But if you can’t do it in front of a cutting target you almost certainly can’t do it in a fight.”
Test cutting is simply a way to test a part of your skill in isolation, and is part of a greater training program. If your cutting and sparring look completely different, then you probably aren’t getting much benefit out of any test cutting you are doing – either because your test cutting isn’t realistic or because you aren’t fixing the problems in your sparring!
It is true that all skills are context dependent, so the closer you are to context in training the better transfer over you get. Using sharp swords naturally leads to considerable difficulties with safety and ends up with a high level of abstraction. (Some formats more or less so.)
Cutting through a tatami mat indicates a successful cut.
Tatami is just a tool to help understand the quality of one’s cutting mechanics, not a pass/fail test. The amount of force/speed/edge alignment that is required to cut through a tatami mat is significantly less than that of common clothing. The results of a cut on tatami should be analyzed and the feedback used to improve form.
Cutting meat is a simulation to cutting in actual combat.
Cutting through clothing/textiles offers considerably more resistance to a cut than flesh does. Any cut against naked meat can only tell you what would happen against a naked opponent – as low as the odds of you using a sword for real are, the odds of you using a sharp sword against a naked opponent are probably lower. And a realistic simulation requires appropriate clothing. In addition, most cutting tests/demonstrations on meat are performed with the target suspended. This has gravity opening the cut for you, and is much easier than cutting a free-standing target.
Cutting tatami is equivalent to cutting through *something*.
Tatami is a training tool, nothing more and nothing less. It will tell you about the quality of your cut, feedback which you then use to improve your form. It isn’t meant to simulate an arm, or any other part of a human’s anatomy.
Test Cutting is only about learning to deliver power blows with no fencing sense.
Generally when test cutting the priorities are going to be to get someone to understand how to use a sword as a cutting tool as opposed to a whacking tool (Turning-In Your Cuts: Is It Inevitable?). Often this focuses on big motions because that’s a lot easier to learn. And competitions will inevitably go towards very difficult feats of skill because they want to be both challenging to skilled individuals and interesting to watch.
Ultimately once an individual is able to cut competently the primary goal is going to be development of skills to synch up their tight sparring motions with their bigger cutting motions. The real challenge of cutting skill is not to deliver a massive strike that cuts through 3 torso’s at once, but to be able to make a ‘good enough’ cut contained in the smallest quickest motion they can deliver in sparring.
Safety
General Sword Safety
It shouldn’t surprise you that one of the first things I talk about when using sharp swords is safety. Test cutting with sharp swords is both an important part of martial arts training and an extremely fun pastime. But you need to give a sharp sword the proper respect – as most (reasonable) people would expect any time you handle a weapon.
Think before you do anything
Swords were originally designed to be weapons, even if they are only training tools to us. Give the sword blade a level of respect commensurate to the damage it is capable of inflicting. Take the extra time to make sure you’re always thinking about the consequences of your actions.
Think twice before you do anything
Seriously. 90% of all sword-related mishaps (of which there are thankfully few) are caused by people not paying enough attention.
Hand off swords safety
The most common (and IMO best) way to hand off a sword is the “take don’t give” approach. What this means is that you should never hand-off a sword to someone. Instead offer the sword to them and hold as lightly as you possibly can. They must then grab ahold of the sword and remove it from your grip. The idea isn’t that you are fighting them for it, it is that it is not possible to drop the sword because at no point is it not under the complete control of a person. As is the case when you hand something to somone.
Point down
Keep the sword point down when you are in a location that someone else could conceivably enter. Even if you think there is no one close by they could be out of your field of view, or walk in when you aren’t paying attention. If you have the point to the front/back/side you’re only one potential stumble away from danger. (Some people advocate point down or up. Up is potentially riskier, so I say don’t bother. If you’re uncomfortable holding it, put the sword away in a safe location.)
Check, recheck, and keep a constant eye on your surroundings
Make sure you’re cutting in a wide-open area which is isolated from anywhere someone might walk into. Even if it was clear when you started there can always be people coming and going, so take stock of your surroundings before every cut. Pets and children will naturally be curious as to what you’re doing. You need to ensure they will be kept away from the cutting area.
Keep track of your sword tip
Always keep the sword tip pointed up or down when anywhere close to anyone. It only takes the slightest mistake, miscommunication or stumble for something to go very wrong.
Alcohol/Drugs
Don’t drink or get high and handle sharp swords. (You probably also shouldn’t be swinging dull swords either.)
Make sure the sword is appropriate for use
Ensure that you’re working with a sword that’s designed to be used, and not just as a decoration. Stainless steel or other wall hanger swords are not designed to cut and will likely break in very dangerous ways – imagine pieces flying off into the crowd.
Blade Handling
Accidents cutting with sharp swords are very rare, and are most likely to happen when handling/moving/cleaning the sword. Why is that? Lack of attention.
Be careful when sheathing/unsheathing a blade
Remember what I said about thinking twice? When unsheathing a blade, you can accidentally run it along fingers positioned too close to the mouth of the scabbard. Trying to sheath a sword and missing will also have similarly unpleasant consequences for the fingers holding the scabbard. Sheathing and unsheathing the blade are not competitive events. Take the extra time and do it right.
Clean blades slowly and deliberately
Cleaning the blade is the least fun part of using it, but don’t be in a rush. A slight slip can lead to some nasty cuts to your hands, or possibly worse. Make sure that the cleaning cloth is pressed against the flat of the sword and does nut exert pressure on the edge. A few extra seconds on blade cleaning is many times quicker than a trip to the hospital.
Place blades in safe places
When you put a blade down make sure it’s in a place where it won’t cause harm to anyone who may not know it’s there. This includes when you walk out of the room and forget about it before you walk back in. Be especially sure that the point isn’t overhanging something.
Test Cutting
Finally, we get to do something with the actual sword rather than worry about hurting ourselves and others. Does that mean we are all in the clear? Of course not!
Check, recheck and keep a constant eye on your surroundings
I can’t emphasize this enough. If you do something stupid and hurt yourself it’s one thing, but if you inadvertently cause harm to someone else it’s another entirely. Though, anyone hurting themselves while cutting casts a black mark against training with sharp swords in general. So I actually do have an investment in care about your safety as well.
Always maintain your balance and grip on the weapon
If you’re cutting in a balanced stance with a proper grip on the sword there are few things that can go wrong. If you’re off balance or lose control of the sword, all bets are off.
Do not cut towards the lead leg
Of the few things that can go wrong if you cut in a balanced position, cutting into your lead leg is one of them. Make sure to avoid cutting angles which bring the blade towards your forward leg.
There are many systems which describe cuts towards the lead leg, and they can be executed safely. You should wait until you’re experienced before you begin performing these with a sharp sword. And by experienced, I mean you have enough cutting practice that you’re well past the point where you need test cutting advice from an online article.
Make sure you have good footing
You should never be cutting if you have a chance of slipping – obviously. What might be less obvious is that you need to keep track of the ground condition over the course of your cutting session. After going through a few targets, the debris can start to accumulate and present a tripping hazard – keep the cutting area clean. Most cutting targets involve water, and as the ground gets wet it can get slippery.
Keep your hands clean
Hands can get wet from handling cutting media and make it harder to grip the sword. It can also be a problem if oil from the last blade cleaning is left on the hilt; make sure the sword has a good grip as well.
Mount the target properly
If you spend enough time cutting, you’ll eventually fail to cut the target and/or miss and hit the stand. Make sure that the stand you are using is solid and won’t do something dangerous like collapsing unexpectedly right in the middle of your swing.
Do what you know
Test cutting is meant for you to test the skills you’ve practiced in regular drilling. Introducing new cuts or footwork patterns is best left for appropriate simulators and not with live blades!
Control your follow-through
Don’t let the sword whip around in an uncontrolled manner as part of your follow-through. Having a good follow-through is very important to cutting, but a sword flying around in an uncontrolled manner is dangerous. Even if you did a good job of keeping everyone at a safe distance, if you let the sword whip around you could strike yourself in the arm or shoulder with the false edge.