Swordsman?

Here's the final post from my old Jedi Life blog.

Hello friends. I wanted to say a thing or two about something that I think the majority of Orders and individual Jedi out there are getting wrong. They're stressing, or at least placing great value on, sword training. 

When was the last time you heard about a murder with a Scottish claymore? How about a mugging with a rapier? I venture to say never. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I fail to see the practicality behind training to fight with a sword. Yes, there are certain benefits (mainly, however, if learned in an actual school/dojo). Martial arts training teaches you disciplineD gives you self confidence, etc. I'll give you that. Sure, you'll even be able to grab a convient—or maybe not so convinient, more than likely—closet clothing rod dowel or such an implement and defend yourself. Yeeeah ok.

Why don't we focus on learning to use tools that we may actualy USE someday. For example, I have no problems with "stickfighting." Buy again, that brings up the concern that your weapon will never be around when you need it.

What's the solution? Learning to use a tactical telescopic baton. You can get one that's at least two feet long. This is much shorter than most swords out there. Is the baton a practical defense tool? Yes. Is it able to be reasonably carried on your person at any and all times? You betchya! If you want to learn the cool blocks, attacks, all that kind of stuff, do it in a way that you can actually use.

Please, Jedi Orders out there laying such an emphasis on sword training, think about what you're doing! You're teaching a skill to our Jedi that they will never be able to put into use, and you're giving them a false of security. I gave up learning and teaching the sword a long time ago in order to learn and teach an actually practical skillset. Maybe it's time you do too?