Waster alternatives?

[Duncan L]

Is there anything I can use as a substitute until I can get my hands on a pair of longsword wasters from purpleheart armory?

[Roger N]

Sorry, I completely missed this post.

Well it depends on what you can accept and how you intend to use it, ie for single drills, partner drills, sparring etc.

Synthetic wasters are really the sword simulator that behaves the most like a sword other than an actual steel sword. Still, a cut down bo-nana or any dowel made of ash or oak stick could do in a pinch, but it won't behave like a sword of course, and it won't protect your hands in partner drills. On the other hand learning to protect your hands by keeping them out of the way is also part of it all.