Bad idea bear strikes again

[coyotegoth]

On Saturday, Z. decided- for reasons I can't begin to explain, or even fathom- that it would be a good idea to try to chop a concrete block in half with his broadsword, while wearing armor, and to be filmed doing it by yours truly. He caught me in a weak moment- I had just woken up- and I agreed; we went outside, and checked to make sure that there were no pedestrians around; after a brief spoken intro, he began hacking at the block with his broadsword... and I saw sparks flying... and I thought, You know, I can get this on video just as easily from, say, well to one side. On the video (which I should be posting later), you can see the viewing angle suddenly change as Z continues to hack... and then you hear a sudden clang, as I pan the camera down to the roughly six inches of sword blade which has landed exactly where I was previously standing. Note to self: the next time Z asks for help with videoing something, no matter how groggy- do not. As a friend said when I related the story: "God, he's such a bad idea bear."

(From the ridiculous to the sublime: will be also posting photos from the awesome wedding of the lovely schmidtybooger and Joe (WINOLJ, AFIAK.) Yay!)

Comments

[elionwyr.livejournal.com]

HAAAAAHAHAHA!!!

I'm so glad your spidey senses were working.

Please to be posting the video soon.

(So so glad you're safe.)

[coyotegoth.livejournal.com]

Why do I doubt that you're surprised? :P

[elionwyr.livejournal.com]

Oh. Not in the slightest teeny tiniest bit.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

Dude. DUDE. DUDE.

Also, I'm dying to see photos of the wedding.

[humblepie.livejournal.com]

Just watched the video.

Really?
Yeah.
(You needed full armor too)

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

Because I feel like it, here's the link to the video copied over from Facebook where he has posted it:

http://youtu.be/XSHvD43b_9M

[roadnotes.livejournal.com]

You know, I rather prefer you in unperforated form.

[elionwyr.livejournal.com]

IAWTS.

I also still don't get what the hell he was trying to prove..

[zorikh.livejournal.com]

HI everyone. Captain Zorikh here. I first want to thank Fred for capturing for all eternity this moment of glory. IT is s pricelessoment of hisry that all should witness and observe.

Next, here is the story behind what was join on. There is a TV show starting up that invited me to think of some new world record that I could set. They wanted me to think "outrageous," "outside the box," "go wild," etc. Being as I had just come back from competing in the Battle of the Nations in Warsaw, Poland, the world championships of full-contact medieval armored combat (where Team USA won the prize for "Best Team Debut", and I was the first American to compete in a pro fight in international full-contact medieval armored combat) I way trying to think of things that I could do involving a sword and armor. I suggested seeing how fast I could strike a pell in 60 seconds wearing armor (you can see the video of that at http://youtu.be/pjC6qZTXu9s) and, since the sword I owned was made by Badger Blades (http://www.badgerblades.com) who promote the fact that their swords can cut through cinder blocks, and even do so at their booths at SCA events and ren faires http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUh9b_5tg8M&feature=colike

I had spent the afternoon in an auto salvage are chopping other things (video coming soon), to see what other thing I could suggest setting a record for, and now it was time to do the cinder block. I figured that since metal cuts better when struck on the edge, that a cinder block would work the same way. Obviously, cider blocs have different physical properties than sheets of metal.

Fortunately, Badger Blades http://www.badgerblades.com has said they will stand by their warranty. I will be shipping the sword (which I bought on sale circa 1995 for $60) and they will be sending me a new one (which now sells for $300).

Interestingly some people I barely remember who were friends with an ex-girlfriend of mine years ago (who I am still friends with...the ex, not the other people) posted up some comments not showing much love at all. I brought attention to this on Facebook, which garnered tons of supportive comments, "likes," and propelled the view stats of the video, and I am sure all the excitement has sent at least one or two more people to Badger Blades and to the other videos of Badger Blade swords being tested.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=badger+blades&oq=badger+blades&aq=f&aqi=p-p1&aql=&gs_l=youtube.12..35i39.49735.53728.0.57537.13.13.0.0.0.0.140.1298.9j4.13.0...0.0.Gi0b9SvQqdU

PS: Good instincts with the getting out of the way Fred. I will be sure to recommend you for further high-risk video shoots ;)