Hi Kristin!

Sword Safety is a really important topic! Romka covers it in all of our sword workshops and I know Belladonna also covers it in her sword instructional DVD.

Whether or not to dull your sword blade is a very personal question.

Ultimately, dulling a sword's blade is safer for you, your audience and your dance partners. I know other well known sword dancers & teachers that unequivocally recommend that you dull a blade before using it for dancing.

That being said, both Belladonna and I made personal decisions, (in fact, even before we met each other & started dancing together) that we were not going to dull our scimitars, as the sharpness of that particular sword was part of it's beauty and our relationship with this particular "prop" (or, weapon) that we were dancing with. The fact that it *was* a real weapon was part of why we danced with it -- and our dancing with that particular sword is informed by it's style and sharpness.

I personally don't believe there is a right or wrong answer...but it is a very important and very personal question to be taken seriously and decided upon for yourself, and for your audience and dancer partners. After all, you're not just putting yourself at risk but others too.

Both Belladonna & I have also have non-sharp swords (different styles from our cas iberias) that we have used (although mostly for our solo items) when we feel that they are more appropriate. Our choice on dull vs. sharp often depends on what we're doing, the mood of the piece, and the audience. -- The audience being important -- since there are safety concerns to worry about.

And, as is true in most things - bigger is not always "better" : ) -- for example, the Shisha Lounge that Belladonna, Asharah & I performed at was so small that neither Belladonna nor I could perform with a sword in that venue because it was too small and we most surely would have poked someone's eye out!

I'm so sorry that someone cut themselves while practicing! That totally sucks! Once, I remember a member of Martiya Possession getting her (dull, but pointy) dance sword stuck into her foot when it fell off while she was dancing!! If you are going to practice with a sharp sword - it's important to know and school yourself on how to catch it safely or what to do if it falls off. I've nipped my fingers a few times myself carelessly trying to re-balace or catch a sword falling off my head.

it's a hazard and all the more reason why I think everyone should at least consider and articulate to themselves why they're making a decision, sharp vs. non-sharp -- or at least those new to balancing consider non-sharp blades as a first tool. Then move up to the sharp blades if you really feel that is neccessary for your dancing.

How you handle your sword -- for example having the audience *think* the sword is sharp, -- i.e. never grabbing your blade...etc....regardless of whether or not it really is, is MUCH more important than whether or not your sword is 'actually' sharp.

my .02 - my personal thoughts only...your mileage may vary and i really encourage everyone to make these decisions for themselves under the guidance of a teacher.

Mavi