I'm trying to buy a non-sharpened sword for competitions but I don't want to spend like $400 on one, but I also don't want a wall-hanger. Is this one that both the blackbeltshop and centuryfitness sell (as a "competition sword") any good??? Or will it fly off it's handle and stab someone as I'm doing a form with it? (You normally lose points for killing a spectator )

http://www.blackbeltshop.com/competition_sword.htm

It has a half tang. It should be ok for competitions. It's probably going to be difficult to find an aluminum blade with much more than a half tang. This is because it's more cost effective to make a blade this way when it doesn't have to undergo the rigors of cutting.

personally i would prefer a full tang, but as ps1 said, for competition a half tang should suffice...

one thing though, how much does it weigh and is it balanced? Maybe i just didnt notice where it stated that but those are really important to me when i want to go and buy a sword.

Thank you guys for your responses. Yes- I would definately prefer a full tang and maybe a more tempered (right phrase?) material. But I'm not looking to do any cutting or anything. It appears that there are NOT many options in purchasing a sword for competitions.... Many come razor sharp also. Perhaps this is why swords are very rarely seen at tournaments.

a sharp sword = a high score

u recieve soo much more respect from a judge if you can execute a nice clean kata with a sharp sword, than if you can throw a sword as sharp as a butter knife up in the air and catch it.

I just purchased a sword through my instructor, full tang, folded, balanced, and 1.9 lbs with the sheath. Albeit it was expensive it is a beautiful sword. Its not sharpened either (im a bo staff weapon former myself ) so i will ask him where he gets his swords from and see if they have a site for you. You're gonna have to give me a couple days or maybe a week to reply though cause im not sure if ill have internet access in the next week or so

cool thanks obiwan- hope you're kidding about the high score with a sharp weapon

im dead serious actually. I've seen someone do a nice clean kata with a sharp sword, and he beat out the guy who flawlessly tossed his sword in the air and caught it.

it doesnt work everytime, but when you're being judged by people with decades of experience and who truly know whats what, it is quite beneficial

I agree it would be better to have a full tang; but if your only demonstrating then it wouldn't be that bad. Little pricy though I thought.

I don't know which tournaments would even allow you to use a sharp sword. Mine doesn't.

I don't know which tournaments would even allow you to use a sharp sword. Mine doesn't.

For TKD or Aikido?