Unified Weapons master (full contact MA weapons combat)

[CTTKDKing]

http://www.gizmag.com/uwm-unified-weapons-master-ultimate-hi-tech-armour/36881/

So we started talking about this as it popped up in one of our feeds at work the other day and it's sparked a lot of interesting discussion, especially with my friends at my martial arts school, so I thought it would spark some interesting discussion here.

Personally I'm very excited to see where UWM goes and hope it takes off like MMA has over the past couple decades.

Thoughts of the community?

[Wado Heretic]

Having been involved in HEMA, and Kobujutsu, for a number of years I am interested in the lessons to be learnt from this experiment. The bloodless nature, and relative, safety also appeals to me though it is as stated in the article probably going to be a rather brutal sport to watch.

My money at the moment would be on HEMA or Filipino arts showing early dominance if it is going to be a free-style format. Anyone working from the Dog-brothers mentality in their training will probably have an early edge.

However, I am getting the impression of robot wars. It will possibly be very popular very early on, gain a cult following, but in time wear too thin on the ground to be professional sport. To use something closer to martial arts; I fear I can see the entertainment side going the same way as real pro-wrestling. That it is too much of a vogue topic to draw a viewership able to fund it beyond an amateur level.

[Judodad_karateson]

I agree with Wado. HEMA is a fascinating field of study. But this is more like glorified American Gladiators.

Not saying I wouldn't try it, haha!

[Zaine]

I agree with Wado here. This technology will lead the way to a lot of sport applications, with it becoming focused on entertainment.

However, this would be super cool to put on and go a couple of rounds in, even if it was empty handed. If I get the chance to put a suit on, you better believe that I will first in line. This being said, HEMA already has a lot of safety equipment. As a HEMA practitioner, I can't say that I am at want for additional safeties. Furthermore, the health bar is not super conducive to what we practice. It implies that it will take more than one hit to get a "kill" and most HEMA practitioners (probably all, but I'm not that foresighted) focus mostly on ending the fight within 1 - 2 blows because that is the nature of the sword. Often there will be a strike, counter-strike, and another counter-strike and if a winner to that pass hasn't been declared after that then you often see the fighters reset. This is partly due to the various manuals that HEMA fighters use as a basis for their styles. Fiore, for example, has three ranges: Out of range, Largo (where a step in will get a strike), and Stretto (right next to each other) and if you haven't made the kill by then you can either attempt a throw or back off.

To sum up, I love the tech. I think it's super cool, and Cold Steel is a fairly good company. If the suits are cheap enough I will certainly consider purchasing one. However, at the end of the day, I don't think it is something that HEMA needs or altogether wants, which is fine.

[sensei8]

Let me just say this...

Sign me up!!

That would be fun!!

[Montana]

Let me just say this...

Sign me up!!

That would be fun!!

Yeah, it does look like fun! I wouldn't be interested in the competitive aspect, but in the dojo...yeah, I'd do it!

[sensei8]

Let me just say this...

Sign me up!!

That would be fun!!

Yeah, it does look like fun! I wouldn't be interested in the competitive aspect, but in the dojo...yeah, I'd do it!

I'm with you, Montana!! What I love about it is that...I WILL GET A TURN TOO!!

Heheheheeheheheheehhehehehee

[muttley]

I would LOVE to have a go at this, saw it on Facebook the other day and thought "Oh my god that looks so fantastic!"

For use within the martial arts environment, the tech would open up so many windows. From self protection training point of view, it would bring a whole new realism to protection from edged weapons training.

Thinking about it from a work point of view, entry teams would certainly benefit from this kit!

BUT

To me, the BEST thing for this tech would be the introduction of a real life, hardcore sport based upon (and if anyone is about my age - 40, you will remember this well), the old Amiga/Atari ST game Speedball 2....could you imagine that???

For those of you not old enough to remember....

THose Bitmap Brothers have a lot to answer for!