tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post3810445502744300635..comments2024-03-13T06:04:12.643+00:00Comments on Thoughts Of A Workshy Fop: The Punisher: Welcome Back Frank (#1-12) PART TWOvaralys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-77786650214164813692017-10-31T21:01:19.804+00:002017-10-31T21:01:19.804+00:00It does amaze me how foxes have adapted so well to...It does amaze me how foxes have adapted so well to urban enviroments. Which it really shouldn't because well, they are perfect for cities. They mostly hunt at night when their only competition is cats, and cats and foxes seem to respect each other so no danger there. There is plenty of food and of course townies think they are kinda cool and absolutely undeserving of being ripped apart by the dogs of some braying pillock. I think foxes, squirrels and of the birds, magpies definitely flourish alongside humans. varalys the darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-1584244118732983982017-10-31T20:27:30.298+00:002017-10-31T20:27:30.298+00:00It's funny, only see foxes occasionally down h...It's funny, only see foxes occasionally down here but in Hoxton you couldn't move for them.Alan Robertshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14509360521332746130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-49329629517311928562017-10-31T20:26:11.147+00:002017-10-31T20:26:11.147+00:00Heh, sounds very much like a Manchester squirrel. ...Heh, sounds very much like a Manchester squirrel. In fact I did observe them going up and looking hungry at people feeding the ducks in the park. Our colony just waited for the fox to rip the bin bags open (pre-wheelie bin this) and took what it left behind.varalys the darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-62537074037446895002017-10-31T19:59:33.084+00:002017-10-31T19:59:33.084+00:00I like the Far Side cartoon where the squirrels ar...I like the Far Side cartoon where the squirrels are behind a tree in the park ready to beg some food of some tourists on a bench.<br /><br />"Ok, cheeks puffed out, tail bushed up. Earl, put that cigarette out."Alan Robertshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14509360521332746130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-26343062642277350512017-10-31T19:56:19.893+00:002017-10-31T19:56:19.893+00:00In fact after we all got evicted because the gentr...In fact after we all got evicted because the gentrifiers moved in and bought the house I often wondered if they managed to get the badger out of the back garden or if they left it well alone and just sold it as a feature.varalys the darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-41059983661211136282017-10-31T19:31:03.279+00:002017-10-31T19:31:03.279+00:00Yeah, not a big fan of culls. When you have handf...Yeah, not a big fan of culls. When you have handfed squirrels cold pizza you get attached to the buggers. Living between two parks in Manchester we got a lot of through traffic from foxes and various toads and frogs. And we had a badger living in the back garden, but I kept well away from that grumpy sod.varalys the darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-13644763520685421482017-10-31T18:57:21.657+00:002017-10-31T18:57:21.657+00:00It did make me think all the talk of a cull was a ...It did make me think all the talk of a cull was a bit harsh.<br /><br />Mind you, still do.Alan Robertshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14509360521332746130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-49597478014867839062017-10-31T18:50:07.372+00:002017-10-31T18:50:07.372+00:00Tippy-Toe is very disappointed in you. *shakes he...Tippy-Toe is very disappointed in you. *shakes head sadly*varalys the darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-19220786599078121852017-10-31T18:26:58.886+00:002017-10-31T18:26:58.886+00:00It was only about 10 years ago I found out grey sq...It was only about 10 years ago I found out grey squirrels weren't just old red squirrels.Alan Robertshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14509360521332746130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-3995050278470832272017-10-31T16:47:21.179+00:002017-10-31T16:47:21.179+00:00@Alan: Soz about not responding yesterday I was f...@Alan: Soz about not responding yesterday I was fast asleep all day and night. Friggin' hormones. I don't actually know a huge amount about kukri technique, just mainly what I can tell from the shape and weighting of the blade and handle. The lack of a guard and the single handed grip, couple with the fact the blade broadens out towards the end tells me basically this is a sword designed completely geared towards offence and to strike downwards in a heavy blow. As someone who was a fairly defensive fighter when she fenced it does feel when you hold it that it's made for "Attack Attack Attack!" Amusingly we were discussing it when my mum sister and nephews were round today. Apparently granny popped it in her handbag one day and took it to the W.I. show and tell. She won to. :D<br /><br />@Malitia: I love that picture! I really like squirrels, when I lived in Manchester the house I was in had a colony of grey squirrels living in it. My mum is a keen gardener though and squirrels are her natural enemy (they dig up her bulbs and eat them). I'll have to lend her Squirrel Girl and see if I can change her mind...varalys the darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-41002365968110506212017-10-31T12:30:13.333+00:002017-10-31T12:30:13.333+00:00https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/19250fc64b006...https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/19250fc64b006c5932c0d4ca0c645a0fa74ba129b4b6bbafff781d2aedde6ee7.png<br />"I'll conclude from this that Squirrel Girl is a very good influence!" :3Malitianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-84769757389774733782017-10-30T23:02:42.680+00:002017-10-30T23:02:42.680+00:00https://youtu.be/zGf8WEBlNvYhttps://youtu.be/zGf8WEBlNvYAlan Robertshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14509360521332746130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-60430468587612158712017-10-30T00:26:37.344+00:002017-10-30T00:26:37.344+00:00Yey, have fun
https://youtu.be/vGARg-Gb5xsYey, have fun <br /><br />https://youtu.be/vGARg-Gb5xsAlan Robertshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14509360521332746130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-1531685711085082572017-10-30T00:22:52.502+00:002017-10-30T00:22:52.502+00:00Yeah mysterious notches are a bit ominous. Probabl...Yeah mysterious notches are a bit ominous. Probably a yeti. <br /><br />I've been trying to envisage what techniques you'd use. Much depends on whether your opponent is going for stabbing or slashing. A linear strike might be quite hard to intercept. But certainly not impossible. There's a sort of sweep defence, bit like what you do against a front kick. Be fairly easy to adapt for the kukri. If they're just hacking away then it would be a regular 90' block.<br /><br />I'm also pondering what grip to use. It's weird with a kukri because of the curve. Probably have to stick with a regular grip, but there'd be some weird angles.<br /><br />I'm all inspired now, I'd really like to mess around with this. You're the kukri guru though. I'll try to see if any of Mike Kanarek's stuff is on YouTube. He's the IDF guy who was on UW. He's really good at explaining. He'll have you lopping off heads with the best of them.Alan Robertshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14509360521332746130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-24578031352561606762017-10-29T21:58:46.645+00:002017-10-29T21:58:46.645+00:00It's always had one small notch in the blade e...It's always had one small notch in the blade ever since I was first allowed to play with it as a kid. I've often been scared of my granny wondering how it got that! :Ovaralys the darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-67476712958285846222017-10-29T21:53:25.756+00:002017-10-29T21:53:25.756+00:00Interesting responses. Goes a lot to Bruce Lee...Interesting responses. Goes a lot to Bruce Lee's stuff about what techniques work best at different combat ranges. The kukri I have is a very thick bladed beast, as I have said before the top edge is over nearly a centimetre thick and makes the whole thing feel like a wedge. So slashing and hacking is truly what it is made to do, rather than stabbing.<br />Mine falls down a bit on the grip though. It's nicely carved wood but no guard at all (remember though I think this was designed as a ceremonial one, and is around a century old. My granny had it as a gift given while living over in India after WW2, she had it hanging in the hall). varalys the darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-55918331670479777202017-10-29T21:27:47.517+00:002017-10-29T21:27:47.517+00:00Ah, couple of responses to a Facebook post I put u...Ah, couple of responses to a Facebook post I put up. <br /><br /><br />Not a straightforward question, but:<br />1) sword Vs kukri - depends who's using them, obviously. I'd go with the reach advantage, though; a sword used properly would conference far more advantages than disadvantages.<br />2) Blade strength: depends on the sword. A broad-blared arming sword would be very difficult to break. Very difficult. And a kukri would lack the necessary force by dint of being at the end of a human arm.<br />3) Both combatants know what they're doing: I've assumed that the training of each has involved facing an opponent armed with the opposing weapon n this scenario.<br /><br />±++++++++++<br /><br />We train against swords, and if you avoid the initial attack and move inside their arc then a short blade is preferable to a long blade. However, if you're skilled enough to avoid the attack and move in then you're skilled enough to remove their weapon and use that. <br />The curve of the kukri could be useful in receiving an attack and sliding into their guard and exposing a side and better acess to their grip. But you'd wreck the edge, and the kukri needs to be keen for its utility purposes.Alan Robertshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14509360521332746130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-38534766535773746412017-10-29T21:23:46.147+00:002017-10-29T21:23:46.147+00:00I've got a recipe somewhere for that ballistic...I've got a recipe somewhere for that ballistic gel they used. Have to knock one up someday. I did love that programme though. It was just the right balance of educational and daft. Someone I know was on the IDF episode. He was the knife expert, and it's his techniques I learned.<br /><br />So sorry to hear about your encounter with the wheely bin, but you showed him, right?<br /><br />Short heavy blades do seem very practical. It was only recently that they abandoned cutlass on ships. Mind you, maces were official army issue even in WW1. And even in WW2 there was the Smatchet and sharpened entrenching shovels. And they were often used against bayoneted rifles, which really are just spears. So ultimately even in the modern era we're using prehistoric implements.<br /><br />The more I've been thinking about it the more I'm favouring the kukri. But that might be because it suits my general brute force over finesse approach. It's probably also worth remembering the kukri is a direct lineal descendent of the Spartan sword, and they seem to have done alright for themselves.<br />Alan Robertshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14509360521332746130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-35120251360459486632017-10-29T20:26:01.255+00:002017-10-29T20:26:01.255+00:00My working theory is there is a reason why kukris ...My working theory is there is a reason why kukris are still in common use in various countries by the police and army yet AFAIK no one but cosplayers use straight swords. Also the scabbard holds two "babies", mainly for cleaning and sharpening the main blade but the larger baby would make for a good off-hand weapon in a pinch.<br /><br />I too was reminded of Ultimate Warrior. We obviously need to buy a pigs carcass and make a day of it in her back garden! You can be on hand to offer expert advice so it's not just two mad women in their forties hanging up meat.<br /><br />Would be cool if you could make up to the frozen north sometime next year. I've had a fitness setback in that I badly injured my knee when the fucking wheeliebin slipped backwards as I tried to push it over a loose cobble on the slope up to the road. So I am left unable to do do even gentle aerobic exercise until it stops grinding every time I walk. Still I haven't backslid on the diet, it's just infuriating to have to slow right down again.<br /><br />varalys the darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-47706661814067361632017-10-29T19:47:53.469+00:002017-10-29T19:47:53.469+00:00I've got a similar issue with my favourite hun...I've got a similar issue with my favourite hunting knife. The hardware store has recommended Duraglit or Brasso. They should get rid of surface rust without damaging the blade or etchings.<br /><br />I think the knife got the rust because the leather scabbard got wet, so maybe leave it out for a while until the scabbard can totally dry out. Maybe even shove some silica crystals or gel down there.<br /><br />I am now intrigued by the original problem. Got a mate who's into his swords and old weapons. It's a bit uneasy with him at the moment. He'd swallowed the Sargon pill a bit so we had quite the fallout. He doesn't approve of my Nazi punching tendencies. That's on the 'both sides' and 'they're not all Nazis' basis rather than him supporting Nazis themselves. But anyway this is a neutral topic I guess, so maybe I should see what he thinks.<br /><br />I've been running through some scenarios in my head though. A sword is a pretty effective close quarter weapon. I wouldn't feel totally helpless with a kukri though. I know a few knife techniques for parrying and trapping that might be applicable. The only issue with the kukri is they're pretty heavy so there's the momentum issues. But that applies to a sword as well, especially with the length. They're much slower to manoeuvre.<br /><br />This reminds me of that ultimate warrior programme. Where they'd use, some pretty good in all fairness, analytical techniques to work out how various forms of combat would fare against each other. It started off quite serious but eventually they ran out of subjects so it became things like pirates versus ninjas. Or in one notorious episode the IRA versus the Taliban.<br /><br />I'm hoping I can get up to see you in the new year, so we can maybe test this. I'd be well up for that.Alan Robertshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14509360521332746130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-79407788283725522182017-10-29T18:57:13.744+00:002017-10-29T18:57:13.744+00:00Actually a further google search on "Black Ru...Actually a further google search on "Black Rust" tells me I should step away from google and speak to the nice man who runs the hardware shop down the road.varalys the darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-37090415047653379632017-10-29T18:53:41.961+00:002017-10-29T18:53:41.961+00:00Hmm I did a quick google search and got white vine...Hmm I did a quick google search and got white vinegar as the best choice, not sure how feasible it is to lay a sword in a bath of it for several days!varalys the darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-7471668047440377812017-10-29T18:49:34.619+00:002017-10-29T18:49:34.619+00:00I just took mine out of it's leather scabbard ...I just took mine out of it's leather scabbard and it's still a heavy beast. I definitely need to feel what Chloe's got to add more data points I think. Also I noted some surface rust which dates from a while before I got my hands on it. Best type of rust remover for something like that? Any ideas? There are intricate carvings etched into the blade and I wouldn't want to damage them.varalys the darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-89003802739027608312017-10-29T18:06:09.945+00:002017-10-29T18:06:09.945+00:00Heh, your family sounds like game of thrones, or m...Heh, your family sounds like game of thrones, or maybe klingons. Pity your mum had to intervene.<br /><br />You can get both swords and kukris as training weapons in both wood and plastic.<br /><br />https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51TZCNyS5%2BL._SL1100_.jpg<br /><br />So you could test this. Must confess I really fancy trying. I can't pretend I've done a lot of kukri practice, but I'm moderately ok with knives and sticks. The general principles are the same, so I wonder how I'd fare?Alan Robertshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14509360521332746130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-6920547467761788982017-10-29T17:29:42.564+00:002017-10-29T17:29:42.564+00:00I like the way you think! I bought up the sword b...I like the way you think! I bought up the sword breaking ability of a curved blade, but she seemed to think superior reach would trump all. <br /><br />I did start to say we should have a fight and my mum did a BIG NO! She saw it as something which could get dangerous fast given our tendency towards being ultra-competitive with each other over trivial things :D varalys the darkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com