Functional Swords are made to be used and to keep an edge. However, to really answer this question you have to explain the three kinds of swords people sell. The first is a Decorative Sword. These are swords made to decorate and for display only. They are very elaborate and are sometimes heavy replicas of historical, fantasy and movie swords. They often come with a sword plaque or stand for their display in the home or office. The blades are made of stainless steel and are generally highly polished. They look really good but are not designed or made for use. The second is a Costume Sword. While they have many of the same characteristics of a decorative sword, they are generally lighter and come with a sheath or some means of wearing the sword with a costume. The last is the Functional Sword.

So What’s The Difference?

To keep it simple, quality is the thing that makes a functional or battle ready sword different. The quality of the materials, design and workmanship all play a part in a good functional sword. The materials are very important. High carbon steel is generally used to make the blades and other more durable materials are used for the guard, pommel and grips. High carbon steel is much harder. This type of steel is better suited for keeping an edge and less likely to break upon contact. The quality of the materials use in the guard, pommel and grip are of equal importance. A great high carbon steel blade with a pot metal or inferior guard and grip is a wall hanger.

Some people say the original design of a sword is the best. I agree. Swords were originally made for combat at the time they were designed and forged. Some like the samurai sword were designed to cut while others like the medieval claymore and long sword were made to bash and stab. The major design element is the tang. The tang is the part of the sword that attaches the blade to the guard, grip and pommel. Some decorative and costume swords use a rat-tail design. The blade is welded to the tang and not very durable. The best functional design is a full tang. Here the blade and tang are on piece of metal and less likely to break.

Workmanship may well be the most important. There are two basic ways to make a sword. They are machined and hand forged. The machined sword is almost entirely forged by a machine while the hand forged is done by a human. Purest say hand forged is the only way. However, I’ve seen many machined forged swords I feel more comfortable with. The key is micro-fractures. During the forging process sometime small fractures are left inside the sword. The more fractures there are the more likely the sword can break. There are many carbon steel swords not advertised as functional because of inconsistency. One sword might be great the next might not hold up. You take your chances when you buy these swords for use. One last note on design, a practical sword is made for stage plays and reenactments where safety is the key. Practical swords have rounded or dull edges and points.

Functional swords can cost much more than decorative or costume swords. Prices can run from less than $ 100.00 for an entry level sword to thousands for a made to order sword. Prices are also based on the degree of functionality. An entry level sword can cost from under $ 100 to $ 200. These are light duty swords which are great for a beginner. A medium duty sword or battle ready sword can cost up to $ 1000 and are usually used in reenactments and plays. Heavy duty swords can cost thousands. They can be used for any purpose but are better suited for extended use as in a nightly stage combat plays. After being in the US Army for 21 year, I can tell you anything can be broken. No matter how well a sword is made abuse, neglect and improper use will damage or break any sword. I’m not talking about small dings in the sharp edges. Some carbon steels are so hard it’s almost impossible to sharpen them. Most swords are forged so the edges are softer and can be sharpened. Please consult a qualified fight director on the proper use and quality of weapons needed for heavy use in stage plays.

I hope this helps to explain the term Functional Swords. One rule to use in selecting a sword is safety first. You are buying a weapon and get what you pay for, price should always be second.

The latest boxing saga for the one-time prize fighter, Rocky Balboa, played by Stallone, is said to parallel the comeback story of boxing legend, George Foreman. According to a statement printed on BeInAMovie.com, Stallone said that he wanted to tell Foreman’s comeback story.

In the newest boxing release from the Rocky series, Balboa is now a restaurant owner grieving over the loss of his wife, Adrian. After deciding to return to the ring for local fights, Balboa is confronted with the opportunity to fight the reigning heavyweight champion. This act garners major boxing media attention, as does any major bout that Balboa has faced, and so is the story of Rocky VI.

While focusing on the story of boxing, the films from the Rocky series are geared more toward not giving up and staying in the fight, whether you win or lose. Fans who have followed the films since their inception will recall Balboa, a struggling boxer, never turned away from a challenge. It is the story of preserverance that has not only kept the boxing career of Balboa going, but also the desire to do what he loves.

Rocky VI, also called Rocky Balboa, is currently defined as being in post-production. While it’s exact release date is not yet confirmed, industry experts believe it to be in late 2006 or early 2007 as previously noted. Some believe the film is slated for a Christmas Day 2006 release, but only time will tell. After a long hiatus from filming the world of boxing, Rocky makes yet another visit to the big screen with a crowd of eager fans anxiously awaiting the next storyline in one of the most anticipated boxing sequels ever made.

These are some questions which quite often strike in our mind. If someone seeks answer to these questions, although most of them are subjective in nature as far as the degree of benefits is concerned, but certainly the response would be positive. Most of the people would immediately say, “Yes there are countless benefits.” No doubt, there are many benefits of hiking and trekking ranging from controlling obesity to preventing heart disease to improving the quality of air we breathe.

While many sports activities and games require special equipment or training to get started, the hiking is relatively much simpler and more beneficial than any other exercise. Literally, anyone can put on a pair of shoes along with few necessary gears and equipments and start moving into the woods for a little fresh air—this is called hiking. The scenery, accessibility and diverse nature of hiking trails make this heart-healthy pastime attractive for people of all ages, fitness levels and income brackets. Moreover, except few points, hiking and trekking don’t require any special expertise and skills.

Hiking or trekking allows us to maintain our body in good working condition by walking which is really a good exercise. It improves our physical as well as mental health and the list of benefits from hiking and trekking is infinite. Hiking is essentially walking that is considered to be one of the most perfect forms of exercise for your body. You can get a chance to spend some quality time together with the Mother Nature, so it also provides a mental health antidote. Everyone can find trails to suit their physical strengths. And unlike other activities or sports, it is a pursuit that allows people to determine their own limitations.

Many research findings and studies show that hiking is an excellent way to lose extra pounds and improve overall health. To improve overall health, we don’t necessarily need to do heavy and painful workouts, but just a short brisk walk of few minutes can be more than sufficient. According to the American Heart Association, it’s best to walk vigorously for 30 to 60 minutes 3-4 times per week. But even low- to moderate intensity walking can have both short- and long-term benefits . Similarly, According to Walking for Health, people “won’t find a better way to lose weight than walking.” The results will be more permanent and pleasurable than any diet or weight loss scheme.

For example, in December, 2001, the US surgeon general called the increased rate of obesity in the United States an epidemic. The report states that 2/3 of Americans are overweight or obese, and the number is increasing year after year. In addition, thirteen percent of children are overweight. The report recommends that communities create safe sidewalks or walking trails to encourage physical activity . Not only these, but there are many more research findings that clearly show multiple health benefits of hiking and trekking.

When it comes to enlist the health benefits, then the list may go endless consisting of several mental as well as physical health benefits, such as losing excess pounds, preventing heart disease, decreasing hypertension or high blood pressure, improving and maintaining mental health, slowing the aging process, preventing osteoporosis, improving the quality of the air we breathe, preventing and controlling diabetes, improving arthritis, relieving back pain (which has become an epidemic in the modern contemporary world along with healthy habits for a healthy life i.e. team building skills, positive attitude, kindness, empathy,

At last but not the least, hiking has countless health benefits and the beauty is that it doesn’t cost you much. Moreover, while at hiking you can take other family members and your young children along with you without much difficulty. Indeed, it is a good idea to spend more time with your family and children. For young children, it helps improve their physical stamina and team building skills.

Friends, just go for a hike, and see what we mean. Happy hiking!

These traits vary from dog to dog: some have a very developed scenting ability while others have very good stamina and so on. Some of the most famous hounds would be the: Beagle, Norwegian Elkhound, American Foxhound, Black And Tan Coonhound and others as well. The widely known AKC Sporting Group is a rather large group of hunting dogs for those hunters that enjoy hunting along with a dog in a woody or watery environment. Some of the dogs that belong to this group would be the: American Water Spaniel, Golden Retriever, English Cocker Spaniel, German Shorthaired Pointer and others as well.

Moving on to the interesting part, the exciting aspect about the above mentioned dogs ( and the rest of them, of course ) is that each breed has its own natural behavior. Hunting along with one of these dogs will surely improve your hunting efficiency but choosing the most appropriate type of dog is crucial as some dogs excel at fox hunting for example while other are best to be used for squirrel hunting. The terriers were originally developed for hunting small games and killing vermin and if you plan on hunting squirrels for example, a working terrier is the best way to do it. The hunting dogs are most recommended for any type of hunting as they will prove their efficiency if properly trained.

The main disadvantage regarding hunting dogs is that the training procedure is rather complex and might not show up the expected results when hunting for the first time with the dog. Regarding the aspect of training a hunting dog, it is also a matter of time because training a dog properly for hunting purposes can take up to one year and in some cases you will have only one chance to do it because some mistakes are irreversible. An example of an irreversible mistake would be the lack of early socialization. We recommend that you do a little bit of research before choosing your hunting dog ( keeping in mind the type of game you are going to use the dog at ), start the training from an early age and things should go smoothly.

All things considered, hunting along with a dog has its advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage of using a dog is that if the dog was properly trained from an early age, the chances of catching more animals is higher as this dogs will do some of the work for you. The main disadvantage would be that the entire training process takes some time and every dog is different in its own way so there is no such thing as a standard training procedure applicable for all breeds.

You are sitting there motionless on your bear stand, the last time you shuffled yourself around was an hour ago (in reality it was 10 – 15 minutes ago), you see the head and shoulders of a black bear slowly appear, as if on a hydraulic post.

When a bear can’t smell you, but knows something is wrong, he will often react in this way. The black bear and most other species of bears as well will stand up and try to smell while looking straight at you, piercing a hole straight through you. The bear’s senses seem to work this way. If he can’t smell you, he seems to need more than one sense to back up the danger element.

When a bear stands up and pierces a whole right through you he couldn’t have smelt you and seems to have a delayed reaction in his brain to take action and go this delayed action last for 15 – 20 seconds. During this time a bear hunter can get away with a action of slight movements without inserting instant fear and the bear bolting.

The correct procedure, would be to slowly deliberately, take deadly aim and fire. If one was to wait much longer than 20 seconds the bear and especially a trophy bear would slowly drop out of sight in the thicket and 99 times out of 100 you would never see it again.

Another bear hunting situation that could arise is encountering a bear about to cross a trail in front of you and gets scared back. Knowing how to handle this situation correctly can bring success to your bear hunting trip. Here again, black bears are a creatures of habit and constant action to a danger element.

The normal reaction for a bear when, it encounters the bear hunter when crossing a trail and providing the bear did not make the intend crossing and bolted back. What he will do is scamper up along side the trail in the cover to the first corner or if it is a straight trail with no bends he will cross on the narrowest place but preferably if there is a bend he will be sure to cross there.

It seems, that if a bear has got it in his mind to cross a trail or road he is going to cross. The bear hunter knowing this, will hurry to the likely spot, get down on one knee and get ready, one thing for sure, when he crosses it will be soon ( within a minute or so) and he will be moving at full speed so it gives you little time to check for trophy quality and the type of shooting should be only done by well experienced sharp shooter.

This next bear hunting opportunity to get your trophy bear is common, but here again if not handled properly can end up in total disgust with oneself. The situation that I am referring to is a bear coming strolling down the trail and not aware of a hunter present. The time to shoot a bear is when you have a good opportunity, do not wait until it gets to the feed destination, bear bait or walks into a specific clearing where it will be broadside like the centerfold of Outdoor Life Magazine. But don’t of course, hasten a careless shot because there is plenty of time to get the job done right.

Quite often I hear a bear hunter say “I was waiting for the bear to go to the feed and it just disappeared and I never seen him again, I wished I had taken him earlier, when I had plenty of time”. Again, I will say, the time to shoot a bear is when you have a good opportunity.

What is ultraviolet light? The sun produces infrared, ultraviolet, and visible light rays and each has different wavelengths. It is the length of these wavelengths that makes some light easy for us to see, and other light that is mostly undetectable to us unless we are using special equipment to view it. The light you see from the sun during the day has a longer wavelength and is therefore more visible than say ultraviolet light, which has a shorter wavelength. Ultraviolet light produces minimal visible light rays and is instead characterized by a deep blue or purple light ray that is most visible at night or when other light sources are blocked.

LED and ultraviolet flashlights incorporate the use of different lighting components to produce light beams for use in a variety of settings. The technological lighting components in ultraviolet flashlights use the shorter and concentrated wavelength of ultraviolet lighting to illuminate small particles that are rendered nearly or completely invisible by the intensity of longer wavelengths of lighting. A police flashlight with ultraviolet light technology is useful in the detecting of blood evidence, fibers, minerals and substances and other evidence that cannot be seen with the naked eye, and when other light sources are serving as the backdrop.

An ultraviolet flashlight can be used to detect counterfeit money and for finding traces of drugs like cocaine on money. This is useful in tracking down those criminals that manufacture and distribute counterfeit money and also many of the criminals that engage in drug trafficking. Money is not the only item counterfeiter’s target. Art, clothing, jewelry, passports, social security cards, and other things can also be counterfeited. Detecting counterfeit items with the use of ultraviolet flashlights gets more of them off the streets before innocent people are victimized by the purchasing of fake items.

The military has also found the versatility of LED and ultraviolet flashlights helpful in their fight against terrorism as well as in previous covert military operations. Our military forces are stationed throughout the world on peace keeping and anti-terrorism missions, including the war in Iraq. The ultraviolet flashlight plays an important role in military maneuvers, surveillance, detection, and in a variety of other military activities.

Protecting our communities means equipping our police officers, investigators, and other members of the policing team with the versatility and advantages of LED flashlights. If you are in charge of procuring equipment for your military squad or regiment, make sure ultraviolet flashlights are on your purchasing list. The ultraviolet flashlight is a powerful tool for enhancing your arsenal of weapons against criminals and for defending the innocent.

~Ben Anton, 2008

While it may seem a little silly to think that a pulsing light can stop a criminal intent on breaking the law or committing violence, it is actually very effective. Just think about how disorienting it can be when a bright light is suddenly turned on in a dark room. Most people will squint or turn their head when light is suddenly introduced. In a lot of cases, that is all an officer needs to get the upper hand.

The light emitting diode, or LED, bulb is well suited for this type of application. We most often come into contact with these lights in our electronic devices. They are the kind of bulb used to let you know that the power is on. Over the last ten years they have started to play a bigger role in everyday lighting. They are prominent fixtures in the world of outdoor lighting equipment (think flashlights, lanterns and headlamps). There are many towns that are starting to replace their standard traffic lights with ones made with LEDs. These lights are also being used as home lighting replacement bulbs and around the landscaping. LED bulbs burn much brighter on less energy, are very durable, last for longer spans of time and can come in a variety of colors.

Strobing lights have the effect of disorienting the communication between our eyes and our brains. This forces someone looking at them to have to look away or flee from the pulsing of the light. Police officers have been using strobe flashlights for several years as a means to stop fleeing suspects by stunning and confusing them. This non-violent means of incapacitating a criminal is being looked at for wider use.

CBS News ran a story recently on what is being called the LED Incapacitator. This LED light takes this strobing concept to the next level without losing the inherent benefits of an LED bulb. It uses some specific light frequencies that affect the brain and then cycles through those frequencies too fast for the brain to adjust. The light also shifts through various colors to cause additional confusion. This new police tactical light is bright enough to be used in both brightly lit environments as well as the dark.

Not only are these tactical flashlights helpful for law enforcement officers and the military, they are also considered beneficial for personal defense. Strobing LED flashlights are available to the public for use in their own safety. With a push of the button, a general LED flashlight can turn into a strobing light in the event of an attack while in a parking garage or walking home at night. This pulsing light can provide a few extra seconds to get away or call out for help. Some who do not wish to carry pepper spray will find this an excellent alternative.

Strobing flashlights and torches are innovative and potentially life saving. As new devices are being created for our uniformed professionals, we may see more and more derivatives of those products available to the public.

~Ben Anton, 2008

The red LED bulb has been added to flashlights to enhance night vision. It provides great contrast and is not visible to the human eye over long distances. It also works well with night vision scopes and goggles. Photographers use the red colored light when doing night-time photography because it provides contrast while preserving the natural shadows developed by darkness. It cuts through smoke better than white light and, with the exception of red lines and marks on maps and charts, it makes reading in low, or no, light possible. Police and military units like the red LED for night operations because it will not interfere with night vision technology and can’t easily be picked up by other people.

The green LED light is preferred by hunters and fishermen because it is a very soft light that will not spook their prey. Green also does not attract insects like white or yellow light does. It is not easily picked up, unless looking directly at it, so it is useful in covert operations. It is another color that is useful in smoke filled environments.

The blue LED hand-held light is good for map or chart reading in situations where night vision, and avoiding detection, are important. Blue light is also helpful in locating blood and other bodily fluids at crime scenes or during search and rescue operations. Hunters also find the blue light helpful in following blood trails of injured animals. Blue lights are often used in small keychain lights because they are a soft light that works well to illuminate locks, keys, and small items. It does not have the same harsh glare as the bright, white LED. These lights are also good for cutting through fog.

Ultraviolet LED lights have found many uses in the professional world. They are used to detect counterfeit money, art, and antiques. They are also used to detect trace blood proteins and chemicals in soils from crime scenes. Just like blue light, this one will pick out blood and other bodily fluids that might be missed by the naked eye. Ultraviolet light acts like a black light in entertainment uses. It can bring out hidden messages and enhances neon and fluorescent colors. Ultraviolet lights can be used to recharge luminescent objects like fishing lures, watch faces, compass needles, SAR signals, etc. It is important not to shine ultraviolet LED lights directly into the eyes, as it can cause injury.

Whether looking to preserve night vision for hunting applications or to cut through smoke in a burning building colored LED lights are great for many applications. Their multitude of uses make them a must have for everyone. Flashlights are offered in single color lighting or with multiple bulbs for a choice of lighting options. This means that the right light is always available when it is needed. So, whether looking for a single light color for a specific application or multiple choices for whatever comes up, colored LED flashlights are a great choice.

~ Ben Anton, 2008

Authentic ice hockey jerseys closely mirror the material and style of jerseys worn by the professional ice hockey players out there on the ice. The authentic ice hockey jerseys, which are made by Reebok and CCM, are widely available and decorated with the team name and favorite players’ names and numbers on the back.

The ice hockey jerseys are offered in long lasting fabric with layered shoulders and elbows as well as underarm gussets. A real cool extra feature is that these jerseys also have the real ‘Fight Strap’, just as the big boys have. The jerseys are just about the same designs that are worn by the professionals in real games.

An NHL logo embroidered on the right shoulder or somewhere else shows the jerseys’ authenticity. Customers should also find a woven tag near the neck declaring the jersey’s authenticity, graphics and detailed embroidering and their favorite team’s colors. The woven tag shows the authentic ice hockey jersey’s size and (in most cases) both the NHL and Reebok (or CCM) logos, labeling the jersey as team apparel.

Reebok, the same sportswear manufacturer that stitches uniforms for professional teams like the New York Rangers, offers the authentic jerseys and much more, so perhaps fans can find out what it’s like to wear a genuine NHL New York Rangers uniform. If you don’t cheer for the Rangers, there are of course other jerseys from other teams to choose from. With an authentic ice hockey jersey, devoted fans can show support of their favorite players, like Weekes, Jagr or Sacic as well as their favorite team, which hopefully will conquer the Stanley Cup this year.

CCM is the other big manufacture of authentic ice hockey jerseys. This company has been around for ages in the hockey business and is one of the most reliable brand names. Even though they make very good jerseys, it is equipment and skates they do best. Many of the greatest names in the National Hockey League have one time or another skated on CCM skates.

Whether hockey fans wear the jerseys to the games or wear them in front of the television at home, the authentic ice hockey jerseys will let fans look just like the pros while showing support for their favorite NHL team and players.

The more fans that wear their jerseys at the arenas and in other places, the more colorful the sport of hockey will become. Soon it might grow enough to become the largest sport in the United States. And I would love to see that happen.

In 1917 the National Hockey League (NHL) was formed and it consisted of five original teams. By the end of the century there would be 30 teams from all over Canada and the USA. People are passionate about their hockey and one look at some of the fans at the arenas show that they mean business.

During Stanley Cup, in recent years, the US teams have dominated the hockey playoffs. However, hockey still has a bigger following in Canada. Hockey Night in Canada is quite an event in many households and sports bars. Several teams like the Winnipeg Jets and the Quebec Nordiques have fallen by the wayside in Canada in the past several years. High player salaries are an unfortunate cause.

Hockey stars are among the highest paid in any professional sport. This is partly the reason that many of the top players head to teams in the US. Many Canadian teams have a hard time retaining their homegrown players thanks to high salary demands. This is also the key issue in the 2004 dispute which has resulted in no games thus far for the season.

Hockey is a very violent game, and spectators love to watch the opposing team get crushed against the boards. Many people wonder what this is teaching young fans and, unfortunately, violence is very common in the little leagues. Many leagues have adopted a no tolerance policy for aggressive play, and some have banned this type of contact all together. The NHL however, has yet to follow suit.

It’s not just children that become too involved – in some instances, some of the parents have become a bit too passionate in recent years. Many little leagues are struggling with fights between parents and verbal and physical abuse against referees and coaches. As a result, many parents are turning from the sport or putting their children in after school hockey programs. It’s a frustrating when the parents are more focused on winning than the kids.

Regardless of the changes, hockey will continue to be a popular game in North America. Europe is beginning to enjoy the same success in the hockey world as well. Recent world championships and Olympic games have highlighted little known countries such as Belarus. Anywhere you can find iced over ponds or lakes, you’ll find the perfect place for a little ice hockey. Although a cold climate isn’t always the prerequisite, look at the Los Angeles Kings!

Hockey remains one of the favorite games in North American cities and many fans hope to enjoy hockey during the 2004/2005 NHL season. But even without the pros, there are farm teams and minor leagues teams playing hockey, so hockey fans can still get their hockey fix. If you are curious to see what all the fuss is over, check out a game at your local hockey arena and you’ll feel the excitement in the air – and on the ice. No wonder hockey is so popular!