OK- swords aren't big knives. They aren't axes. They are a separate thing- a category unto themselves. You can't treat them like anything but swords and expect good results. Yes, you could chop down a tree with a sword- but why would you want to? An ax does the job better and is so much cheaper... More and more people who buy swords want to get some use out of them, and one of the most fun things is to cut with them. There are lots of targets that can be cut with minimal wear-and-tear on the sword. Two-liter pop bottles full of water, pool noodles, rolled up tatami mats and many other things have been used successfully. Plastic bottles full of water can be quite spectacular and are cheap and readily available. Tatami mats (used for tameshigiri) are available from many martial arts suppliers and properly prepared also make excellent targets. None of these things are difficult to cut, but do require skill. The important thing is to never hit an immovable object with a sword- this places unnecessary strain on the sword and accelerates wear. It is also important to realize that swords are by their nature potentially dangerous- a carelessly swung sword can take off a limb. Make sure spectators keep their distance and be sure to always maintain awareness of those around you. Also- keep a cloth and some oil handy for cleaning the swords after use- quality swords aren't made from stainless steel and can rust quite quickly if not maintained. Use some common sense when selecting the sword, the targets and the venue- and never mix alcohol with cutting!
