On Tue, 08 Dec 2020 14:45:41 -0500, Dave Smith wrote:

> In other words, they taught choreography with swords.

Yes. But even without needless sharpening (especially the point), they
need to be weighted properly in order for anyone to have practised body
reflexes to look authentic AND be safe.

But the only thing I know about sword-fighting is second-hand, concerning
using blackboard pointers as swords and glass-topped fluorescent light-
tables as choreographed fencing platforms by bored night-shift
meteorologists during what they called periods of no significant weather.

If you want any informed advice about what it feels like to heft & hack
with a real albeit dull sword, ask the OP. As he says, it's more
dangerous than pro / olympic / stunt-acting.