Are you convinced that sword swallowing is an art and not a trick?
- Christina Rose
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Re: Are you convinced that sword swallowing is an art and not a trick?
I agree that it is a skill that can be practiced and improved.Harrison J wrote: ↑12 May 2018, 06:29 Sword swallowing is a skill in my opinion... this all falls down to how people react diffrently on objects being inserted through their mouths and throats. One can train on how to controll the musles not to contract when inserting object. Its crazy bt people can do that.
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I agree, and it's too bad that those who fake this skill make it look like the rest are faking as well.joshfee77 wrote: ↑12 May 2018, 07:32 I do believe sword-swallowing is an art that can be learned, not just a trick. An incredibly dangerous art, like a great many circus acts, but real nonetheless. As with anything, there are probably fakers, but there are many people out there genuinely pushing the limits of human endeavor, and I believe some sword-swallowers are the real deal.
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I couldn't do it either. As a mother, reckless abandon isn't a luxury i can afford. I applaud those who can, as well. It truly does demand a certain amount of bravery on top of skill.desantismt_17 wrote: ↑12 May 2018, 12:05 I believe ie is something that can be learned, and I agree with the notion that beginners probably don't use real swords. I also applaud anyone who decides to take on sword swallowing. I could never do it, myself. We all have certain skill sets. Sword swallowing seems to be one for a very specific type of bravery.
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This comparison does make sense. I don't think sword swallowing is a trick anyway, but I never looked at it from this angle. Thank you.kfwilson6 wrote: ↑16 May 2018, 08:08When I read the descriptions of how this is done I was a little bit more convinced. It made me think about intubation and how doctors are able to get a tube all the way down the throat. If you look at an image of this where you get an interior view of the throat, it seems more plausible, especially if the blade is short. Try looking at it from a more scientific point of view looking where certain things are internally and where the blade could actually go if someone could overcome the gag reflex. Just like with intubation, the head would have to be at the appropriate angle to allow for the throat to be properly open.Adediran_Dee wrote: ↑13 May 2018, 10:31 I still believe it's a trick. I have seen blades and fire being swallowed but am yet to hear of swords. If that is so, it's also a gimmick. All these are ways of entertaining and amazing people. Although, you might consider this an art but i am stuck to the fact that it's not real...this is dangerous.
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Beginners who are learning the art of sword swallowing do not start out using swords. The first step in being able to swallow swords or any other foreign object is learning how to control the gag reflex. Most beginners started with their own fingers, then upgraded to spoons, paint brushes, knitting needles, bent wire coat hangers, and so forth, before attempting short knife blades and, finally, swords. This is the same procedure that doctors use when an esophagoscopy is performed.Vg345 wrote: ↑03 May 2018, 05:27 I'm skeptical at best. I think that to teach and learn a skill, there has to be some accepted leeway for failure. Because that's what people do as beginners. They fail. In this particular case, failure has a high probability of being fatal. I'm not buying the point that a person who is allegedly skilled at this would get there without accidentally cutting his windpipe a couple dozen times.
So, I guess no. I don't believe that it isn't a trick.
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I feel that it takes hard work, practice with other objects leading up to the swords, a wide opening to fit the swords, and skills to not cut yourself with the sword. But like a magician, we may never know. Only because now a days they have so much more special effects kind of stuff then the did even a few years ago. But I feel that it's an art and worth more then what people pay. I wish I could see skills like that more often, but now we just watch everything on tv....

- kfwilson6
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Thanks bootsie for sharing the list of objects they use. I was particularly interested in the progression of their training. It seems like no matter how much detail you provide about the process, some people will not be convinced. I really had no idea if it were a trick or not when this thread began but you have provided so much information about it.bootsie0126+ wrote: ↑20 May 2018, 20:31Beginners who are learning the art of sword swallowing do not start out using swords. The first step in being able to swallow swords or any other foreign object is learning how to control the gag reflex. Most beginners started with their own fingers, then upgraded to spoons, paint brushes, knitting needles, bent wire coat hangers, and so forth, before attempting short knife blades and, finally, swords. This is the same procedure that doctors use when an esophagoscopy is performed.Vg345 wrote: ↑03 May 2018, 05:27 I'm skeptical at best. I think that to teach and learn a skill, there has to be some accepted leeway for failure. Because that's what people do as beginners. They fail. In this particular case, failure has a high probability of being fatal. I'm not buying the point that a person who is allegedly skilled at this would get there without accidentally cutting his windpipe a couple dozen times.
So, I guess no. I don't believe that it isn't a trick.
- kfwilson6
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I wasn't quite convinced either because I'm not into science so wasn't too familiar with exactly how the body is structured which could create problems in doing this trick. However, I thought about the process of doctors intubating patients and decided to look up images to see how open the body is from the throat down. It seems much more convincing when you look at an interior view of the human body.Michiganbrown wrote: ↑19 May 2018, 12:19 I feel it's a trick no way on the world a person is able to shove a sore down their throat without hitting any organs any bones
- kfwilson6
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I think you are the first person to bring this up, at least I don't recall anyone else in this thread mentioning it. That is a great piece of evidence for the validity of the art. Of course Gary could have made it up to further the claim that it is a real talent, but I think it helps support the claim that sword swallowing is real. I had that feeling Duke couldn't go on indefinitely swallowing swords without some sort of set back. It was sad to read about it happening though.
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It wasn't easy for me to believe at first that this was real. Sometimes are brain will not allow us to get past the logical. If we believe something is not possible, it may be difficult to believe otherwise, no matter what the evidence may prove. I used to believe that sword swallowing was a trick because I could not imagine how a person would not be able to get injuried. After a family friend showed me and much research on this topic, I was finally able to understand (logically) how this skill could be accomplished.AnnaKathleen wrote: ↑21 May 2018, 14:24 I think it could be both. It requires much skill and discipline to do it, and almost any art form would require that as well. However, if you don't want to believe it you could consider it a trick or some kind of illusion. I think it is right up there with fire-breathing. It requires discipline, skill, and practice and anyone can try, but not every person can succeed. I personally, find it to be a performance art.