Bad batch of boudan? Maybe Peanut can give you some mineral oil for colic <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> The only time I personally found a larger blade usefull was studying Kendo in San Francisco. My Zen Roshi pretty well beat me to a pulp. So the next session I showed up dragging a huge two handed scottish Claymore. I subscribe to the two knife concept; one for fine work and a larger blade for Zen Masters, digging holes and splitting wood.