Haha, that's a more valid argument than many have for studying an art..
What I'm learning is honestly the barbarian's way of swordsmanship. I asked about using the edge to intercept incoming blows and other techniques and my master said that he would worry about that when the war was over (though to be fair the back edge of a sabre is thicker and softer). This type of sword in China was often crude and used by peasants to fend off bandits or by bandits to... fend off peasants. It was not revered. If you broke one, which happened to any kind of sword you could pick up someone else's or make or buy another one if you lived long enough. They would often be hanging on racks, more like tools than anything else. The length of the sword, weight, how to grip it weren't standardised. The hard training to wield them is - to an extent. Whether they are made of steel, wood or PVC doesn't matter (although sharp steel is the most lethal). The art has an answer for how to use it and get you out alive.
I'm learning to use internal power to deliver devastating blows and thrusts. Most of the unarmed training that I did is coming into practical use, like an extension of my body, with subtle differences. Using the blade and handle as a lever definitely increases the power, for example. I think that we do a lot more one-handed stuff than Kenjutsu, though I haven't seen much of what they do. The fencing has been great. Lots of bruises from good fights..
I've been filming motorbike stuff for a sword fighting video and am almost finished. Next I will film some training methods and lastly fencing. It's going to be a good one.