Still means yer a pussbag.
Avatar.
Also most warriors or martial artists used practice weapons even when the fighting styles were first being created. Sword-type martial arts always used wooden swords for practice until you had the dexterity to wield it without killing yourself or a friend, then you moved on to a real sword. It isn't about being a pusillanimous individual it is just better to have the basics down before you go ahead and cut off 3 fingers. I don't think practicing with a real blade would make you learn any faster or be any better at it, it would actually slow down the learning process.
Seconded. I would be missing large portions of my hand if I was using a real knife when I was first practicing some of the tricks I do now.
Saying 'hurting yourself is a part of the learning process' is foolish. I've got tricks that I've essentially mastered now that, had I been using a real knife, probably would've stabbed myself.
Now, if I had known I was going to stab myself, I never would've attempted the trick. However, because I've practiced the trick with a trainer, I feel equipped enough to try it on a real knife.