the start of 2011
Kendo
Another year of kendo begins.
Several weeks ago Charlie mentioned that it would be useful for me to play against people sitting on my left (lower ranked) as this would give me an opportunity to see if I could make various techniques work. I mostly end up training with people who are very much more advanced than I am (quite often I am the only non dan level person there) and it is very hard getting attacks to work against them. So while they a lovely and say nice things about how I am progressing - the actual reinforcement of being able to make a successful attack/move/whatever is not always there. This can be a bit frustrating, as my SCA squires can probably tell me…8-P
So the first training session of 2011. There was a bit of free sparring at the end and I had the opportunity of playing against other kyu grades. I still am too static but I was starting to understand some of the timing and range things. I even managed to make some good attacks. So very happy with how I am going. Still total crap but getting there.
I am hoping to be able to attend the grading in Picton at the end of the month. The last grading I attended was in October 2009 so I should at least give it a go.
SCA
Eva and Felix were up from Adelaide over the Xmas shutdown week. Felix has really taken on the new (to us at least) style from Hauoc and I am reasonably happy to follow in his wake…8-).
This means a return to a metal basket hilt. I managed to get the balance right this time. My stick post Prova was awful and I went back to a plastic hilt to make it usable.
So a reasonably think bit of rattan planed down and about as short as I have been in a long while. I like it. You do not require that much speed to get shots to stick and it allows you to look at the timing of the fight rather than just racing to find a gap in the defense.
This has been matched with a small shield. I have not noticed any lack in defense moving to the smaller shield and as Rob the Vet pointed out - you cannot be lazy. Beside the small shield is a great deal of fun and will help me improve my fighting.
Added to all of this is a new leg harness. Again modeled from what Hauoc and Mari have at Prova. A single poleyn over a riding boot with a cuisses under the top of the boots. Simple to make and upkeep and looks like they will work very well.
I have also commissioned a new couter and vambrace in spring steel from a chap in Brisbane. I will probably make a shield side couter to go with the new one once it is completed.
Also with this new kit binge is a purchase of a reasonable amount of leather and a new shield gauntlet. We have a very good leather worker (non SCA) who has been advising me on what to use. The standard plain embossing leather that most folk use is not really the best stuff for making straps etc. Redhide is probably the thing to use and I will be getting a side of this at some point. In the meantime I picked up some buffalo leather to make the straps for the new legs.
Well that is almost a totally new kit. I am thinking I should keep going and replace all the other bit of kit over the year. I am already looking to do a new arming doublet, so a new ½ gauntlet , gorget, coif and helm is all I would need to do….helm could be a big issue…8-)
This may all have to be post Festival as I have some sewing I need to get into and I do need a new surcote.
Wish me luck!..C.
Another year of kendo begins.
Several weeks ago Charlie mentioned that it would be useful for me to play against people sitting on my left (lower ranked) as this would give me an opportunity to see if I could make various techniques work. I mostly end up training with people who are very much more advanced than I am (quite often I am the only non dan level person there) and it is very hard getting attacks to work against them. So while they a lovely and say nice things about how I am progressing - the actual reinforcement of being able to make a successful attack/move/whatever is not always there. This can be a bit frustrating, as my SCA squires can probably tell me…8-P
So the first training session of 2011. There was a bit of free sparring at the end and I had the opportunity of playing against other kyu grades. I still am too static but I was starting to understand some of the timing and range things. I even managed to make some good attacks. So very happy with how I am going. Still total crap but getting there.
I am hoping to be able to attend the grading in Picton at the end of the month. The last grading I attended was in October 2009 so I should at least give it a go.
SCA
Eva and Felix were up from Adelaide over the Xmas shutdown week. Felix has really taken on the new (to us at least) style from Hauoc and I am reasonably happy to follow in his wake…8-).
This means a return to a metal basket hilt. I managed to get the balance right this time. My stick post Prova was awful and I went back to a plastic hilt to make it usable.
So a reasonably think bit of rattan planed down and about as short as I have been in a long while. I like it. You do not require that much speed to get shots to stick and it allows you to look at the timing of the fight rather than just racing to find a gap in the defense.
This has been matched with a small shield. I have not noticed any lack in defense moving to the smaller shield and as Rob the Vet pointed out - you cannot be lazy. Beside the small shield is a great deal of fun and will help me improve my fighting.
Added to all of this is a new leg harness. Again modeled from what Hauoc and Mari have at Prova. A single poleyn over a riding boot with a cuisses under the top of the boots. Simple to make and upkeep and looks like they will work very well.
I have also commissioned a new couter and vambrace in spring steel from a chap in Brisbane. I will probably make a shield side couter to go with the new one once it is completed.
Also with this new kit binge is a purchase of a reasonable amount of leather and a new shield gauntlet. We have a very good leather worker (non SCA) who has been advising me on what to use. The standard plain embossing leather that most folk use is not really the best stuff for making straps etc. Redhide is probably the thing to use and I will be getting a side of this at some point. In the meantime I picked up some buffalo leather to make the straps for the new legs.
Well that is almost a totally new kit. I am thinking I should keep going and replace all the other bit of kit over the year. I am already looking to do a new arming doublet, so a new ½ gauntlet , gorget, coif and helm is all I would need to do….helm could be a big issue…8-)
This may all have to be post Festival as I have some sewing I need to get into and I do need a new surcote.
Wish me luck!..C.