(no subject)
Warning, If you are not schooled in the combat arts the following post may not make all that much sense.
Well we had a fight practice last night and one of the English brought a pair of bamboo wasters normally used for kendo but had been adapted with hardwood cross guards for long sword. So the two of use decided we give them a try starting slow…
Turns out he had formal training in Italian long sword so started what I considered one of the best fights I had. AS you can tell the “slow” didn’t last long. Everyone else starred as they had not seen anything like this before as we mostly do rapier and saber at this point. What long sword that’s been done were by people who watched too many movies and swung too many sticks in their back yard.
The fight consisted of each taking a formal guard then the other would change guard to counter and then repeat over and over till one of use did not counter and bang there be some swing of swords and one of us ended up getting hit… Turned out to be mostly me. I got schooled, he used some counter attacks that I’m not familiar with and as I’m still just starting to research the master swings I have little for counter attacks experience …
Like I said it was one of the best fights I’ve been in and has motivated me into research. I have my copy of Christian Tobler thick book here and throw myself back into it. The English chap is only staying a few more weeks so this is going to be a limited window.
The rest in the group were puzzled, to their eyes it was somewhat boring. The two of us just standing there every so often moving our swords from one positions to another for unknown reason, and after a few min of that a sudden furry of swords motion that lasted at best a few seconds.
So I conclude that I will see little long sword after this as most seem to be intimated by this chess game ware you have to guest the other persons stroke and such pick a counter guard/stroke knowing he will do the same to that and so on.
The Night was also made interesting as this older British officer walked up with this big smile on his face. Asking about the swords we were using and the styles. He could not get over the weight of the Schlager. I explained the SCA and concept of rapier reproducing 16th/17th century styles and techniques; he looked at me like I was some young child with some quaint idea picked up at the school yard. Turns out he was the officer in charge of the British inter-service fencing and such his experience was mostly in the foil.
At the time I didn’t know fellows rank, and I sort of notice our British fencer who is a corporal, trying to be invisible. I have yet figure out the European ranks insignias as its quite different than ours and varies between countries and branches. Turns out he was an Air Vice Marshal, aka a general. You never know who you’re going to meet here.
Well we had a fight practice last night and one of the English brought a pair of bamboo wasters normally used for kendo but had been adapted with hardwood cross guards for long sword. So the two of use decided we give them a try starting slow…
Turns out he had formal training in Italian long sword so started what I considered one of the best fights I had. AS you can tell the “slow” didn’t last long. Everyone else starred as they had not seen anything like this before as we mostly do rapier and saber at this point. What long sword that’s been done were by people who watched too many movies and swung too many sticks in their back yard.
The fight consisted of each taking a formal guard then the other would change guard to counter and then repeat over and over till one of use did not counter and bang there be some swing of swords and one of us ended up getting hit… Turned out to be mostly me. I got schooled, he used some counter attacks that I’m not familiar with and as I’m still just starting to research the master swings I have little for counter attacks experience …
Like I said it was one of the best fights I’ve been in and has motivated me into research. I have my copy of Christian Tobler thick book here and throw myself back into it. The English chap is only staying a few more weeks so this is going to be a limited window.
The rest in the group were puzzled, to their eyes it was somewhat boring. The two of us just standing there every so often moving our swords from one positions to another for unknown reason, and after a few min of that a sudden furry of swords motion that lasted at best a few seconds.
So I conclude that I will see little long sword after this as most seem to be intimated by this chess game ware you have to guest the other persons stroke and such pick a counter guard/stroke knowing he will do the same to that and so on.
The Night was also made interesting as this older British officer walked up with this big smile on his face. Asking about the swords we were using and the styles. He could not get over the weight of the Schlager. I explained the SCA and concept of rapier reproducing 16th/17th century styles and techniques; he looked at me like I was some young child with some quaint idea picked up at the school yard. Turns out he was the officer in charge of the British inter-service fencing and such his experience was mostly in the foil.
At the time I didn’t know fellows rank, and I sort of notice our British fencer who is a corporal, trying to be invisible. I have yet figure out the European ranks insignias as its quite different than ours and varies between countries and branches. Turns out he was an Air Vice Marshal, aka a general. You never know who you’re going to meet here.