[Ansteorra-rapier] New Blades for Rapier

[James Crouchet]

 From the Kingdom Rapier Marshal:

My apologies to those who get this more than once.

Our new DSMR (Deputy Society Marshal for Rapier) has approved a variety of
new blades for experimentation in Rapier and Cut & Thrust. This is exciting
news for us since we have been on hold for years now concerning the many new
blades manufacturers are now making for us and the rest of the WMA
community. He has asked that we experiment with these blades and give him
feedback before Pensic.

So, I hereby approve following blades for experimental use in Ansteorra:
*
Epee & Foil
*Hanwei main gauche dagger blade
*
Rapier*
Windlass Flamberge
Darkwood Sapda
Darkwood curved blades from the #5 blank (7/8" wide) e.g. late saber
Hanwei hollow ground practical rapier
Hanwei main gauche dagger blade

*C&T*
MKA30 Wide
Darkwood Spada
Darkwood curved blades from the #5 blank (7/8" wide) e.g. late saber
Darkwood curved blades from the #6 blank (1" wide) e.g. katana, hussar
saber, swiss saber, hanger
Darkwood curved blades from the #7 blank (1 1/4" wide) e.g. cutlass,
dussage, grosse messer
Hanwei three fullered practical longsword (I tried these and they rock, but
you gotta have the skill to control it.)
Hanwei main gauche dagger blade

*What does experimental mean?*
Experimental means that we can use the blades but they don't yet have final
approval from SCA inc. Based on the results of our experimentation  the DSMR
will make a final determination whether to approve these blades for everyone
to use.

The odds are these blades will be approved but you are taking a risk in
buying and using them as the DSMR could decide to ban the blade based on our
results. Based on everything we know we think they are safe and reasonable
for use but it is these experiments we use to make sure.

*How do we experiment?*
This is simple. Just contact me and tell me what blade you wish to use. If I
approve you then you may use that blade in Ansteorran rapier or C&T as
appropriate. Here are the conditions:

   - The tip of the blade must be marked with red and green. For example,
   you can use a red tip with green tape, a green tip with red tape, or any
   other color tip with red and green tape. This same color combination is used
   to mark experimental weapons for armored combat.
   - Only authorized fighters may use these blades, even for practice.
   - You must inform your opponent of the experimental blade and your
   opponent must agree to face the blade, *even for practice*. In melee
   each person must agree to face that weapon, which will make it impractical
   for large melees.
   - You can use the blade, you can allow your opponent to use the blade
   (if he is an authorized fighter), or you can marshal others(authorized
   fighters only) as they use the blade (assuming you are a marshal). The blade
   cannot be used when you are not there. If the blade is used in a way that
   presents a hazard, you are expected to put the blade away and stop it's use.
   - You must, *must*, *must* report any incidents directly to me of
   excessive hits, injuries, blade failures or other issues that result from
   the use of this blade.
   - Following the conditions above, these blades *can* be used in
   tournament.

Failure to follow these guidelines -- including reporting if necessary --
will result in you being removed from the experiment at a minimum.

As for me, I will be putting in my order for a spada right away.

Christian Doré, Kingdom Rapier Marshal, Ansteorra
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