[Ansteorra-rapier] Proposed revision to rapier rules

[Uillicc]

I hear many folks say they haven't had a call to use an epee' in 
years...  I'd just add that my experience is a little different-  Even 
though I've made far fewer tourneys in the last couple of years than I 
would have liked-- I have had opponents express the wish to fight with 
epee's on an average of 3 or 4 times a year, including this last year 
(different occasions/opponents)...  I have been brought up to fight with 
what my opponents prefer as a matter of courtesy-- and that being 
proficient with whatever is in hand is my goal.

That said I am neither pro or anti on this weapon.  I just think it 
important to note that while it is rarer than it was 10 years ago-- it 
has not nearly disappeared completely.  I still carry one in my box--  
it has a very nice Darkwood Epee' guard -swept bar with perf plate, but 
lighter built than a rapier guard.

uillecc

On 10/10/2012 5:03 PM, Christy Mackenzie wrote:
> A few more cents from my corner:
>
> This is a big kingdom distance-wise, and no matter how widely traveled 
> everyone on this list is, I suspect that part of this discussion 
> arises from the fact that some people have practices where epees 
> exist, and some don't, but we have to be open to realizing that what 
> is the case in our home Barony may not be the case everywhere.
>
> Personally, I'm ok with epees just at practices, even though my 
> favorite memories of tourneys are nearly all of epee-only or 
> epee-majority. I recognize that although my personal preference is to 
> play with the lighter blades, the majority of the kingdom prefers to 
> play with the heavier blades and if I want to play with most people, I 
> will have to at least try to use a heavy blade.I also recognize that 
> it is not the responsibility of the SCA or the marshallate to cater to 
> my specific physical issues. I will be sad if I have to leave rapier 
> fighting, but the world would keep turning.
>
>  I must ask, however, what harm would allowing epee to continue cause 
> the kingdom and the fencing community? So far, the arguments that I 
> have seen against it is that it might inconvenience the marshals 
> which, while I can understand that it might be annoying, doesn't seem 
> to me to be quite equal to that of denying some people the ability to 
> play at all. Granted, there aren't many of us, but we're still here, 
> and I'd like to think that we still contribute at least a little bit 
> to this great game we call rapier fighting in the SCA.
>
> Sincerely,
> Catlin
>