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<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial size=2>This post is mainly
for local/warranted rapier marshals, but I'd like anyone's constructive
input. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial size=2>In reading all the
hoopla going on on the main Ansteorra list, something someone mentioned about
the costs of new fighters triggered a thought. Allessandro mentioned that
he has talked to Scott Wilson of Darkwood Armory about the possibility of
getting a cost reduction on some of his practice rapiers if ordered in
bulk. I don't have any specifics, and will follow this up with an email to
him asking about it. My guess is that it would be for some of his Economy
hilt setups. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial size=2>As Stargate Rapier
Marshal, something that I've noticed is how few groups have any heavy rapier
setups in their loaner gear. When I took over the position, I got 3 epees
and a foil. But more and more, heavy rapier is becoming more accepted,
used, and preferred. With all Gulf War battles and tournaments
being fought with heavy blade now, everyone has more incentive to use them
more often. Yet when a new fighter shows up and shows interest, we
give them an epee to have them start with, saying "you'll get to use the big
blades later". This bothers me. I've seen more than one person get
discouraged from this. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial size=2>There has long been
an assumption or feeling that epees and foils are safer than heavy weapons and
thus are better to start new fighters with. However, there are numerous
SCA groups in other Kingdoms (and likely some here), and non-SCA WMA groups that
don't feel that way. They train their fighters to use the tools they are
going to use from the beginning, and train them well and properly, and there are
few injuries, even for those that do far more potentially "violent' studies than
we do (cut & thrust without tips or less armor, longsword, quarterstaff,
etc.). Simply put, I think it would help new fighters, teachers, and
the rapier community as a whole, if we were to start training people from the
beginning with heavy rapier if that is what they are interested
in.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial size=2>Let me one thing
clear: I am NOT saying or implying in any way to do away with light
rapier/epee&foil/smallsword. For some, it is just their preferred
game. For others, there may be physical reasons that they cannot fight
with heavy rapier, but want to still be able to participate. And, as our
rules currently stand, minors who have graduated from the youth rapier program
are using epees only (see above paragraph for my thoughts on that, but no
mind). So please, don't anyone come from this thinking I want Ansteorra to
be heavy-rapier only.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial size=2>So, for the local
marshals, I have the following questions:</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial size=2>Do you have any
heavy rapier fighting gear (sword and/or gorget) in your local groups'
equipment?</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial size=2>If not, are
you willing to talk with your group's seneschal and treasurer about the
possibility of buying the equipment?</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial size=2>Would you be
interested in joining a bulk order with Darkwood to get equipment for your
group?</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial size=2>Also, for everyone
else:</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial size=2>I don't know if
he is going to have a minimum or maximum number of swords that can be ordered at
once. Provided that spaces are available, would anyone be interested in
joining in on the order, just to have a (possibly another) blade to use or loan
out? (Aeron, of course, is excluded, as he has too many toys already and no time
to play with them anyway. Just kidding....sheesh....)
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial size=2>As I said, I'll
contact Scott ASAP and ask him for more details on price, quantity choice of
hilts & blades, time of delivery, etc.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial size=2>I'll post here again
as soon as I have some concrete info from Scott.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks
everyone.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial size=2>Ld. Corvin di
Fenarro</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial size=2>Stargate Rapier
Marshal</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial size=2>Kingdom A&S
Historical Martial Arts Research Deputy</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=703543200-10012008><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
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