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<DIV><SPAN class=203174903-10012008><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>All I
can say is that if there is a group that truly is in dire need, I'll do all I
can to help. Have them contact me and I'll fabricate all I can to help
offset their costs. Let me caveat that by saying I'll expect a degree of
commitment from the group. I'm not going to make a set of hilts to sit and
rust for years because they elected not to buy blades for
them.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV><!-- Converted from text/rtf format -->
<P><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face=Arial size=2>Gassion</FONT></SPAN> <BR><SPAN
lang=en-us><FONT face=Arial size=2>Navarre's</FONT></SPAN> </P>
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<DIV></DIV>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left><FONT
face=Tahoma size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B>
ansteorra-rapier-bounces@lists.ansteorra.org
[mailto:ansteorra-rapier-bounces@lists.ansteorra.org] <B>On Behalf Of
</B>Kevin Wilson<BR><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, January 09, 2008 7:03
PM<BR><B>To:</B> Ansteorran_Marshals@yahoogroups.com;
ansteorra-rapier@lists.ansteorra.org<BR><B>Subject:</B> [Ansteorra-rapier]
Loaner heavy rapier equipment<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<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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