[Steppes] Rattan for a newcomer?

Randy Shipp randyshipp at gmail.com
Wed May 12 15:06:50 PDT 2010


I'm thinking of building a sword and pell so I can (forgive me,
gentles, for I cannot help myself) get back into the swing of things.
Are there any local stocks of rattan?  If so, what can I expect to pay
for a stick?  Also, a few sword-building questions:

- I don't have any real experience fighting in Ansteorra.  Where I
came from, people hit hard enough to stun a mule.  I was led to
believe that hotter climes equal less armor equal somewhat lighter
blow calibration.  Is there any truth to this?  If so, would it not be
true that one could get away with a slightly slimmer, quicker stick?

- Any comments about Ashcraft Baker (ashcraftbaker.com) basket hilts?
I can tell they're not going to have ground and polished welds, but
are they generally OK?  Any experience?  Also, can any of you look at
this -- http://ashcraftbaker.com/basket%20hilts.htm -- and tell me
whether you think the Right-Hand model or the Universal model is a
better idea?  My plan, by the way, is to eventually fight with a
simple demi-gauntlet like the ones at
http://bokalosarmoury.com/gauntlets.htm.

Thanks in advance!

Yours,

Antoine d'Aubernoun, mka Randy...



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