Research and Discussion Forums

[Roy Stewart]

Democracy wouldn't be historically correct would it ?

There's a lot to be said for a benevolent dictatorship.

.

[danielcarcich]

[CalebSlagle]

I think if ARMA was a democracy perhaps its numbers would have grown faster but the speed that ARMA has progressed towards its goals is a direct result of quality control and leadership.

[Aaron Pynenberg]

Scholars, here is the best answer I can give:

Our responsibility here is to meet the needs of the larger membership base,not favoring the separate agenda of small cliques.

So, we go about our business here, educating the public and expanding our new curriculum, while those departed go off in bittern resentment to struggle with the personal demons that caused them to no longer be with us in the first place.

For better insight, see these pages:

Our Credo - http://www.thearma.org/essays/ARMA-credo.html

Goals With Means - http://www.thearma.org/essays/GoalsWithMeans.html

Flawed Thesis Disorder -
http://www.thearma.org/essays/FlawedThesisDisorder.htm

I don't blame Ran for saying what he said about the 5 year, "wait to join our Club" fellow. I also don't blame anyone waiting to join, for seeking clarification about us.

Our Association however, is in need of people to get involved and stay involved, and to do so with passion and for the right reasons. Those reasons, always bear themselves- given time and the application of our values.

Yes, this Organization does have a clearly defined Leadership system. If you do not understand that, then we may not be the right fit for you.

That simple fact does not mean, that you do not have a voice in our guild, quite the opposite as many can attest. The Leadership system does free you in many ways to be able to speak your mind without fear of "reprimand" from the few popular cliques. We encourage you to think for yourselves, but also to see the wisdom of the teachings that are presented by the skilled.

We also highly value efforts made by our Scholars, and even though we take them to task to prove these theories both historically, verbally, and with martial prowess we appreciate the process as much as the results.

Lastly, we highly value the life's work of our Director John Clements.

That's it in a nutshell..you can apply for Membership but that does not mean we have to accept you, nor does it mean you have to accept us.

So, good luck to everyone currently studying these arts, we are all really in one large basket, the color of the eggs in that basket is going to be the question now, and for the future! -AP
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"Because I Like It"

[danielcarcich]

Aaron,

Thanks for the reply.

As soon as I can scrape the money together I think that I shall be applying for membership (I hope I get accepted after all of this!). The responses here were exactly what I was hoping for, as I had decided to give you guys the benefit of the doubt.

In contrast, the posts and conversations about ARMA from ex-members have been filled with bitterness and spite. Whereas the posts here have been thoughtful and respectful. This speaks volumes in my opinion.

I may have more questions about other random things as I go, but thanks to everyone so far - you've been quite helpful!

-Daniel

[Stacy Clifford]

The five year gap is not necessarily that big a deal, I've seen a number of people drift away from the subject for a few years and then come back when they were ready. Life happens.
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0==[>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Stacy Clifford
Free-Scholar
ARMA Houston, TX

[danielcarcich]

Trying to keep all of my questions contained in a single thread...

What is the difference between 3W and a saber fencing mask? Would one or the other have advantages or disadvantages when practicing with wooden/nylon/steel wasters?

The north siders study group had a link to the 3W removable bib mask on the absolute fencing website. In clearance right now they have their saber masks on sale for the same price. Any thoughts on this?

[Sal Bertucci]

saber masks are completely made of metal and are for competition 3w masks have some rubber parts on the head.

Personally I would go with a 3w mask for the extra cushion of the band.

[danielcarcich]

Whee! So the Brian Hunt wasters just arrived this last week, and boy do they feel different in the bind than wood covered in cardboard and duct tape...

Here are some pictures of how I decided to wrap the hilt, if anyone is interested:





I was really amazed at how similar they ended up in dimension and overall balance to the dowel core wasters we had constructed:



Anyway, all of that rambled now two questions:

1) Any suggestions for care of these wasters? Obviously don't leave it in the car... File down any nicks or anything like that? I'd appreciate any advice, I want to make these last a long time.

2) What are various ARMA member's thoughts on some other practitioners such as:

http://www.youtube.com/user/fortejeff

or

http://www.youtube.com/user/DarkFury

Forte uses modified shinai for some of their bouting, which I've heard is really bad, but I'm curious about your take on his instruction videos referring to german longsword technique. He has quite a few really accessible, broken down, walkthroughs to view on youtube.

DarkFury has a series of three longsword technique videos which show off some fundamental and not so fundamental techniques. Their sparring seems to involve a LOT of winding and binding, and I can't help but wonder why it looks so different from what I've seen of ARMA bouts?

What are your thoughts? As always, thanks for your replies!

[Jonathan Newhall]

People like Forte are a pretty good resource for technical study - they are technically often quite correct. It's bringing it to bear in practice where they fall a bit short, so always make sure to take what they say with a grain of salt for sparring.

[danielcarcich]

[RayMcCullough]

Forte's foot work is funny. Even more hilarious in the sparring videos.

The darkfury sparring lacked any energy and intent. They did not appear to be fighting at all. If that was a drill, then I can understand. Was "first day season 09-10" a drill or sparring?

Ray
_________________
"The Lord is my strenght and my shield, my heart trusteth in Him and I am helped..." Psalms 28:7

"All fencing is done with the aid of God." Doebringer 1389 A.D.

[danielcarcich]

As for the DarkFury guys I meant more these videos:

http://www.youtube.com/user/DarkFury#p/u/7/jtisxi1dxdY