Research and Discussion Forums

I've handled a greatsword by another maker. It was nice but, frankly, I'm not satisfied with the whippyness of the nylon wasters at that length. It's going to take some work still to get where I think it's accurate enough.

Jake

I'm sure lots of folks will chime in with this pretty soon, but this year's ARMA International Gathering was a phenomenal event. Extra-special thanks to the members of ARMA Houston--the Cooks, Gene Tausk, Sydney Yarborough, and easily a dozen other folks who did everything from arrange space to patc...

I think that's a great way of looking at it. It only takes one bad experience in a life-or-death situation to make a guy say "I"m never doing this *that* way again!"

Jake

Also be aware that most SCA groups don't allow greatsword strikes of more than 90 or 180 degrees...definitely not the kind of strike you'll practice as much around here.

That being said, if you need endurance with a greatsword, spend lots of time swinging one around.

Jake

I think it was on another forum where someone suggested using these wasters as a core in a new design for contact weaponry. Perhaps if the blade was thinned out and high impact foam was added to the edges, it would be possible. Has anyone in ARMA considered this? I'd be interested in seeing one, bu...

Absolutely! I used to spar with a dagger in my belt. I got killed with it all the time by opponents who closed and then drew it before I even thought of it. Tim Sheetz, on the other hand, practiced drawing his dagger religiously...and I know he killed me with it many times, actually, at the last IG....

I would add that *any* source covering staff work will be highly useful for spears, since a spear is just a staff with a spike on one end.

Jake

That's on the light-but-realistic side of a 48" steel sword, is it not?

Jake

I agree with Stacy as far as in-class exercises go. Burpees, hindu push-ups, etc. are all fantastic...but should be done outside of class. Keep class as directly sword-focused as possible.

Jake

I hope you're not referring to "crap," "morons," or "jerks," Gene? I'd hardly call any of that profanity.

Jake

Absolutely. In the US Army combatives school, when they start handing out stun guns as dagger simulators, the dynamic changes very dramatically.

Jake

Hi Torvos (I assume that is your real name?)

I like to warm up with medicine ball exercises/games, some full-body calisthenics, and foot work drills.

Dodgeball could work, but it would probably be more time than the benefit you'd get from it.

Jake

Yeah, same.

I tend to go straight into Army Combatives when on the ground, and Army Combatives groundfighting technique comes from BJJ.

Jake

I ment like a two handed sword. Not a Hand and a Half. Where you need two hands to hold it. I think my gripping str. Has increased and lifting weights lol! I go over blocks and strikes with a weighted pole and then add weights to it to increase str. Then I move to a greatsword to bring down the wei...

You can use more than one hand on a longsword?