Research and Discussion Forums

This event was well worth the money and effort to get there. Aside from the wonderful camaradarie and incredible volume of information and training opportunities not normally available to a solo ARMA member, the IG was both humbling and inspiring. I was humbled to see how far my physical skills are ...

As an active-duty Air Force officer for over 14 years, I can confirm there's very little close combat (I assume that's what you mean by "hard core") training being given to most of our branch of the service. In addition to Pararescue, Combat Control Team and (I would imagine) Tactical Air ...

JC - Thanks for the article and the detailed sword listing; I recently had the opportunity to visit the armoury of the Doge's Palace in Venice, where there are many fine specimens of two-handed great swords. (In fact, most of the swords on display seemed to be either two-handers or schiavonas, altho...

Lance -

I'm interested as well. Could you PM me also? Thanks very much.

I have this series as well. I haven't made it to the second book yet; I found the first one to be somewhat dry at points. (For example, when the author goes into great detail about how Herodotus couldn't have possibly been accurate in his assessment of the strength of Xerxes' army.) I also concur wi...

Thanks. Do you have any suggestions about cloting to wear for safety purposes? Are kneepads advisable?

Within the next six to eight weeks, I will be receiving my first sharp sword. I have never test cut before, and would like advice on how to get started, to include suggestions on cutting materials, stands to hold the materials, safety advice, or any other information you might think helpful. Thanks.

I think Gene and Brian have covered it pretty well, but I would also try to use contemporary historical references in addition to the fechtbuchs. By contemporary, I mean accounts written near the time of the incident. ("The Tale of Peachey the Shoomaker" comes to mind.) I think most skepti...

Not sparring means never having to say "You're better at this than I am". This point has been raised elsewhere, but I think it carries enough weight to be mentioned here as well. IMO, any claim that "sparring has no value" raises questions about that person's integrity as a marti...

Jake -

I replied to the E-mail addy you listed below.

Regards,
Chris Jarko

There are also many good links on knitting maille at Sara's Chainmail Connection: www.chainmailconnection.com Several of these links have animated videos which show you "how to" in close-up detail. One of these days I'm going to start working on a hauberk of my own (riveted or riveted/soli...