Research and Discussion Forums

If you want a shorter staff, you can pick one of these up at lowes, in a pinch:http://www.lowes.com/pd_42388-73-23-7512-25_0_?productId=3033385&Ntt=wood+pole&Ntk=i_products I did not even think to look in that section. I will grab one of those next time I am at Lowes. I can save get...

Sorry guys I made a typo there. I meant to say 1.5 inches. However now that you mention it I hope I did not make the same mistake at the lumber yard when I ask for the price quot. Or given the price they gave me maybe I hope I did! Gene, I can get a Douglas-fir in 1-1/2 inches X 8 ft for $12 but I w...

Well I just heard back from the lumber yard. For a round 2.5 in. X 8 ft. dowel they quoted me $101.25 for Hickory and $54 for Oak.

In your experience how does that sound?

I notice how expensive pre-made quarterstaffs are from some of the online vendors. In comparison it looks like I can get an Oak dowel for significantly cheaper. As such if I did get a 6ft or 8ft hardwood dowel would I have to do anything else with it, sanding down the ends, varnishing or other surfa...

[Additionally it says that Art though first appearing around 1250 was not used to describe skills before 1600. Well, that's a wierd claim. The latin word for art (ars, artis), means both skill, craft, or art. And referring to fighting as an art is very well evidenced in the manuals long before 1600...

That is total BS! As far as I can tell the first use of the term "Martial Art" was coined by Joseph Sotheby of Grayse-Inne. in his dedicatory poem entitled "To his worthy, valourous, and ingenious friend the Author" found on page 24, line 6. A book that was printed in 1639! I ho...

I have received my membership acceptance E-mail and payed my association fee. Afterwords I got the "Google Groups: You've been added to ARMA EList" E-mail. However when I followed the link I got "You cannot view the group's content or participate in the group because you are not curre...

Well Lansing is about two hours and 45 minutes give or take 10 depending on the route. Still it is closer for me than all the other places study groups are located at.

I also agree that the ability to work directly with experienced individuals is a definitive advantage when learning.

That is about 120 miles from me but as I go into Detroit for my university classes it is not that much further away.

You know it might be interesting to see if we can find some more people around the state who are interested in the study of this topic so as to form a study group.

James, It is good to hear from another Michigan resident who is interested in historic European fighting art and the Longsword. Although it seems like everyone is on the other side of the state from me. :lol: When you say you get over to the east side of the state where about are you referring to?

Hallo Karl yes you are right, looking for fights is stupid and this is not selfdefense ... Selfdefense is selfdefense , fighting is fighting .... I believe the human has a natural inctinkt in those situations and can avoid the danger if he will it ... But sure profesional seminars in selfdefense an...

Self-defence first and foremost is getting out of bad situations. The best self-defense art is "track and field". Being physically able to move is first and foremost, so stretching; strength training and cardio are important. Modern self-defense should really have focus on modern weapons....

Hi everyone. To start with I only have vary limited martial arts experience, that being one semester of Aikido as an undergrad in collage. However I do want to learn how to defend myself, as well as support my study of the sword, and so I would like to ask what advice you have on how to develop prac...

You are certainly welcome to come to Columbus Ohio, but that is quite a trek. I suggest Francisco Uribe as your closest ARMAteer. Jaron, thank you for the invite. Using the HEMA Alliance map and Mapquest it looks like your study group is the closest to me in driving distance. It is not something I ...

Also which of the historic manuals would be best for a beginner to start with? Well, what are you interested in? Do you have a weapon preference? Nation preference? Language skill? There are so many manuals out there; Answer these questions and that will help narrow the scope a bit. I don't have a ...