Waster Sizing and Style

[Kathryn_Woods]

Hi Jeff & Mike --

Okay, then, it sounds like the "A" waster is the one to go with. I appreciate your help!

Cheers,

-- Kat

[Jonathan Scott]

Let's see, I'm new to this site too (and haven't applied yet to ARMA..I should probably do that soon but I'll learn what I can in the meantime) and I'm looking to buy a waster in the near future. Now I'm a little short, about 5' 7", and I don't want to get a longsword that's too long. But if the ideal length is from the ground to my armpit, which is about 50 inches, then getting the 49 1/2 NSA hand and half (with a hilt length of 9 inches, which is enough room for both my hands, which are average width). That still seems to me to be kinda long though, as I'm used to using bokken (katana wooden sword) that are about 40-43 inches long.
And there's also that Raven one which is 48 inches.
So it sounds like the NSA is the best for handling, but there's two things that make me lean a bit towards the Raven longsword:
one, I can't stand to have a sword that's not durable and can stand up to some moderate abuse. I never buy swords for looks (alone), but for durability and function (or if it's really cheap, cause I'm a poor college kid) (which is why I've stayed away from live steel blades, and also cause there's so much sh*** out there in the market)
and two, I don't mind if the balance is not perfect ( I know I'll probably wish I didn't say that when I get something and I'm not happy with it, but...) if it makes up for it by being durable. I don't even know how to tell if something is balanced well, as I haven't gotten proper instruction yet at how to use the thing.
And what are my options now? Should I jump the gun and get a waster as soon as possible? Or wait until I can get some basic instruction for someone who has one already and get one when it's conveniant? (i.e. as a christmas present or something so it doesn't cost me that much) I'm thinking to go smart and do the latter, cause I know I can't jump into ARMA right away, and I have college and other time constraints to consider. And as far as I know, this could just be a hobby for me in my spare time, so it'll have to wait for my other priorities.
Also, what about those safe contact sparring longswords that ARMA people use? Where can I get one of those? <img src="/forum/images/icons/tongue.gif" alt="" />

[Eric Easley]

While are discussion the matter of proper size, I'm a 6' 6" large guy, around 280. I want to learn with something for my size, but I have played around with 48" home wasters (a home grown cross breed of PVC, pool noodle, duct tape and lead for counter balance.. the materials were cheap. I made it to practice form becuase any combat would kill it). My armpit is about 59-60" off the ground, but I'm not sure if I need to start on a greatsword sized peice. I am a big fan of the Scottish Claymore and the New Stirling Claymore waster looks so nice.

Any suggestions for this newbie? I'll only be able to get one waster at this time (and I'll have to save up for that <img src="/forum/images/icons/tongue.gif" alt="" /> ), so I need to get the right one the first time.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely, Eric

[Mike Chidester]

I'd say go for it. The NSA greatsword is wonderful, btw.

[Grant Hall]

Hail and Well met.

I have been researching various swords and wasters now for a while and am a keen enthusiast for European Martial Arts.

I am curruntly enquiring about membership with the ARMA Director, but I am none the less looking to purchace my very first WASTER.

In the future I plan on speacializing in the Greatsword or more so the awesome Dopplehander. However, ARMA seems intent on begining training with the Longsword, as this is their way, so too it is mine.

My querry is, if I'm 6'6" with an armpit height of 58" to 60" and weigh 297lbs then what is the absoulute PERFECT waster for me, I only have the money to do this once, so it is imperitive that I do it right.

Please, any and ALL help will be much appreiciated.

Thanking you all in advance.

Strength and Honor

Grant Hall

In the Spirit of the ARMA's Credo:

Respect for History and Heritage

Sincerity of Effort
Integrity of Scholarship
Appreciation of Martial Spirit
Cultivation of Self-Discipline

[Jeff Hansen]

Grant,
With your size I'd recomend getting a greatsword. All the techniques are the same. I think that the main reason for starting with the longsword instead of the greatsword is that, particularly for beginners, it's much easier training if everyone's weapon is the same length, and the greatsword is just too long for some people to use properly. From your other post, it sounds like everyone in your group is tall enough to use a greatsword, so, as long as everyone gets the same size...
And I second Brian's recomendation to look at New Stirling Arms for a supplier.

Welcome to RMA.

[Grant Hall]

Thankyou very much.

as for most people being big in our group, this is accurate.

However we also have several "shorties".

My Girlfreind is only 5'1" (and about 105lbs) I guess I could take it easy on her, but then where would the fun be? <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Grant Hall]

Hmmm...

From what I can gather NSA Wasters are the way to go, yet there largest waster (the claymore) is only 54" yet as I understand it, my waster should be 60",

Jeff, you suggested a Greatsword, yet NSA do not manufacture them as far as I understand...
....however, Raven does. (And they make to order which means size is not an issue).

Please I ask for everyone's honest opinons, Should I drop six inches and go for NSA or retain the six inches and go for Raven. (I want to speacialize in the Dopplehander, two-handed sword)

Qualitie really is an issue for me, as i am sure my waster will recieve extreme punishment as I workout (My Brothers are 6'4" and 6'8" and both strong lads... 210lbs and 265lbs respectively.... Im guessing they'll be hitting hard <img src="/forum/images/icons/crazy.gif" alt="" /> )...

PLEASE help..

Thanks

[Mike Chidester]

Go for the NSA.

[Brian Hunt]

Grant,

I am a large guy myself. I stand at 6 feet 6 inches. Start with a 48" long sword. That is what I started with, then worry about getting a bigger sword down the road after you have established your base skills with a standard long sword. As for hitting hard, please do not do so with a waster. A waster can injure or kill you very quickly. Control is the name of the game with a waster. After all, it is a hunk of hickory, even if it is a sword shaped one.

hope this helps.

Brian Hunt
GFS

[Grant Hall]

Thankyou again.

NSA it is, &amp; I will be sure to instruct everyone on the safety issues... (Its just a little hard when two of those people are your older brothers who if they lived in the Viking Age would undoubtably have been berserks)

Cheers to everyone who has helped.

Hopefully we will be hosting a Seminar with JC down here sometime next year, if all goes to plan I hope that you can all make it.

Cheers again,

till next we meet.

[Brian Hunt]

Hi Grant,

a martial artists primary goal is control. Any peasent can strike a powerful blow, but that doesn't mean they can fence well, just hit hard. Control is the name of the game. After you have learned basic footwork, and the 8 basic strikes, and the proper way to displace a strike, then build some padded weapons and enjoy hitting each other much harder. <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

good luck in your training.

Brian Hunt
GFS

[Shane Smith]

martial artists primary goal is control. Any peasent can strike a powerful blow, but that doesn't mean they can fence well, just hit hard. Control is the name of the game. After you have learned basic footwork, and the 8 basic strikes, and the proper way to displace a strike, then build some padded weapons and enjoy hitting each other much harder.

You mean to tell me that we were supposed to be hitting lightly with wasters??!! That explains alot of my bruising over the years <img src="/forum/images/icons/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Brian Hunt]

Hey Shane,

a bruise is one thing, a broken bone, or busted head is another. <img src="/forum/images/icons/frown.gif" alt="" />

Besides, I can't help it that your a masochist. <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

LOL

Brian Hunt
GFS

Control is everything . . . . . control is everything . . . . . . control is everyhting . . . . . (ad nausium until your hypnotized.)

[Brendan Murphy]

Hey ARMA,

Four friends of mine have purchased swords from Hollow Earth that they are less than impressed with. I don't want to go down that road for obvious reasons, so an NSA would be the best?

I'm 5'7", 186 lbs and well built, and the 45" NSA waster seems long for me, so I was considering a 42-43" Raven waster instead.