Albion to offer more training blunts

[Allen Johnson]

These are not the Squire line. They are calling this the Maestro line and they seem to be much more intended for sparring over the Squire line. Looks great on paper- I'll be looking forward to seeing the initial feedback on these as several are pulling hard on me!

http://albion-swords.com/swords/albion/swords-albion-mark-maestro.htm

[Casper Bradak]

Cool, sounds like they're actually going to be true foils. As long as a couple of those aren't too pointy...

[Derek Wassom]

I was just looking at those.
I just got myself a Squire line, but if these turn out ok, I might need to get one of them too. <img src="/forum/images/icons/crazy.gif" alt="" />

[M Wallgren]

Joachim has talked to the designer Peter Johnsson alot, and Peter assure us this weapons are intendend for blunt training. He has takened the needs of Practisioners in mind hen he designed this line. Knowing Peter a bit makes me belive he has pulled thisone of;)

Peter has done lots of reserch on our way of training and he has asked many questions on what organisations like ARMA need. So if the swords wont come out good, blame us in Sweden for bad advice to Peter:D:D

[Joachim Nilsson]

Like my good friend Martin just stated I have discussed some of the weapons in the upcomming Maestro Line with Peter. The rapier will have a blunt point that which can be further enhanced in terms of safety with the use of "blunted rubber arrow tips" (which we use here in ARMA Sweden to make our rapiers safe for sparring). Peter also showed me concept sketches of two possible rapier hilts and I adviced him to go for the one with the bent cross (since a straight cross may become somewhat dangerous if used up close, i.e. when punching against the fencing mask).

The Maestro Line looks great. There was a couple of weapons in it I didn't even know of. Guess Peter sprung those on me. <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" /> Can't wait to see the finished results.

Regards,

[GaryGrzybek]

I told you guys so <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

What's really nice is these fall in a price range that is affordable to most.

[Allen Johnson]

Yeah - theres like 5 that just grab me by the mugines.

[Brian Hunt]

I hope the rapier is going to be nice and stiff, instead of yet another flexi-blade. If it is, I will definetly be looking at one of those, in addition to a longsword, and the I.33 arming sword. Peter Johnson's work is really nice, and these prices are in a good bracket for an excellent blunt.

Brian Hunt.

[GaryGrzybek]

Cool, the Marxbruder was one of my recent contest entries.Howy of Albion liked it so much he decided to use it for the messer <img src="/forum/images/icons/cool.gif" alt="" />

I'm going to order that Mair as soon as I'm able <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

[Joachim Nilsson]

I hope the rapier is going to be nice and stiff, instead of yet another flexi-blade. If it is, I will definetly be looking at one of those, in addition to a longsword, and the I.33 arming sword.

I think it will be. The stiffness (or lack thereof) of modern rapiers is something that I and Peter discussed quite a lot the last time we met. I gave him a few "pointers" and shared my thoughts on what I percieve as what's good and what's not. I was careful to point out that a rapier that is too whippy might distort some of the techniques somewhat. He seemes very intrigued by what I had to say, and if I'm not entirely mistaken he said he wanted to make a rapier that was stiff, but still not so stiff that it would cause major damage (like the breaking of ribs caused by fairly light "prodding" with the rapier). In short: He'd try to get the best from two worlds: safe but still stiff enough.

Regards,

[Craig Peters]

Did anyone notice that the "Mair" used to be named the "Meyer" and the "Marozzo" the "Silver"? Does anyone know why Albion changed the names?

[Brian Hunt]

Well,

there are two schools of thought with the rapier, accurate stiff weapons where the safty and control have to come from the martial artist, or floppy and flexible where the safty is built into the weapon. I come from the former, especially having done way to much rapier with the latter school of thought. When the point of my weapon moves offline just by quickly changing the position of my weapon, something is wrong and my technique will suffer. Or when I come to a bind or do a beat, my weapon bounces like a spring, this will also adversely affect how I learn. It would really be nice to finally be able to buy a decent rapier that fits the criteria of the first frame of thought.

just my opinion on this.

Brian Hunt.
GFS.

[JeffGentry]

Hey Brian

I am with you on the control thing, I firmly believe that with any weapon it is better to have control of the weapon than to rely on the weapon to not hurt your opponent, they are weapon's and are supossed to hurt people.


Jeff

P.S. I also think that even they new Albion practice sword's will most likely still split your grape open after all the are metal.

[Joachim Nilsson]

It would really be nice to finally be able to buy a decent rapier that fits the criteria of the first frame of thought.

Of course. I think you misinterpreted my post somewhat, or rather: perhaps I wasn't expressing myself clearly enough. I just wanted to share what I and Peter have discussed and what I know about the Maestro Line at this particular moment in time. Maybe I shouldn't do too much "thinking aloud" when posting since I didn't intend to imply that Peter will design them based on a premise that the martial artist lacks control. He will, to my knowledge, design them with accuracy (as in stiffness etc) in mind, though while still keeping them within criteria of what he percieves as being suitable for a sparring weapon. In other words: Not a weapon that you could commit murder with if you wanted. And I think the Maestro Line rapier will fit just fine into the category you desire.

[Joachim Nilsson]

Did anyone notice that the "Mair" used to be named the "Meyer" and the "Marozzo" the "Silver"? Does anyone know why Albion changed the names?

I think the Mair/Meyer was because they simply hadn't decided which name to run with. As for the Marozzo it believe it had something to do with it being better suited for that sword. They will keep the Silver name reserved for a sword that better suits the Silver style of fencing. Howard Wadell explains it all over at myarmoury.com