Waster Sizing and Style

[Brian Dailey]

Greetings to all of you, and I preface my question by stating that I am a new comer to both ARMA (Don’t even know if my application has been accepted yet or not), and European Style of Martial Arts. I want too start things off right so it would appear that a wooden waster is in order, but I am unclear where to proceed from there. It appears from what I have read, on the ARMA web site, that the system encourages the study of form to first begin with a “long sword”. With that being said, I am somewhat bewildered as to the sizing of the waster as there seems to be many options; I also assume there is an “ideal fit” between height / body type to sword ( I am 6’ and a large frame 250 lbs.). I am only guessing, but I think that the Hand and a Half, 49 1/2” New Stirling Arms – Perfect waster with a fishtail pommel may be a proper choice, but this is where I could use some direction. I am looking to buy, and not attempt to make one at this time, so any and all comments and direction is truly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your time.

[david welch]

Hi, Brian!

That sounds like an excellent choice to me... of course that is what I use so I might be a little biased. <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

As far as I can tell, the Perfect wasters feel about as much like a real sword as you can get, and they are pretty well made... I have used mine for about a year now, and it is still in good shape.

[Jaron Bernstein]

NSA wasters are awesomely balanced. Far better than any other I have handled. But their pommels have broken off on me with some frequency in the past.

[Mike Chidester]

The NSAs are excellent weapons, I agree. And if they break, NSA is glad to repair or replace them. The long Bastard SWord waster is probably the one for you. If it helps you any, George Silver wrote that a properly-sized longsword should reach about to your armpit.

[Shane Smith]

The newer NSA wasters ARE especially nice if one I handled in Provo recently can be held as the standard. Stew Feils new one has really brought it all together in my opinion.

Like you, I am uncommonly tall at 6'3" and weigh about 210 pounds. I prefer longer swords to match my height. My wasters have 38-39" blades as do my swords, and a suitably longer pommel to balance it out.

Welcome to the forum <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

[leam hall]

I'm about the same size and I have the longer NSA hand and a half. I occasionally hit the tip of the blade in the ground; if I had it to do over I'd get the shorter "B" model.

As far a balance and quality, they are SWEET! A bit pricey but no one who has used mine didn't lust for it...

[David Kite]

Leam,

I don't have much experience with the longer NSA longsword wasters, but I do own the shorter "B" model. Mine was bought in March 2004, and I understand they've made improvements since then, but. . . Though NSAs are by far the best looking wasters I've seen, my "B" model has almost all of its weight and balance back in the hilt, thus robbing the blade of potential striking power, which is quite apparent when flourishing. The pommel is also very fat as compared to other wasters and cetainly vs steel pommels I have experience with.

Last summer at Jake Norwood's Meyer seminar was the waster's first time being used against another waster, and after two days of practice and drilling, the blade began splintering and breaking up along the grain. Nothing catastrophic, and I've got it sanded down and mostly smooth, but the waster has been retired solely to solo work and light 2-person drills. I doubt it would survive much free-play.

Other NSAs are highly praised by those that use them, so this is solely my experience and opinion of my own "B" model waster.

David Kite
GFS, ARMA in IN

[leam hall]

Good point--I'll note that mine has not had a lot of waster to waster full contact. We've done some knock-aways but I can't say she's made it through heavy use.

[Brian Dailey]

Thanks to all who replied for their assistance and recommendations! I ordered the New Stirling Arms Perfect Waster Model ‘A” and LOVE IT!! At the same time, I figured my sons would like to practice/spar with me, so I ordered a much less expensive “Two Handed Sword” made by Windless Steelcrafts, and I now know why it was less expensive. Keeping in mind I’m a novice at this, but lets just say one of the swords are now missing half the cross, and the strike was not that substantial, it lasted a whole 3 days. I couldn’t believe the feel, balance, and quality difference between the two wasters, but from my limited exposure I have to give the NSA high marks. Thanks again for the help!

[Ben Kamphaus]

Sorry to extend this thread futher, but I'm really struggling with which sort of waster to look at purchasing! I want to purchase an arming sword waster, and am split between Raven and NSA at the moment. Any help on making the plunge? Several people seem to have been rather pleased with both of these, insomuch as I've seen while searching the forums.

I am 6'1.5" and 180 lb. and have monkey arms.

Ben

[Aaron Pynenberg]

I like my Raven for it's craftsmanship, but it is very thick, and not weighted so well, I think you should go with the NSA waster myself-

[Mike Chidester]

I recommend the arming swords Brian Hunt makes, myself. I have an NSA, but his handle better.

[Kathryn_Woods]

Hello, everyone,

I've been looking for a good first waster, too, and on the basis of Matt A's and Jeff G's suggestions (thanks, guys!) I'm pretty well set on the NSA waster. But I also have a question on sizing.

> George Silver wrote that a properly-sized longsword
> should reach about to your armpit.

My right armpit is approximately 52" from the ground (I am 5'8" or 5'9" depending on who's taking the measurements). The long-sword wasters from Little Raven and from NSA are 48"(for the longest blade) and 49.5" (for the "A" sized hand-and-a-half sword), respectively.

If I'm supposed to find a sword that's as long as my armpit is high off the ground, then this must mean that I'm a veritable giant. Of course, I like to think so, but I'm only a bit taller than the average gal, so...

Does anyone else have any recommendations for properly sizing a waster? I'm strongly considering the "B" sized waster, since I handled a smaller Little Raven waster that another of the VAB group had and liked it, but I would like to make sure I'm not cheating myself out of proper technique by getting something that's not sized correctly.

Thanks in advance for your help!

-- Kat

[JeffGentry]

Hey Kat

From what i can tell most go with a standard 48 inch waster, Even the one's i make for myself are 48 inche's, if you can get the 49.5 inche from NSA I would.

Most of the replica/reproduction steel's are in the 46-48 inch range from what I have seen so with that in mind unless you have a steel custom made I doubt you will find a steel to fit your height either.



Jeff

[Mike Chidester]

An inch or two shy of your armpit is fine. If you were a few inches taller you might consider going for a greatsword instead, but for you the NSA long bastard sword would be best.

Stew just got a new one in the mail last wek, and the thing is balanced better than any waster I've ever seen. The thing handles like a dream. "Perfect" is rapidly becoming an accurate name for the NSA jobbies.