A few equipment questions

[Alan Abu Bakr]

I'm going to get some equipment, but I have some question regarding what to get, and how.

There are pages here, with instuctions for making sparring swords, but... could someone make a intruction video? (videos for bucklers and other weapons as well, wouldn't hurt of course)
Since I live in a different country, the types of foam, and such things, have different names.
Is there any possibility of anyone being able to help with that?
And what about knives and daggers?

Also I'm a bit lazy, so I've looked around for places to buy sparring swords.
In a tread here Realistic Sparring Weapons was mentioned, but it seems that they mainly concentrate on padding the blade, but the european swords do get the crossguard padded.
But what about the pommel?
(Also if anyone knows if, and in that case how well, they can pad the guards [and possibly the "pommels"] on the katanas and other weapons, I'm a bit curious about that)

And then there is the issue of head protection.
At the place I train at, we use "fencing" masks, but... isn't there a better alternative? One that protects against hits on the back of your head as well?

Oh, and, since I'm asking so many questions anyway, does anyone have any opinions about what kind of wasters I should get? (right now I don't have any)
A couple of wooden ones, or some plastic ones? (I'm kinda leaning towards plastic)

[Jaron Bernstein]

I'm going to get some equipment, but I have some question regarding what to get, and how.

There are pages here, with instuctions for making sparring swords, but... could someone make a intruction video? (videos for bucklers and other weapons as well, wouldn't hurt of course)
Since I live in a different country, the types of foam, and such things, have different names.
Is there any possibility of anyone being able to help with that?
And what about knives and daggers?

Also I'm a bit lazy, so I've looked around for places to buy sparring swords.
In a tread here Realistic Sparring Weapons was mentioned, but it seems that they mainly concentrate on padding the blade, but the european swords do get the crossguard padded.
But what about the pommel?
(Also if anyone knows if, and in that case how well, they can pad the guards [and possibly the "pommels"] on the katanas and other weapons, I'm a bit curious about that)

And then there is the issue of head protection.
At the place I train at, we use "fencing" masks, but... isn't there a better alternative? One that protects against hits on the back of your head as well?

Oh, and, since I'm asking so many questions anyway, does anyone have any opinions about what kind of wasters I should get? (right now I don't have any)
A couple of wooden ones, or some plastic ones? (I'm kinda leaning towards plastic)

I suggest these plastic wasters:

http://www.freewebs.com/wiwasters/

over wood.

You can go at almost full speed with them, they hurt a lot less than wooden wasters and bind more like steel.

And Albions for your steel blunts and sharps. Good gloves are a must. I have seen hockey goalie masks and various other types of sports helmets used to good effect. Just remember that your helmet needs to have some kind of mesh protecting the face, even if you add it later to another helmet. For rondels it can be as simple as taking a small rolled up catalog and wrapping it in duct tape, to a carefully lathed wooden rondel simulator. Fiberglass yard markers make dandy rapier simulators. Brian Hunt makes helmet specifically for historical fencing. Jeanry Chandler and Lance Chen make very good padded contact weapons if you want those.

[Alan Abu Bakr]

I suggest these plastic wasters:

http://www.freewebs.com/wiwasters/

Yeah, those are the plastic ones I was refering to.

Good gloves are a must.

Yes, well I already got some gloves. That wasn't to hard to get.
Those I have are gloves that are made for bandy (a sport that is kinda like ice hockey and thus the gloves are much like those for ice hockey)

I have seen hockey goalie masks and various other types of sports helmets used to good effect. Just remember that your helmet needs to have some kind of mesh protecting the face, even if you add it later to another helmet.

But how do I know if it's good enough? (the mesh/whatever that is)
And what alternatives lacks holes in it's mesh/whatever, that a dagger or rapier would go through?

For rondels it can be as simple as taking a small rolled up catalog and wrapping it in duct tape, to a carefully lathed wooden rondel simulator.

I don't know...
I would appreciate further suggestions.

Brian Hunt makes helmet specifically for historical fencing.

That sounds nice. Does he have a homepage?

Jeanry Chandler and Lance Chen make very good padded contact weapons if you want those.

Again, could you add a link?
Mere names (of those I don't know, at least) aren't any help.

[Brian Hunt]

Hi,

I am the fellow who makes the helmets. I do it part time and the current que is a little long, I am currently trying to get as many orders filled as possible before the ARMA international event so people will have their helms availible for that. I also make plastic bucklers and wasters as well, though I will add that WI wasters are a very nice product. I also do some 14th century steel armour (breast plates, arms legs, that type of thing). The best way to get hold of me is to private message me for details. As for my helmets, this will give you an idea of what they look like. http://www.emerytelcom.net/users/blhunt/helm.htm

Lance Chan's web site is

http://www.rsw.com.hk/

hope that helps.

Brian Hunt
GFS

P.S. I am a big fan of making your own equpment when possible.

[Alan Abu Bakr]

As for my helmets, this will give you an idea of what they look like. http://www.emerytelcom.net/users/blhunt/helm.htm

It's pretty nice that they even look like real medieval helmets (kinda)

Lance Chan's web site is

http://www.rsw.com.hk/

Ah, I already mentioned it in my first post though. (I'd still like to know if they pad the pommel though.)
But what about Jeanry Chandler who was also mentioned? I didn't find that name on www.rsw.com.hk.

P.S. I am a big fan of making your own equpment when possible.

Yes well, I'd gladly make some of the things myself, if only I knew how, and with what, that I'd be capable making it and that it wouldn't be much worse then what I could buy for a reasonable price.

[LafayetteCCurtis]

You mean your real name is "Alan, father of Bakr?"

[Alan Abu Bakr]

You mean your real name is "Alan, father of Bakr?"

Haha, no.
Abu can indeed mean "father of", but not in this case (well maybe it does, but it's not relevant).
Abu Bakr is not so uncommon a name in the middle east.

[Jeffrey Hull]

John Clements posted that he recommends these sparring shields

Martello Nero
http://www.martellonero.com/Shields_2.html

[Jaron Bernstein]

You can reach Jeanry Chandler at machete.spadona@gmail.com.

[Stacy Clifford]

As far as head protection goes, I've used a three-weapon fencing mask for years against wasters and steel blunts and found it more than adequate. It gets a bit battered now and then and needs to be banged out with a hammer, but that's never affected the level of protection I get from it. As for getting hit in the back of the head, well, don't let them do that.

[Alan Abu Bakr]

As for getting hit in the back of the head, well, don't let them do that.

Well, I'm pretty much a beginner and the head isn't exactly a part, where I want to haveing lacking protection someplace because it's unlikely that I'll get hit there. This is a matter of basic safety, and of the head (the part with the brain) no less. I'd rather be safe then sorry.
Also it hurts. (happened to me once)
It's unlikely that I'll get hit in the crotch, but I do not intend to skip protecting it.

Hmm... Anyone know of some way to get protection for the neck?

My priorities regarding getting info:
1. Full contact sparring swords (I'll email Lance Chan's shop about my pommel question. I'd still like to know how to make my own though, if anyone would be willing to make a instuction video)
2. Head gear
3. Neck gear if available
...
...
4. Full contact sparring rondel (and maybe other knives/daggers)
5. Full contact sparring buckler? (that is, somewhat soft)
6. Other stuff
(as to wasters... well I've pretty much decided anyway)

[Jaron Bernstein]

My priorities regarding getting info:
1. Full contact sparring swords (I'll email Lance Chan's shop about my pommel question. I'd still like to know how to make my own though, if anyone would be willing to make a instuction video)

Our local study group used Jeanry's paddeds safely for some time. I have heard good things about Lance Chen's as well. Just be aware that all training tools (padded, wasters, blunts and sharps) have their proper role.

2. Head gear

Sport fencing masks are commonly available and fine for most of what you will need. Hockey goalie masks are good also. Heck, look at the options and see if you can't come up with something better. If you do, let us know.

3. Neck gear if available

We have never needed it. The bib on a fencing mask suffices.
...
4. Full contact sparring rondel (and maybe other knives/daggers)

A stick (broomhandles) with a very blunt end that you can put some padding on. Jay Vail can likely offer suggestions.

5. Full contact sparring buckler? (that is, somewhat soft)

Don't bother with a soft buckler. If you are sparring with it, the other fellow should be wearing a mask. You can punch a masked person quite hard with a Brian Hunt ABS plastic buckler, register a very solid hit, but not inflict an injury.

6. Other stuff
(as to wasters... well I've pretty much decided anyway)[/quote]

Plastics!

[Alan Abu Bakr]

Just be aware that all training tools (padded, wasters, blunts and sharps) have their proper role.

Yes, I know. I'll get blunts later. When I have more money.
And sharps too eventually.

Sport fencing masks are commonly available and fine for most of what you will need. Hockey goalie masks are good also. Heck, look at the options and see if you can't come up with something better. If you do, let us know.

Hm...
If anyone knows of a place with transparent plastic facemask (or whatever they're called) for hockey helmets I'd like to know. I tried searching for them, some time ago. I could only find versions with holes on the lower part. (which actually is better for hockey, but...)

Don't bother with a soft buckler. If you are sparring with it, the other fellow should be wearing a mask. You can punch a masked person quite hard with a Brian Hunt ABS plastic buckler, register a very solid hit, but not inflict an injury.

I don't think that a little padding would hurt.
Of course, I've never been hit with a buckler of any kind...

[Brian Hunt]

If you are really worried about neck or throat injuries use a steel gorget with some padding in the neck area. 18 or 16 gage steel will be plenty. Also, I have a plastic gorget that I have used in the past that I like very well the times I have needed it.

Brian Hunt.
GFS

http://www.paulushectormair.com

[Jason Taylor]

Hm...
If anyone knows of a place with transparent plastic facemask (or whatever they're called) for hockey helmets I'd like to know. I tried searching for them, some time ago. I could only find versions with holes on the lower part. (which actually is better for hockey, but...)

Try HockeyGiant.com. They usually have, well, pretty much everything. I got my helmet there.

Jason