Hello with questions.

[Edwin_Stafford]

Hi. Well, my name's posted, so no need to give it again. I'm more or less a rapier fencer. Have trouble holding that up to boot. I've got a few questions for anyone who cares to answer.

I became aware of the ARMA back when it was the HACA due to a History Channel program. I also found out about the SCA at about the same time. Currently, I'm with the SCA, (please don't shoot). I've been told by someone who's in ARMA that there is some...I almost want to say bad blood between the two. I'm interested in LEARNING rapier. There's more to the middle ages than fight, which is where they come in, but I want to LEARN to fence. Would I be welcome in ARMA, or am I "tainted"?

The other two questions I'm having a bit of trouble posing. I was wondering if anyone used period dress when they fight, or if it's all the ARMA uniform (Black shorts and red shirt)? From what I understand from reading, some parts of the form have to change when historical garb is being worn. Otherwise, you get tangled up. The other question is something to complete my collection: could anyone recommend someone who makes stilettos? The Italian piercing/assassin's dagger? Just wondering. Thanks.

[Brian Hunt]

Hi Edwin,

played SCA for years before I ever heard of ARMA. Part of the problem with SCA rapier is the rules and performing acted out wounds (fighting from your knees, loss of the use of one limb). This actually changes what you can do and will effect the actual outcome of your rapier training. Are you training from historic manuals or are you currently trained in a SCA style (essentially sport fencing adapted to SCA rapier)? This will make a difference in what you need to relearn, what habits you need to train yourself out of in order to train in a more realistic manner. Remember the SCA is a game and at best it is a martial sport. As for bad blood between ARMA and the SCA, there are SCA members who hate John Clements and ARMA for pointing out the definicies in their sport and the limitations created by it in both heavy and rapier fighting. Personally I have never been offended by these observations because from the first time I was told to do acted out wounds I thought it was silly and a bit stupid. When I do rapier in the SCA now (something that only happens once in a great while to keep in contact with old friends), I will usually take any hit as a loss and retreat from the field rather than embark in acted out wounds .

hope this helps.

Brian Hunt
GFS

http://www.paulushectormair.com

[Andy Spalding]

I was wondering if anyone used period dress when they fight, or if it's all the ARMA uniform (Black shorts and red shirt)? From what I understand from reading, some parts of the form have to change when historical garb is being worn. Otherwise, you get tangled up.

Tangled up when you wear the garb or when you do not? Why and what parts of rapier would change depending on what you wear? This whole statement baffles me. It's like saying sport fencing technique only works correctly when wearing a fencing jacket.

[Jeffrey Hull]

Just FYI : I am sure that some ARMA fencers do wear replica period garb at times for practicing, most likely of red & black colour. I think it is a cool idea. Indeed, I have some replica period garments of my own.

However, this seems to me to be the simple sensible reason for having a simple outfit, a uniform consisting of red tee-shirt and black shorts/sweats:

It allows you to go straight away and work out in easily afforded modern clothing (maybe costing you as much as $30). Thus you may start your training without setback of $300-plus worth of period costuming. You are not finacially frelled from the get-go, especially when the $300-plus that you thus save could go to stuff that matters most like weaponry (authentic replica sword, etc.), protective gear (pads, helmet, cup), wasters, blunts and so forth, instead of going to stuff that really does not matter (like a musketeers outfit).

In other words, it is more important to focus on how to fight with authentic weaponry like they did in ye olden tymes than to look snazzy in authentic costuming like they wore in ye olden tymes.

[Jaron Bernstein]

I am friends with some SCA local members and one member of our local study group was in the SCA in the past. IMO the SCA is fine for some things (heraldry, brewing, calligraphy, dancing, music, craft skills, etc.). Those are all perfectly fine skills to have and practice. It is just that the ARMA approach to fighting (which you can read all about on this site) is very different than the SCA and I find our method far more preferable for a variety of reasons. Also, we only have one focus (reconstructing the arts using the ARMA method from period manuals), so we can develop a decent skill at one task rather than be mediocre at many.

For rapier training, I suggest John Clement's Renn. Swordsmanship for a good overview and the specific rapier and cut&thrust sword masters for more specific training. You can't go wrong with Capo Ferro, Di Grasi, Silver, Swetnam or Fabris.

The ARMA approach starts out with longsword as the core weapon, from which you may later branch out. If you learn it right, longsword is readily transferable to other tools (and unarmed).

As Jeffrey says, clothing and uniform shouldn't be a big worry. Your training and tools should be where you put your $$$ and effort.