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Greetings from a newbie...

For Historical European Fighting Arts, Weaponry, & Armor

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Scott W. Riley
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Aug 09, 2008 12:57 pm
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA/Charlotte, NC

Greetings from a newbie...

Postby Scott W. Riley » Sat Aug 09, 2008 2:58 pm

Hello,

I'm relatively new to the majesty and glory that is the Medieval/Renessaince Martial Arts. I just found this website a few days ago and I am thrilled to start with some handmade wasters and a homemade pell soon. I'm looking to do this as a way of honoring my ancestors. Between the Riley's (a.k.a. O'Reilly's - had a reputation for loving a good fight, we still do :lol:), the Webster's (septs of the clan MacFarlane who fought with William Wallace at Falkirk), the Dewey's (who were granted land after helping William the Conqueror defeat King Harold II at Hastings), and the Bowerset's (well-known bowmakers throughout Scotland) I figure there's no better way to honor my ancestors than to learn the fighting styles they used.

I have done some theatrical swordplay, but I could still tell that if I were to be transported back in time that I wouldn't last on a battlefield. I was wondering if any of you could give me some tips as far as what to do and what not to do (in regards to where to buy quality practice swords, combat-worthy swords & armor, what styles would be good for a newbie like me to learn, et cetera...). I am truly looking forward to not only learning this for myself, but to pass it down to my children when they come along. If they're anything like me or their mother, they'll look forward to kicking their old man's arse :wink: . So yeah, any help would be greatly appreciated.

May you find your enemies at the business end of your weapons...

Sincerely,

Scott W. Riley
If you're lucky enough to be Irish, then you're lucky enough. - Irish proverb
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Will Adamson
Posts: 378
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2005 11:01 pm
Location: Abingdon, VA

Postby Will Adamson » Sat Aug 09, 2008 6:33 pm

How often are you in Charlotte? I'm down there one weekend a month. I can show you my current armory of toys, and library of manuals.

Everyone has their own opinions on this type of thing. But I like New Stirling Arms for wood wasters, and With-Intent for plastic. Albion for both blunt and sharp steel. Look at the links page of the ARMA website.

To get started you really just need a good waster. The next time I'm in Charlotte I'd be happy to show you how we do sparring with paddeds and maybe the plastics.
"Do you know how to use that thing?"
"Yes, pointy end goes in the man."
Diego de la Vega and Alejandro Murrieta from The Mask of Zorro.
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Scott W. Riley
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Aug 09, 2008 12:57 pm
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA/Charlotte, NC

wow...

Postby Scott W. Riley » Sat Aug 09, 2008 8:59 pm

thanks so much for offering your help. we'll be moving down to charlotte in about a month or so, and i will gladly take you up on your offer. thanks again for the advice. btw, sweet monty python quote. \m/
If you're lucky enough to be Irish, then you're lucky enough. - Irish proverb
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Ben Strickling
Posts: 50
Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2005 10:38 am
Location: Raleigh, NC

Re: wow...

Postby Ben Strickling » Sun Aug 10, 2008 10:52 am

Scott W. Riley wrote:thanks so much for offering your help. we'll be moving down to charlotte in about a month or so, and i will gladly take you up on your offer. thanks again for the advice. btw, sweet monty python quote. \m/


Hey Scott,

I live in Raleigh, which isn't right around the corner, but it's close enough we could probably meet up once and a while, if you'd like. Maybe I could drive down one weekend when Will's down there and the three of us could get together. Let me know when you get settled and maybe we can get something organized.

I would second Will's sword recommendations, though a homemade waster works great if you're handy with wood. They're certainly cheaper :)

Ben Strickling
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Scott W. Riley
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Aug 09, 2008 12:57 pm
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA/Charlotte, NC

the seeds have been planted...mwa-ha-ha-ha...

Postby Scott W. Riley » Sun Aug 10, 2008 8:04 pm

This is so incredible. I would definitely be interested in all of us getting together, and my wife is also interested in learning this as well. I'm going to write John and see what he would recommend for her to learn with us since . Also, I might have two friends moving down with me that might want to learn this stuff, too. It sounds like we might be able to do a little study group together. thanks for all the input.
If you're lucky enough to be Irish, then you're lucky enough. - Irish proverb
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David Black
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Sep 19, 2008 7:47 am
Location: Charlotte, NC

Postby David Black » Fri Sep 19, 2008 8:00 am

Hi folks. I'm also in Charlotte NC and would be interested in training....if you don't mind beating up on a mid-40's age guy. :) I've had a life long interest in the Dark and Middle Ages and actually did my senior paper on The Evolution of Arms and Armor in the Middle Ages for my Anthropology/Archaeolgy degree some years back. Working with computers now..who knew? Used to be a SCA member but this kind of training is what I've always been looking for.
David Black
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Sal Bertucci
Posts: 591
Joined: Fri May 02, 2008 8:04 pm
Location: Denver area, CO

Postby Sal Bertucci » Fri Sep 19, 2008 9:11 am

I'll go ahead and tip you off that the rule state you need to have your full name when posting.
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David Black
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Sep 19, 2008 7:47 am
Location: Charlotte, NC

Postby David Black » Fri Sep 19, 2008 10:28 am

Corrected thanks.
David Black
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Randall Pleasant
Posts: 872
Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2002 3:35 pm
Location: Flower Mound, Texas, USA

Postby Randall Pleasant » Fri Sep 19, 2008 11:47 am

David

Well I'm an early 50s ex-anthropologist now working as a software engineer and my fellow ARMA don't mind beating on me. :P
Ran Pleasant
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David Black
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Sep 19, 2008 7:47 am
Location: Charlotte, NC

Postby David Black » Fri Sep 19, 2008 12:29 pm

That's comforting. :D
David Black
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Ben Strickling
Posts: 50
Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2005 10:38 am
Location: Raleigh, NC

Postby Ben Strickling » Sat Sep 20, 2008 9:56 am

David Black wrote:Hi folks. I'm also in Charlotte NC and would be interested in training....if you don't mind beating up on a mid-40's age guy. :) I've had a life long interest in the Dark and Middle Ages and actually did my senior paper on The Evolution of Arms and Armor in the Middle Ages for my Anthropology/Archaeolgy degree some years back. Working with computers now..who knew? Used to be a SCA member but this kind of training is what I've always been looking for.


Hey David,

Good to hear from you. I'd definitely be interested in getting together sometime. I'll send you a PM.

Ben Strickling
Raleigh, NC
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