I’m new, and have a ton of questions. I’ll try not to make this too long (but it will be) and feel free to comment on any part, anytime. My questions, comments, observations in no particular order:
My MA background—none. Fee paid last month (thanks for the forum welcome!) haven’t received anything else.
No study group, and at this point I can only assume there are none near me.
Equipment: Books by Oakshott, Anglo, Clements, CodexW, some downloads in a folder. No cutters, blunts, padded weapons, received two waster a couple days ago. I chose PurpHeart (long and single) because of the ones that indicated weight, it seemed they are closest to “real” sword weight (approx 2.5# long). Anybody modify theirs to make more accurate feel? Light elbow, knee pads, hard cup, just got Galls forced entry gloves, no mask. Why spar gear w/out study group? First day with wasters tried out w/ my 12yr son, showed him some book stuff from JC longs section (positions, cuts, parries) and tried them. Then used it with some light, slow, very awkward sparring (but don’t laugh—he’s got 2 blackbelts from EMA, and my 10yr daughter has one—they are fast and coordinated—and high level gymnasts both). That was so fun! Takes all of a minute to figure out that sparring is the key. But obvious that it wasn’t going to be long before someone would get hurt. So, recommendations on gear, especially masks, with some neck protection (3 weapon, whatever that means)? My kids will probably get into this (does that mean we can be our own study group?) so I’ll be forking out cash in triplicate.
Padded sword: Saw your how-to, I’m not that handy (and have no tools yet—just moved from England--near Ely, coincident to your web vids!--prior military, no house and goods for another 6 weeks). Does anybody make/sell your recommended?
Cutter: Cost = ouch. Eyeballing A&A Black Prince, seems good middling tool for longsword focus. Anybody use this? Opinions? Other suggestions?
Pell: Before I had anything I got a wild hair and made a man-pell, copied mostly from the “dummy” link on PurpHeart links, modified some at base, filled in torso for thrust feedback. Seems a really good thing, something to move around, focus on, better than trying out moves only in open (but my neighbors have been giving me funny looks). For rookies with no one to practice with I’d recommend.
ARMAtruth.com. That’s funny, you should put that in ARMA site links.
Training: Not much to say. Should I expect further “how-to” guidance on getting started in the mail? Otherwise, I use JC book (still reading beginning, but flip to longs as reference), replay the web vids, pause, slow-mo, try to copy. Also do a little at lunch hour, just shadow movements trying to get from position to position, transition cuts, at archery range (good warm-up for my old, fat self and bad shoulder before shooting EngLongbow). So, 2 questions: How to avoid specific rookie injury? Ex: when I started longbow I hurt shoulder—not pulling arm as you’d assume, just holding arm, a stabilization problem—who would’ve thought? Somebody probably has had something specific I want to avoid. Is there another part of web site for members with further instruction?
Enough for now, but finally: Anybody doing this near San Luis Obispo, CA?
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