question about a practice longsword...

[Scott W. Riley]

I wanted to ask about something you could use for longsword practice. I was scrounging around my garage and noticed that the handle of a pushbroom would be about the length of a longsword or a nice zweihander. It's 5 feet long and about an inch in diameter. It probably weighs about a pound, but I was thinking it'd be perfect for getting used to moving around with something that long. The least I could do would be to go through the motions of cuts, thrusts and guards. Any thoughts or opinions?

[Curt Dunham]

That's what I used in the begining while waiting for my steel blunt. However, I drilled a hole and inserted a threaded rod for a cross to help me with edge alignment and screwed on a solid steel drawer pull as a pommel to pull the CG nearer the cross where it belongs.

[Scott W. Riley]

That's great, man. Was yours made out of plastic or of wood? I have one of each, and was wondering which one you used. Thanks for the help.

[Curt Dunham]

It was wood. Later I got a New Stirling Arms waster (a Davenriche) which I really liked until I got my Albion Meyer blunt steel. The Albion made everything I was trying to do actually work.

But $500 is $500 and free is free. The broomstick will help you develop the "muscle memory" that the Albion will unleash.

Good luck.

[danielcarcich]

I am currently using a approx 50" wooden dowel with glue + tongue depressor guard. The whole thing is worked over in duct tape and the hilt is wound with regular string to give it a bit of a grip. We screwed some washers onto the hilt to create a pommel and some balance... currently at around 6" past the guard. Does this sound right to people?

I am hoping this will suffice for practicing until I can get enough money for a waster.

PS My career (classical guitar performance) requires that I don't damage my hands and from what I have seen on this forum lacrosse gloves seem like one of the best bets for protection. For those that use them, can you name some specific types and brands you use that you have found to have "better" dexterity?

[Doug Marnick]

PS My career (classical guitar performance) requires that I don't damage my hands and from what I have seen on this forum lacrosse gloves seem like one of the best bets for protection. For those that use them, can you name some specific types and brands you use that you have found to have "better" dexterity?

This is a topic that has come up often. Although the recent trend is toward less protection, we have to balance safety with authentic learning. Yet, the safety is more about how you train that what you wear. Good luck!

I don't know which threads you've seen so far, but you may find the following threads useful.

http://www.thearma.org/forum/viewtopic. ... ght=gloves

http://www.thearma.org/forum/viewtopic. ... ght=gloves

http://www.thearma.org/forum/viewtopic. ... ght=gloves

http://www.thearma.org/forum/viewtopic. ... ght=gloves

http://www.thearma.org/forum/viewtopic. ... ght=gloves

[danielcarcich]

Thanks Doug! I missed one or two of those in my search queries.

The best bet looks like it'll rest among lacrosse gloves from PlayItAgainSports, Defense "SAP" Gloves (http://www.trueswords.com/defense-glove ... -3075.html), or the riot gloves some people speak highly of from Galls.

I would really appreciate some pros and cons for these options if anyone has a little time.

PS Check out this resource for Airsoft

http://www.airsoftretreat.com/forums/in ... opic=706.0

A sticky buying guide on a forum with specific approved equipment (wasters, arm guards, helms, gloves, etc etc etc) and links to them could really benefit this forum. Provide a single place for people to go that continues to be updated and added to and it'll a) save people searching through hundreds of posts and b) cut down on the new thread spam on the same old subject. All you need is someone to post a equipment/gear guide thread and be willing to keep it updated with people's replies.

[Jaron Bernstein]

I am currently using a approx 50" wooden dowel with glue + tongue depressor guard. The whole thing is worked over in duct tape and the hilt is wound with regular string to give it a bit of a grip. We screwed some washers onto the hilt to create a pommel and some balance... currently at around 6" past the guard. Does this sound right to people?

I am hoping this will suffice for practicing until I can get enough money for a waster.

PS My career (classical guitar performance) requires that I don't damage my hands and from what I have seen on this forum lacrosse gloves seem like one of the best bets for protection. For those that use them, can you name some specific types and brands you use that you have found to have "better" dexterity?

I also am unable to work with broken fingers. Lacrosse gloves, while offering protection, are also quite clumsy. I have been using motocross gloves like these:

http://www.jcmotors.com/pc-9151-1223-fo ... loves.aspx

for the past year or so with good results. They protect your hands while still allowing for good hilt dexterity.

[Sal Bertucci]

Go with Mitten Gauntlets for authenticity!!!!!

[Jonathan Newhall]

Mitten gauntlets? More info Sal?

[Sal Bertucci]

Fourth and fifth picture down.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.stgeorgearmoury.co.uk/images/gauntlet1OP.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.stgeorgearmoury.co.uk/page5.html&usg=__iG6lsyByNMHwthH-wCMcyPauL8A=&h=285&w=451&sz=14&hl=en&start=3&um=1&tbnid=w-AK2jB0r4hXxM:&tbnh=80&tbnw=127&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmitten%2Bgauntlet%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1