| Sword Show 2002 - Las Vegas
This weekend in Las Vegas we had the pleasure
of attending the Sword Show 2002 hosted by CAS Iberia (CASI), as well as the Museum
Replica’s Limited (MRL) arms and armor show. We
saw a lot of swords. ARMA was on hand to
preview what was coming out, what new develops were in store, and to help express the
historical fencing community’s interest as well as consult on desirable elements in
good blades, hilts, and weapons for training, drilling, or test cutting. |
Paul Chen showing Anthony Indurante a new CASI two-hander
|
 Earlier, in the morning
ARMA Director John Clements gave a sword study day for 5 local practitioners and ARMA
member, Anthony Indurate. We had a good time
in the clear desert air going over foundational elements for long-sword of the Medieval
German school and aspects of Italian masters. We
covered guards, stances, cuts, cutting exercises, the three ways of cutting, the three
ranges, the three times of attacking, footwork, basic concepts, and techniques, plus some
half-swording and entering actions. It was a
pleasure to introduce such serious enthusiasts to the sophistication and effectiveness of
the historical techniques and principles and show something of what the ARMA method of
training consists of. (It also happened to be John's 37th birthday and all he got
was a few brusied knuckles).
| Saturday evening at the MRL suite we met with their chief designer, Bruce Brookhart,
and talked about new pieces and what elements the historical fencing community was looking
for in pieces. Bruce was able to tell us a
good deal about the selection and design process of how a piece makes it from conception
to catalog. We were able to see several new
swords coming from MRL, including a splendid Medieval estoc --the original historical
piece which I have had chance to play with in the past.
The replica was especially light, and would even make a perfect extra long rapier
ala’ Camillo Agrippa’s 1553 text. We also saw a very nice type XV arming sword
inspired by Oakeshott’s own personal favorite piece. It was an especially stiff blade
with a distinctly high riser. There was also
a new Bastard sword that was very promising. |
John demonstrates a longsword technique
from the 15th century Codex wallerstein text. |
Inspecting a long CAS Iberia foiled
rapier. |
The shows were an excellent opportunity
to see the latest forthcoming pieces from leading sword manufacturers and to talk directly
with them about the needs of the historical fencing community as well as the increasing
awareness among sword consumers of historical accuracy and desirable sword attributes. We were able to discussed a range of issues from
the need for quality hilts and handles, the need for good training weapons as well as
sharps, and the interest in more obscure sword forms such as messers, dussacks, estocs,
and small-swords. We of course saw several prototype swords that seemed very promising
(but until you get your hands on a production copy, it’s best not to say
anything).
 CAS Iberia had several impressive new Hanwei pieces, including a
unique basket-hilt Scottish backsword training blade made extra thick to take practice
abuse yet surprisingly light and very well balanced.
Such as weapon holds promise for future training blades of other sword
types. A Renaissance two-hander CASI had was
the best balanced replicas of such a weapon I personally have yet seen. CASI also had two excellent foiled rapier blades
---ones with blunted metal tips, and which were not flexi-rapiers but stiffer training
weapons. Their weight and balance was very
good. We were excited by these and welcome
the development as we are transitioning in ARMA away from flexible rapiers due to
disappointment in their performance and the lack of historical precedent for their use in
the Renaissance. Because the blades will also
be offered alone, it will allow students to have them custom hilted by their favorite
cutler.
 The high performance knife company, Cold Steel, was also on hand
with some of their new line of swords. They plan an ambitious line with several
promising pieces. We also has a brief chance to chat with their rep, Robert Vaughn, who
practices with the infamous Dog Brothers. James
Williams of Bugei, a sword enthusiast and martial artist always fascinating to talk to,
was also available. We also met the
proprietors of “By The Sword” out of Ft. Myers Florida, and local sword maker
Ken Haren of Grendel’s arm in Las Vegas. We
encountered representatives of a new company, Acero Teldano, offering costume swords and
prop weapons, but also telling us they have an interest in offering training blades.
We’ll keep an eye on developments. Other
pieces on display were from the Valiant line as well as others from Depeeka.
We’re unable to say when any of the swords we examined or
previewed will be available or what price ranges they’ll be in, except expect them
sometime in the next 6 months somewhere around the usual costs.
On another note, we learned that at least one company, no names
please, it seemed made the decision to make blades to meet lowest common denominator
interest, in other words, appealing to the ignorance of consumers rather than trying to
educate them into what are the true historical attributes of real swords and why such
replicas would be desirable to have. Instead
of making more accurate weapons, which they certainly know how to do and are capable of,
they now are making blades to meet what a fickle portion of the current market
“thinks” it wants in a sword. This is a discouraging development and as
community leaders we made our opinion known.
On the positive side, we saw improvements in wares over the 2000
show, noted the continuing decline of "wallhangers", and spending time chatting
with fellow sword enthusiasts and knowledgeable manufacturers was very useful. Having them listen to our opinions on the needs of
the historical fencing and the quality of pieces was certainly beneficial. We look forward to what will be offered in coming
months. |
