The Armour Archive

DukeAvery

If this hasn't been pointed out - make sure the thickness of the temporary is a standard thickness as the good stuff is at the hardware store or windrose etc. Camping mat manufacturers may (or may not) constrain themselves to hardware store sizes (for example).

Regards

Avery

DukeAvery

I have a couple of chronic injuries myself. I've learned to use ice, ibuprofen (as little as possible), accupuncture, egoscue, stretching, learning new shot mechanics, and other stuff I'm not remembering to treat it. Get with health professionals, these methods can put you back on the field. Good lu...

DukeAvery

Thank you for saying this. Not that it will make an ounce of difference...but I feel I should say it. There is nothing wrong with combat in the SCA...Sir Corby is very right in his assessment: it is as safe as it can be, while allowing most people to be involved. So lets stop trying to change it...i...

DukeAvery

I thought that was what it was for - you can tell how pipes I've insulated. Yes, it is great stuff and doesn't catch the eye. In the last few years I've become interested in learning more about authentic padding techniques as well - if it works for falling off horses it will work for the sca (I opin...

DukeAvery

I like the 'gooey' black foam. It has a very gelatinous texture. The blue foam I'm familiar with (camping mat foam) is less resilient and feels dryer. It seems less protective to me.

Regards

Avery

DukeAvery

Very interested, thank you. Studies of authentic methods fascinate me (subject to available time etc), but doing the initial research is beyond my interests and a vast undertaking. My profuse thanks to those who do the work for us all to share and present it in the 'inspire' format. It seems to me t...

DukeAvery

This attempt at visualization may be helpful; In right vs. right, or left vs. left, the fight is square shaped - your shield is naturally opposed to your opponent's sword and your sword is naturally opposed by your opponent's shield on the respective sides of the body. In left vs. right, the fight i...

DukeAvery

I like to make a cardboard mock up of a new shield blank and put some tape handles on it. "Heft" the mock up while in armor, try various guards and blocks and see if the mountings you've chosen agree with you or not and tweak it until it does. This method isn't perfect, but I find it helpf...

DukeAvery

I know of at least one knight who was interested in spear and shield in tournament. You might want search for any spear and shield threads and maybe start your own if there aren't any. I would start with a short spear and consider an overhand grip targeting thighs, bicept and face. Go heavy on the h...

DukeAvery

... when all we are asking for is people to not come to the field looking like a stormtrooper or a guy who was at dicks sports when the tornado suddenly hit. I agree this is a beneficial goal for any kingdom. Thank you for clarifying your point. I'm not convinced one way or the other (like others),...

DukeAvery

An interesting point. I would opine that the sca generally succeeded far beyond at least most people's expectations, but past a certain point it hasn't scaled, um, as gracefully as could be hoped. The SEM has a tough job really, dealing with numerous kingdoms and constantly changing monarchs. And ye...

DukeAvery

I'm 'from' kingdoms that already have these, or greater, appearance standards. I do believe in the principles of 'kingdom rights', however. I don't think that expressing such opinions, either by myself or others, your Grace, reasonably calls for either the label 'bullshit' or eye rolling, which are ...

DukeAvery

Checks and balances? I personally think the society with fewer kingdom rules and more regional rules would more closely structurally reflect how we actually 'play'. I wouldn't want one region 'dictating' to another. For example, I wouldn't want Pennsic telling Estrella how to spear fight, or the rev...

DukeAvery

Drive the small shield with the whole body, keeping it close to the center of your mass until the moment of commitment. After the block, reverse the process to recover. Don't push, pull. Confound powerful opponents by voiding their attacks. Learn to spot your opponent's tells and erase your own. Arm...

DukeAvery

I support venues that have substantial amounts of missile free or missile restricted sca combat. I know that many enjoy CA, and so I don't mind that there are CA battles. In the matter of what is or not childish, we parents call it "sharing". Kids and sca fighters the world over intensely ...

DukeAvery

In my opinion, there are few finer experiences in the sca than fighting with a properly sized iron rimmed and steel spined center-grip shield, as depicted in the photo of the 'Viking Valkyrie' pendant linked above (ty!). Don't forget a carry strap (the ends of the spines are good attachment points)....

DukeAvery

Many kingdoms use limited targeting for one weapon or another to good effect. It tends to calm most tempers, and those that aren't are far more easily managed by event staff.

Regards

Avery

DukeAvery

My armor bag weighs about 50lbs when I fly* (everything but boots and weapons), so I upped the kettlebell I was holding for lunges from 15lb held out to 35lb held in and my total session count went down about 30% and I'm nicely sore today in the legs. I'll slowly increase this. I also did some mediu...

DukeAvery

I'm going to look at building a sword bell as well. After talking to my trainer I'll use it as a kind of strengthing exercise using drill moves (resulting in soreness that will regrow as increased muscle power). I'll continue to use sparring weight weapons for developing form and time. I'll do the s...

DukeAvery

Dear Duke Sauron Hope the 4th dimension is treating you well. I've been good myself, but the truth is I'm a little bored with the whole evil lefty duke thing. It's been good for me, but I'm interested in exploring other options now. Let me know if that opening on the nine is still available. Would I...

DukeAvery

Can we turn down the volcanic trembling this time? Last time you kids played on Mt. Doom we had dishes falling and everything all the way out here on the west coast - it upset my hot trophy wife.

Regards

Avery

DukeAvery

Greetings I know of least four dukes who do not subscribe to the "sink or swim" approach. I have never seen such an approached used at a Bellatrix Fighting School practice. That doesn't mean we don't go full on - why I remember practicing with Marc du Arundel just before he won coronet. Th...

DukeAvery

And on top of all that, don't forget to stay hydrated, get enough sleep, and eat right to maximize the benefits of all that hard work.

Regards

Avery

DukeAvery

We seem to be veering off course. The other non-nationalistic material was far funnier and less mean.

Just a thought.

Regards

Avery

DukeAvery

There are different schools of thought on where a snap originates. Core is key for power, I agree.

Regards

Avery

DukeAvery

Both.

I most often open with my shield foot forward to extend my power and range. I will snipe with my sword foot forward when I'm gathering information about my opponent's defense without revealing too much about my own.

Avery

DukeAvery

You want to train to rapidly decelerate or "pull back" the shot at the last instant. My goal is to rock my opponent's head 20 to 45 degrees at Estrella. At Pennsic, where lots of guys get excited about more than 10 or 15 degrees, I don't use lunge attacks to the face, and certainly not two...

DukeAvery

Any active sca form lays the groundwork for spear fighting. Shooting a tetherball is always good practice. The more athletic you are the better spear fighter you'll be. I like kettlebells (I use 20lbs both because of old injuries and because I can whip them around, for a time). Some jogging is good ...

DukeAvery

For a time I despaired of ever being able to block effectively with a 24" round. My trainer got me past this by introducing me to drills where a fast opponent would start by throwing the same fast shot over and over but very slowly. As the drill progresses, the thrower slowly increases the spee...

DukeAvery

My favorite sca war is now Pennsic, despite the game play changing rules in place for spears, because of the large number of diverse scenarios available.

Regards

Avery

DukeAvery

If I may suggest, take a look at the "honorable combat archery" thread in the philosophy forum. It is explores some of the issues in a positive light. Otherwise, unless there is new information, I try not to revisit this discussion. My advice, for any who care to consider it, is to go fort...

DukeAvery

Many thanks, this is comedy gold and greatly cheered my morning.

Regards

Avery

DukeAvery

I've come to realize that we as people easily become very attached to our gear and methods. Because of these attachments, we have difficulty viewing any potential changes concerning our gear and methods objectively. I know this, because I was once very attached to spear fighting, and I remain very a...

DukeAvery

My first suit was a carpeted horror ala visby in which I was a danger to no one and no one was a danger to me. I spent a dozen hours sewing working on it at Lady Eichling's house. I would ask, "Is this good enough?" to which they would always reply, "Whatever you feel comfortable in.&...

DukeAvery

Palmam qui meruit ferat

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_frond

Re: WMA video's

First Suits Thread