The Armour Archive

Blaine de Navarre

I don't find certain weapon styles fun to fight; I'll fight them if I draw them in the lists, but for practice and pick-ups I'll generally take a pass unless I feel I need the specific practice.

Blaine de Navarre

T'ai Chi has specific movements that relate to SCA fighting. The big problem with trying to study T'ai Chi (Taijiquan if you're a commie) in the US is that there are upwards of a dozen unqualified teachers for every good one. Look for a teacher who A) knows his lineage and is happy to share it, B) k...

Blaine de Navarre

Doorman wrote:
InsaneIrish wrote:Physics is the only regulation. If you can heft it, you can use it.

So I could attach a strap and hand guard to an uncut sheet of plywood?

Hello bridge battle!

It's been done.

Blaine de Navarre

Unless you're really awesome, a lone fighter in a war is as useless as tits on a boar, so it won't really matter what kind of shield you have.

Join a unit. Train with your unit. Use whatever kind of shield your unit uses.

Blaine de Navarre

There is no maximum shield size SCA-wide or in Caid (I have no idea about any other Kingdoms).

There have, in the past, been size limitations and minimum size:weight ratios in Caid, but they've been gone for years now. I'm pretty sure there have never been any limits SCA-wide.

Blaine de Navarre

I tried to get mine at the actual center of balance. Hang the shield by one corner and draw a vertical line (a plumb bob helps) down from there, then hang from the other corner and do the same; where the lines cross is the center of balance. Many people like the boss a little above the center of bal...

Blaine de Navarre

This whole thread is making me want to find a like-minded opponent and do some HARD cut & thrust; I'll feel cheated if I don't curl up in a little ball and roll around on the grass at least once.

Blaine de Navarre

HG Ivan the Illustrated always gave up equal limbs Yes, he did. to lesser opponenets Nope, to everybody. He did it as a courtesy I'm not sure how he felt about arms, but on the issue of legs, he once explained to me that he did it because he found fighting on his feet against a legged opponent awkw...

Blaine de Navarre

In Caid, it was "regular practice" amongst a group of fighters to give up and match anything they took because they saw it as unfair. I would say it's regular practice here to give up an arm, but not a leg. There have never been more than a handful of fighters who would come down to their...

Blaine de Navarre

Around here, sheet brass can be found in most hardware stores.

Blaine de Navarre

Power comes from hip rotation. Hip rotation comes from pushing off the ground. You push off the ground with your back foot (and your front foot too, to a lesser extent.) When you pivot, or raise your heel, you are not pushing as effectively. So, I guess my old Sifu who could throw me across the roo...

Blaine de Navarre

AngusGordon wrote:Sascha St Martin

Y'all haven't knighted Sascha yet?!?!?

Blaine de Navarre

Events used to be show up, set up tournament, fight or watch tourney, set up for feast, feast and dance. Maybe there was an A&S competition or demonstration going on, but just as likely not. At that time, however, Heavy Combat WAS the FOCUS of the SCA. Maybe at one time, but not in the time I'v...

Blaine de Navarre

Which night?

Moon is full Thu 11/10, so still near full Fri 11/11 - I've always thought a full moon tourney would be a blast.

Blaine de Navarre

I'm the one in the mail. Not much change since the last time I posted a pic.

I have plans for a few minor changes in the near future.

Blaine de Navarre

There are a number of top fighters in the SCA who use small eye slots. While it is true that there are noticeable differences in visibility and breathing between closed- and open-faced helmets, the idea that the differences are so great as to preclude high-end fighting with closed faces is a flat ou...

Blaine de Navarre

I ordered a slightly customized version of one of their regular items, and I didn't count the days, but I don't think it took more than a couple weeks to ship. I'll definitely be doing business with them again.

Blaine de Navarre

Serg,

You are correct about these being totally non-historical. In the SCA many of us wear modern padding underneath our armour.

Blaine de Navarre

Sigifrith Hauknefr wrote:The oldest multiple Crown winner has to be HRH Edward the Sinister of Caid, no? This will be his 3rd reign in 4 years and he's over 50.

I'm not sure Ed's exact age, but I'm pretty sure he was over 45 when he started fighting in the SCA.

Blaine de Navarre

Realistically, if the 10,000 hour figure is correct, then I doubt there would be many- if ANY- fighters that have met that mark. You are talking 5 hours a week for 20 years to reach that goal. There are also a whole lot of variables that any hard figure just doesn't take into account. Sure...but......

Blaine de Navarre

OK, for a bit of background on my perspective: I started in my late teens, was getting pretty good for an unbelt in my early 20s but quit before reaching knight level; then I came back in my late 30s; I am 44 now and just getting back to the same level I was at when I was 24. So, I've experienced go...

Blaine de Navarre

Saritor wrote:
Blaine de Navarre wrote:Thanks, Dauyd, very helpful article, especially for the reference to the original research.

The 10,000 number itself is more likely from Bruce Lee, though his is on mastering a move, not muscle memory specifically.

The person I remember first hearing it from was Loren Christensen.

Blaine de Navarre

Thanks, Dauyd, very helpful article, especially for the reference to the original research.

Blaine de Navarre

Just a few observations: 1. I’m not sure how important general physical conditioning is; on one hand, you don’t see a lot of fat guys among the absolute best of the best in SCA combat, but on the other hand, it’s hard to say whether they’re great fighters because they’re in great shape, or they’re i...

Blaine de Navarre

Also - Don't fight two-sword against great waepon unless you are a two-sword god, and generally not even then.

Blaine de Navarre

I just did a chain hauberk with a bucket of evapo-rust from Pep Boys. One hour soaking in the stuff removed probably 85% of the rust. It is my understanding that I can leave it in overnight, and it will do even more. Yes, I regularly let my hauberk go overnight in the EvapoRust. Do not, however, le...

Blaine de Navarre

Any article of the lady's clothing that can be easily removed in public without causing a scandal: sleeve (detachable - shouldn't be torn off), glove, scarf, piece of jewelry.

Blaine de Navarre

How are you making the actual pommel? I would try to base the pommel size on weight to get the proper balance to the weapon.

Blaine de Navarre

Hrolfr wrote:Northshield will have a Prince of Love and Beauty Roisin for the win.

As long as Murdock is a Laddie-in-Waiting.

Blaine de Navarre

Vladimir wrote:Dr. Seuss is not period

Actually, other than writing in modern English, he is. His verse forms would easily pass muster with 12th C trouveres.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled penis size debate.

Blaine de Navarre

Ilia_Caid wrote:Due to the number of shin/calf shot I kept receiving I wear ice hockey shin guards

So we should aim for your ankles now? Thanks for the tip.

Blaine de Navarre

I recall a certain Crown Final in Caid...I was struck by the odd behavior of each holding their gauntleted hand up almost as if it were a mini buckler, and absolutely using it in that fashion. IIRC they both took more than one hit to said gauntleted hand, and either did not take the arm blow at all...

Blaine de Navarre

it is not the same in the East Kingdom...Should the hand be struck in any situation in a fight, it is considered not to count, since the hand is an illegal target. Really?!?!? So, in the East you can actively block a head shot with a gauntleted hand and not have it considered target substitution? W...

Blaine de Navarre

The hand was "already there", which does not constitute an active block, does it? I would generally consider holding the hand anywhere it would cover against a head shot, or any other position held out in front of you, active blocking, even if it were your "neutral" position. Ob...

Blaine de Navarre

it is not the same in the East Kingdom...Should the hand be struck in any situation in a fight, it is considered not to count, since the hand is an illegal target. Really?!?!? So, in the East you can actively block a head shot with a gauntleted hand and not have it considered target substitution? W...

Re: Preference in opponents's weapon style?

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