Just started historic fencing

sloonan · 02-05-2010, 12:40 AM

I went to practice tonight for historic fencing (SCA fencing) and had a great time. I learned a few stances and basic movement as well as a few basic parries and sword control. The Schlager blade was lots of fun, the Rapier a little heavier. I get to use loaner gear for a month or two till I decide I like it enough to get my own.
Thursdays are practices and I'm already looking forward to next week's practice.

Stripes · 02-05-2010, 12:42 AM

I've always thought fencing looked fun

Finally got to use this smilie

PistolRogue · 02-05-2010, 01:03 AM

I did a little of this with a friend I used to work with years ago. It was fun, but at the time it was too time/money intensive for my college student 20 work-hours-a-week budget lol... Plus, I'm no good with roleplay, just can't get comfortable at it, especially in public.

alpha434 · 02-05-2010, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stripes

I've always thought fencing looked fun

Finally got to use this smilie

This isn't fencing like you see in the Olympics. This is fencing like you see kids playing dressed up with wooden swords. No offense intended.

I did the former for four years growing up. It improved my discipline and honed my aggression. I can't see the long term benefits of the latter.

PistolRogue · 02-05-2010, 01:45 AM

Hey now, I think thats a bit harsh. From what little experience I had with it, I think it, like any other martial art, offers just as much of a lesson in discipline and control as collegiate fencing would. I took Tae Kwon Do until I was one test out from black belt, and still thought the fencing workouts I did were no joke.

cobyrne · 02-05-2010, 04:28 AM

There are schools for old European martial arts (including different weapons and wrestling) that aren't associated with SCA or roleplaying. There is a school in Vancouver (Academie Duello) that I went to a couple of times. It was great and as serious as any martial arts dojo I've ever been to. I'd highly recommend it.

Drum · 02-05-2010, 06:01 AM

Dude... it is always something different with you... a new week, a new hobby!

Be sure to wear that piece of chainmail you made and if a "squire" asks you to take of your codpiece for some special training or pictures, let your curly toed shoes beat feet and get thee gone forsooth!

sloonan · 02-05-2010, 08:03 AM

Stripes - Will try to take a pic or two next week if the other participants agree. They don't just use single sword, it's pretty cool watching people use two swords.

ITSPB-Rogue - No role-play involved my good man. The SCA persona thing is only applicable if people want to do it after the fencing at events.

alpha434 - No offense intended but Olympic fencing is really corny. They use foil and epee which are children's practice swords and you move back and forth in a straight line, it's not real swordplay.

cobyrne - I appreciate it but I am no where near Vancouver and this practice is only $6 a week and the practice space is only 10 blocks from my apartment.

Drum - LOL, I only do a few things, EMS once a week, paintball a few times a year, the chainmail keeps my hands busy while watching TV, and the fencing is giving me an excuse to get some exercise and it's a lot of fun (better then running on a treadmill).

alpha434 · 02-05-2010, 08:15 AM

There is melee fencing. Which isn't back and forth. But the electronic scoring system doesn't let you walk around a whole bunch, which limits tournament play to speedball fields... Uh... I mean fencing strips.

Interestingly enough, epee isn't a widely used sword in fencing. Just like rapier kits or any of a dozen other swords that are rare to see in the sport. I did saber and learned foil, because it complimented saber on the strip. "Real" swordplay is apparently in the eyes of the beholder. When light swords were popular, they were more lethal than heavy swords and all men of any importance carried them.

My dad and his dad also fenced. My dad had an olympic spot in the 70s but didn't go for some reason that eludes me at the moment.

YouTube - Rapier Boat Battle

^SCA fencing.

sloonan · 02-05-2010, 08:21 AM

Whatever, not fighting with you. It's fun, I get to play with swords and it's great exercise.

02-05-2010, 12:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
sloonan MCB Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: ?	Just started historic fencing I went to practice tonight for historic fencing (SCA fencing) and had a great time. I learned a few stances and basic movement as well as a few basic parries and sword control. The Schlager blade was lots of fun, the Rapier a little heavier. I get to use loaner gear for a month or two till I decide I like it enough to get my own. Thursdays are practices and I'm already looking forward to next week's practice. __________________ I don't believe in much but I do believe in duct tape.

02-05-2010, 01:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
PistolRogue I've got a place there... Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Jackson, NJ	I did a little of this with a friend I used to work with years ago. It was fun, but at the time it was too time/money intensive for my college student 20 work-hours-a-week budget lol... Plus, I'm no good with roleplay, just can't get comfortable at it, especially in public. __________________ Jay AKA Rogue Reservoir Dogs Scenario Paintball Team- Our $#&* is RIGOROUS! Check Out My Mod Threads : Pirate DSG - SA17 Mods - Simple/Cheap/Free TPX Mods - The 'Big Damn Hero' DRV FEEDBACK DRV #111 FS!!

02-05-2010, 01:45 AM	#5 (permalink)
PistolRogue I've got a place there... Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Jackson, NJ	Hey now, I think thats a bit harsh. From what little experience I had with it, I think it, like any other martial art, offers just as much of a lesson in discipline and control as collegiate fencing would. I took Tae Kwon Do until I was one test out from black belt, and still thought the fencing workouts I did were no joke. __________________ Jay AKA Rogue Reservoir Dogs Scenario Paintball Team- Our $#&* is RIGOROUS! Check Out My Mod Threads : Pirate DSG - SA17 Mods - Simple/Cheap/Free TPX Mods - The 'Big Damn Hero' DRV FEEDBACK DRV #111 FS!!

02-05-2010, 04:28 AM	#6 (permalink)
cobyrne Summer's a-commin' Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wellington, NZ	There are schools for old European martial arts (including different weapons and wrestling) that aren't associated with SCA or roleplaying. There is a school in Vancouver (Academie Duello) that I went to a couple of times. It was great and as serious as any martial arts dojo I've ever been to. I'd highly recommend it. __________________ MCB Feedback

02-05-2010, 08:03 AM	#8 (permalink)
sloonan MCB Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: ?	Stripes - Will try to take a pic or two next week if the other participants agree. They don't just use single sword, it's pretty cool watching people use two swords. ITSPB-Rogue - No role-play involved my good man. The SCA persona thing is only applicable if people want to do it after the fencing at events. alpha434 - No offense intended but Olympic fencing is really corny. They use foil and epee which are children's practice swords and you move back and forth in a straight line, it's not real swordplay. cobyrne - I appreciate it but I am no where near Vancouver and this practice is only $6 a week and the practice space is only 10 blocks from my apartment. Drum - LOL, I only do a few things, EMS once a week, paintball a few times a year, the chainmail keeps my hands busy while watching TV, and the fencing is giving me an excuse to get some exercise and it's a lot of fun (better then running on a treadmill). __________________ I don't believe in much but I do believe in duct tape.

02-05-2010, 06:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
Drum Mod/mod Join Date: May 2006 Location: Trenchtown	Dude... it is always something different with you... a new week, a new hobby! Be sure to wear that piece of chainmail you made and if a "squire" asks you to take of your codpiece for some special training or pictures, let your curly toed shoes beat feet and get thee gone forsooth!

02-05-2010, 08:15 AM	#9 (permalink)
alpha434 If you insist... Join Date: May 2008	There is melee fencing. Which isn't back and forth. But the electronic scoring system doesn't let you walk around a whole bunch, which limits tournament play to speedball fields... Uh... I mean fencing strips. Interestingly enough, epee isn't a widely used sword in fencing. Just like rapier kits or any of a dozen other swords that are rare to see in the sport. I did saber and learned foil, because it complimented saber on the strip. "Real" swordplay is apparently in the eyes of the beholder. When light swords were popular, they were more lethal than heavy swords and all men of any importance carried them. My dad and his dad also fenced. My dad had an olympic spot in the 70s but didn't go for some reason that eludes me at the moment. YouTube - Rapier Boat Battle ^SCA fencing. __________________ Don't Freak Out. Get your custom Ball Sizers right here! Re-thread your gun for the Autococker Barrel standard The ReVents mask: It's what Russc wears.

02-05-2010, 08:21 AM	#10 (permalink)
sloonan MCB Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: ?	Whatever, not fighting with you. It's fun, I get to play with swords and it's great exercise. __________________ I don't believe in much but I do believe in duct tape.