I am the secretary of the Association for Historical Fencing, a nonprofit organization devoted to the propagation of the western martial arts. This year we are holding WMAW in New York City. Over a dozen qualified teachers and masters will be there, doing presentations, lectures, hands-on demonstrations, and exclusive 3 hour Master Classes. I know there are several fencers, SCAdians, and other western martial artists out there, so register for the single biggest event of the year.
If there are dopers concerned about the high cost of staying in New York City for a long weekend, have no fear. I have plenty of floor space and a license to use it.
May I lodge an official complaint of “Awww, this is unfair”?
Apparently the weekend of the WMAW2001 is the same weekend of the “quiet” Chicago dopefest where I may or may not be shot in the street. While I would definitely prefer to be armed with forty inches of fine steel, steel, and more steel, the fact remains that I can drive to Chicago.
See, you just need to have your Big Event out here in the boondocks for a change.
lno, WMAW was in Chicago two years ago. What’s your excuse?
Mnem, you can take David Cvet’s armored longsword class then. If you can go, let me know as soon as you can. There are some people from Italy I might have to house as well.
And if you think all fencing weapons are light…well, I am curious to see how long you would last using my rapier.
Two years ago I hadn’t the slightest clue about WMAW. Of course, back then I was in my prime, so it’s probably a good thing that I was unaware - I would have swept the tournaments and sent grown men away crying. It was for the greater good that I stayed away, really.
I knew you would jump to that conclusion. Though you have met me. Do I look like welder material? I’d love to learn how to do it and all, but I don’t think I have the build you are looking for.
I didn’t know you were a fencer. Anyway, the emphasis with this event is on education, not competition.
Perhaps you are right. You would have swept the competition. But this year I will be competing. I know that’s what’s scaring you away.
tigg, you’re too kind. One of these days I am going to have to bring you back east myself.
screech, if you ordered the 40" double wides from Triplette, they are gonna be on back order forever, as no one’s making them anymore. You really should try to come. It’s the event of the year. And you’d get to sleep on my floor. Woo.
Nope, only a 35-incher. Possible year-and-a-half back order, but I’m willing to wait. I may end up going with one of the bare maraging blades instead. Dunno yet.
::trying to think of some not-too-gratuitous comment about how 5 inches doesn’t really matter…::
No kidding. I sent it to the weekend address you gave me. Hrm.
Anyway, you should be fine with a 35" blade, especially if you like to close. The best way to do it is to put the bottom of the guard against the shoulder of your off arm and extend the blade down the length of your weapon arm. If the end of the blade is at your fingertips, then the blade is sized properly.
Well, it’s more of a desire to see you actually win for a change. I know how much it would mean to you…
Of course, if I ever do end up in NYC, I expect to cross swords with you at least once - and when you trounce me severely, I also expect you to be very discreet about it.
It would mean that everyone else must truly suck. I am definitely inferior to several people who train at my school alone, so I am not going in there to win. I just want to beat up all the people who don’t have my training yet think they are superstars.
