Hi Jody and everyone else, man what a great question asked here as the response is totally awesome and dynamic. The link to how to make a pell is fantastic. Thanks Corey. I've enjoyed hearing the above opinions so far so here's my $.02 to throw in if you don't mind:

1. Buying books, DVD et cetera... stimulate the economy, help those who love trying to help you get some food on their table. You'll learn a bit of what the authors know by repetitively doing their drills.

2. Vaclav's theory... yes! do martial arts, do everything you can to learn from the best to understand close-combat fighting. This is the Ph D of combat if you learn several things as it all comes down to how humans move as you try to disable, kill, or just win a tourney.

Here's my question though for you Jody: what are you wanting to get out of your training--what are you trying to achieve? Honestly, it might not be the thing to ask right now as you might wish to experiment around with things that sound interesting but if you do answer this question, you might find a more precise answer.

Here's a selfish example: me.
Goal: 1. To be a badass in the SCA. 2. To be a source of knowledge on 11th-12th C. Normans throughout Europa.
Experience: Hapkido for several years before college. Tennis all through high school. Kendo and rubgy throughout college.
Now: Somehow this inexorably lead to the SCA to really do what I want: single-sword and kite shield fighting. Fighters notice the martial art experience, my need to smash something from tennis, kendo helped with *some* of the sword fighting skills and rugby helped me a bit in dealing with melee's presented in SCA wars which are awesome. Warrior prowess, glory, and knowledge of history are all the things I want to experience. Many things in my upbringing prepared quite a bit but I must admit, I've finished my first year in the SCA so far and I still get totally owned by guys who've practiced tourney fighting for several years.
Moral of the story: figure out what you want. You want to be a master, then learn from one and practice like one. Until then, play around with these wonderful suggestions and see what you like. Cheers

I would strongly recommend The swordsmans companion, by Guy Windsor. The basics are spelled out exceptionally well, and most of the excercises are easily applied to a single handed weapon. The partner work probably wont change over easily, but given the lack of partner this shouldn't be a problem. I have not found a book that gives a better introduction to footwork and body mechanics, or even a comparable one.

The sword and buckler books are a good plan to as you'll find techniques that apply specifically to what you want, but I would suggest that for latter on once your footwork/basics have taken root. The ochs longsword movie is a great resource, I haven't seen the one for the messer but it would probably be very helpful.

Anyways, hope this was helpful.

Carl

This is a nice Thread and interesting posts, though I am just a beginner, tenderfoot, sword fodder for the experts :lol: , coming from expertise skills of the unarmed combat, I too think in my humble beginner opinion find the use of books "studied in earnest effort to be as exacting as possible to the directives of the author".
Swordsman's Companion, definitely a good book, the German longsword books by Christian Henry Tobler, also his genius of "In Service of the Duke", all the books by Stephen Hand including the Spadas. I have invested in all these books and more, I find them of great benefit.
I can identify with Brandon, though my "Hey Day" is Over, I've done a lot of head and body banging too in the sports aspect, inclusive of the rather insane hardcore unarmed arts, solely for the love of the art, the warrior blood does still flow in my veins and probably always will so long and my heart pumps the blood through my veins, though I would not compare myself to grand master Chelette, ( I hope he does not mind my formal address to his Shishidan rank which is
7th Dan and quite a remarkable accomplishment!
Lot's of experts and masters of their various martial art styles, whether it be unarmed or swordsmanship, kind of makes me feel yet a bit of a tadpole by comparison. :lol:
However, I like being a beginner again, lots of interesting things to learn and the books authored by some of the members of this forum "Your books are Outstanding" :!: I think I have all of them, both sword and rapier instruction books, with much appreciation to Brian and Ann Price, which by the way, I do have a few of Brian Price's books including Sword in Two Hands which is terrific. I especially like where he uses illustrations of actual shoes in the appropriate foot positions for various stances. I found this technique of instruction imaginitive and innovative, while being an excellent vehicle of demonstration for the reader to absorb!
The exquisite form so precise and flowing that I refer to this remarkable form of Christian Henry Tobler as being
"Poetry In Motion" :!:
All these books which I aquired from Chivalry Bookshelf are of wonderful assistance to me, I also have their DVD on the German Longsword, which is outstanding.
But there's nothing like being under the direct instrution if an expert swordsman!

Cheers!

Bob

You know, you could always work with what books and video you can get for a while, and arrange to travel for an intensive training session (workshop?) with someone from time to time.

Hi Jody,

I want to second Steven's reply. Don't put this off because you're becomming a bit "long in the tooth". We are all forced to make choices about what direction our lives should take, but to use another cliche- "everything has it's time". I had a flying job lined up in Alaska after school, but marraige, family, and career all required attention, which caused me to sideline bush flying. Do I miss it? Of course. Do I regret my decisions? Not for a second. So jump in. You'll find your niche.