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Roger Hooper
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 Posted: Sat 13 Jun, 2009 10:24 am Post subject: New Longsword Fighting Technique book |
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The Beginner"s Guide to the Long Sword: European Martial Arts Weaponry Technique, by Steaphen Fick - http://www.myArmoury.com/books/item.php?ASIN=0897501780
Has anyone read this new book yet? If you have, what do you think of it?
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Mike Capanelli
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| Posted: Sat 13 Jun, 2009 3:21 pm Post subject: |
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Nice Borderwatch on the cover. I haven't read it, in fact I found out about it from this post. I did however order it from Barns and Noble so I'll give it a read when it comes in and share a thought or two.
Winter is coming
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Nathan Robinson
myArmoury Admin
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Mike Capanelli
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| Posted: Sat 13 Jun, 2009 4:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Nathan Robinson wrote: | | Mike Capanelli wrote: | | Nice Borderwatch on the cover. |
Why would they put a sword with a fantasy design on the cover of a historical martial arts book? I don't get it. |
Maybe it's photogenic?  Or they could be trying to tap the fantasy/LOTR bunch perhaps? We'll know more on Wednesday when the book gets here.
Winter is coming
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Nathan Robinson
myArmoury Admin
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Mike Capanelli
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| Posted: Sat 13 Jun, 2009 4:22 pm Post subject: |
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While we're waiting for the book, let's check out the author. Or namely his school, D.E.M.A.S. Their located in Cali so I won't be popping in any time soon. Let's hope it's a good book.
http://www.knight2day.com/index.html
Winter is coming
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Eric Meulemans
Industry Professional
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| Posted: Sat 13 Jun, 2009 5:05 pm Post subject: |
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I have not yet seen the book, but I did have the pleasure of meeting its author at ISMAC in 2008, and taking a class under his instruction ("Controlling the Centerline"). If the book conveys even a portion of his experience, enthusiasm, and effective practicality in approaching the art of the longsword, then I've little doubt it is worth the purchase.
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P. Cha
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| Posted: Sun 14 Jun, 2009 7:28 pm Post subject: |
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Well I ordered the book as well. At 13 bucks at amazon, why not. And I have met the author once and was impressed with him so it seemed like a safe gamble. And a beginner primer book is never a bad thing to have around. I really should get around to ordering Mr. Tobler´s books at some point too.
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Roger Hooper
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| Posted: Mon 15 Jun, 2009 8:43 am Post subject: |
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If a fantasy sword is going on the cover, then the Borderwatch is the one to pick as the fantasy design that looks most like a genuine medieval sword.
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Ruel A. Macaraeg
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| Posted: Mon 15 Jun, 2009 9:54 am Post subject: |
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I'm afraid I must offer a dissenting opinion. While I haven't seen this book, I did read Mr. Fick's recent article in Renaissance Magazine (issue 66 p12). In this short, unreferenced work he proposes that an escorted lady can be used as an "offhand weapon" for an Elizabethan rapier fencer by swinging her centrifugally at an opponent.
The physiological and practical fallacies of this "technique" should be obvious, and the mere suggestion does not inspire confidence in him. In light of it, the fantasy sword cover does seem appropriate.
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Nat Lamb
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| Posted: Mon 15 Jun, 2009 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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ummmm, are you certain it wasn't an attempt at humour? Because if it was, it is unfar to judge the quality of his fencing knowledge/experience by the quality of his jokes (the two are very often not related, otherwise I would be world class swordsman... and I isn't)
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Roger Hooper
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| Posted: Mon 15 Jun, 2009 6:06 pm Post subject: |
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| Nat Lamb wrote: | | ummmm, are you certain it wasn't an attempt at humour? Because if it was, it is unfar to judge the quality of his fencing knowledge/experience by the quality of his jokes (the two are very often not related, otherwise I would be world class swordsman... and I isn't) |
True enough. All that proves is that these two guys have very different senses of humor.
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Jean Thibodeau
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| Posted: Mon 15 Jun, 2009 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Ruel A. Macaraeg wrote: | I'm afraid I must offer a dissenting opinion. While I haven't seen this book, I did read Mr. Fick's recent article in Renaissance Magazine (issue 66 p12). In this short, unreferenced work he proposes that an escorted lady can be used as an "offhand weapon" for an Elizabethan rapier fencer by swinging her centrifugally at an opponent.
The physiological and practical fallacies of this "technique" should be obvious, and the mere suggestion does not inspire confidence in him. In light of it, the fantasy sword cover does seem appropriate. |
Well, it's obviously a joke and unless one gets super PC about it and is looking for a reason to find it offensive I thinks it's funny.  But then I have a weird and at times an extreme sense of humour that I don't indulge ( much here ) in on line since writing, tongue in cheek, just causes misunderstandings and hurt feelings. But face to face I love sardonic and sarcastic humour as long as the intent is not really mean spirited.
Well, not very gallant, but while the opponent's sword is stuck in the lady one has an opening to use one's rapier.  ( OUCH), but a little " unpleasant " for the lady. ( Just an example of " sardonic " ..... don't take offence.  ).
You can easily give up your freedom. You have to fight hard to get it back!
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Mike Capanelli
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| Posted: Mon 15 Jun, 2009 8:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Jean Thibodeau wrote: | | Ruel A. Macaraeg wrote: | I'm afraid I must offer a dissenting opinion. While I haven't seen this book, I did read Mr. Fick's recent article in Renaissance Magazine (issue 66 p12). In this short, unreferenced work he proposes that an escorted lady can be used as an "offhand weapon" for an Elizabethan rapier fencer by swinging her centrifugally at an opponent.
The physiological and practical fallacies of this "technique" should be obvious, and the mere suggestion does not inspire confidence in him. In light of it, the fantasy sword cover does seem appropriate. |
Well, it's obviously a joke and unless one gets super PC about it and is looking for a reason to find it offensive I thinks it's funny. But then I have a weird and at times an extreme sense of humour that I don't indulge ( much here ) in on line since writing, tongue in cheek, just causes misunderstandings and hurt feelings. But face to face I love sardonic and sarcastic humour as long as the intent is not really mean spirited.
Well, not very gallant, but while the opponent's sword is stuck in the lady one has an opening to use one's rapier. ( OUCH), but a little " unpleasant " for the lady. ( Just an example of " sardonic " ..... don't take offence. ). |
That puts a whole new spin on the old "Take my wife, please" joke now doesn't it.
Winter is coming
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Ryan J. Kadwell
Location: Queensland, Australia Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Posts: 25
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| Posted: Tue 16 Jun, 2009 12:59 am Post subject: |
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If nothing else, it puts a whole new spin on putting on 'a whole new spin'.
Geoffrey: You fool! As if it matters how a man falls down!
Richard: When the fall’s all that’s left, it matters a great deal.
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Ruel A. Macaraeg
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| Posted: Tue 16 Jun, 2009 9:10 am Post subject: |
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| Nat Lamb wrote: | | ummmm, are you certain it wasn't an attempt at humour? Because if it was, it is unfar to judge the quality of his fencing knowledge/experience by the quality of his jokes (the two are very often not related, otherwise I would be world class swordsman... and I isn't) |
| Jean Thibodeau wrote: | | Well, it's obviously a joke and unless one gets super PC about it and is looking for a reason to find it offensive I thinks it's funny |
Friends,
I'm saddened that you assume unfairness on my part, instead of reading his article (I even provided the reference!) and judging for yourselves. From the article:
"... I have even practiced with my wife as an offhand weapon. Nobody expects the lady's left hand to come flying at them from the side. Instead of pushing her behind me, I fling my wife to my right side and she extends her left hand in a fist. As she passes in front of me, I draw my sword behind her. As she continues past me and around towards my right side I am able to strike the attacker."
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Roger Hooper
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| Posted: Tue 16 Jun, 2009 11:04 am Post subject: |
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| Ruel A. Macaraeg wrote: |
"... I have even practiced with my wife as an offhand weapon. Nobody expects the lady's left hand to come flying at them from the side. Instead of pushing her behind me, I fling my wife to my right side and she extends her left hand in a fist. As she passes in front of me, I draw my sword behind her. As she continues past me and around towards my right side I am able to strike the attacker." |
That poor woman! I wonder, who does she strike with her fist, the opponent, or her husband? - maybe both?
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Mike Capanelli
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| Posted: Tue 16 Jun, 2009 11:33 am Post subject: |
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| Roger Hooper wrote: | | Ruel A. Macaraeg wrote: |
"... I have even practiced with my wife as an offhand weapon. Nobody expects the lady's left hand to come flying at them from the side. Instead of pushing her behind me, I fling my wife to my right side and she extends her left hand in a fist. As she passes in front of me, I draw my sword behind her. As she continues past me and around towards my right side I am able to strike the attacker." |
That poor woman! I wonder, who does she strike with her fist, the opponent, or her husband? - maybe both? |
My wife would become the attacker if I tried that! But seriously until I read for myself the book and article in question it's hard to draw an opinion. Even if the article isn't a jest the book and the rest of his technique may be sound, if not a little quirky. It's too easy to judge without seeing all sides first. It's the span of a persons work that should speak for him, not one article. If everyone judged me from my weirder songs I'd never work. It's the scope of the work in question that matters to me at least, not one particular point. I'm sure if you examine anyone you'll find flaw in a point here and there. All you have to do is look hard and long enough.
Winter is coming
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P. Cha
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| Posted: Tue 16 Jun, 2009 12:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Ruel A. Macaraeg wrote: | | Nat Lamb wrote: | | ummmm, are you certain it wasn't an attempt at humour? Because if it was, it is unfar to judge the quality of his fencing knowledge/experience by the quality of his jokes (the two are very often not related, otherwise I would be world class swordsman... and I isn't) |
| Jean Thibodeau wrote: | | Well, it's obviously a joke and unless one gets super PC about it and is looking for a reason to find it offensive I thinks it's funny |
Friends,
I'm saddened that you assume unfairness on my part, instead of reading his article (I even provided the reference!) and judging for yourselves. From the article:
"... I have even practiced with my wife as an offhand weapon. Nobody expects the lady's left hand to come flying at them from the side. Instead of pushing her behind me, I fling my wife to my right side and she extends her left hand in a fist. As she passes in front of me, I draw my sword behind her. As she continues past me and around towards my right side I am able to strike the attacker." |
Umm using just that small selected quote doesn't really prove anything...and even with that small quote I can still see the article as a sardonic jest article (depending on what is said before your ... ). Now I do admit that I didn't read the full article (and wont be able to unless there is a web version of it up somewhere) and it may very well be a serious article...but I wont judge an article by a few sentences...nor will I judge a man's works by one article.
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Boyd C-F
Location: Nelson, New Zealand Joined: 08 Oct 2008
Posts: 57
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| Posted: Tue 16 Jun, 2009 1:51 pm Post subject: |
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Well he's obviously going for surprise... but whose surprise?
For this to work you'd need someone to fling who knew what you were doing. Not too many people are going to want to be pushed towards someone with a knife, sword, or gun. And I could see valuable time being stolen while the fling-er is trying to force the fling-ee.
You could possibly just be giving your attacker a hostage!
For this to work you may also need an honourable foe who is not going to stab your arm candy... though an honourable foe would probably let you draw your weapon?
Though someone mentioned the term "escorted lady" perhaps this was supposed to be an "escort lady" or "lady of negotiable affections"? This may make it a viable option for the stone hearted! 
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This is a standard topic