tiny but deadly

[anotheranon]

What Kind of Fencer are You?
Foil fencer You are a true champion. You have a cocky attitude whether it's justified or not. Everyone is beneath you and the world is yours for the taking!
Take The Quiz Now!	Quizzes by myYearbook.com

Today I dragged my procrastinating self out to rapier/historic fencing practice.

Good news! My point control in rapier is improving - not perfect, but I'm finally getting the manual strength to keep it on my opponent when I move forward.

I do need to start "taking" the blade before I'm in measure, as when I wait until I'm within reach I don't have time to cavazione (move my blade to the other side of my opponent's) if they try to "take" in return.

Also had a very brief introduction to dagger play. Short version: the dagger is to be used as defense or like a "can opener", trapping your opponents sword so you can hit them with yours. If you get caught in infighting you can attack with it, but it's best not to rely on the possibility (don't let your opponent get that close!)

But the best bit was that we got a preview of the new smallsword curriculum.

Smallswords are so small (~30") blade they're almost cute, especially with the vestigal quillons and guard, but like a mosquito or flea they're pointy and deadly.

Bouting (called an "assault", how sweet!) is conducted in very short measure with blades engaged, and footwork is small, lunges are short - the coach L. emphasized to us that this was a weapon for gentlemen, so athleticism gets you nowhere, it's all about precision.

It's gonna be a fun new year, fencing-wise :)

Comments

[margoeve.livejournal.com]

Know any place in the northern VA area to go fencing?

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

I'm not terrifically familiar with the clubs in NoVA, but I can easily find out what's available. What is your fencing experience (beginner, intermediate, advanced, ?) and what are you looking to get out of fencing (exercise, expertise - ?)

[jlsjlsjls.livejournal.com]

Oooo ... playing with daggers! It's so easy to picture you as the Gray Mouser, Cat's Claw in one hand and Scalpel in the other. :-)

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Daggers ARE fun, but take some getting used to. This "Gray Mouser" character sounds like quite the swashbuckler - I think Depp can probably do it (saw your other post about it)!

[jlsjlsjls.livejournal.com]

M'dear, if you haven't read the Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser tales, you MUST put them on your to-read list immediately! They are some of THE best fantasy/swashbucking stories and greatest characters/scoundrels ever written ... even the tables of contents are fun reading (and there's not too many books that one can say THAT about). I do recommend reading them in order ... the pair aged from seventeen to their mid-forties as the series unfolded.

There are only seven books ... six collections of short stories/novellas and one novel. Titles, in reading order, are:

Swords and deviltry
Swords against death
Swords in the mist
Swords against wizardry
The swords of Lankhmar
Swords and ice magic
The knight and knave of swords