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Post by schlager7 on Nov 30, 2005 10:13:26 GMT -6
Since they just added their site to the Gulf Coast Fencing Webring, I figured I'd put in a link for a local business that supplies wooden wasters* for historical fencing practice. The company is called Purple Heart Armory and they are based just north of Houston and their website is here: www.woodenswords.com/Come the spring thaw, I am seriously considering a pair of singlesticks to round out my personal weapons collection. *Wooden versions of different swords to be used in practice.
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Post by charley on Dec 30, 2005 15:12:10 GMT -6
I have a pair of lovely hickory singlesticks and a trio of great sticks from Purpleheart. Quality stuff.
I'm interested to hear how you like the singlesticks, as they are quite different from SF saber.
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Post by schlager7 on Dec 30, 2005 20:28:53 GMT -6
I am certain. Of course, I have quite a few fencing interests that lie well outside the sport fencing arena. Just check out my avatar.
I look forward to getting past the holidays so I can start saving for a pair.
I presume you do not use them in the old fashion (i.e. without head protection). It was an Olympic competition for exactly one year at the very beginning of the 20th century.
How do you and your colleagues employ them?
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Post by charley on Jan 4, 2006 16:16:32 GMT -6
No, no -- we always wear masks. We don't want any broken heads.
There are a few different variations on singlestick rules. 'Saber' target (waist up), or epee target, or just the head.
We usually use them like heavy sabers -- but no thrusting, because hickory does not bend! They were historically employed as training weapons for heavy sabers in England, we do much the same. And for pretty much the same reason. They remain much cheaper than real sabers.
The cuts, parries, & moulinelli are pretty much the same as for saber. The PurpleHeart singlestick guard does not allow for a true saber grip with the thumb parallel to the grip. The weight of the shaft also contributes to the need for a different grip.
Therefore we hold the singlestick with its own kind of grip...closer to a "sledgehammer" grip, but much more relaxed and loose. Hard to describe. I think there's pictures in Evangelista's stick fighting book.
For bouts, extra protective equipment may be used. We haven't done a lot of competitive bouting, but I believe the Martinez Academy has specific rules for singlestick tournaments, involving a gorget, plastron, elbow guard, and thigh guard. TCAS uses masks ingeniously modified with the grill from a baseball catcher's mask.
One interesting singlestick custom is to thwack the sticks together as part of the salute, before donning masks. I have no idea what that comes from, perhaps you've heard of it?
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