Research and Discussion Forums

I wish I could advocate steel, but flexible blades do not perform the same way as stiff ones in the bind, creating an unrealistic feel and a reduction in point control.

Even the low-end steel simulators can be fairly close to historical examples and not much more expensive than the wooden ...

What source(s) are you thinking of looking at?
If you're planning on training with the rapier, why not start with steel? Even the low-end steel simulators can be fairly close to historical examples and not much more expensive than the wooden trainer in the link. They are also widely available and ...

There's a supposed to be a chapter of Schola St George in Little Rock, but I don't see it listed on their website. It might be worth dropping them an email.
Training Group Finder

There are currently four groups in the Portland area. This Group Finder is a great resource for finding groups. It contains most of the currently known organizations and study groups and is constantly updated.

The above link is for the Western US. The Main Page of the group finder has links to the ...

Depending on where you'll be, you'll have a number of options!

I don't think all the contact information is listed, but this Group Finder should give you a place to start.

This Group Finder is generally a fantastic resource that contains nearly all of the known groups - ARMA and everything else. It is missing Erik's Brattleboro group (by his choice IIRC), and as you have noticed, VT is a bit of a wasteland in terms of organized WMA/HEMA groups.

There a group in ...

To expand on this a bit, the general idea is to couple a few days of training with some cultural/regional stuff. It could be as simple as a long weekend in a neighboring state with a few training sessions and some other activities: museum visit, hiking, beach time, hog hunting (yeah I'm talking to ...

...that isn't good sword play they (Selohaar) teach...the methodology and interpretation of the manuals are very dodgy

Have you ever trained with one of the Selohaar groups? Many of their interpretations can be found, but I haven't seen where any of them speak on *how* they train. I have seen ...

There's a possibility that one of the high school guys (and maybe one of the college guys) in my club will be able to spend part of a school break on a bit of a walkabout, so I'm trying to find a club that'd be willing to host him for up to a week.

Preferably looking for around 3 days of training ...

ARMA Austin is the closest group to you. The next closest is the MFFG in Junction, but that's another 50 miles or so away.

Here's a Group Finder that has all of the known active groups. Get yourself listed as a "club" to make it easier for people to find you! Affiliate w/ a group later if desired ...

Would you say that this is martially sound techniques performed with speed, power, and control?

I could cherry pick an old ARMA video and ask the same.

Other members of Selohaar...

As I said above, I don't agree with some of what Tobler does; his personal training methods (second hand ...

Again, I know it looks tempting but the methodology and interpretation of the manuals are very dodgy... http://www.selohaar.org/


You're basing this on what, exactly? While I don't agree with much of what Tobler does (and definitely not the whole mysticism stuff), he puts his translations and ...

If an edge is too sharp then it can easily be damaged.

I really wish people would stop confusing edge angle with the degree to which an edge has been honed.

A distinction also needs to be made between damaging an edge and dulling an edge.

The edge strength, or resistance to damage, is ...

There are few absolute rules.

Stepping with your cut with passing steps is the typical "canon" when talking about longsword. Or a more general rule, if you're cutting from your right side, you step with your right foot (either passing or a shuffle depending on which forward at the time).

When ...

This Training Partner/Group Finder has nearly all the known HEMA groups listed. There are no ARMA groups in S. Fl., but there are a number of other groups in S. Fl. and throughout the state. Most seem to focus on the German material, both the later Meyer manual and the earlier tradition.