beginner here. any long island groups?

[Michael Intrieri]

Hello everybody, my name is Mike. I am 19 and was a martial artist in the past of oriental means rather than European, and I must say I am very interested in this.

I've already looked into the albion blunts, but what I'd really like to know is about the groups I could maybe hook up with.

I live in Long Island, New York, Nassau county more specifically. There are so many people on the island that there MUST be a group somewhere. Does anyone know about contacting people? Also, what about heavy armored combat? Do groups do this too? I would be okay with putting together a suit of armor as well. I am not at a lack of funds, I have a pretty good job for my age.

Thank you in advance to any responses!

[Sal Bertucci]

Well,

Welcome to the forum! (you might want to change your name to your first and last as stated in the forum rules. )

As for practice partners, have you checked the "Practice Partners and Study Groups" page on the main site? I think there is someone in your general area there, but I could be wrong.

There are a good amount of groups that will do full harness, but in ARMA you will find that most people do blossfechten (unarmored). This is mostly for the economic roadblocks in my opinion. If you want to do harnessfechten, then you're highly encouraged to do so.

As for a steel blunt, You're highly recommended to get one, but you may want to check around to make sure that you have equipment that matches other peoples so that you can freeplay.

Once again, welcome and let us know if you have any other questions.

Sal Bertucci
Scholar Adept

[Jonathan Newhall]

Also, while purchasing steel swords, remember to check your local jurisdiction about what is and is not covered under knife laws. I found out, almost too late, that in my county an unsharpened steel sword is just as illegal to own as a sharpened steel sword (which, while ridiculous, could have landed me in an awful lot of trouble and out a lot of dollars).

[Jaron Bernstein]

Also, while purchasing steel swords, remember to check your local jurisdiction about what is and is not covered under knife laws. I found out, almost too late, that in my county an unsharpened steel sword is just as illegal to own as a sharpened steel sword (which, while ridiculous, could have landed me in an awful lot of trouble and out a lot of dollars).

I would second that. NY weapon laws are quite strict.

[Jonathan_Kaplan]

Just getting started and most interested in armor? Are you independently wealthy??

[Sal Bertucci]

Why I'd love to have a harness...I just have other things that suck my money up. (and deservedly so)

[Michael Intrieri]

I am not independently wealthy, but I have expendable income. And probably the quality of the stuff is not too great. I was just looking at your 16 gauge pieces you can find on ebay

But anyhow, I would really like to know how to get involved, but I have not the slightest clue. I am really interested in this.

[Michael Intrieri]

I've read through the website. Maybe one could blame my haste but I'm a bit unclear as to how to star this. If anyone could give me some guidance, I'd be very appreciative.

[Sal Bertucci]

Go here http://www.thearma.org/membership.htm read it, understand it, and ask questions if you have any. Fill the form out, and you're set. Check back if you haven't heard back in 2 months.

[Jonathan Newhall]

I am not independently wealthy, but I have expendable income. And probably the quality of the stuff is not too great. I was just looking at your 16 gauge pieces you can find on ebay

But anyhow, I would really like to know how to get involved, but I have not the slightest clue. I am really interested in this.

One quick thing to keep in mind, Michael, is that you should be prepared to draw even more attention than the rest of us. Full plate harness basically sounds like a truck full of coor's light cans smashing into a train filled with metal thumbtacks in a head on collision (or so I've been told), so be ready for that

[Joshua Hintzen]

One quick thing to keep in mind, Michael, is that you should be prepared to draw even more attention than the rest of us. Full plate harness basically sounds like a truck full of coor's light cans smashing into a train filled with metal thumbtacks in a head on collision (or so I've been told), so be ready for that

But thats the best part! Shock and awe, and all that!
Harnessfechten has been one of my areas of interest as well, alas I am at least a few years off from starting to piece a harness together. At any rate I will be a much improved swordsman by then, so its probably for the best.

[Michael Intrieri]

i dont want to start off fighting in harness, its something i eventually want to try. I think for now im going to get a few wasters and read some manuals, and get some friends to practice with me. is that the way one starts?

[Sal Bertucci]

That's the best way to go about it.

[Jonathan Newhall]

Aye, it's how I started. Though I started without the "friend[s] to practice with part", so do try to get some it's a lot easier

[Michael Vuolo]

I just got involved in HEMA too. I know it's not ARMA necessarily, but I found two groups in Brooklyn through Meetup.com. It's a low pressure and easy way to get involved. If you're up for trekkin' to Williamsburg, maybe I'll see you at a class.


Look for Gotham Fightschool and the New York Historical Fencing Association.