I've always been a very hard person to buy for when December comes around- which is the month for Yuletide gift giving as well as when my birthday falls. As a crafty person who makes a of my own jewelry, accessories and DIYs a lot of day to day household items, I have often been told that I am a difficult person to get gifts for. Even though getting gifts has never really been important to me, I know how wonderful the feeling is to give gifts - especially that perfect gift- to someone else. Part of the joy that comes hand in hand with the Winter Holidays is the excuse I have to shower the people in my life with a few special things to show my appreciation.
Do you love the gift of giving but, find yourself stuck on that hard-to-get-for person on your Nice List this year? Our store features a wide variety of unique gifts for that special sword-lover this holiday season from chainmaille jewelry, to combative gear, to books, clothing, and instructional videos, we have something for everyone that can fit into almost any budget. As both an instructor and student at Academie Duello I have been asked to take a look at some of the awesome items, packages, and workshop specials we have in store and share some of my personal picks for this holiday season that are sure to delight!
BOOKS IN STOCK
For those on a budget the Academie Duello store has a whole bunch of new books in stock! Back by popular demand we once again have copies of Fiore dei Liberi's Armizare by Robert N. Charette and Ridolfo Capo Ferro's the Art and Practice of Fencing translated by Tom Leoni.
Both of these books are sought after companions for students who study Western Martial Arts. Fiore dei Liberi's Armizare is perfect for the heavy weapon's wielder and Ridolfo Capo Ferro's the Art and Practice of Fencing is part of the required reading material for students in our Mastery Program. I can personally recommend both of these books which I have in my own collection- though I must admit, I lent out my copy of Fiore dei Liberi's Armizare and I can't remember to whom I gave it to- so perhaps if I'm lucky I will find a new copy (or my old copy returned!) underneath my Christmas tree in a few weeks.
ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT
One of the great things about Academie Duello that I found when starting out was how much loaner gear and equipment they had to share with new students. However, it wasn't long until I was craving having my own, personal equipment that was mine and mine alone. Our store has special starter gear packages for those students looking to level up in their practice. For those who have finished Taste of the Renaissance and are pursuing their Western Martial Arts path through our Mastery Program, our store has a deal just for them!
The Mastery Starter Kit includes a mask, gorget (rigid throat protection) and gloves starting at just $225.00. Plus, you can upgrade your get to include protection for the most sensitive parts of any fencer. For just $20.00 more our store will throw in a jock strap for the more masculine martial artists and chest protectors for the woman warriors on your holiday list.
SWORDS!
If you really, really want to make them smile and get that joyful squee of oh-my-goodness-you-shouldn't-have-this-is-the-best-present-ever you can get them a brand new sword to call their very own. The Academie Duello store carries a wide variety of cutting and thrusting weapons used in both our Mastery and Warrior programs. From longsowrds, to rapiers to poleax trainers, we have many different weapons of varying styles that would be the ultimate gift for the Western Martial Artist on your very nice list! As for me, I'm hoping Santa has some spaulders to put in my stocking this year!
If you're looking for even more ideas come pay a visit to our downtown store location, or check out some of our items featured through our website.
Devon Boorman is the Co-Founder and Director of Academie Duello Centre for Swordplay, which has been active in Vancouver, Canada since 2004. Devon’s expertise centres on the Italian swordplay tradition including the arts of the Renaissance Italian rapier, sidesword, and longsword, as well as knife and unarmed techniques. Read more from Devon Boorman.