No points, just press.
Oh wait! I just thought of … ah rats! Too late! … .. .
Choose Your Weapon … as long as its Scottish!
EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS (Scotland, UK) 17 October 13 Sword fencing maestro revives old techniques (Dale Miller)
Let’s see now … let’s check the armory … Scottish broadswords, quarterstaffs, backswords, knives, daggers and, darn, where are the … oh yes, over there, the targs. Right, time to start class!
Instructor and sword smith Paul Macdonald has been involved in the study, practice and teaching of historical swordplay for two decades now.
Notwithstanding the eclectic grouping of martial arts options in the salle closet, the core instruction within his Macdonald Academy of Arms centers on 17th/18th C Scottish broadsword use.
“The usual idea that folk think of when martial arts is mentioned is eastern martial arts, but we had our own traditions in unarmed work, knife-fighting and various types of swordsmanship for the past 600 years at least.”
Or, Purchase your Weapon… as long as its Scottish!
THE SCOTSMAN (Edinburgh, UK) 17 October 13 Fencibles Scots army sword to be auctioned (Frank Urquhart)
A rare silver-gilt and enamel mounted small-sword presented to a Napoleonic-era aristocrat by soldiers he commanded in Ireland is to go under the hammer for $21,100.
Psaltery Phoenix
UTAH STATESMAN (Logan, Utah) 17 October 13 USU Sword and Psaltery Club duels, renaissance style (Taylor Underwood)
The Sword and Psaltery Club at USU was formed nearly six years ago following the downfall of USU’s fencing club, and We found this a curious article since I was not sure at the beginning if I was reading about a SCA group or a ‘salle’ … but getting along within it, We decided it didn’t matter.
There are significant safety rules, there seems to be some form of organized instruction which results in consistent attendance for training and ‘competitions’, and there is an intent to undertake serious study of the art.
What We were particularly impressed with is the USU groups’ norm of fighting on actual outdoor terrain. There’s nothing like that loose, wet stick underfoot to turn that perfectly-measured lunge into that groin-stretching, both legs are extended, very undignified “how to I stand up now” recovery?
"When one has taken for a long time lessons at the salle, it is outside, on the beaten dirt or on the gravel of the road that one has to make the rehearsal for combat. … Prepare yourself, train at the salle. However, you will have abandoned success to mere chance if from time to time, as often as possible; you do not fence épée in the field, in all seasons, in the mist, under the sun, in the rain, in the wind, on hard or water-soaked ground, in your ordinary shoes.
La Marche, C. The Duelling Sword. E. Flammarion, ed. Paris. 2009 (original 1884) pp. 24-25
Snippets
Let’s see now, do swords really have a place in recognizing honour in a modern world?
And swords recognizing honour in modern times are not restricted to Europe … though this item is doubly interesting in that it addresses one Asian county’s concern that its’ own ‘national sword’ was unduly influenced by western styles.
From your local airport security official … don’t do this.
And come to think of it … notwithstanding its’ potential value as a cultural artifact, don’t try to carry the following onto the plane either …
A rare 1600 combination of a sword blade inside of a walking staff – but includes a small wheel lock pistol aligned just forward of the grip on the blade
Wilkinson, F. Swords & Daggers. Ward Lock & Co., Ltd. London UK, 1967. Plate 47