The Browncoat Martial Arts Forum
POSTED BY: chrisisall
UPDATED: Saturday, April 22, 2006 05:09
VIEWED: 16091
PAGE 7 of 10
Of the Olympic styles, epee is my favorite, but given my drutheres I'll always pick up the rapier first. Epee evolved from eighteenth-century smallsword training, sabre from the light cavalry sword. The Victorians like Burton or Castle were talking about this style of fencing - although Burton was no slouch with a sidesword, either. Last of the breed.
Rapier comes from the sixteenth century and uses full-weight blades like those made by Del Tin Antioche, and allows the use of an off-hand weapon like a dagger. Original rapiers were often in the three lb range, which is heavy for any one-handed European-style sword. For some beautiful yet affordable examples, visit www.darkwoodarmory.com. Atherton Wing's sword was a sidesword blade mounted with a somewhat oversized swept rapier hilt with quillons. Rapier is a lot slower than foil or sabre, but it's also a much closer to how the originals were used. With rapier, you can read Saviolo or Capo Ferra and actually apply the techniques they described. A fencer has time to do some of the flashy stuff like drawcuts and mandritti without getting skewered. Whole lotta fun.
I'm 90% finished writing a rough-and-tumble, Firefly-inspired LARP rules set titled 'BIG SKY.' The system is real-skill-oriented (I hate card-based LARPs) and uses airsoft guns, fiberglass/foam/latex swords, and open-palm contact fighting. Anybody interested in seeing it?
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I'll have to check out this Rapier stuff. And yes, would definately like to see this LARP of yours.
If anyone gets nosy...Shoot em.
Shoot em sir?
Politely.
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I am a long-time fencer in Oregon. Left-handed foil mostly. I cringed thru the dueling scene in FF. Nathan might be a good actor but I truly believe he wasn't faking his newbiness re: swordin'.
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Good to see so many active people here. Sci fi nuts arent known for their butt kicking skills. I am a licenced cage fighter with over 16 years of MA exp. Mostly freestyle ju jitsu and western boxing. Got an important match coming up in October and then (hopefully) a shot at a domestic title next year. Keep up the good work.
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Now, that's funny. I'm a leftie, too. So far, every fencer here is left-handed.
Yeah, the fencing in Shindig was some of the worst I've ever seen on-screen, and that's sayin' something. The writer has admitted on-camera that she knew Zero about swordsmanship. Gotta give 'em credit for trying, though. I love the idea of a return of the duel of honor in an expanded frontier 'Verse....
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Though it was bad, by comparison, what else on tv has done it better? I mean, yeah, there are some really good ones in cinema, but I don't think there are on tv. Odd that us fencers are all left handed, or left hand dominant ((I'm ambidexterous)) by the by.
If anyone gets nosy...Shoot em.
Shoot em sir?
Politely.
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NO, I agree, Firefly deserves full marks for getting fencing onto network TV in any form. Actually, Inara's fencing lesson wasn't half bad. Mal probably would have been better off with the Chinese dao he was fooling with when she came in, though.
Beyond Shindig, the only American TV fencing I can think of was on A&E's Scarlet Pimpernel miniseries, and I think that was originally a British production. The BBC takes a stab at it (sorry) every now and again.
My favorite fencing sequence on celluloid is in the film "Rob Roy."
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But would Ath have allowed him the Dao? I mean, if any sword is available, why not go with a Claymore ((A fine Scott's weapon, and one of my favorites)) or a Katana? Or even an O-Dachi?! ((BIG Katana))
If anyone gets nosy...Shoot em.
Shoot em sir?
Politely.
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Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
To continue an old thread, long lost...
What Browncoat martial Arts people do we have here?
Like the man said to Lee: "Whatsh your schtyle?"
I studied Wing Chun, Okinawan Kempo, Aikido, Jeet Kune Do, Praying Mantis, and Tai Kwon Do.
My main style is Wing Chun, with a heavy Tai Chi influence (Summer appears to be doing some Combat Tai Chi in Serenity, along with some Wushu thrown in...).
So, styles? Real life fight stories? MA observations on Serenity, Angel, or Buffy?
Kwi-Changisall
Heh. More like Chun! (You DID read the Remo books....)
Shudukan karate, some aikido, tai chi, with a smattering of Mal Reynolds School of Fighting self defense.
I love it when you post Chrisisall cuz you are always interesting and sometimes downright hilarious!!!
"Do not go gentle into that good night....
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. . ."
--Dylan Thomas
Though my soul may set in darkness
It will rise in perfect light.
I have loved the stars too fondly
To be fearful of the night.
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Quote:Does a nightingail sing?
Originally posted by BelowZero:
Heh. More like Chun!
Korean Chrisisall
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