Wma Training Weapons>

[Louie]

Hi All...

Thought it would be interesting to start a thread on the practice weapons of the different WMA stylists.... So feel free to post your pic!

I've just bought this nice apple-wood cudgel to practice Irish stick-fighting (BATA) It's also possible to reverse the grip and use it for Scottish single-stick :D

Louie

[Cudgel]

apple wood......I did no know that it cold be used for cudgels. Awesome. Sadly I no longer have acess to an apple tree.

I would post my training weapon picvs but I dont have a digi cam.

[Louie]

[QUOTE=Cudgel]apple wood......I did no know that it cold be used for cudgels. Awesome. Sadly I no longer have acess to an apple tree.[QUOTE]

Hi Cudgel

While looking for an Irish type cudgel/walking stick which are normally made from Blackthorn, I saw this apple-wood version and after doing a little research into the durability of this type of wood, decided to buy it. Whether it can withstand the beatings of heavy Rattan I will soon find out :D
I'll also get a blackthorn version & see how that compares.

My Ash wood single-sticks lasted several months but rattan versions have been in constant use 6 months or more.

[kenpfrenger]

I have been using the same applewood bata as my main stick since I made it in 1997. Apple can be tricky but if you find a good pice then it is hard to beat. I think you will find it very good for you...nice looking stick btw.

[Louie]

Here's a pic of my Singlestick with it's wicker basket and it's leather equivelant which protects the sword hand. A peg is drilled into the base of the stick to stop the basket falling off.

Traditionally the sticks were made of ash, this one is a more durable rattan.

Louie

[Goju]

before I read that post I thought the idea was to swing the basket at your enemy rather than using it as a hand guard. :o

[Capt Ann]

Here's a website for a company that has helped me greatly with the practice weapons they make (different types of swords): www.rsw.com.hk

This Hong Kong-based company makes practice swords weighted and balanced to have the same heft and feel as a real sword, but with a multi-layer-over-core design, so that you can whack somebody without hacking/slicing/killing them. As opposed to typical 'padded swords', these sparring weapons have enough stiffness to allow blocking and parrying, as would happen in an actual sword-to-sword engagement. The company makes a slew of different type sparring weapons, including claymores, hand-and-a-halfs, and dozens more. We have two of their katanas at our school, so us westerners can practice our eastern MA sword art. Interestingly, the company was founded and is run by an easterner who is studying western MA.

Search the website for video footage. You will find many sparring engagements recorded, including mixed engagements (claymore vs. katana, etc.).

[Louie]

before I read that post I thought the idea was to swing the basket at your enemy rather than using it as a hand guard. :o

Hi Goju

If you have any Scottish-Canadian ancestors they will be turning in their grave :Angel:

{A few people thought it was a extra long-handled collection basket for church services??}

Louie :D

[Louie]

I had two new 'weapons' arrive from ebay today....
A old Ayrshire walking-stick (briar wood?) for practice partners to club me with...
and this other item which was thrown in described as a 'country club cudgel'
looks like an original version of the old Irish shillelagh :D

Louie

[Ran Pleasant]

Well I don't have any pictures to post but I thought I would post links to the different training weapons we use in The Association for Renaissance Martial Arts (http://www.thearma.org) (ARMA).

ARMA members use wasters (wooden swords) from the following vendors:

Raven Studios (http://www.little-raven.com/)
New Stirling Arms (http://www.newstirlingarms.com/about.html)
Hollow Earth (http://www.hollowearthswordworks.com/main_index.htm)

For sharp swords and blunt swords most ARMA member appear to like Albion Swords (http://www.albion-swords.com/)

Many of us also use the Paul Chen Practical Knight and Hand & Half longsword blunds - sorry, no link. Not pretty swords, but low price and build like a tank.

I also own a poleaxe waster from
Chivalry Bookshelf (http://www.revival.us/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=187&HS=1)

[blackpuma]

ARMA members use wasters ...

Wow... nice wasters!

For a crude home-made waster, here (http://www.arma-ogden.org/content/view/7/30/) is a how-to.

... Chen Practical ... Hand & Half longsword ... Not pretty swords, but low price and build like a tank.

I have one of those. I agree. Not pretty, but will take a beating and hold up well. I had to take some waxed cord for leatherword and sew the leather handle cover along the seam because the leather had worked loose from the glue.

http://www.kultofathena.com/images/PC2106.jpg

I also own a poleaxe waster ...

How do you like that? I've seen that, but didn't know how well it'd hold up.