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You might want to check out the links page here from time to time. I’m (slowly and carefully) adding links to vendors of weapons and other items you might find in this story universe. So far only two, but this will grow. This is not so you can have your very own crossbow or sword, but mostly for those who have no clear idea in mind what something mentioned looks like…I’ll be referencing these sites as a place to go.
The links page is also the easy way to get to the Paksworld website and to the publisher sites…or to my home page or LJ.
Comment by Jo Thomas — April 3, 2009 @ 12:43 pm
Oh, but I do want my own armoury! I’ve taken up historical fencing after several years lapse on sports fencing. I’m starting on smallsword and military sabre
Comment by elizabeth — April 3, 2009 @ 4:23 pm
People with a background in sport fencing excel in historical, in my experience. (A friend of mine, former state champion in foil and epee, can now destroy several of us with rapier. As she says blithely, while doing so “Footwork, mes amis! Footwork!”)
Among my daydreams are the facilities I put into the current book for Kieri Phelan to enjoy: a fencing salle and a riding hall.
But few things are lovelier to contemplate than a wall of really good blades (seen in museums…ooooh…please let me get through the glass….)
Comment by Jo Thomas — April 3, 2009 @ 6:00 pm
I agree
I’m having a trip to the Royal Armouries at Leeds (UK) on Easter Saturday for being such a good girl at fencing. Well, not disgracing myself and getting “killed”. I will also be treating myself to some swords of my own in the near future but I’m trying not to let my enthusiasm run away with me and buy one of everything.
The great thing about smallsword (and previously sports fencing, which I only did for 2 years) is that it looks like I’m actually doing something when I flinch. It’s a bit more noticable that I’m flinching and not really defending myself when armed with my teacher’s Hutton sabre.
Comment by elizabeth — April 4, 2009 @ 8:15 am
If you see some of the LOTR weapons at Leeds–I got to handle them last year in NZ as they were being organized to ship there. (Why the Royal Armouries wanted to do a display I don’t know, but apparently they did, and my tour at Weta Workshop coincided with things being laid out on bubble-wrap just before being packed up.) It was very difficult not to do some exercises with Aragorn’s sword, but I figured if I started leaping around the place like a madwoman, they’d haul me away and not let me see the rest of the things. So I merely held it and did a few slow no-I’m-not-going-to-be-stupid movements.
If you’re of the same type, I must warn you that though starting your acquisition of blades slowly is a very good idea…you won’t stop with just one. Or just one type. I’ve lent one of mine to someone who’s now teaching that weapon, but…I refused to sell it to him. And as for the new one…heh.
Comment by Jo Thomas — April 4, 2009 @ 9:23 am
Sound advice. I’ve already been warned
And am already falling in love where I shouldn’t. I’m such a girl…
Comment by elizabeth — April 4, 2009 @ 12:41 pm
Well, if you buy quality blades (I’m not talking collector-quality blades, but good enough to last more than a season of poking and whacking) and if your budget is like mine, that will slow you down. Try out several of each style you think you’d like. I’m a total sucker for swept-hilt rapiers (it’s the look–it’s so elegant) but there are people who prefer a different guard, for instance. My new one is a direct result of the NZ experience (and the book I’m working on…I *needed* a hand-and-a-half longsword, right?) and the first I’ve had with just the simple cross-hilt.
Something on your Armoury visit (if not already from books and friends’ weapons) will snag your heart. Save up for a good one.
Comment by mark — May 7, 2009 @ 8:20 pm
Look at http://www.museumreplicas.com/ for both weapons and armor. The swords are made as the originals were and are very well made. I have found the balance and craftmanship to be excellent.
I only have one sword, but a multitude of knives, daggers, Kukri, katar and others.
Comment by elizabeth — May 8, 2009 @ 6:42 am
Have you seen the new video “Reclaiming the Blade”? Hank Reinhardt, who founded Museum Replicas, is featured on that video.
Comment by Bob Garrow — April 25, 2010 @ 9:09 pm
I don’t know, Elizabeth, I’ve always preferred the USMC Staff NCO sword. As I was one of those before I got commissioned, I have both NCO and Officer swords, as well as a bunch of others (I love edged weapons), and I’ve found it balances and handles better than any of the others (for me, at least).
Bob Garrow (Major, USMC, Ret.)
Comment by elizabeth — April 25, 2010 @ 9:44 pm
Edged weapons are a joy (she says, glancing across the hall from the study at the little conclave. You are fortunate in being able to compare those blades…I certainly won’t argue with the man who’s experienced both.
I wonder sometimes if the older firearms, back when they were all made individually, gave their owners as much aesthetic pleasure as a good sword gives its owner…even when not in use. I’m a sucker for swept-hilt rapiers…the sheer beauty of the lines, and then that responsiveness when picked up. Deadly but elegant. Of course it’s not all about aesthetics, but looking at some modern pistols and rifles I think “Does it have to be ugly?”
Comment by Curtis Deem — August 16, 2010 @ 8:51 am
I would have to agree with you, Elizabeth, that swept-hilt rapiers are gorgeous. I own a few myself. I have fenced in the historical style of several different masters (Agrippa being one of my favorites) off-and-on for about 14 years.
My other favorite sword would have to be the Germanic longsword (technically a two-handed sword) of the Johannes Liechtenauer tradition. Of which I own several wooden wasters from Purpleheart Armoury as well as a Del Tin blade.