Indian club update

I've been playing a bit with two old rattan short swords (no hilts). They are about a pound each but more neutrally balanced than a real Indian club.

Doing simple routines, mainly with the right arm/shoulder, has seemed to help with tightness and pain in the shoulder joint.

My wife picks them up and effortlessly goes through routines using both hands simultaneously. She says it's like the twirling she did in flag and rifle corps in school.

Indian mace and club training

I watched a few videos on Indian mace and club training. Here a re a few the got me started down this particular rabbit hole.

Rik Brown Gada Clubs

A Tour of Chautauqua: A Healthy Body

Warrior Mace Training

The History and Tradition of the Mace

Indian GADA/MACE Workout Elements

I toyed with a weight on a stick setup, ~5# total and about 24" long. I don't have the flexibility or strength in my right shoulder to do the exercises right but feel them working the sore spots in my shoulder. Perhaps I can rehab the aching muscles there.

Items from Ken Thomas

Aluminum elbow cops and great sword hilt from Hjalmar from Glenn Abhann

Point toward enemy

I got a heavy piece of rattan that was too long to contemplate making a single hand sword from. It was ~57" and 808 grams, husk on and between 1.5 and 1.7" thick.

I purchased the guard from Ken Thomas in Memphis TN and got it mounted today. Shaved the handle down so it would accept the guard and pounded it into place. Used strapping tape to lock the little tab to the blade. Bit of strapping tape on the tip with white athletic tape and friction tape for the edge. Put a bit of strapping tape on the butt end and built up a bit of twisted black duct tape to make a pommel for now.

Finished weight is 1378 grams with overall length of 56". Basket hilted sword is 1318 grams and 40".

Glynn Rhe armor workshop

Spent most of the day at the Glynn Rhe armor workshop. Dished a pair of elbows and made a shield box for a new fighter. Helped refurb some older arms for another new fighter.

It was nice to hang out and work on stuff. I got to renew some friendships that were older than many of the new fighters that were there.

Got in the hilt and aluminum elbow cops from Hjalmar Sognefjord.

An Dun Theine fighter practice 11/12/15

Four fighters at practice tonight, myself, one of my deputies and two unauthorized gentlemen. Everyone but me is left handed. I've been doing left handed pell work for a week or better so I fought about 2/3 of my fights left handed. I felt relatively comfortable but my footwork was confused and the shield was hard to settle down.

Fighting under the lights seems to be working so we'll continue for the time being.

SCA training videos

Duke Tomuki teaches great weapons

Songbook of Baron Sir Cipriano de Alverez of Iron Mountain

Shared with permission

Repairs

Replaced the buckle on the knotworked gorget in the loaner armor.

Completed rebuild of the 24" center grip shield. Used black duct tape to cover the rope on the edge.

Few updates

Good solid fighter practice last night.

Even though we have lost an hour of sunlight, the lighting from the parking garage and walking paths is adequate for practice.

I missed having the 24" center grip shield. It has been a good training tool as well as a lot of fun to play with.

It's amazing to still be sweating through all the cloth I am wearing in November.

Here's the pattern to the sheet metal baskets I have on some of my older swords. 1" grid

SCA heavy combat equipment links

Here are some links to consider for new or experienced heavy fighters:

http://www.shop.mastereirik.com/Shaved-Rattan-Sword-Kit-Swo…
Shaved rattan sword kit. I suggest the undersize rattan and low profile thrusting tip. Ask in comments for the lightest rattan in stock. I'd recommend buying the longest sticks until you know what size you prefer as they can be cut down.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/394380073955553/915955535131335/?ref=notif&notif_t=group_activity
Facebook group for buying and selling armor. More of a classified ad system but good to watch for items available right now.

http://www.plasticlamellar.com/suit-builder.html
Plastic lamellar armor. Their suit builder tool can be used to estimate the number of plates needed. If the dimensions are similar, it can also be used to estimate the number of metal plates needed from other vendors.

http://ironmongerarmory.com/stock-…/munitions-bascinet-helms
Here's an excellent low cost helmet. Per Iron Monger, they build these to order so you get a helmet sized to your dimensions in 1-2 weeks.

http://www.armourarchive.org/links/
A good place to start looking for more specifics and patterns if you are thinking of building your own armor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8JjBQ3YLuw
Video on shields. I can't seem to find a basic tutorial on them. I suggest at least 3/8" hardwood plywood, the more layers the better.
http://www.shop.mastereirik.com/Miscellaneous-Combat-Suppli…
Master Eirik also has plastic bosses and handles for center grip shields

Please feel free to add sources, tutorials, etc for heavy armor and weapons

YIS,
Iain