Wielding Pointy Sticks

This past Sunday,  after an abbreviated visit to Boston Media Makers [http://bostonmediamakers.wordpress.com/], I made my way over to West Newton to attend a day long seminar on Wielding a Longsword (pics & vid to come), taught by Steven Hirsch (founder), Stuart Ferguson and Josh Watson of Kunstbruder – The Brotherhood of the Art.

This was a six hour long version of the 1 hour class I took part in at Arisia [http://www.arisia.org].  Whereas at the Arisia class we were quickly introduced to basic stances and footwork, this seminar proceeded as follows:

• 12:00 -12:25 Introduction to the Longsword
• 12:25 – 12:35 Warm-ups – Be prepared to sweat
• 12:35 – 12:50 The Basic attack – Oberhau
• 12:50 – 1:30 Footwork
• 1:40 – 2:30 Moulinet & Zornhau with Zorn-ort and Abnemen
• 2:30 – 3:00 Snack break
• 3:00 – 3:50 Unterhau and Combining it all
• 4:00 – 4:30 Absetzen – parry-riposte
• 4:30 – 5:00 Ringen am schwert – Wrestling at the sword
• 5:00 – 5:40 Coached free play
• 5:40 – 6:00 How to practice what you’ve learned
• 6:00- Dinner!

There were 6 students in attendance, including Marc Bernier [http://www.hickoryarmsonline.com], the swordsman and craftsman who created my brand new hickory waster, seen above and on the right.

By the end of the day, I was sweaty, tired, famished, and totally happy.  Afterwards, we shared a well deserved beer and some much needed calories.  Check these guys out.  They’re great teachers.  I’m definitely looking forwards to many, many, more lessons.

Thanks guys!