In einer eMail vom 10/22/2005 7:32:27 PM W. Europe Daylight Time schreibt
kaiser_von_moss@yahoo.co.uk:

Thirdly: As for a "smallsword simulator" proper, with a triangular
cross-section blade, I have seen that often people cut down epee
blades. They do seem to me, however, a tad slim for smallsword. Any
suggestions?



I've used both foil and epee cut-downs; myself, I'd rather use a shorter
standard epee blade if smallsword-effect's only what you're trying for, though I
like a foil cut-down for a variety of other reasons. I use two, one has a
crown guard, the other the good ol' standard coquille. I became addicted to
the quickness, the very brisk parries, and frankly most opponents have no idea
they had a 5-inch advantage until I showed them what I was using. But
actually the real payoff is that the shorter blades simply demand--no
compromises!--attention to technique.

Some folks may find a cut-down foil blade a bit stiff for their taste.
Uncut epee blades'll take a beating rather like but not as bad as children's
blades. You can, of course, spend a bit more money (to say the least) for a
replica smallsword. Tri City Academy--in Binghamton, NY--I'm told makes or used
to make good useable ones; _http://www.tcasfencing.com/_
(http://www.tcasfencing.com/) If you're looking for authenticity, that'd be the first place I'd
inquire, anyhow.

A couple of caveats: Foil was in fact the training sword for smallsword,
and it was delightful to read that confirmed, though buried in a note, in the
Kirby/Martinez edition of Angelo. The transition from rapier to smaller,
lighter weapons began in the oh, second third of the 17th century and by
mid-century the foil appeared--apparently with blades of considerable length (see
Labat), though I'd bet there was considerable variation--we can't expect
industrial age standards.

I'll curb my usual tendency to wax at length on historical speculation as to
why foil popped up back then. I don't have anything against folks using
smallsword, but nevertheless think we owe students consistency of training in
the foil first, and--pace lovers of Angelo!--it may in a way also be
"historically" more authentic? At any rate, plain-vanilla foil's the only real
historical weapon still in use! 'Leastwise, that's one of our mantras here.

Bill Leckie
Klassisches Fechten Soest
_flanconade@aol.com_ (mailto:flanconade@aol.com)
_soestfechten@aol.com_ (mailto:soestfechten@aol.com)


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