Beowulf Reviewer Profile
Sept 24, 2013 21:27:06 GMT
Post by Beowulf on Sept 24, 2013 21:27:06 GMT
Beowulf a.k.a. Donald L.
Age: 45 (as of 2013)
Location: Kansas City area
Collecting Since: 1997.
Why I Collect: My collecting is generally a side-effect of practicing martial arts. I have been active in Kunst des fechten, Western Martial Arts, or Historic European Martial Arts (pick your favorite term) since the year 1998. My focus is in Medieval German Martial Arts, my specific training is in 15th Century Knightly German fighting techniques. I am proficient in "Langenschwert Blossfechten" or fighting with a longsword unarmoured. I am also familiar with and continuing to pursue "Dagen" (dagger), "Langesmesser" (long knife, war knife) "Ringen" (combat wrestling combining throws, grappling, locks and bone breaking), Sword and Buckler and Pollaxe. I know the armoured technique sets but I do not own a 15th century harness (suit of armour) to truly try these techniques out in good context.
My interests have changed over time and I am now exploring 13th century specifically. I own a 13th Century-specific maille harness and armour. I am currently researching some earlier things such as "heater" shield use. I have a keen interest in dark age combat, specifically the Viking and Saxon Cultures. However these things cannot be readily researched in any fruitful way. I'll never consult with an author about such things. I'll never write at length about them myself. They might be reconstructed perfectly but we'll never know due to the lack of any evidence.
School Affiliation: I do not belong to a school presently. I spent a brief time associated with ARMA but decided it was not for me. At one time I taught Kunst des Fechten for 4 years. It was quite an experience! My students have moved away, become married and fat or have gone to college and become poor and overworked. I toy with the idea of founding a fightgroup or joining one myself constantly. Teaching is a lot of work.
Why I Collect: My mother's side of the family is second generation American, my father's is third generation. This means that when I was a child roughly half the relatives at family gatherings spoke no English, broken English or accented English. I've always wanted to know about Old Europe and understand the larger background that shaped the beliefs and outlook of my crazy relations. I was drawn to swords and armour when very young and never gave it up. I was one of those kids always chasing imaginary monsters with whatever I thought at the time was my magic sword- usually a stick or an old surveyor's stake. One overriding theme I have discovered in my life is that things are often more complex than they first appear to be. My studies into old European fighting has once again confirmed this.
My Japanese weapons are the result of the 80s. It's that simple. I cannot help it. I was exposed to them as a teenager and I never have been able to fully exorcise this from my system. My one wish is that I knew better how to use them. I use them like I would a long-messer or longsword. It's sad, but true.
My Collection:
>Windlass<
Seax
Two Handed Falchion
Luftwaffe survival machete
Arisaka bayonet
Great River Ouse sword
German Bastard Sword
Sword of Roven
Classic Cinquedea
Old Style Coustille
Transitional Viking Sword
Norwegian Viking Sword
Maciejowski Warbrand
Type XIV
German/Swiss Two Hander (unknown name)
Musketeer Rapier
Musketeer Main Gauche
>Hanwei<
Saxon Sword
Raptor Moroha Zukuri
Hanwei Tinker Bastard Sword
Hanwei Tinker Great Sword of War
Wind and Thunder Katana
Tinker Blunt Training Longsword
Practical Hand and a Half Sword
Iga Ninja-To
>Munetoshi<
29" Iaito
Nisshoku
Limited Edition Hwandudaedo
>Kris Cutlery<
Nagamaki
Teutonic Sword
23" Chisa Katana
Wakizashi
Ninja-To
>Cold Steel<
Double Edged Katana (Moroha Zukuri)
Nodachi (yet again, Nagamaki)
>Del Tin<
14th Century Medieval Sword
Italian Type XV Early Renaissance Arming Sword (product name unknown)
>Dynasty Forge<
Wave Theme Musha Katana
>Cheness<
Oniyuri Bujinkan
>Arms & Armor<
Durer Longsword
Custom Goliath Greatsword
Burgundian Poleaxe
...and others too!
My Wishlist:
Albion Dane
Albion Knight
Albion 13th Century Knightly Sword
Albion Squire
Albion Baron
Albion The Knecht
A&A 12th Century Sword
A&A Black Prince Sword
A&A English Longsword
Anything by Royal Oak Armoury
About My Reviews: I want the reader to understand to some extent where/why/what the weapon is supposed to be in a historical context. Being armed with knowledge of the history of a weapon's form, use and context makes that weapon much more valuable, no matter it's qualities.
About My Advice: I try and be honest above all but also I try and inform/educate if possible. This often means my advice can be long-winded. I think this is good for the questioner seeking advice, but also for those who ask the same question later and stumble upon my reply. Safety and fun should be paramount! It's good to own something absolutely accurate or of best quality- but it's better to learn and eventually know what is good quality or absolutely accurate while having fun and not feeling excluded by price or means.
My Reviews:
Deepeeka Primus 15th Century Rondel Dagger
Age: 45 (as of 2013)
Location: Kansas City area
Collecting Since: 1997.
Why I Collect: My collecting is generally a side-effect of practicing martial arts. I have been active in Kunst des fechten, Western Martial Arts, or Historic European Martial Arts (pick your favorite term) since the year 1998. My focus is in Medieval German Martial Arts, my specific training is in 15th Century Knightly German fighting techniques. I am proficient in "Langenschwert Blossfechten" or fighting with a longsword unarmoured. I am also familiar with and continuing to pursue "Dagen" (dagger), "Langesmesser" (long knife, war knife) "Ringen" (combat wrestling combining throws, grappling, locks and bone breaking), Sword and Buckler and Pollaxe. I know the armoured technique sets but I do not own a 15th century harness (suit of armour) to truly try these techniques out in good context.
My interests have changed over time and I am now exploring 13th century specifically. I own a 13th Century-specific maille harness and armour. I am currently researching some earlier things such as "heater" shield use. I have a keen interest in dark age combat, specifically the Viking and Saxon Cultures. However these things cannot be readily researched in any fruitful way. I'll never consult with an author about such things. I'll never write at length about them myself. They might be reconstructed perfectly but we'll never know due to the lack of any evidence.
School Affiliation: I do not belong to a school presently. I spent a brief time associated with ARMA but decided it was not for me. At one time I taught Kunst des Fechten for 4 years. It was quite an experience! My students have moved away, become married and fat or have gone to college and become poor and overworked. I toy with the idea of founding a fightgroup or joining one myself constantly. Teaching is a lot of work.
Why I Collect: My mother's side of the family is second generation American, my father's is third generation. This means that when I was a child roughly half the relatives at family gatherings spoke no English, broken English or accented English. I've always wanted to know about Old Europe and understand the larger background that shaped the beliefs and outlook of my crazy relations. I was drawn to swords and armour when very young and never gave it up. I was one of those kids always chasing imaginary monsters with whatever I thought at the time was my magic sword- usually a stick or an old surveyor's stake. One overriding theme I have discovered in my life is that things are often more complex than they first appear to be. My studies into old European fighting has once again confirmed this.
My Japanese weapons are the result of the 80s. It's that simple. I cannot help it. I was exposed to them as a teenager and I never have been able to fully exorcise this from my system. My one wish is that I knew better how to use them. I use them like I would a long-messer or longsword. It's sad, but true.
My Collection:
>Windlass<
Seax
Two Handed Falchion
Luftwaffe survival machete
Arisaka bayonet
Great River Ouse sword
German Bastard Sword
Sword of Roven
Classic Cinquedea
Old Style Coustille
Transitional Viking Sword
Norwegian Viking Sword
Maciejowski Warbrand
Type XIV
German/Swiss Two Hander (unknown name)
Musketeer Rapier
Musketeer Main Gauche
>Hanwei<
Saxon Sword
Raptor Moroha Zukuri
Hanwei Tinker Bastard Sword
Hanwei Tinker Great Sword of War
Wind and Thunder Katana
Tinker Blunt Training Longsword
Practical Hand and a Half Sword
Iga Ninja-To
>Munetoshi<
29" Iaito
Nisshoku
Limited Edition Hwandudaedo
>Kris Cutlery<
Nagamaki
Teutonic Sword
23" Chisa Katana
Wakizashi
Ninja-To
>Cold Steel<
Double Edged Katana (Moroha Zukuri)
Nodachi (yet again, Nagamaki)
>Del Tin<
14th Century Medieval Sword
Italian Type XV Early Renaissance Arming Sword (product name unknown)
>Dynasty Forge<
Wave Theme Musha Katana
>Cheness<
Oniyuri Bujinkan
>Arms & Armor<
Durer Longsword
Custom Goliath Greatsword
Burgundian Poleaxe
...and others too!
My Wishlist:
Albion Dane
Albion Knight
Albion 13th Century Knightly Sword
Albion Squire
Albion Baron
Albion The Knecht
A&A 12th Century Sword
A&A Black Prince Sword
A&A English Longsword
Anything by Royal Oak Armoury
About My Reviews: I want the reader to understand to some extent where/why/what the weapon is supposed to be in a historical context. Being armed with knowledge of the history of a weapon's form, use and context makes that weapon much more valuable, no matter it's qualities.
About My Advice: I try and be honest above all but also I try and inform/educate if possible. This often means my advice can be long-winded. I think this is good for the questioner seeking advice, but also for those who ask the same question later and stumble upon my reply. Safety and fun should be paramount! It's good to own something absolutely accurate or of best quality- but it's better to learn and eventually know what is good quality or absolutely accurate while having fun and not feeling excluded by price or means.
My Reviews:
Deepeeka Primus 15th Century Rondel Dagger