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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2008 5:12:54 GMT
Wow... only $114? That's much cheaper than I expected... I may just fly in and out...
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Post by ShooterMike on Apr 30, 2008 5:19:38 GMT
Yeah, airfare is cheap on Southwest. You just can't fly direct into DFW. But connecting flights to DFW from most other Texas airports are around $99. Maybe less. I can't drive to Austin and back for that in gas once it hits $4.00 per gallon.
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Post by randomnobody on Apr 30, 2008 5:47:51 GMT
When I visited Texas back in October, I bought my ticket (RIC to DFW) a week in advance (stupid work got my vacation time wrong and I couldn't buy the ticket until it was straightened out) for around $400, round trip, I think US Airways? Of course, I was primarily visiting a friend who lives in Burleson, but made a trip with Mike to Lancaster to visit Mr. Davis and Co. for a day, then my friend and I hit Mike's place for an afternoon of terrible fun. I wonder if my friend would be able to host me again...if I can get time off work... Let's see, Otakon is August 8-10, this would be about the 12-13? Hmm...that's a lot of time off, and really cutting into after-con stuffs...
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2008 17:48:58 GMT
Keep in mind the issue of bringing armor and weapons simulators onto the plane. There may be weight issues with armor and other issues with blunts or even wasters. Do you have a bag big enough to fit the blunts for checkin?
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2008 19:06:39 GMT
If push comes to shove I can just load all my stuff into a big box then fork over the $50 to ship it to Shooter's place...
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2008 1:03:35 GMT
I use a guncase for swords/blunts/wasters when I fly. Just way WAY less hassle that way. Lock it up, open it at check in and lock it back up and there is no hassle. Armour always tends to be an issue since it's so fricking heavy, they just don't wanna deal with it...and this was before gas prices skyrocketed.
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Post by ShooterMike on May 2, 2008 1:12:59 GMT
I use a guncase for swords/blunts/wasters when I fly. Just way WAY less hassle that way. Lock it up, open it at check in and lock it back up and there is no hassle. Armour always tends to be an issue since it's so fricking heavy, they just don't wanna deal with it...and this was before gas prices skyrocketed. Inexpensive Doskocil hard-sided gun cases from Walmart or a sporting goods store are the inexpensive order of the day for flying with swords. When I travel with bulky gear (holsters, webgear, body armor, cold weather gear, boots, etc.) I put it in an old canvas parachute bag. It's has a larger diameter than a duffel bag and is usually large enough for everything. Plus the empty weight is something like 1-2 lbs. You can take it as one of your two checked bags without additional cost as long as it weighs under the "heavy baggage" limit. That used to be 75 lbs. But I think they dropped the limit a bit. You can find old canvas parachite bags at most military surplus stores for very little money. I have two and think I paid $8-10 each for them.
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2008 1:55:32 GMT
Last time I flew it was 50 lbs. Somebody told me that some airlines (namely united) is reducing that to 25 lbs on some flights. At 25 lbs, your not getting armor on board without paying through the nose unforuately.
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Post by brotherbanzai on May 2, 2008 2:06:25 GMT
Oh my gosh, they take away our ability to "smite" and now we're driving across country to duel instead?! May I inquire of our combatants what will be tested here? Some of the posts seem to imply it's an SCA vs WMA thing but since Tsafa has WMA training (please correct me if I'm mistaken) that doesn't seem likely to be it. Other posts sort of imply a "brute force" vs "finesse" thing, but that would suggest that Tsafa lacks finesse which seems a bit harsh just because he batted a few during his first try at mat cutting. Is this just to test the viability of the wrap cut? Seems like a lot of hassle just for that. Is it a grudge match that's building up for a while? Some combination or something else entirely?
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Post by alvin on May 2, 2008 2:24:33 GMT
I think that it just might be a conspiracy to go play with Shooter's blades and guns.
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Post by ShooterMike on May 2, 2008 2:28:55 GMT
Oh my gosh, they take away our ability to "smite" and now we're driving across country to duel instead?! May I inquire of our combatants what will be tested here? Some of the posts seem to imply it's an SCA vs WMA thing but since Tsafa has WMA training (please correct me if I'm mistaken) that doesn't seem likely to be it. Other posts sort of imply a "brute force" vs "finesse" thing, but that would suggest that Tsafa lacks finesse which seems a bit harsh just because he batted a few during his first try at mat cutting. Is this just to test the viability of the wrap cut? Seems like a lot of hassle just for that. Is it a grudge match that's building up for a while? Some combination or something else entirely? That's a darned good question, BB. And something we should probably decide on beforehand. From the sidelines it seems it is a discussion/mild disagreement about what attributes and techniques are more effective in one-on-one combat with the sword. And a civil attempt to find some valid answers via real-time research. As for me, I just wanna have fun watching and learning. *In my best Yosemite Sam, Texas drawl* "An weelllll...if'n we hafta dig uh hole out back and burrryy one uv 'em, that'll be uh lairnin' experience too." ;D
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Post by brotherbanzai on May 2, 2008 3:01:22 GMT
Ah, good stuff ;D
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2008 3:35:23 GMT
When Tsafa said that he didn't think people could make a horizontal cut in good form, but probably could with quote: "Full intention to the cut" that was the last straw that broke my poor camel's back, because I see no distinction between good form and good intention. In fact, good intention is vital to good form.
Anyway, it's sortof been building for awhile I think. Tsafa and I disagree on a lot of things...
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2008 3:50:36 GMT
Quite honestly the idea of beating me with grappling is a joke unless you are are strong as me. Which raises the question of whether grappling is allowed... I would also dispute quite strongly that grappling is not effective unless you are stronger than your opponent. Screw takedowns and throws, it's all about controlling the weapon and head/hip control, which doesnt take much strength. And yes, while you're in at 'knife range' while doing so, some of the positions would facilitate the good old 'draw blade across opponent's throat' move. High school style wrestling is not in any way the type of grappling you want to use when weapons are involved. I also doubt that WMA would have highly developed grappling, for the simple fact that you only have so many hours in a day to train, and the emphasis will (and should) be on the best manipulation of your weapon. Cross training in non-sport, standup grappling would be the way to go. Of course, amount of armour counts. Grappling is far more effective against unarmoured opponents, for the simple fact that incorporating unarmed attacks (elbows/knees) doesn't work if your opponent is encased in steel.
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2008 4:40:19 GMT
I think that it just might be a conspiracy to go play with Shooter's blades and guns. Shhhh...thats a secret. You want Mike knowing all their nefarious plans ?
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2008 4:59:14 GMT
Well since I brought up the wrap shot, I do wanna know about that with tsafa using something that is actually sword like vs padded/rattan weapons if you guys can fit that into your busy schedule.
As for good horizontal cuts...well I think I saw a few of them in Mike's gen 2 henry the V test cutting video and I hardly would call that "full intent"...but then again Mike does have mighty good form. I don't argee with you Adam about intent being intertwined with form...but I do think that good form beats good intent any day of the week and twice on sunday. Then again are you surpirse you and I disagree on that point Adam?
Oddly enough I prefer grapples when I fight unarmed/with a small blade...and I find that strength has less to do with who wins one of these more then technique. Even if you know nothing, you can play to your strengths. If they are stronger, be faster. If they are faster be smarter. If they are smarter be stronger. Then again I have been in enough knife fights to develop a style I like...I'm pretty sure thats a bad thing.
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2008 8:49:18 GMT
If you don't intend to cut, you won't. Intention isn't enough alone, but without it, what good is form?
'A despondent heart will always be defeated regardless of skill'. A related concept I think.
The whole grappling thing is another thing Tsafa and I disagree on. I think he misunderstands the term 'grappling'. And as just about every picture in Vadi's manual shows SOME form of grappling, I'd say it's pretty important, and that's why I train it.
Grappling is even more effective with armor as it makes it easier to hold onto someone. Also, it tends to add leverage when your opponent is covered in steel wedges.
In any case, 'grappling' is far more encompassing than rolling on the ground with someone trying to force them into a pin or submission. It includes throws and even grappling 'am schwert' and so forth.
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2008 19:52:17 GMT
Oh my gosh, they take away our ability to "smite" and now we're driving across country to duel instead?! May I inquire of our combatants what will be tested here? Some of the posts seem to imply it's an SCA vs WMA thing but since Tsafa has WMA training (please correct me if I'm mistaken) that doesn't seem likely to be it. Other posts sort of imply a "brute force" vs "finesse" thing, but that would suggest that Tsafa lacks finesse which seems a bit harsh just because he batted a few during his first try at mat cutting. Is this just to test the viability of the wrap cut? Seems like a lot of hassle just for that. Is it a grudge match that's building up for a while? Some combination or something else entirely? I'm always up for some sparring. I must admit that as the person who was challenged I would have insisted on Adam coming to NY if not for Mike's gun collection. I plan to spend as much time shooting as sparring. This showdown between Adam and me has indeed been brewing for a long time. Given that we will be spending a few days at Mikes ranch it will give us a lot of time to test everything that has ever been said. We will be have multiple duel under different circumstances. Mike will keep track with pencil and paper so we can come up with some statistics. At the end of each day we can go over those statistics and consider factors that might effect them and test those the following days. Before each fight we will calibrate the blows to determine what is a good hit. We should come up with some sort of bouting plan before hand. We can add to it when we get down there. The first match up should be my choice, as the challenged one. I will pick sword and shield. I will let Adam pick longsword if he wants. We will use the padded swords any and wresting is allowed. Calibration will be full speed and power. We can do about 20 bouts with this. That should give us good statistics. At the end, Mike can add up all the wins vs losses for a winner. Next, after resting, we can try the above with blunts under lighter calibration. Basically we will be doing touch hits. After 20 bouts we can also try the nylon swords. Then we can do longsword vs longsword. 20 bouts first with padded swords then with the blunts, then with nylons. If Adam is interested, I will have an extra shield for him to try for a series of bouts, provided I drive rather then fly. I will also have rapiers so we can fight with those under all forms. We can also do some armored matches were only only the face, armpits, inside elbows and back of the knees count. Among the things that I am specifically looking to test against Adam is my wrap shots and the effectiveness of his grappling. The issue with the wrap shots I foresee is that with the blunts, I can't hit him at full power without hurting him unless he as armor on the back of his head. With the padded swords, we are back to questioning how effective the wrap would be with a blunt. This is something we need to sort out before hand. As for grappling, in addition to using it throughout the actual bouts, we can also do a series of bouts were we start from various binds and Adam can see what he can do from there. I will be pretty much willing to try anything Adam has in mind, provided it can be done safely. I ordered myself a pair or Kydex gauntlets yesterday, $150, so that should take care of most of my concerns about finger safety with the blunts. I had been wanting to get them for my WMA practice anyway. They are light enough so that it is as if I have no gauntlets. I will also borrow a gambeson from my WMA group. I'll be coming to Texas with all guns blazing
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2008 20:31:07 GMT
Now that we've got a poll, I guess that means that odds and so forth can now be calculated and bets can be placed... once we get enough votes that is.
I must say, that after voting for myself(maybe a foul, but it doesn't mean that much anyway) I sure do like the look of that bar compared to Tsafa's...
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2008 20:45:31 GMT
Sorry to disappoint, I just evened that bar out with my vote Going to gym, can't wait to see the votes later tonight, lol.
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