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Post by AB on Jul 13, 2018 20:07:05 GMT
Introductions are an art. I'm bad a writing them and also bad at reading them. Either they sound like the person put absolutely no thought into it "Uh, hey guys, I'm new, and, uh, I like swords" or the person writes their entire resume out. While I admit there is a spectrum in between, usually it's one or the other.
As for this new guy, I came into swords in a really weird way. I'll share it one day, as it's an unusual story. That is, if the topic holds my interest and it isn't just a passing fancy. I've had some training in Iaido, but really that hardly counts for what I'm trying to accomplish.
I was a Karate guy in my youth I spent a long time in it but really never got better than "above average" compared to people who were actually good. As I got older and long-term injuries started piling up I started shooting handguns competitively, and I still do that now.
I'm looking forward to learning about HEMA and the historical applications surrounding it, and it seems this is the place to be, along with the books I've bought.
I'll be looking to buy a longsword of some variety, either new or used, and I hear this is also the place to come for real reviews and perhaps some purchasing.
Looking forward to meeting everyone.
AB
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Jul 13, 2018 20:12:36 GMT
Welcome to the forum.
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thedarksider
Member
I'm really starting to run out of room for my Collection.
Posts: 227
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Post by thedarksider on Jul 13, 2018 20:13:26 GMT
Welcome to the forum, Hopefully we won't scare you off too soon.  |
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AndiTheBarvarian
Member
"Lord of the Memes"
Bavarianbarbarian - Semper Semprini
Posts: 10,322
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Jul 13, 2018 20:22:04 GMT
Hi AB and welcome to the forum!
Try a longsword!
(... and enter the twilight zone)
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christain
Member
It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
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Post by christain on Jul 13, 2018 21:59:40 GMT
Welcome, sword-brother---And welcome to a new addiction. Once you go 'whack!', you'll never go back.  Long sword, eh? Might I suggest a Hanwei/Tinker L/S or the Hanwei Rhinelander? I own both, and they are AWESOME, both in looks and ability to perform. The Rhinelander is a bit more expensive than the H/T, but worth every penny. Git you some, bro! |
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Post by AB on Jul 13, 2018 22:49:57 GMT
Thanks for all the welcomes so far!
Christain, I actually attempted to buy the Hanwei Tinker LS from two different vendors only to find out it is backordered. I'll check out the Rhinelander when I get a minute, and I'll spend all kinds of money when I get annoyed with a process!
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pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
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Post by pgandy on Jul 13, 2018 22:51:27 GMT
Welcome aboard AB. Glad to have you.
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Post by demonskull on Jul 13, 2018 23:07:30 GMT
Hi and Welcome !
Some casual recommendations:
If you are planning on joining a HEMA group, try out some of their users to see what suits you. Swords like cars are very personal objects. What I like, you might not and vice versa.
If you are thinking of starting on your own, you'll have to rely primarily on reviews and this is the place for that. In the past other forums would have reviews but they were entirely subjective. Daniel Dacombe realized the problem with totally subjective reviews and created a template, that took a lot of the subjectivity out of the equation leaving statistics. That coupled with an education of sword harmonics and pictures of the reviewed swords leaves a really great tool for sword buying.
You mentioned used swords as an option. This site has a great Classifieds (check both the For Sale and the Classifieds main pages). It also has a feedback area so you can view a sellers past transaction experiences.
Good Luck, We're here to help.
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Post by AB on Jul 13, 2018 23:33:16 GMT
Good analogy comparing cars to swords. With my competition guns, aesthetics don't matter at all, it's 100% performance based. With cars and swords, aesthetics matter a LOT to me along with performance. Those two items must have both in spades to be considered worthy.
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christain
Member
It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
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Post by christain on Jul 13, 2018 23:43:46 GMT
demonskull said: "Good luck, We're here to help." He wasn't kidding. You've come to the right place----Welcome home. Pull up a drink, stoke the fire, and be prepared to be entertained and enlightened. We may not be the sharpest Crayon's in the box, but, collectively, we've got it where it counts.  Enjoy, friend. |
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Post by Cosmoline on Jul 14, 2018 0:20:03 GMT
Prior martial arts certainly "count" with HEMA. Obviously there are differences, but most of the best fencers do have backgrounds in other arts. You'll likely find far more freedom in HEMA though. Sometimes that bugs people who are used to strict rules and protocols of rank. You should check out the HEMA Alliance group finder. Are you stateside?
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Post by AB on Jul 14, 2018 1:26:52 GMT
It never occurred to me there would be an international presence here, but it does make sense! Yes, I am in the US. Already done the club finder, and the are two, both about 180 miles away.
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Ouroboros
Member
Imperial, Mysterious In Amorous Array
Posts: 581 
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Post by Ouroboros on Jul 15, 2018 20:11:20 GMT
Greetings from The North (Or south if yer Alaskan)...somewhere east of Capital of Cannucklandia.
You're in the right place. Knowledge on all manner of subjects. Blades n assorted weapons of all ages from the sharp n flaky kind all the way to the supersonic modern day (and likely beyond if you ask Mr Stark 🤣). I'm no HEMA guy, prefer my axe, hammer n Kats of various stripes but you will find lots to read and even a few good recipes in the forum Cafe area.
Welcome aboard--it starts with one...
Ouro
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Long sword, eh? Might I suggest a Hanwei/Tinker L/S or the Hanwei Rhinelander? I own both, and they are AWESOME, both in looks and ability to perform. The Rhinelander is a bit more expensive than the H/T, but worth every penny. Git you some, bro!
Enjoy, friend.
