Armour making schedules

Formal armour making classes.

So many people have asked me for them.  As I observe the people who make armour in my shop on Saturdays, I am struck by a couple of things...mostly that though the spirit is always willing

(and boy is it ever willing!), the knowledge base of how to make a good looking armour is simply not there.  Drill bits spin in their chucks, and rivets rattle. Breastplates are lumpy and

mis-shapen and sharp edges abrade skin.   Making armour is a skill, like typing or learning to drive, and what one person can do another person can learn how to do as well.

    I have never felt that by training people, I would be training my competition.  Far from it.  I would be training my collegues, and those who will be taking over from me, taking this art

to the next level and on to the next generation.  To this end, I have decided to schedule some formal classes. They are not cheap, nothing important ever is.  Yet they are not out of reach

either.

 I have built up a curriculum based on two day blocks, and I always add on an optional practice day on the end of it for you to finish off whatever project you started.  So you can expect two

hours of lecture to start each day, then its all On-Job-Training "hands on" after that.  The courses will be held in my shop in Metcalfe.  I am not on a bus route, so if there is need for a

shuttle bus, let me know. I don't mind the drive to Tim Horton's at Findley Creek in the morning.   Courses start at 9o'clock sharp, and go for a pretty solid day which ends at around five. 

Depending on the heat levels, I may start it much earlier.     

The first block assumes you know NOTHING about metalworking of any kind, and will cover steel gauge sizes,  how to change tool bits and blades, the tools involved in armour making, and how

they are used. That being said, to avoid wasting all of our precious time,

You should already know:
        how to use a file, a hacksaw, a jig saw, a hand held power drill, a drill press, bench grinder and a bench vise.
        the metric system, the awg system, the sae system, and standard fastening systems.
        the use of safety equipment...eye, ear, fire fighting
        the names of various armour pieces
      

    At the end of the two days, you will know all the parts of the armour, anvil and what hammer to use, and when and on what.   You will become very knowledgable about safety equipment.   

You will know how to roll an edge, an introduction to the English wheel, and how to make a simple breastplate.  You will become familiar with shears, drills, and leathering of armour.  You

will be able to mount buckles on belts, and learn how to tie a ring buckle.  The third day is a practice day, in which you get to finish the projects embarked upon.  Since this last is only a

practice day, you can safely skip it, and do your practicing at home.  You will go home with a breastplate which is made to fit you.  Perhaps a back plate as well.

    The first block is required to go on to the second and third blocks. Some folks have an existing shop knowledge, and don't really need that basic course.  You can challenge my eqivalancy

exam if you like. email me at MarshalBill@gmail.com and I will send you the list of questions. You either breeze through them, or you gulp and realize (as I did!) that there is a huge body

ofhuge gap of knowledge you didn't even know you don't know.


The second block is also two days, and will deal with more complicated tasks such as articulating joints, finishing of metal, and hinge riveting.  You will learn tuck pointing, shrinking,

finishing with a surface plate, raising and dishing.  You will go home with a pair of knee cops.  You will learn how to colour leather, and mount different styles of buckles, and learn how to

make them. Eyeletting of both steel and leather are demonstrated. The basic armour making class is required, or equivalent.

The third block is the tool making block, where we will introduce you to multi metals such as brass, aluminum and stainless steel. Some work will be done with different leathers and furs. 

There will be an introduction to repousse, and a segment on how to make tools with which you can push the metal out.  Tool preparation, polishing and modification is explained succintly.

Polishing of brass and hardend steel tools is explained, with particular emphasis on how to make your own polishing station.   Colouring of metals, and texturing the surface is covered.  The

basic armour making class is required, or equivalent. You will go home with a pair of vambraces with your coat of arms embossed upon them.



2012 block 1  Thursday and Friday  May 31 and  June 1
     block 2  Thursday and Friday  June 14 and June 15
     block 3  Thursday and Friday  June 21 and June 22
     block 1  Monday, Tuesday 25,26 June.  (An optional date if there is considerable demand)
     block 1  Thursday and Friday  June 28 and June 29
     block 2  Thursday and Friday  July 12 and July 13
     block 3  Thursday and Friday  July 19 and July 20

Monday and Tuesday middle of June are available for block 1 (basic armouring) if there is demand.
Book your time slot now.  email stag@southtower.on.ca, or marshalbill@gmail.com
I accept VISA, Mastercard, and American Express.

Cost for the basic two day block is $220.80
($80.00 ($10.00/hr) + $10.40hst + $20.00 (materials) per day)


I will also accept TradeBank dollars, One World Barter Dollars, Canadian Tire Money and South Tower Dollars
A paid reservation is a confirmed reservation.
I limit attendance to three minimum, six maximum
Crash space is available if needed. 
Safety boots are required...likely your own safety glasses will be more comfortable than my old beat up ones.
 
Phone 613-821-1846, or fax 613-821-9947

George and Tony Silver

Struggle through it...it will be worth your time to get the flavor of the authentic life of bravos and sword fighters back in the day.  George Silver was a sword fighting instructor in England back in 1599, and he didn't like the new fangled long skinny swords handled by long skinny Italians with attitudes.    However, he DID have a sort of grudging respect for talent when he saw it.  These few pages from his book are his evaluation of the rival Italian sword fighting schools coming up in London, and his thoughts upon their masters. 

New class starts at Algonquin College and Talhoffer plate 2

We have 14 people starting the Algonquin College Basic level Chivalrous Swordhandling course tonight.  Very impressive.  I will be surveying the attendees and finding out how they heard about it and see if the new advertising the College is using may actually be working.
     Jeff Greenwood will be my assistant, but he is leaving right in the middle of the course for an overseas visit, and Shayne Dark shall be the middle section.  We are very lucky to have Shayne...he is a very busy person and VERY knowledgable on the subject of Japanese Sword techniques.

    Originally, we had an advanced course scheduled for Friday, but only one person signed up for it.  So they cancelled it, and will run it later on....in June.  Suits me....I rather like the idea of Friday evenings off. 

The above picture is Talhoffer's fighting style, which we are emulating.  Observe the fellow on the right has stepped to his left, off the line of attack.  The rising strike is the second part of what I call the "X files".  It will rise up, glancing off the ward the left hand man would have to put into place, go high, and then come down in a smooth, gravity assisted draw cut onto his right shoulder.  If the man on the left keeps his guard in place, the sword will be deflected over head, and slide down towards his left.  Fun stuff.

Talhoffer plate 1

Though Herr Talhoffer uses both hands, the movement is the same.  In the above print, the man on the left is attempting a strike which I call the "number five" strike.  That is a strike which is more or less straight down.  Its not of course...it is actually moving down and to the left, in a diagonal line.  The fighter on the right is bringing his sword up to meet the strike. 
       These are just opening moves.  As meaningless, yet pregnant with meaning as the opening moves in a game of chess. The right hand fighter will step forward and to the left, catching his opponent's sword as close to the forte as he can.  Then he will deflect the strike off to his right, his sword will be forced down and to the right, and will have a load of energy to continue the swing back and around to hit his opponent's arms, or maybe, since they are both stepping closer to each other, even his head or neck. 
       

        
The samurai in the pic above is deflecting the incoming overhead strike same as the Talhoffer sketch.  His sword will rise from the en guarde position to the high guard shown above. 

There are so many good reasons why Herr Talhoffer taught this as the very first move in his book.  It is extremely important.  The five strike is very nearly the most popular strike you will ever face.  Practice deflecting it away as shown.  Then get used to swinging the sword to the left, then up. 

Safety Standards

Safety requirements of Medieval Fighting Demonstrations at the Osgoode Medieval Festival.


The Safety Officer of the Osgoode Medieval Festival will be Bill Fedun.
The Co-ordinator of the Osgoode Medieval Festival will be Judy Carey.


The safety officer of the Osgoode Medieval Festival has a duty to make sure people have full knowledge of our safety requirements.
They are very strict and sensible.
 
You must ensure that you are working within a safe area.
We will provide a double roped piste, however, some weapons forms may require moving the ropes to give the spectators some extra room.
Know this in advance.  If you pull stakes to move a rope, put them back later.
Be prepared to make your own roped off area if there is not one available for use, the co-ordinator will help you find one.  Or not.
You must have a marshal controlling the fight.
   
        
You may NOT mix your fight demo with any unqualified spectators.
Other WMA groups may play together providing marshals from both groups are present and actively marshaling on the field.
Some exceptions may apply...boffer fighting for instance "should" be safe enough to allow spectators to drop in and play under supervision.
But even then.....I reserve the right to shut it down if I even get a bad feeling about it. 
I have no problem with random members of the public touching your armour or swords, or even swinging them around providing
it is done under tight supervision, well away from the general public and in a roped off area.
But no, you don't let them run over to their wife/father/best friend/whatever to show it off outside the ropes....
Members of the general public will not participate in any fighting.
Don't hit members of the general public, even if they are wearing armour and asking for it.

       
Sword styles based on AEMMA, and by extension the OMSG,and many other WMA groups often risk sword breakage.
Your fight style may need to be modified subtly to miniminize the possibility of the shrapnel from busted swords flying into the audience.
For instance, the South Tower Armouring Guild forbids head "shots" when we are within a crowd and sticks solely to draw cuts.
A lanyard (an old boot lace will do!) will attach your sword to your wrist.
Knives, javelins or hatchets may not be thrown in the demo area, nor is any archery permitted except in the approved archery field.
   
No sword or sword like object such as a bokkun or wooden waster used for sparring on the list field may be able to be inserted into an eye slot or into a throat.
This means gorgets and eye slot mesh.
Safety glasses under the helmet are not good enough to stop a steel sword thrust, but will be acceptable for non steel swords.
Mesh will have a maximum hole diameter of three quarters of an inch, and may be welded or riveted in place.
For now, I will allow chain mail camails in lieu of gorgets.  This may change if I observe difficulties.

One or more members of your group must  be qualified and carry a valid certificate in first aid.  Any level is fine.
You must have a first aid kit there at the demo area when when you do your demo.

      
Carrying your swords to and from the list field will not require a peace binding,
though to prevent damage to jostling people, carrying them in a golf bag or duffel bag would prove your good intentions.
Walking around, chatting to people, visiting the vendors and merchants...
well, use a  strap tie to hold that sword or knife down against your side so that the curious kid won't grab it.
You can get a strap tie from the front gate.
Don't leave swords and knives on the ground unattended where some kid (or kid like adult!) can pick it up without supervision.
      
The safety supervisor will have waivers available for all your participants to sign on the day.
They simply cannot fight without signing a waiver.
The waiver will consist of this set of rules, and will require your signature before you can demonstrate.


Don't scare anybody.  Leave the sword in its scabbard no matter how tempting it is to show it off.

There will be cases arising from time to time which will need me to resolve.
I hope to be honourable, chivalrous and safe, hopefully consisent.
If you have a problem with the Safety Supervisor, you can appeal it to the event co-ordinator.

chain mail making machine

mid april newsletter

South Tower Newsletter Mid April 2012

The Plante Bath course will run. Because of low signups, the course start date was delayed to allow people to trickle in.
(I think it has to do with exams, which understandably trump yet more courses!)
New dates are one week later, April 22nd to June 17 for both the advanced and basic course.


European Chivalrous Handling Course...Level 1 Plante Baths (18 hours) Sunday mornings 10:30 to 12:30
Plante Recreation Centre, 730 Sommerset St. West at Preston road.
Phone to register at 613-232-3000

The basic course is needed to get started in sword handling and be able to do it safely, a good grounding.
Not a lot of "dirty tricks", but you get all the basic moves required to aquit yourself as a competent swordsman on the field.


Chivalrous Sword Level 1 Sun @ 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Apr 15 – Jun 17 696949
$112.50 Preston Room
No class Sunday, May 20th


The courses at the plante bath are quite different from the courses at Algonquin.
There is more chain maille, and none of the Japanese Katana work which we do at Algonquin College.



Basic Course....Algonquin Woodruff Campus, the gym in the "P" building.
Course Code GEN0088. cost for this course is $160.57 incl HST This is a non-credit Algonquin General Interest course,
and as such is payable entirely to Algonquin College. (On line or at the Registrar's desk just inside the doors at the Admin building.)
Wednesday evenings, 7 to 9:30, May 2nd to June 13, 2012
Advanced Course .....Algonquin Woodruff Campus (16 hours Friday evenings 7 to 9:30 in the "P" building.

Course Code GEN 0105 Cost for this course is $160.57 incl HST
Courses are scheduled for Friday evenings, only two days after the basic course ends.

Nice thing about the advanced course...its mostly just practicing and application of the stuff you learn in the basic course,
so you can miss one or two classes without fear of falling behind.

Workshops.
I can get pretty much any Friday evening in January or February for workshops in Algonquin, and then again Wednesday evenings in March and April.
email me at stag@southtower.on.ca and perhaps we can set up some workshops...
anything from "armour repair" to "chain maille making" to who knows what....if you have an idea for a topic,
let me know, and we can schedule something. Obviously if it involves complex Systema or Juitsu techniques, we would need the gym with the mats....but heck, even if all we have is a pub night...I think I can get behind that!

Algonquin College Registrar's Office is 1385 Woodruff Ave, Rm. C150, Ottawa Ont., K2G 1V8. tel 613-727-0002,
or 1-800-565-4723, fax613-727-7754 email AskAlgonquin@algonquincollege.com.
But if I am involved, have me do it.... especially if it is a pub night.
(our pub by the way is Greenfields at the corner of Greenbank Road and Fallowfield Road.
We usually end up there after class on Wednesday evenings.)


Summer tournaments.....

The summer months are tourney season. It is what we have been training for all winter!
We usually hold them on a Saturday, and we KNOW that summer saturdays are precious, so I will try to make your investment in a weekend worth it.

We find that single and double elimination tournaments seem to work well. We did a round robin a few years ago...near killed me!
We have the space, and I put up a tent which is big enough to fight in if we have to. So not even rain will stop us!

Archery has been a component in the past. We can still do that, but it will need to be well run. The archery lane is serviceable.
We still need to make some more "barn doors" to deal with overshoots. Work party on Saturday coming I guess.


As fun and interesting as the tournaments are, we are fully aware that most folks do not come here for the fighting, but for the feasting.


Combined with the tournament is an evening feast, Traditionally we have had a pot luck feast.
Although a pot luck works, and it most certainly will be a component of it for the forseeable future, we are thinking about catering this event.
Just outside the village is a world class, world renouned barbecue restaurant which smokes up the finest ribs in North America.
Okay, maybe there are some places in Kentucky or South Carolina which might dispute that,
but the Canadian maple wood they smoke their ribs with lend a most delightful flavor.
As an exeriment, we will get a washtub full of St. Louis back ribs delivered to the tournament.
At twenty bucks a head, it sounds too good to be true.

The upside...ribs to die for...that have been smoking for 24 hours and marinading for 24 hours before that.
The downside...to get in on the deal, payment must be a week in advance.
...no cancellations, not even for rain.
...the worst that can happen would be you get a great meal.
The upside...we have a tent which can take any number of people.
The downside...its May, and might be a bit chilly.
The upside...we ARE Canadians, and we laugh at cold.

I am looking at Mid May...which some might feel to be a little too early. However, the planning such as it is, has all been done.
We have to work around Anime North (25th) and the Ottawa Comic Con May 12th.
If I push into June, we will be in Wedding Season, and that means family time which would trump tourney time.

This will be an experiment to see how things will roll out. So there are a LOT of questions and details which will have to be ironed out.
If it works out well, we will do it again after the Upper Canada show, and again, after the Osgoode show.
The big one will be the big annual Pumpkin Cutting event in November. But that is so far away! I can't wait that long for ribs.

So...I need to know...is the 19th of May good? Who would want to go early and do it on the fifth? Or both? Is this even a good idea at all?