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Writer's Block: Anthropomorphic buddies
May. 18th, 2008 10:31 pm[Error: unknown template qotd]
For many years I have fenced in the SCA. Some years ago I acquaired one of the earliest heavy Del Tin Rapier blades directly from the blade maker. The blade stiffer than a standard Del Tin (the Gold Standard in SCA rapier combat) and softer than a Del Tin cut and thrust blade. I'll full admit at the time that I relished the thought of a blade that couldn't be easily beaten aside and that could deliver a shot that even the thickest skinned, rhino dons couldn't say "oh I didn't feel that"... I named it "Bane" short for "Rhino-Bane." I sent it off to Alchem Inc in Ohio and had them mount this tank killer on one of their black steel guards and further had them blacken the blade. I wanted people to know and recognize this beast for what it was - death incarnate.
For years it served me well especially in the war field in melee fighting. If I made a parry with Bane, there was no friggen way their blade ws getting near me. If I threw a shot with Bane, I needed to be very conscious of the strength lest I blast some unfortunate. No matter what, I was incredibly careful not to hurt anyone, but with this sword there was no doubt whether a blow landed or not. Somewhere along the line this blade seems to have taken one a life of it's own. Some of my more "gifted" friends have told me that they can feel this blade longing to fight. For this reason alone, I would never loan this blade to anyone.
Almost 18 months ago (August 2006), a former student and friend severely broke the index and middle finger on my right hand in an "accident." The damage and weakness made me rethink my control and my fighting abilities, so "Bane" was carefully set aside. This was a blade that required more control and finess than I was capable of. This past February when threats were made to me and my family, I officially retired Bane from tournament sword play, and unsafed the blade for home defense. Call me crazy (itcertainly wouldn't be the first time) but sometimes I swear I can hear and feel this blade humming in the corner of my bedroom.
For many years I have fenced in the SCA. Some years ago I acquaired one of the earliest heavy Del Tin Rapier blades directly from the blade maker. The blade stiffer than a standard Del Tin (the Gold Standard in SCA rapier combat) and softer than a Del Tin cut and thrust blade. I'll full admit at the time that I relished the thought of a blade that couldn't be easily beaten aside and that could deliver a shot that even the thickest skinned, rhino dons couldn't say "oh I didn't feel that"... I named it "Bane" short for "Rhino-Bane." I sent it off to Alchem Inc in Ohio and had them mount this tank killer on one of their black steel guards and further had them blacken the blade. I wanted people to know and recognize this beast for what it was - death incarnate.
For years it served me well especially in the war field in melee fighting. If I made a parry with Bane, there was no friggen way their blade ws getting near me. If I threw a shot with Bane, I needed to be very conscious of the strength lest I blast some unfortunate. No matter what, I was incredibly careful not to hurt anyone, but with this sword there was no doubt whether a blow landed or not. Somewhere along the line this blade seems to have taken one a life of it's own. Some of my more "gifted" friends have told me that they can feel this blade longing to fight. For this reason alone, I would never loan this blade to anyone.
Almost 18 months ago (August 2006), a former student and friend severely broke the index and middle finger on my right hand in an "accident." The damage and weakness made me rethink my control and my fighting abilities, so "Bane" was carefully set aside. This was a blade that required more control and finess than I was capable of. This past February when threats were made to me and my family, I officially retired Bane from tournament sword play, and unsafed the blade for home defense. Call me crazy (itcertainly wouldn't be the first time) but sometimes I swear I can hear and feel this blade humming in the corner of my bedroom.
