Monterey Jack

My sister has dubbed them "TOURONS" which is a combination of tourist and moron.

I love it!

I have also made an oversized market wallet that can be documented to the 1680's. It is big enough to use as a pack over a horses back, or as a matress if stuffed with straw. I keep a blanket rolled up in it but can easily shift it's use as need arises. I don't recall the exact measurements, but next time I get the camera out I'll include it in the set. These things are the most versitile and well documented method of carrying things I know of. Very handy and unlimited uses.

Bo

My day job specializes in leather of all kinds for all purposes, so if anyone feels they want to go from canvas to leather for these items drop me a note at www.oregonleatherco.com and I'll see what i can do.

so....tho i agree that some goups can agree upon a set standard of moves to engage each other...in a controlled environment.....i do not seein a universal standard being used to my likeing...other than severely limitting what can be done.....

Definitely agree that, especially with the limitations.

Another thing that occurs as I read these posts, that should have occurred to me before. We don't choreograph. We learn the strikes and the counters, and then our fights are all free bouts. Doing the same fight over and over again completely removes any spontanaiety. After a while, you can see the combatants as they start to prepare for what they know is coming, instead of reacting to the blow thrown.

Hawkyns

Only partially true. The fight is only as good as the actors. My teams fully choreograph and perform the same shows over and over again, each time "selling" the fights with the appearance of fulling intending to kill each other. We've scared people with how serious it seems to get in street fights at faires. My issue with learning simply the strikes and counters is that if anything goes wrong the fight looks terrible. I've seen far too many fights go badly because the fighters are NOT partners and have not trained together endlessly.

Also a p[otentially "free bout" nurtures the fighters to start doing random things that the other fighter doesn't recognize, thereby making the fight look worse than rehearsed: slow and uncertain.

A believable fight means you must know each others behavior and character inside and out, so when issues occur you can cover the problem. I am not a fan of simply learning the attacks and parries and having random memebers of a group fight one another, even if they are long-term friends.

Hawkyns, your training methods are sound and I agree with a lot of what you've said; this is one of my personal sticky points.

if this was sport fencing...or contact swordplay...as in a competion...or sca...i would agree with ya both....

bu then we would be using masks,vests gloves and a myriad of saftey equipment....

but in stage combat....where the look of a real fight is the goal....we dont wear the masks, or helms, or vest...you could virtualy fight nekid......for we have what is known ...or at least i call it...the AURA OF SAFTEY......

it is a distance from the opponent....that YOUR sword never violates...ever....thats the target zone....once proficient....you can go thru all the strikes....with your opponents arms at his side...eyes closed....and neverNEVER hit him.....never violate the AURA OF SAFTEY...period....(less of course choreographed in for a kill scenes)

when we block/parry....the opponent meets your strike....just outside the AURA..or target zone.....thats where the swords meet...clank...etc

if a parry is dropped...or late...or your opponennt trips over his sword....and isnt there to stop your blade swinging at his head...its ok...your allready goinna stop before his....AURA or TARGET ZONE...just outside his noggin.....

this is our saftey...our ONLY TRUE SAFTEY....thats why ...before anything else...the target zones are learned and practised...before you jumble their heads with anything else...then we may proceed with the feet....style...choreographs etcetc.....

Well said; I've seen two schools of thought on targeting: within distance and offtarget, which to my mind looks like you're missing on purpose, OR...on target and out of distance. Out of distance being even a mere 6 inches. That's far enough to be safe with trained pairs of fighters and close enough for the audience to buy into the fight. The bummer is, its ruined my ability to fence competetively! LOL! I always execute a proper cut, thrust or lunge and miss my damn opponent by 6 lousy inches. Then he scores and looks at me like I'm an idiot....sigh....gotta work on that...again....

Thanks for the references. Impressive school!!

We have a really talented fight coordinator in our crew and I always feel safe when fighting. I was actually surprised how very much like a dance class fight training is, as a musician and dancer I certainly understand the goal is never speed, the goal is always good form, speed happens in time and with practice. Our best live steel fighters are really impressive at full speed, in fact watching them is frightening though I never fear for their safety. Our regular fighters rehearse weekly, sometimes several times a week, and it really shows. In almost 2 years I have never seen anyone get hurt, and I'm proud of that.

Glad you liked the sites, we're very proud of the fighters and performers involved. My knife-fighting partner and Asst. Instructor Gypsy is a dancer so, yes it really not only feels lke a dance when training but a dance background really helps. Thats not saying the finished fight looks like a dance; its broken up as far as the timing to make it realistic. The attentio to detail really shows with any good fight team. At and event where you have several different organizations performing fights, its easy to spot the professional, seriously driven groups and those who just like to whack at one another. Fortunately with all the choreography and WMA groups popping up, the quality of many fights either on stage or even the street theatre of ren-faires has improved greatly over the last ten years. Even the historical training and contact bouting of groups like the HMCA is looking researched and focused instead of just being an all-out smack-fest.

Nice pieces, Monterey. Especially fo' leather.

I'll link them on a couple other forums.

~Lady B

Thank ye, Lady B; unfortunately they didn't sell and since that was the 5th time I posted em, I think I'll wait a bit, or maybe take payments if anyone is willin to go that route....

M-jack

Really good yto see folks actually training safely these days. back when I stated stage combat work abiout 18 yrs ago most of the re-enactor fights were just downright scary and folks were getting hurt all over the place. The HMCA system for stage work is the same as Art of Combat's system. All historically based and on target, just a tad out of distance and walked thru very slowly for a the first feww weeks and then built up to speed. You can find out more on our sites:

www.Historical MaritimeCombat.com

www.Artofcombat.org

M-jack

Ah, so ye both be young whippersnappers!

What is a whippersnapper, anyway, and why aren't there any old ones? Something to do with their lifestyle, or amorous proclivities?

Dang! My #47 is the 26th! I didn't know we were both the same age! Happy one on ye mate!

Bo

I think its because ye van go so easily from whippersnapper to coot, codger or fogey that no one pays it any mind....I'm goin with codger m'self....

Greetings all!

I hate to part with these because I'm really proud of them, but it seems my daughter's Xmas is riding on it this year! LOL.

Anyway, hope you enjoy the work...

M-Jack

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=110328148042

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=110329062614

Well I always like to have some Monterey Jack cheese with my wine.

That be me; the Big Cheese o' the Seven Seas.....

...and belay that whine....

I'm buying a cask, akeg and whatever else is to be had! good ta see ya jack!

Bo

An' happy I am ta be here! Today I celebrates me 47th trip around the sun, so the drinks are on me! Probably in a literal sense......

This all sounds fun! Look at "The Difference Engine" by William Gibson (and Bruce Sterling?) Cyberpunk meets the Victorian age....

Ahoy, Mates!

Havin' taken what ye be sayin' ta heart -about fittin' in if I twere transported back in tyme...

I been messin' with th engravin' stores...I mean Photoshop..

and I made myself a vintage engravin' style pic.

So- what say ye? This twas me old garb, and a bit o' polyester there..but the idea is there, and I'm trying to historicalize it up...

what say ye?

Ye look grand; worry less about what ye be wearin and more about how ye behave in it....

In other words, costuming takes a back seat to persona, especially when dealing with the public....Ren faires (NOT a proper place for GAOP ) are a good example. I've seen some really poor representations of Ren garb that get completely ignored because the performer was so good; same with piracy. Now, if you are involved with a musuem, history class or anything educational then its a different story....but I think you're doing fine....

I have the jacket and slops from Townsend, turned over to my son since I got my RH jacket though. Hers a shot of the jacket, sorry, it is the only one I have;

I have put this photo up enough that everyone should be sick of it by now, but here is my RH shortjacket;

I have decided that slops are NOT for me. Fly front breeches are my thing. I may try the venitian trousers later for boucaneer though. After working in maintenence around machinery most of my life, floppy trousers are just a sin to my safety training ingrained through all the years. I can't put it aside for some reason.

Bo

the shirt will do, but you can find a better example for the short coat. the problem with townsend is like expecting a three piece suit from megamart to be custom tailored- not going to happen and you end up looking generic which is fine for military, but defeats pirates creativity.

Townsend has done really well for me. They do allow you to send specific measurements and will check with you before the do anything if they think somethings wrong. I do agree that for military specs they would be the ones to go to, but pirates didn't have things custom made anyway, so I don't see a problem.

<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>StinkPot Rule #1: Prepare and store to Leeward !!</span>

Traditionally, there seem to be two favored types of stinkpot: one with a flame, and one with no flame. (let's not throw a flaming...anything into the powder room)

First, have the crew save up their fish guts... need I say more...? In a few days (or weeks) you end up with a nice grayish sludge. Place this in clay pots and 'Heave Away Joe" !!

The other method primarily involves pots of burning sulfur. The stench of burning sulfurous compounds can be quite stifling. Sometimes one would ADD the "fish digest" to the sulfur mixture for an especially pleasant effect.

Wonderful instructions! I need to try these, thank ye!

Generally I just feed my daughter brussels sprouts and salsa and wait 6 hours......

Jack

I have a scabbard that needs a design tooled into it, anybody know any good sources of simple period patterns, motifs, or artwork? I ask for simple because it'll be my first time tooling anything. I'm picturing sea creatures, shells, ships, anchors, detailed letters or initials, or anything sort of nautical or period themed. I've been doing Google searches and I've found a few things I like, but I'm hoping to find some sort of motherlode of designs. It seems that most of what I find is Celtic and I'm trying to steer away from that.

Sorry to sail into port so late on this one, but you could try some basic clip art searches. Now, the tough part is tooling or carving anything on a finished scabbard. Tooling and carving of any decent nature needs to be done before the leather has been dyed, finished and assembled. You could find a local Tandy Leather Factory store (yes folks they re-opened) and build a totally new scabbard for yourself, or drop the folks at Oregon Leather a post (www.oregonleatherco.com) and They'll steer you in the right direction.

M-Jack

Ugly, sharp and pointy, stained with no polish, but no rust. The uglier the better. Shiny things draw attention to ya when ya don't need or want it drawn in my experience.

Bo

Bo! Good to read from ye! I've been outta touch for a bit but hope to be around more often now that me and me mate parted ways.....

What! No love for the small sword?

Not personally, but "Doc " Lennox with the HMCA teaches some Officers smallsword work that is virtually unstoppable in many instances. Its a single move when faced with an aggressive opponent in a boarding action and is seriously sweet.

M-Jack

www.HistoricalMaritimeCombat.com

Any stage combatants among the crew posting here? Have you a fav for stage?

Aye! I've performed and taught stage combat for 18 years..well...19 now....LOL!

What I find most rewarding though is to work period techniques to make them safe for stage. Keep it believable, sez I!

M-Jack

www.HistoricalMaritimeCombat.com

www.Artofcombat.org

Rather fond o' cutlasses m'self! Of course I use the hilt and pommel almost as much as I use the blade! I prefer the short blade, since I basically treat it as a really long knife. It lets you get in close and do some serious damage in bouting. Plus its fun to go against the rapier handlers and watch their eye bug out once ye get inside their reach! LOL

MJ

www.HistoricalMaritimeCombat.com

Greetings!

In the past year and a half since BACA 2007 the HMCA has traveled all over the globe. We have done workshops at ISMAC in Detroit, The Paddy Crean International Art of the Sword Workshop in Banff, Canada, as well as solo workshops in California, Pennsylvania, London, England, Edinburgh, Scotland and Wuppertal, Germany! It's been an incredibly busy 18 months! Instead of relaxing and taking some time off, we've decided to jump ahead with an awesome new workshop: BACANCUN!

The venue for the classes is not set yet, but we will be staying at the View Mediterrando Hotel & Suites. Cost of the hotel rooms is roughly $65 USD/night for a double (or $37.50 per person if you double up) after taxes and fees. To reserve a room, you can e-mail the hotel at: reservas2@hotelviewmediterrando.com. Say you are from "Grupo Piratas" to get the special rate. This is very affordable!

You need to make your reservations by Dec. 1 in order to get the rate!

Deadline for registration for the workshop is January 5th.

We may be holding the classes at the hotel, but we're actually working hard to get to use a local tall ship! We'll keep you posted as we find out.

The three day seminar taught by Instructors Gareth Thomas, John Lennox, Steve Huff, and acknowledged instructors Mark Donnelly, and Steaphen Fick will include history and hands-on practice with such weapons as Cutlass, Sabre, Boarding Axe, Knife, Officers Sword, Tomahawk, shipboard Pike, Belaying Pin, Boarding Knife, bayonet and defending against multiple opponents. Hand to hand grappling will be covered as well. Those interested in transferring these techniques to stage are encouraged to speak with the fight directors: Gareth, John and Mark after the classes for the day. They will be happy to continue working with you. Slungshot will also be added to the list of weapons taught! For those who were at ISMAC and had this training, I'm sure you'll never forget it. Those who weren't there cannot miss this opportunity to learn this fascinating weapon.

Please bring as much of your own weaponry and protective equipment as possible. The instructors will be bringing only what they need to teach the classes.

Students are strongly encouraged to bring their own practice weapons (except for slungshots...we'll provide those) and masks, as there will be a limited number on hand. Weapons must be bated, blunted and acceptable for training; singlesticks or 7/8" wooden dowels are also permissible. Masks will be required for some of the classes!

6ft. staves of 1 1/4 inches will be allowed as a substitute for pikes.

Cost of the class is as follows:

$225 pre-registration: Registered by January 4.

$250 per person enrolling after pre-registration

$200 per person enrolling 10 or more students in one payment

Seminar will be limited to an enrollment of 50.

Registration forms can be found here:

http://www.historicalmaritimecombat.com/bacancun.html

Checks made out to Gareth Thomas may be sent to the HMCA address below:

4075 Aerial way apt 1-177

Eugene, OR 97402

Or, you can fill out your registration form online and pay online .

For a view of BACA 2006 schedule please visit www. davenriche.com.

Photos of 2006 BACA are viewable on the Gallery page of this website.

For posting / updates of the 2008 schedule please visit our yahoo group or check this site.

Thinking about leather- bound books, it is rather the other way around: Through the contact with the hands, medium brown becomes a dark brown over the decades (except on the very edges, where there is abrasion, of course).

A very good point, Cap'n; likewise with baldricks and swordbelts. Worn in all kinds of weather and frequently having to be oiled with natural oils of the time to keep them supple, they would darken over time.

Even the buff colour of some of the coats seems to have gone from a light brown (similar to brain tanned or smoke tanned) to a deep goldern brown just though normal use and age.

Thanks to Monteray Jack and the crew at the HMCA.

I am not sure how to integrate combat as a group activity, though I am thinking...

True, actually working the fight scenarios sould be done with qualified instructor at hand, but even if the site sparks some questions, we'd be happy to help.

Announcing the Third Annual Boarding Actions: California Worskshop- BACA 2008!

The HMCA will be holding this popular workshop in early maritime weaponry the weekend of April 5th and 6th, 2008. The class, hosted by DEMAS, the Davenriche European Martial Arts School, has been a favourite of authors, history students and piratical re-enactors for years and has included such weapons as cutlass, boarding axe, knife, sabre, pike, and officer's sword. This year we are excited to continue these classes and anounce the addition of belaying pin, boarding knife, slungshot and a class on how to defend against multiple opponents to the format.

The cost for the 2-day seminar will be $135 per person, with discounts available for groups of 10 or more. Paypal available. Check the HMCA Website at www.HistoricalMartimeCombat.com for class schedule, paperwork downloads, location and updates. Please bring as much of your own weaponry and protective equipment as possible. The instructors will be bringing only what they need to teach the classes. A list of required safety gear will be found on the website.

We look forward top seeing you all there!

Gareth Thomas

John Lennox

Steve Huff

I find myself in need of clothing befitting a man on a whaler circa 1890. Any help is greatly appreciated! Not exactly piratical, but at least seafaring!