First off
Both of these interesting translations have some great information and details that are now available to a wider community of sword scholars.
Second of all
If you have not come across it as yet we wanted to inform you of a new space in the interwebs for sword folk. It is called Sword people.com a project launched by Guy Windsor of The Sword Guy Podcast and renowned swordsman, practitioner, instructor, researcher and writer .
From their site "SwordPeople is the social media platform for sword people of every kind: historical martial artists from the academic to the purely practical. Researchers, tournament fencers, and everyone in between, if swords or other historical martial arts are a vital part of your life, this place is for you." It is free to sign up but you can subscribe to help support the effort and it is a great place to share your love of swords.
Third thing
We would like to send you to some friends that have had some ill fortune of the highest order. Our great mates at Revival Clothing, Historica and HEMAwear had a massive loss of their entire websites due to the host. If you have shopped on these sites you know how much information was lost and it sounds like its not recoverable. They are launching back as quick as they can but if so inclined they are doing fundraiser to help with costs and I am sure they will be happy to take any orders folks would like to make. Here is more info if interested.
In another bad stroke of fate our fellow sword maker and researcher Dr Fabrice Cognot, Phd had a setback with a break in at his shop and some materials stolen. If you have a chance to support him with a purchase or even just letting him know you feel his pain. Link above is short vid he posted on FB here is a link to a support fundraiser.
Fourth thingy
Some of our local friends and sword users will be at the Icebreaker Tournament April 19th-21st 2024 here in the Twin Cities. If you are nearby please join us or at least stop by to watch some excellent swordplay.
and Finally
A note to anyone interested in rapiers and how to use them our long time pal and fellow sword lover David Biggs has started a substack on the history of the rapier and it is excellent. Highly recommended reading for those that like the complex hilted swords of the past.
Our ability to make livings as sword makers is dependent on the entire community of those who like, love and live swords. (and impact weapons, pole arms, armor, siege weapons and of course knives :-) ) So we wanted to recognize those who contribute and create such a great place to follow our inspiration and express our art.
Love you all!
Nathan Clough, Ph.D. is Vice President of Arms and Armor and a member of the governing board of The Oakeshott Institute. He is a historical martial artist and a former university professor of cultural geography. He has given presentations on historical arms at events including Longpoint and Combatcon, and presented scholarly papers at, among others, The International Congress on Medieval Studies.
Craig Johnson is the Production Manager of Arms and Armor and Secretary of The Oakeshott Institute. He has taught and published on the history of arms, armor and western martial arts for over 30 years. He has lectured at several schools and Universities, WMAW, HEMAC, 4W, and ICMS at Kalamazoo. His experiences include iron smelting, jousting, theatrical combat instruction and choreography, historical research, European martial arts and crafting weapons and armor since 1985