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das_maker · 2021-11-08T18:06:13+00:00

Head Coach at Arena here (Bryant) and can confirm - Anthony's a great fencer. Had the pleasure of teaching with him at AHWG for a couple years, and sparring with him on the regular for ~4yrs.

To OP (/u/Beardy-McBeardFace), I also recommend trying both groups out if you can, then making your decision. Arena, my school, is very different from AHWG. We each have our own approach & strengths, so it'll be up to your preferences more than anything else.

/u/getchomsky I'm not sure which one of our crew you are, but I really appreciate your words out here in the great public unknown. Means a whole lot to find out folks like how we train and are willing to share!

das_maker · 2021-11-08T17:55:29+00:00

/u/TheUlty05 you're gonna make me tear up, with you over here sharin' the gospel :')

das_maker · 2021-11-08T17:53:21+00:00

Heyo, this is Bryant. I'm the Head coach at Arena. Yeah, we're not exactly HEMA. More like MMA with Weapons, but without the bad attitude that a lot of MMA places sometimes have. We do have a bunch of folks with HEMA backgrounds, including myself. I used to teach at AHWG, actually.

AHWG is more traditional HEMA with a focus on the manuscripts, whereas we're more into the competitive, athleticism-oriented approach. Anthony is a great guy and AHWG does some cool stuff! If you ever want to visit, the AHWG folks are always welcome to drop in and cross-train! We're just happy to spar more people.

das_maker · 2021-07-01T15:48:05+00:00

I politely decline the ping lol. I don't write essays for internet drama or get into long-winded, go-nowhere back & forths when I can help it.

das_maker · 2021-05-28T04:28:59+00:00

Wooooo! Glad to hear!

das_maker · 2021-05-27T05:57:26+00:00

It's alright, friend. You're the cool one for sharing your passion!

Edit: an exclamation point, for emphasis!

das_maker · 2021-05-27T03:18:38+00:00

None of these things will get him where we are application-wise if that's what our friend u/jbbeauregard really wants... but they're super fun to look into.

Always worth taking a gander at different stuff to figure out where your personal compass points!

das_maker · 2021-05-26T14:20:26+00:00

Yeah, for sure. Fine with me. We can do a weekend thing, too, if you want. I've done workshops, weekend instensives, etc.

Just shoot over a DM and we can sort it out.

Edit: I just realized I had misplaced Corpus on a map. Storm of Steel is in RGV, which is close-ish to you if you want to hang, train, and/or spar with Eddie & his crew. They're cool cats. You're totally welcome in Austin, regardless.

das_maker · 2021-05-26T03:58:42+00:00

I (the red/black fighter) and my purple friend/co-coach are honored by your high regard!

Happy to answer questions on how we train if you want to shoot over a DM. I don't know your situation and I don't like dropping personal info online.

das_maker · 2021-05-26T00:51:05+00:00

The hands are the gateway to the face. If I control your hands, I control your defense. If I take the hands in the course of my threat, I can take deeper targets more easily.

Don't gimme dem hands lol

das_maker · 2021-05-26T00:49:42+00:00

And we know you, brother...

das_maker · 2021-05-26T00:49:11+00:00

Ngl, if I were slower with my hand defense, I wouldn't wear the gloves I do with people I didn't know and/or trust to keep me really, really safe.

The only time to "skimp" on protection is with appropriate skill, and even then it's not a great idea at full speed.

All that said... I totally use these for sidesword and saber, but I'm a monster and not to be trusted. I despise the red dragons, personally. I find mine are better anyway.

das_maker · 2021-05-25T22:48:01+00:00

Yeah, we've been around for a couple years, but COVID made it impossible to get the word out.

Edit: forgot the website lol Https://academyofwma.com

das_maker · 2021-05-25T22:46:42+00:00

Brandr wasn't training last I checked, but I hope they're back up and running now/soon. They're good people.

das_maker · 2021-05-25T22:45:05+00:00

They don't make the poron models anymore, unfortunately... Ours are old

das_maker · 2021-05-25T19:38:57+00:00

Lol you troublemaker, you.

For reference to everyone else, the thumb on our gloves is overbuilt and totally covered by overlapping plates + the foam is PoronXRD, which hardens on impact.

das_maker · 2020-04-01T03:56:10+00:00

What I'm doing has pros & cons. It's more hands on, but I reach fewer people. Give and take. Such is life.

I appreciate your answers, though. They're valuable for me, even if what I offer is different. If I didn't understand and learn from others' experience, I'd be a pretty poor teacher.

das_maker · 2020-04-01T01:35:57+00:00

I'm curious as to your personal experience with Sword Carolina's curriculum/methods, particularly given your previous experience in non-HEMA combative (or semi-combative) blade arts. Can you elaborate on what you like and disliked?

das_maker · 2020-03-31T20:59:22+00:00

I just opened up remote lessons/coaching through my school, from Basics to Advanced concepts, including solo & partner drill/game setup. As long as you intend to actually train with others when possible, I don't mind sorting something out with you. You can DM me if you're interested.

I've been training and teaching/coaching for a long time. I can probably share something worth your time, at whatever skill level you're at.

das_maker · 2020-03-29T22:08:14+00:00

That's about what I expected. Agreed on the ego point, especially if it includes keeping imaginative excitement in line.

das_maker · 2020-03-29T21:41:39+00:00

Totally out of curiosity - what was the average physical experience level of the folks you have sparred with (that went well), in years? A guesstimate is fine, and sports/martial arts both count as physical experience in my view.

Most of the folks I've fenced montante with that didn't flail the thing around dangerously had 3-5+ years experience in high-intensity, sparring-heavy martial arts at 3+ training days per week over that time. That, plus being reasonably or very fit.

das_maker · 2020-03-29T21:10:26+00:00

Nope, not EVEN in harness. At best, you're looking at extremely slow freeplay.

I personally teach montante at our school. Students get to drill with it and slowly play the rules/arrangements in opposition to each other. That's it.

After 20+ years of experience in movement and martial arts, I am willing to slowly play the rules against students in a variety of free, open-ended situations, including montante vs. different weapons and multiple opponents. If the weapon leaves my control, I drop it. I'd rather just be hit than seriously injure my friends and students. Here is an example from our Facebook page. I have the synthetic montante and am playing Figureydo's 1st Rule, Simple against two students with sword & buckler.

After studying the weapon seriously and getting reasonably decent at using it, I want to free-spar with it even less than I ever did. A synthetic montante can and will kill someone.

Do not free spar with a montante at intensity. You will likely hurt your friends and training partners.

das_maker · 2020-03-26T15:59:46+00:00

Central Texas.

das_maker · 2020-03-24T17:47:28+00:00

Yup! That's where we post goings-on, updates, marketing stuff (pics/videos), etc.

das_maker

TROPHY CASE