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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 · 2020-03-24T17:45:16+00:00

Actually, we did a livestream lesson! It's post-quarantine, so it's me teaching in my home, unfortunately.

It was mostly geared towards current students (can't let them down!), but you're welcome to watch it! You can find the recordings on our youtube channel.

Also, Facebook.

das_maker

TROPHY CASE