06-29-2013, 09:16 PM
Dear Gnaeus,
Not wishing to seem rude, but in my opinion heading in a "martial arts" direction does by no means exclude getting proper gear if you want to "feel Roman" and not just "play Roman".
A while back, I made an Esjbol sword for someone into martial arts, and not being a praticed swordsman myself, this was a sobering experience for me. He wanted something that felt and cut like the real thing. I made that sword close to the archeological spec (although I used C45 monosteel, which is top range for Roman hardware) and he pointed out things in the balance of the blade. Even when it's shape looked fine, the feel wasn't there and only after some more serious sanding did he like the sword I had made, as now it handled like the weapon it was designed to be.
So if you want to just bash at each other running around half naked, I do not suppose it matters what you get, but if you wish to practice the martial arts of gladiatorial fighting, go slow and invest in good stuff, as this will give you the true feel of the abilities and limitations of the weapons you handle and the helmets and shields you wear and carry. The AER site not only has good stuff for sale, it has usefull info on gear and pairing, too.
There are quite a few things you can make yourself as a group, by the way. You can get a good galerus made at your local friendly car bodyshop, they have all the tools for hammering out that and shieldbosses. Then you can make your own shields using poplar/whitewood plywood (cheaper and more authentic then hardwood ply). If you have a blacksmith handy, he can do you a simple socketed trident (these heads are a lot smaller then you may think).
I hope your group thrives and prospers and you have tons of good bloody fun :woot:
Not wishing to seem rude, but in my opinion heading in a "martial arts" direction does by no means exclude getting proper gear if you want to "feel Roman" and not just "play Roman".
A while back, I made an Esjbol sword for someone into martial arts, and not being a praticed swordsman myself, this was a sobering experience for me. He wanted something that felt and cut like the real thing. I made that sword close to the archeological spec (although I used C45 monosteel, which is top range for Roman hardware) and he pointed out things in the balance of the blade. Even when it's shape looked fine, the feel wasn't there and only after some more serious sanding did he like the sword I had made, as now it handled like the weapon it was designed to be.
So if you want to just bash at each other running around half naked, I do not suppose it matters what you get, but if you wish to practice the martial arts of gladiatorial fighting, go slow and invest in good stuff, as this will give you the true feel of the abilities and limitations of the weapons you handle and the helmets and shields you wear and carry. The AER site not only has good stuff for sale, it has usefull info on gear and pairing, too.
There are quite a few things you can make yourself as a group, by the way. You can get a good galerus made at your local friendly car bodyshop, they have all the tools for hammering out that and shieldbosses. Then you can make your own shields using poplar/whitewood plywood (cheaper and more authentic then hardwood ply). If you have a blacksmith handy, he can do you a simple socketed trident (these heads are a lot smaller then you may think).
I hope your group thrives and prospers and you have tons of good bloody fun :woot:
