Class 2: October 17, 2004

I just flew in from Pittsburgh, and, boy, are my arms tired.

OK, not really. I just got back from Higgins, not PIttsburgh -- but my arms are still tired. Last week we worked with rapier and dagger wooden wasters, which weigh next to nothing. Today we used metal, and I'm already feeling the difference.

I'm used to using both hands on a longsword. I'm a natural southpaw but I'm converting (temporarily) to being a right-hander for this course. So I use my weaker arm (right) for rapier and my stronger arm (left) for dagger. I'm feeling a bit of fatigue in my hands, wrists, and shoulders.

We drilled the first sequence today, which is very cool. I'm getting used to keeping my footwork shorter and my feet closer together than I do for long sword. I have to admit it's awfully handy to have a dagger in hand to parry an incoming blow when your oppenent has managed to tie up your rapier. I'm beginning to feel like it would be mighty handy to walk around with a dagger all the time. Maybe I'm gaining a new appreciation for medieval life.

No class next week, so we'll pick up where we left off on Halloween.

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