More interesting Headblow?

[Stuart]

Heres to the spirit of unashamed barstardy !

Njal. One of the reasons I left the UK was that it`s become a control-freak`s paradise. Re-enactment is being increasingly controlled by HOS types who have never lifted a sword or axe, and never will.
What has this to do with NZ ? Plenty, as the two countries are very closely linked culturally and NZ tends to follow UK on matters of leglislation.
I would hate for this free country to become another UK.

Serious injuries have occured on the English battle field and the Daily Express newspaper reported the death of a re-enactor in late 2004. I recall that he died a result of a sword blow- and no helmet.
Under the new Criminal Justice Act, it is to become an offense to own a sword in Scotland. You will have to beg a licence from the state to own one.
Many groups that use war machines or blackpowder have been forced out of existance.
You can see the way ahead, and it is not good.

With that experience in mind, I am accutely aware that the lines of freedom can be cut and our rights as re-enactors are not something that can be guaranteed. That is as true of NZ as the UK.

it only takes one incident. The press would have us foir lunch and the politicians would not hestitate to screw us.

Accordingly, from time to time, I may feel the need to voice a note of caution. Think of it as an eccentricity, but my heart is in the right place.

Regards,

Stuart.

-and yes, I did hurt that guy badly in 87. It was a war hammer blow.

[Nathan]

[quote="Stuart"]
What has this to do with NZ ? Plenty, as the two countries are very closely linked culturally and NZ tends to follow UK on matters of leglislation.
I would hate for this free country to become another UK.
quote]

We as a country while keeping up to date with the goings on in Blighty stopped copying them some time ago. Though we have a socialist tree hugging namby-pampy government (read Communist without the guns) at least they make their own screwups eg the NZ Olympic Shooting team is allowed to own their own pistols as opposed to the Brits who must train and leave theirs in France.

Nathan

ps Wasnt the death in 2004 a guy in full plate and died of heat exustion(sp)?

[Stuart]

I know how you feel, I was a pistol shooter..

As far as I recall, the Daily Mail & Express newspapers stated the 2004 battlefield death was due to a blow. Heat exhaustion may have contributed ? I really cannot say. It was three years ago.
There have been at least 20 serious injuries, according to the Health & Safety officials I spoke to in 2005.
The worst offenders are the Sealed Knott & the English Civil War Society.
You have to remember that thousands take part in battles. It only takes one idiot...

[Callum]

[Callum]

[Njal]

Stuart can I ask please how heavy your warhammer was? And was it was used with both hands?

Carl - he will be right back. By about bottle 9 or 10

[stephan]

yep callum is right if they wanted to then they would

but one must ask if we are large enough to warrent attention

a nut with a samuri sword is not a sword collector or a reactor

we are such a small communtiy that idiots are quickly weened out and go away or start their own group but are highly unlikely to go on akilling spreee or hurt someone in the ring as peoplke wont join what they dont like the look of and if they get hurt doning something they have choosen to do then they are unlikely to complain

reguards stephan

[Stuart]

Njal,

Ask me about it the next time we speak.

[PopTart]

Hey all. William here. Been reading all of these head blow topics with some interest for a while now. Decided I'd throw my two bits of hack-silver in.

First thing I'll point out is, while I have been part of the scene (quietly I hope) for just shy of ten years now, I in NO way consider myself an expert when comparing my knowledge against the likes of individuals with more experience (bows head with deepest respect to original vets and serious WMAers).

What I do have is my own experiences to go on. Started off with the Waikato Norse ('9 employing essentially NAAMA T.O.D style, but then experienced Armidale and Auckland Norse combat, which was head blow (crown shot only). The biggest thing I discovered, for myself, is that I became more instinctively aware of the head as a zone to be hit.

Don't get me wrong, I had been trained in blocking the head, but if you don't put it into practice MOST of the time, then it can become a case of: "CLUNK!" goes your helm (or face if an accident!) and the recipient is left annoyed or injured. I have seen a lot of that at camps in the past. Yes, the responsibility lies with the swinger not the swingee, but it has still happened.

However, suggesting horizontal strikes and thrusts to the head!!?? That is definitely opening up a can of rotten fish in an enclosed space!!! If you want to do that, find a club or society that trains SAFELY in those techniques, but don't bring it into what we do, please. Anybody else remember the first Folklore?

Straight crown shots to the head, WITH CONTROL, can and does allow for an exciting yet relatively safe combat. Well, as safe as swinging steel at each other can be anyway. If more, shall we say, realistic techniques become allowed, then, as Stuart attests, the count of serious injuries will rapidly increase.

Some of you may disagree, some not. But hey, it's a good debate, and I look forward to seeing more on it. It's a good way for everyone to get educated on the subject. Especially me.

[PopTart]

Sorry, that bit with the smiley was supposed to be a contracted 1998!

[Gerard Kraay]

[Stuart]

Please define this matter of "...changing international standards".
Where is this pressure coming from ? Who is pushing it ?

-it certainly is not from European re-enactors who learnt the hard way that head blows cause injury.

You need to start considering some medical evidence and accident reports.
It`s not a question of "being left behind", you are propoting a practice which is fundimentally irreponsible.

-or are you just being provocative ?

[Gerard Kraay]

[Stuart]

Clearly you are being provocative, but that of little interest to me.
I note that you have not offered any medical evidence of what happens to
those who suffer repeated head-blows and your lack of evidence is
damning. You need to look again. Start by researching "concussion" and brain injury on Google.
if that`s too much effort, then get your WMA mates to hit you acround the head with some of the power blows you appear to support- then test for your ability to solve simple interlectual tasks.
-BTW, the damage is permanant. That`s why boxers are punch drunk.

[Gerard Kraay]

You’re talking a lot of nonsense, and you have no idea what research has been done, your just pontificating from your throne.
So let’s address your ill thought message.

I’m not being provocative, though you’re rude responses are beginning to annoy me, I might not be as polite as before. I have an opinion I would like to be able to discuss on this forum with out your condescension.

My wife works for ACC as a serious injury case manager and she has a particular interest in serious head injury, so through her I have an expert opinion as opposed to your ramblings.

Case and point, sports head injury in this county is primarily rugby related, concussion through tackling errors, and there are hundreds a year, I guess your proposing to ban rugby, good luck with that one.

There is no case history of serious head injury from contact martial arts like ours or related like Kendo or Arnis where weapons and head protection are worn. Comparing sword fighting to boxing to try to justify your opinion is dumb.

I have never talked about HEMA using “power blows” in this posting, your just making it up to push you point of view. I have on the other hand in several posts talked about controlled blows to the head, let me say it again CONTROLED BLOWS, I have capitalised it so you will see the words as you skim read this posting.

In fact based in one of you earlier posts in this discussion are you sure your objection is not just that you don’t want to have to buy another helm?