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Subject: "Blade Trapping Quillions"

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luaithrenn User is Offline

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Posts:55

03/22/2007 9:03 AM	Alert
A question came up at our local rapier practice last week. Under rule 2.2.4 of our fabulous new rules set, "blade trapping quillions" are, quite properly, disallowed as equipment that could potentially damage or break an opponent's blade. But we have a local difference of opinion as to just what constitutes a "blade trapping quillion." Would that be defined as any curved quillion? Curved quillions of a certain angle? Quillions of a certain length? Thanks ~~akilah (formerly luaithrenn)

Luaithrenn the Falconer's Wife

Sevrin

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Posts:39

03/22/2007 11:02 AM	Alert
Posted By luaithrenn on 03-22-2007 9:03 AM ... what constitutes a "blade trapping quillion." ~~akilah (formerly luaithrenn) As we in Appledore are beginning the process of building three hilts with multiple curved quillions, I too would like a timely definition on blade trapping design.

Yours in Service, Sevrin de Savage Cadet to Don Enoch Jacobsz. van Zuidland ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Arffuidsson User is Offline

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Posts:63

03/26/2007 6:04 PM	Alert
Greetings, According to one source (and it is something that I agree with) pretty much any quillion can be used to trap blades. “Quillons and Knuckle bows -- On some weapons the quillions and knuckle bows/guards are attached. Some weapons do not have knuckle bows. These parts of the weapon are used mainly for defense. The knuckle bow protects the hand (typically the knuckles) and the quillions are used for parrying and catching (binding) the opponent's blade.” (http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~wew/rapier.htm) So, the question is what caused this rule to be added, and what does the An Tir KRM define as “blade trapping quillions”. His definition will (hopefully) reduce the problems on the field, but it might cause several members to purchase new equipment to adhere to the kingdom rules. In my opinion, the equipment should not be legislated but people’s actions should be in question. Why would people feel good about themselves if they choose to manipulate the rules? This can lead to extra rules to be put in place. What’s wrong with winning while staying out of the “grey area’ of the rules? I feel we can all be honorable in our actions while enjoying this martial sport that we love. In Service to the West, Staffan Arffuidsson

jgreywolf

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Posts:682

03/27/2007 1:55 PM	Alert
Unfortunately I cannot really provide a good answer to this question. The rule has existed in An Tir since at least the 2004 edition, and if memory serves long before that as well. Apparently this one missed notice as we were trimming out items that just no longer made sense. There are no issues with curved quillions in regards to this rule. However, I will do some research to see what I can find.

Justin Greywolf (SCA: Ramon Diaz de la Vega) Director Old World Martial Arts - Teaching Historical Italian Swordplay in the Pacific Northwest

Lessingham User is Offline

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Posts:112

04/01/2007 5:21 AM	Alert
If I am not mistaken this is a carry over from one version or another of Society rules. I have never known anyone to pay any attention to it. Build a period style hilt and don't abuse the system by putting a bunch of other junk on it in an obvious attempt to trap blades.

"The Will is the captain general of our army and our fortress." 1587 F. Ghisliero pg. 108

Hob

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Posts:19

04/01/2007 10:43 AM	Alert
I believe this is mostly a left over from the epee rules, since those blades are far more prone to snapping in period quillons.

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