Vassilis Tsafatinos wrote: |
Yeah, I know what you mean. I had a hard time getting my card because of the occasional "more then touch" hit. Very unrealistic, but those are the rules in my kingdom. Atlantia, which is Virginia/North Carolina, has the best in my opinion. Some people swear the hit like they are using rattan, lol. I had one marshal flip out on me because I jerked his head back last week at practice. They guy was lunging forward when I hit him. |
I definitely agree with this--that is, a touch should bend a blade--it needs to show that it would have penetrated a good 3-4 fingers. This is one of my big complaints with most people's hand-sniping. The hand and sword-arm are valid targets--but you're just not going to slow anyone down unless the blade goes in or better yet, through. Personally, I would prefer a point d'arret so that the point can catch the glove or sleeve and stick enough to make the blade bend, but I understand the safety concerns.
The other problem is one of people complaining when you hit them hard because they are basically charging at you without closing the line and throwing themselves on your point. While I don't do the SCA, these complaints aren't just limited to that venue. The ironic thing is that the safety equipment tends to make it more likely rather than less, as people who "armor up" for rapier tend to also have "contempt" of the opponent's point.
Steve