[MR] Re: cheap armor

[Mark Bush (personal account)]

Pardon an observation from someone who has only been in heavy armor less
than 6 times but knows about getting folks started in SCA combat, both heavy
and rapier. What is the problem with using ABS, pickle barrel or hockey gear
to hook new fighters at practices, knowing that in order for them to compete
at an event, they will have to have "real" leather and/or steel armor. 

In my rapier experience, part of the reason we have loaner gear that is
rather... um .. ok, ugly... is that fighters will want to wear something
nicer to fight in than white canvas tunic with a target painted on the heart
and PROPERTY OF some barony or canton stenciled across the back? Who wants
to walk onto a list field looking like that against an army of Elizabethan
doublet'd and venetian'd rapier fighters? Same principle, it would seem,
applies to the Heavy List.

I strongly support the drive for more authenticity and hope the marshalls
will enforce it on both list fields. I do also hope that we can resolve the
apparent conflict between the cost of entrance to a new fighter (especially
in heavy combat) and most of out budgets. Hey, I'd love to have a bag full
of Darkwood rapiers and daggers, but I do the best I can with what I have
and hopefully make a good effort to look good doing it.

Wm of Glencoe
Scholar, Academie d'Espee
Barony of Black Diamond