<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">For those new with rattan- or for any interested- I will host a sword making workshop at my basement on 7/23 starting at 7:00pm. This should give you more than enough time to order a basket hilt- I can provide all other needed equipment (or the next door Home Despot can at any rate). Now to be fair, you do not need a basket hilt to fight- if you do not use a basket hilt you will need a protective full gauntlet, personally I would prefer the basket hilt. <BR>
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some places that I have bought from before and been happy:<BR>
Mandrake Armory: <A HREF="http://www.mandrakearmory.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=MA&Category_Code=W">http://www.mandrakearmory.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=MA&Category_Code=W</A><BR>
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Red Falcon:<BR>
<A HREF="http://www.redfalconarmouries.com/shop.php?crn=59&action=show&show_products_mode=cat_click">http://www.redfalconarmouries.com/shop.php?crn=59&action=show&show_products_mode=cat_click</A> (he doesn;t seem to have many pictures up - but I am using his basket hilt. Check it out at Fight Practice)<BR>
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Iron Monger : <A HREF="http://www.kingslayer.com/ironmonger/hilts/hilts.htm">http://www.kingslayer.com/ironmonger/hilts/hilts.htm</A><BR>
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You could also check Ebay as we get closer to Pennsic there is more for sale there and perhaps you can get a bargan.<BR>
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My house:<BR>
2815 Middleboro Dr<BR>
Falls Church, VA 22042<BR>
703-855-9097<BR>
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If you bring armor we may be able to scare my neighbors with an improptu practice.<BR>
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-Abel<BR>
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