Cut & Thrust
East Kingdom Proposed Cut & Thrust Rules
From: Don Antonio Patriquin Subject: [EK_Fencing] Cut & Thrust Date: Mon Apr 17 23:51:23 EDT 2006 Fencers! I'm pleased to announce that the Cut & Thrust experimental program (what was once called "sidesword") will officially begin this Saturday, April 22, at Southern Region War Camp. The rules governing this experimental program are appended below, and are substantially similar to those first published on these lists approximately six weeks ago. Of course, one need not attend SRWC to play. As of Saturday, all are free to practice with this form at all SCA events and practices, under appropriate marshallate supervision, as defined in the rules below. Please note that, while any warranted marshal may supervise C&T activities (provided they feel comfortable doing so), only marshals specifically warranted by myself for C&T may perform authorizations during the pendency of the experiment. Please take some time to read the experimental rules carefully -- there are some important difference between these and the previous sidesword rules, most notably in armor and calibration standards. While the C&T program is in many ways a continuation of the previous sidesword experiment, these new standard will be strictly enforced. Furthermore, the standard EK rules continue to apply to C&T, as modified by the experimental rules. And speaking of warranted marshals: if you were warranted marshal under the previous sidesword experiment, you are now warranted to do authorizations under the C&T program. I am working on a current list of marshals and will publish it here as soon as possible. For now, if you are not certain of your status, please contact me directly. I anticipate that this will be a six month experimental program, at the end of which period my office will determine, (a) whether to incorporate these rules into the standard EK rules, (b) whether to incorporate a modified version of these rules in to the standard EK rules, or (c) whether to continue the experiment. If anyone wishes to receive these rules as an MicrosoftWord file, please contact me directly. -Antonio, EKMoF [PUBLICATION DRAFT - April 17, 2006] EXPERIMENTAL East Kingdom Cut & Thrust Rapier Rules The following East Kingdom Cut & Thrust Rapier Rules shall govern the use of “cut and thrust” or “sidesword” style rapier activities in the East Kingdom. These rules are intended to supplement and, where necessary, modify, the East Kingdom Rapier Rules (the “EK Rules”). Accordingly, where these rules are silent, all East Kingdom Rapier Rules are to be applied. I. VALID BLOWS WITH CUT & THRUST RAPIER A. Thrusts, draw cuts and tip cuts, as defined in the EK Rules section II.C.(1)(a), are valid when using cut & thrust rapier. B. Cut and thrust rapier also includes the use of percussive cuts as a valid blow. Percussive cuts must always be delivered with sufficient control so as not to injure the opponent while still delivering the necessary impact for a valid cut. This provision is an exception to the EK Rules section II.C.(1)(b). C. When using cut and thrust rapier, cuts with the flat of the blade shall not be counted as valid blows; only cuts with the edge of the blade shall be counted. II. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF BLOWS A. A thrust must be acknowledged as valid if it is felt; there is no such thing as a “light” thrust. Therefore, calibration for thrusts shall tend toward the lightest touch that may reasonably be expected to be felt through armor constructed to the requirements set forth herein. B. A percussive cut, draw cut and tip cut shall be acknowledged as valid if such blow would result in a debilitating injury if delivered with a sharp sword against a target wearing civilian clothes (shirt, wool doublet, etc), but which does not actually injure the person being struck. Control is essential. This calibration standard for cuts is by definition heavier than that used in light and heavy rapier. Therefore, fencers who choose to participate in Cut & Thrust combat must acknowledge that they will routinely be struck with harder blows than they would normally receive in light and heavy rapier. However, fighters are still responsible for the effect of their blows, and must act with the safety of their opponents and themselves in mind. C. For cut and thrust rapier, valid blows to the leg or foot are considered incapacitating, rendering the fighter incapable of further combat. This provision is an exception to the EK Rules section II.D.(2)(d). III. ALLOWABLE BLADES A. Cut and thrust rapier blades approved for use in the East Kingdom are those approved for use by the Deputy Society Marshal for Rapier Combat, excepting that fiberglass blades may not be used. Until such time as a list of approved blades is made available at http://www.sca.org/officers/marshal/combat/rapier/index.html, the following list of approved blades shall be used: 1. Rapier Blades: ● Del Tin Practice Sidesword blade ● Del Tin Practice Rapier or equivalent ● Del Tin bated rapier blades ● Scottie Armory Renblades ● Replica blades that pass the Society flexibility standard and that are equivalent to the above and have been approved by the Kingdom Marshal of Fence. 2. Dagger Blades: ● ‘Scotty Type’ blades ● Tripplette dagger ● Safeflex dagger (15/6 model) ● Darkwood Armory Dagger ● Replica blades that pass the Society flexibility standard and that are equivalent to the above and have been approved by the Kingdom Marshal of Fence. The foregoing lists are identical to those used during the prior East Kingdom Sidesword experimental program. Accordingly, all blades previously approved for use in that program are acceptable under these rules. B. Cut and thrust blades will not be altered by grinding, cutting, heating, hammering, or other actions that could significantly alter their temper, flexibility or durability. Normal combat stresses and blade care do not violate this rule. Exceptions are: 1. The tang of the weapon may be altered. 2. Blades may be shortened so long as they maintain acceptable flexibility. 3. A nut or other blunt metal object designed to spread impact may be welded to the tip of a cut and thrust rapier blade so long as care is taken to prevent damage to the temper of the blade. IV. PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS In addition to the armor standards applicable to light rapier, as set forth in the EK Rules, the following additional requirements shall apply to C&T: A. The neck and throat must be additionally protected by some combination of rigid gorget, helm and/or hood insert that covers the neck from all sides, extending down to the collar bone in front and protecting the cervical vertebrae in the back. It is recommended that such rigid material be backed by resilient padding. B. The back of the head must be covered by rigid material sufficient to protect against percussive cuts. C. Elbows must be further protected by a minimum of an athletic pad or equivalent materials. V. MELEES A. Cut and thrust rapiers may not be used in melees VI. AUTHORIZATION STANDARDS A. The EK Rules section IV.A.(1). is amended, for purposes of these experimental rules, to add the following subsection (g) thereto: “Cut & Thrust Rapier – The form covers the use of a cut and thrust rapier (or “sidesword”) blade with or without secondaries. A fencer who is so authorized may use cut and thrust rapier with any secondary for which he or she has obtained a prior authorization described above.” B. In addition to satisfying the standards set forth in the EK Rules section IV.B., a candidate wishing to authorize in the use of cut and thrust rapier must be able to demonstrate the following safely and competently: 1. In addition to the elements applicable to the use of particular secondaries (e.g. dagger, cloak, etc.) as outlined in the EK Rules section IV.C., the candidate must exhibit a refined sense of calibration, especially when delivering blows to his or her opponent – this is the most important element to a cut and thrust rapier authorization; and 2. Full control of the weapon and awareness of distance. VII. MARSHALLATE STANDARDS A. Pursuant to the EK Rules, warranted marshals may supervise the practice of rapier activities at any SCA event or official practice, including the use of C&T rapier according to these experimental rules. However, during the duration of this experiment, authorizations in Cut & Thrust Rapier may only be perform by those marshals specifically warranted to do so by the Kingdom Marshal of Fence or the Deputy Marshal for Cut & Thrust.