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I think rapier is a search.
And it's a search for a perfection you might not necessarily find in other weapons.
The reason why I went in for the rapier is childhood dreaming and I think that's how
a lot of people get into swordfighting. It's seing those films and reading those books
and hearing the stories that makes the blood rush, actually has fire to it and when you
get older you do martial arts, you do Eastern martial arts, you do sport fencing, but it
doesn't quite fill the void.
And with the explosion of Western martial arts came this opportunity, came this dream
to actually become a musketeer, to become Alatriste, but more than that is you pick
up a rapier and it completes you.
You find that you're actually dealing with something that's very demanding, but very
beautiful.
As one once said to me that she's a beautiful woman to be in love with, but she's cold and
she's hard and you must fight to win her love. And I think that's very true.
So for me, the rapier is a long search for perfection, to be able to fight, as well,
but also to fulfill those dreams of a child.
Yes, I hope so. You see, what it is to say, is that rapier is a very difficult weapon
to learn thoroughly, to learn it 100 percent. But it has an immediate gain.
You can learn the basics and get some pleasure out of it, but it is that search for perfection
that is very difficult to take on - I'll never achieve it! But it is the journey that counts.
For someone who wants to come along, it's a chance to really pick up a weapon that is
designed very much for the individual to face another individual. And to achieve that sort
of terrifying connection one can only have in a deadly encounter.
As the smallsword did later.
It means that it's very personal.
Also the variety of the weapon, the use of the weapon, the look of the weapon means it
becomes very individualistic. So, someone coming along will pick something
up and they will say: 'Ok, this is actually mine. This isn't a tool that I'm picking up.'
What we will be doing is a way to sort of introduce you to your new partner
and start you dancing really with it and getting to learn it and then to fight with someone
else. And to fulfill that encounter.
I can't remember who said the quote, but someone said: 'Never give a sword to a man who can't
dance.'
Well, we're going to do some dancing lessons.
Please, absolutely! In fact, at a recent event I had a great pleasure of giving an award
to a Spanish lady - a special cloak that was made for beautiful technique. And that's it,
I think. It really does express beautiful technique.
And the great thing about it is that it doesn't matter about size or shape or age or anything.
You can achieve a real joy with it; however well you think you dance or not. It will actually
encourage you to think. More importantly, perhaps, it will teach you
a lot about your body. It will teach you a lot about your movement.
I think, if I refer to swashbuckling, there are a lot of just simple hand actions. Big
cuts and stuff like this. Whereas to be a proper rapierist, you use
your whole body. You work from your hips outwards.
And this is something we're going to touch on. We'll do this with single rapier and with
the dagger, as well. But, as I say, it is a complete introduction.
In many ways, I think, if you know nothing about the rapier, it would be great to come
along, because it's the way to really deal with the foreign and esoteric, if you will.
And have a really good introduction to it. If you say: 'Ok, that was nice, I'll never
pick one up again' then great. I've known more people who have got an itch
from doing it, though. Who have really started to enjoy it.