From: schuldy@progress.COM (Mark Schuldenfrei)
Subject: Re: Left vs Right Handness
Organization: Progress Software Corp.
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 21:32:07 GMT

Well, I've gotten a pretty good answer to the following question:

  >  III.A.3 [ . . . ] Orthopedic and pistol grips are not allowed for
  >  reasons of safety and non-period style.
  
  The non-period part is clear, but I'm curious to know how in the case of
  this rule pistol grips were determined to be unsafe. (I can imagine a
  few possibilities, but I was wondering what the particular background is
  to this specific rule.)

Since the answer I got was pretty personal, and names a bunch of names
that maybe shouldn't appear in public, I have permission to paraphrase:

It seems that this is an historical artifact of personal animosity.
An SCA fencer with sport fencing experience (and a USFA Regional
officer), *really* irritated the East Kingdom Marshal of Fence with
a comment like (from his note to me):
  "'Horse Pucky, there is nothing unsafe with orthopedic grips.'  (...or
  stronger words with similar meanings...)"

And, this rule was put in place as a result of a fit of pique.

I'm going to quote much of the balance of this, anonymous, persons
comments directly, since they pertain well to an intelligent discussion
of SCA versus sport fencing.

  The "perception" is that orthopedic grips hit harder.  Tibor's analysis could
  be true, but practice and experience don't really support his suppositions.
  Further, many of the orthopedic grips are distillations of period grips.  Swept
  hilt rapiers have multiple bars that wrap around and through a fencer's grip. 
  These aid the fencer by reducing the possibility of a successful disarming
  move.  Further, use of a "sword knot", (ties or cords that attach to the sword,
  wrap around the hand and/or wrist of the fencer) remove any ability to "let go"
  the sword or shift it from hand to hand.  These are used by some fencers in the
  SCA and are VERY PERIOD.  

  What I find from years of doing both USFA and SCA fencing is that modern and
  epee fencers often make "coupe's" with their weapons.  This blow is rapid and
  "stings" the opponent.  Also, it can be made in such a manner that the
  "pulling" of the blow actually accelerates the tip into the opponent.

  This move can be made with any grip and is one of my favorite moves in melee's. 
  It is a move that often hits with a great deal of force.  I can also deliver
  this blow with minimal bend, only aggravating the force issue. Yes, people
  complain -- I try not to use it in SCA context.

  Since modern fencers use orthopedic grips and modern fencers have moves that
  hit their opponents fast and hard, there was this "perception" that the modern
  weapons were at fault.  Further, there was this inaccurate perception that a
  "stronger grip" means that the fencer will more likely hit harder.  The fencer
  may or may not depending on their moves and controls.   I find that I hit
  lighter with an orthopedic grip...

  [ Some more naming of names, deleted by schuldy ]

  Its a good suggestion to have the "because" clause dropped. [Identifying
  information deleted by schuldy ]

  This is just EK Fencing history.  You can see artifacts like this in any law
  book.  Its actually very unfortunate that we have to air our dirty laundry
  in our own rules.

I received a second piece of mail, from someone who recalled an incident as
described, that explained the rule the same way.

Hey, thanks for the interesting question.  It seems to have started the
ball rolling toward a cleanup of the rules.

I apologize to you all for "screening" the letter I got, but I thought it
better than not answering.  I wouldn't post private mail without explicit
permission.  Also, to our "Mystery Guest", I apologize for correcting
your spelling and grammar...  (OK, he's a good friend).

And, boy, am I glad I labelled my opinions, opinions.

	schuldy (Tibor in the SCA).
-- 
Mark Schuldenfrei (schuldy@progress.com)
[I'm just showin' you my opinions: this ain't a gift]
--
Mark Schuldenfrei (schuldy@progress.com)
[I'm just showin' you my opinions: this ain't a gift]