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Equipment
We use a rebated rapier weighing about 3 lb. made by Armour Class in Glasgow, Scotland. Following a reference shown in Janet Arnold's Patterns of Fashion, we use a safety tip consisting of a large rubber cork, slit to go over the end of the blade and fastened there, along with a shilling piece or a U.S. Quarter to stop penetration, by means of a piece of cloth tied with a lace. This tip is to be larger in diameter than a human adult eye socket.
Aside from light footwear and pants or shorts of whatever style, our typical uniform for English Sword is a t-shirt and a pair of light leather gloves. The lack of protective equipment keeps us careful.
Manner of play
We strongly encourage members to play using techniques from di Grassi. The entire person is the target, but in keeping with the teachings, the torso is the main target, which foreshadows modern foil fencing.
Di Grassi teaches you to rely principally on the thrust, which "fetchest a shorter compass" than the slash, cutting only when opportunity is irresistible, especially on the way back from a thrust. We have found that due to the weight and point-heavy quality of the weapons, it is really difficult to land a decent thrust on the body. Grazes to the arm and leg we generally "throw back."
One can use a heavy dagger with this weapon, also blunted but with no thrusting safety tip.
Like all the historical styles, it is played outdoors on grass when weather allows; in winter at the Grange.
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