kragore | The spectrum of woman fighters

I belong to a web list for female fighters in the SCA.
"Why?" one might ask, "does there need to be a web list specifically for female fighters in the SCA?"

Well, there seems to be a web list for any subset of a subcategory of a lifestyle out there, so why not? Are you an Adopted Single Father of a Child with Chickenpox? Chances are, there's a web list for you.
Granted, chickenpox aren't a lifestyle, they are itchy, but you get where I'm going.

There's an area on this site that allows for woman to keep blogs, about their experiences, and to comment, give tips, etc. It's supposed to be centered around their fighting career. Women supporting women in a most unusual pursuit. Great!

I have to say, if I showed up to a practice, and some of the women acted the way they do on the list in person. I don't think I'd come back to the SCA.
The Society.
Period.

There are some who are quite constructive - but then, like in life, there are others.

Sure, there are people who make excuses. Who are never at practice. I get it. Men, women, purple people eaters - there are those who just do not haul at their bootstraps to get things done. Great.

But at the other end of the spectrum, there are those who are so... brutally militant (oh, the irony) about things that they, by their very attitude, are a giant turn off. It's their way or you're doing it WRONG.

If I've made a comment and I've opened myself up for suggestions, be productive in your commentary. Telling me to "stop whining about the weight of (your) armor - it's supposed to be heavy" is generally counter productive.
A) you haven't offered up a solution accept to tell me to "make a soft kit to cover your armor" (What a GREAT suggestion to the chick who has heat regulation issues!)
and
b) "go get a $100 helmet and don't wait for the vague time in the future when (you) might be able to afford a $1k custom helmet."

Excuse me.
a) I have a kit that works and looks better than at least 75% of the other newbie kits out there. It doesn't work great, but it does ok. and I'm actively pursuing making it better. The semi-perm loaner helmet is fine, it's just not in fitting with my persona.

b) It's not that I don't have the money, it's that I'm not going to waste my money on something that isn't exactly what I want. I researched my new car for over a year before I bought it. Spur of the moment is how I wound up with a Red Albatross Motorcycle sitting in my friends garage, and I'm Loathe to do it again.

All other things besides, I'm not here to impress a Faceless internet handle who has nothing better to do than be negative. Their opinion isn't going to change how I make my decisions.

I know the troll shouldn't bother me. But I am bothered that fighters, women in particular, have a difficult enough time working up the balls to get on the field.
Telling me my concerns are whining is a) false and b) bullshit.

The society complains that it is losing membership.
With stunning examples like above, it's not hard to see why.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Good to see that men aren't the only whiny pansies on lists. ;-D

Had I been on the list, my replies would have been as follows:
"Sure, it's supposed to be heavy. However, don't really need to prove anything so anyone, so I prefer to be comfortable"
"That's nice. Glad you got a discount helm and are fighting in it. I prefer not having to think about the number of blown rivets I can not have to replace to pass inspection"

Sorry you have to deal with that type of bullshit.
You find vocal idiots on any list. They're the ones driving away people who are on the verge of being interested. That's always annoying.
The internet needs way more bitch slapping, IMNSHO :)

a.) Armor, while it is supposed to be heavy, is supposed to be properly distributed across the body in such a way that it does not FEEL heavy. Period armor is very... well i can't say comfortable, but it moves and bends and stretches right.

b.) getting your helm right is 90% of the comfort level of fighting. Too small, opening shaped the wrong way, not enough padding, not enough visibility, Rings like a gong when hit... if it isn't right, you're just not going to be happy.

The best thing i can suggest is to talk to armorers.

That's just it. I've been doing a lot of research online, trying to find someone who does what I'm looking for. I know that it is going to neither going to be fast or cheap - I'm not looking for either.
Just finding someone who has the skill and I trust to hand a lot of money to is difficult, in light of the many stories I hear about "I ordered X piece of armor X number of years ago and paid $X for it up front, and still haven't seen it."

I'm looking to get something made that resembles:
http://www.hussar.com.pl/panel/uploads/2008/10/img_7738.jpg
but not as ornate.
I would like it out of stainless spring, if possible, with some toned-down brass work. I know that this is a high order to ask.

I'm also looking for a helmet made to resemble:
http://www.hussar.com.pl/panel/uploads/2009/07/dsc_045.jpg
With the traditional heart-shaped pierce-work at the ears, but with lower a comb, and the traditional nasel as seen on this guy:
http://www.hussar.com.pl/panel/uploads/2009/07/dsc_0075.jpg

I do not want wings. They were not worn by everyone, and early on would have been attached to the saddle, not the armor.

In both cases, it is Highly Unlikely I'm going to find anything on a shelf somewhere.

I guess it was just the holier-than-thou assumptions she made about me, never having met me in her life, set me off. I know I'm a newbie fighter in her eyes, but I don't have to take her ration of shit just because I haven't been fighting for the last 15 years.

I think Iron Monger does custom jobs and his prices are mucho reasonable.

I am sorry that people suck- I have an equal rant about how people are more rude on the net than they would be in person.

-A female fighter who doesn't think you're whining

The thing to remember about this kit is that is a med cavalry kit you are by in fact a footman this will cause some issues with mobility and appearance. You will likely have to make some compromises with correct vs. what can work for you while approximating the appearance you want to achieve.

Yea. Seeing as how we keep our ponies separate, for everyone's safety, I will have to make compromises. I just want to approximate the look to be close. I can fully accept cheater methods to get the look, and get me the right amount of protection.

btw - I think your idea of writing down the pros and cons of my current kit to get an idea of what I want out of the next one is a great idea, and I shall do that shortly!
Thanks!
- K.

That kind of attitude (admittedly, mostly from men) is precisely what demotivates me to finish my kit. The latest was when I was told that the armor I was planning didn't go with the helm I have, and it "seems like such a waste". :/ Talk about taking the wind right out of my sails.

I got your back. Do it anyway. Maybe someday you'll want to upgrade your helmet. Maybe not.

I don't understand the giant sucking lack of encouragement when it comes to saying "I think I want to do X" when X doesn't fit perfectly into someone's world view. So it might not be "perfect" but it's what you want. And who's to say J random Merc wouldn't have cobbled together a better kit out of random pieces?
*Arrgh*!

I think that armor, like with many things, suffer from everyone thinking they've found the One True Way (tm).

Hmmmm, lets look at this: SCA = Stuff you do in your leisure time, for personal improvement and enjoyment.

Frankly, the nay-sayers can go get bent. I guarantee you can ALWAYS find someone that wants to tear you down in some way. I am constantly amazed at the sheer amount of those people in "volunteer" organizations. Don't let those a-holes get you down. If you need someone to be in your corner, you know where to find me.

You are doing the important part, you are out on the field, not in a perfect kit, but out there anyway! You are already superior to most of the bung holes who are bitching. Trust me, when you win the tourney, no one will go "Yea, she won, but her helm doesn't match her armor," or at least they won't say it twice.......

You Rock!

Torrin

Your icon rocks.

Hard.

=D

The negativity is no good for anyone. Armour is supposed to be heavy? Bull Armour was and is a combination compromise between mobility, protection, cost and appearance. Weight is a factor that is a direct result of the choices you make to balance those four factors. If your kit is not working for you for some reason than It needs to be changed to work for you. You are the only person your kit needs to work for so long as it meets Society mins. Other than that It is really no one else's concern. What is important to me about my armor may very well be ludicrous for you. But you know what we are both right. You need to figure out what you need from your kit, what are the easiest upgrades you can make are, and which you need help with. The easiest way to do that may be to sit down and make a list about the things you love about your kit the things that are acceptable and the things that really need to change. Write it all down from that buckle strap that doesn't line up quite right to the fact you love that it really take the sting out of chest thrusts. Whatever it is write it down this will help quantify and qualify where you want your kit to grow to. If I can help please let me know. You are valuable and don't let anyone belittle you about your kit. You are the only person who knows what your kit feels like. You may not know exactly what it is you need however you know what works and what doesn't about your kit.Some time issues with a kit can be as simple as having someone see the entire thing on and making a smal adjustment that you can't see. Ivar's fighting improved at least 10% after Balfar and I did a kit tune up with him. He is a mechanical engineer R&D guy but he couldn't see what was going on and thought i was a flaw in him or his kit it was neither just some small adjustments made worlds of difference.

The spectrum of woman fighters

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And on a completely unrelated note...

Grrrrrr!