(12-05-2013, 01:31 PM)Wombat Wrote: It was a worthwhile read! I've been looking for some kind of HEMA group in my area but not luck yet. I'd really like to study grossemesser and buckler. I've been interested in historical armored combat since I was a kid, but so far all I've been able (to afford) to get into is larping. They're almost, but not entirely, exactly nothing alike. >.<
Wombat, I can relate to that -- I grew up wanting to be a warrior! I hope you find a good HEMA group someday. I've never been to a LARP, but having seen a few videos, I also think that it is really not the same. Have you looked into groups like the SCA, Dagorhir, or Belegarth? I don't have any personal experience with them, but they all do non-scripted armored combat, albeit with safety weapons or rattans. They each have chapters all over the US, so maybe you can find one within a reasonable driving distance? If gear affordability is an issue, keep an eye on eBay, Craigslist, and armourarchive.org -- as well as message boards for those various groups.
You might also poke around your LARP group to see if anyone else is interested in starting your own group, or opening a new chapter for one of the groups I mentioned above. I bet they have good resources to help new groups get underway.
The great way is only difficult for those who pick and choose.
