The Ashokan pole arm challenge.......

[Mace]

Well it took me a while to convince Matt that a syrup chugging challenge was probably not such a good idea and that pole arms would be much better suited to Ashokan. (there still may be a side challenge w/bowls of bacon!)

Anyway, last year we did the impromptu "Ashokan Gladius challenge" and it turned out very cool with about 5 or 6 swords being made. This year we thought we would try it again and give folks more time to make them too.
So ya got about three months to build a sick ass pole arm.:thumbup:

The rules:
You must be going to Ashokan this year.
Forging and stock removal(or as I like to call it...cheating) are both acceptable.
It should be able to penetrate one of Matts car doors!

Other than that it's pretty much a free for all. Think outside the box.

First prize is Matt will clear your dishes after every meal.:thumbup:

Any takers???????
Mace

 

[Sam Salvati]

I'm In. And I won't be stuck up late on Saturday makin' the thing either, also if everyone will allow me to take anytime away from getting those swords done .

 

[Dan Seaver]

I like a good challenge, count me in!

 

[sunshadow]

i'm in.

-Page

 

[Kevin R. Cashen]

Great! Since you guys are thinking Ashokan, I can let you know that I just nailed down some of the final details in this years line up. It looks like we will have a return visit from Don Fogg and Burt Foster this year since they did so well last year, but with slightly different things to talk about. Brian Lyttle will be coming this year to show us some things, Dan Maragni and myself will talk a little. Jake Powning has agreed to share some techniques I really wanted to see. I have been told that Bill McGrath is willing to return and show us some things about using knives in extreme ways. I am still keeping my fingers crossed but I believe we will be able to do a presentation that will be the first of its kind at Ashokan with a very special and knowledgeable guest, friend and author.

That is the most I can share for now but the official line up and schedule will be available very soon, and there are still a couple of other little things we thought we may be able to add!

 

[Mace]

Wow! What a great line up. Thanks for the heads up Kevin.:thumbup:

*******
At this time I should say that this pole arm challenge is in no way part of the Ashokan seminars. This is just for fun for anyone who is going and wants to play.
*******

Looking forward to taking in as much as I can...can't wait.
Mace

P.S. That Burt Foster is the cats meow!

 

[bluejaunte]

Someone please make a nagamaki.

 

[Jared Stenoien]

I hope someone makes a voulge I've been wanting to for awhile now.

 

[Chris Meyer]

Since you are interested in pole arms, at trip to the Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester, MA might be in order. Also the Springfield, MA George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum has a permanent display of Japanese arms and armor, including pole arms. Here are some images from these museums, for those not able to get there.

Higgins Armory Museum​

​

 

[Chris Meyer]

Here are some examples from the Springfield, MA GWV Smith Art Museum

​

 

[David Wesner]

Mace.......Ashokan is when and where ???


And the pole arms........ I can't think of anything that's much cooler than an 18" blade on the end of a 6' pole :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Very, very cool pics from the museum Chris Quite impressive to say the least !!

 

[Kevin R. Cashen]

Ashokan will be Sept. 19-21 at the Ashokan field campus in Olivebridge NY. You may not like the location though, it is nestled near the Ashokan reservoir deep in the heart of the Catskill Mountains so as you can imagine the scenery is just terrible I will let Mace an the others tell you about how bad the food is .

 

[David Wesner]

Ashokan will be Sept. 19-21 at the Ashokan field campus in Olivebridge NY. You may not like the location though, it is nestled near the Ashokan reservoir deep in the heart of the Catskill Mountains so as you can imagine the scenery is just terrible I will let Mace an the others tell you about how bad the food is .

Thanks Kevin, that gives me about 3 months to figure out how to get out there :thumbup:

 

[stephanfowler]

Someone please make a nagamaki.

that reminds me,

I have one I made for my sword class that DESPERATELY needs to be finished.....

hmmmm

 

[Justin.Mercier]

P.S. That Burt Foster is the cats meow!

Burt Foster?! Burt Foster?! Burt Foster?!

!!!

(sorry, you had to have been there)

Unfortunately I'll be missing ashokan for the 2nd year in a row =( I'll be at ashokan 3 weeks prior for the atlantic coast blacksmith conference, but I cant squeeze out the weekend of the blade ashokan =(

That said... I think i'm going to try to get a polearm of some sort forged out and finished by then anyways just because this sounds like fun.

 

[Matthew Gregory]

The loser of the Ashokan Ultimate Full Contact Thumbwrestling Tournament of Doom is the one that clears dishes, Mace.

...seems I remember someone not showing their dirty, yella, no-good keester at the Wiggly Bridge for that showdown, leaving someone else the Unchallenged Supreme Overlord and Master of the C of M.

The maple syrup chugging contest has been dropped for a new, more challenging contest...

Buttermilk with chunks of lard!
WOOHOO! YOU SUCKERS DON'T STAND A CHANCE! Burt Foster owns this one, I'm sure of it. He told me he can down more buttermilk with lard in it than anyone alive, and he seeks to prove it this year at Ashokan.

The polearm thing was my idea, btw... Mace hasn't ever had an original thought.

bwaahahahahahahahahahahaaa!

 

[sunshadow]

I'm sure Tim Nue will hang onto it for you

-Page

Burt Foster?! Burt Foster?! Burt Foster?!

!!!

(sorry, you had to have been there)

Unfortunately I'll be missing ashokan for the 2nd year in a row =( I'll be at ashokan 3 weeks prior for the atlantic coast blacksmith conference, but I cant squeeze out the weekend of the blade ashokan =(

That said... I think i'm going to try to get a polearm of some sort forged out and finished by then anyways just because this sounds like fun.

 

[the possum]

Holy crap, Chris! Thanks for those pictures! If I ever make the trip to Boston, I'll have to see if I can get another day for the museums.

Here's a couple that are on display in the Saint Louis Art museum.

There's about 150 pictures of original pole arms at myArmoury in the Hafted Weapons Gallery.

And there are several existing manuscripts on how to actually use them. Here's a shot from Joachim Meyer's Fencing Treatise of 1570.

 

[D.sylvester]

Mace i would make one but the idea of crossing the border with a 6 foot poll arm might not be a good one

Dave

 

[Mace]

Ah...and so it begins.

Matt, I am on the lookout for your thumb assassins this year!
You guys need to whatch out for Matt and his lackeys too. He is like Comedus in the movie "Gladiator" he will stab you in the side while your tied up and then have you fight him.:jerkit:
:thumbup::thumbdn: see you on the bridge Matt.


Dave, C'mon man! Your a Canadian! Think oot side the box!
Make it telescoping. I'm sure you can figure something oot.


This looks like it will be a fun one.
Mace