SWORD COLLECTOR AND FENCER

• Faculty Advisor for the Western Kentucky University Fencers.

"I sometimes workout and  spar with the young contenders prior to a competition. The "old man" can still get a few touches on those younger and faster.  Besides, if they can't beat the "old man" they need more work!"

• Fencer with both a Saber and an Italian Foil.

"In essence, I participate in "Escrime Loisir."  Defined as, leisure fencing for those who wish to do it purely for amusement and relaxation, who seek to play stylishly with the blades, to experiment with archaic strokes or ingenious new tricks; for those, in short, who are too old, idle or imaginative for the repetitive grind of serious competition fencing.... THAT'S FOR ME!

• Collector of Original and Reproduction Edged Weapons.

The Trapasso Collection Includes:
A Reproduction Roman Gladius (Gooooo! Spartacus!  Go! Team! Go!)
A Reproduction Viking Sword (The heck with Tor's Hammer, I've got a blade!)
A Reproduction Two-Handed Claymore (good ol' Braveheart)
A Reproduction One-Handed Cross Hilt Broad Sword (St. George... eyeing that dragon)
A Reproduction Swept-Hilt Broad Sword (some call it an El Cid sword, I call it cool)
A Reproduction Basket-Hilt Claymore or Claybeg (good ol' Rob Roy)
A Reproduction Cup-Hilt Rapier and...
A Reproduction Main Gauche (Athos, Porthos, or Aramis... take your pick)
An Original 1890 Spanish Saber (as close to Zorro as I can get)
An Original 1840 Heavy Cavalry Saber (Civil War cavalry rides again!)
A Reproduction 1860 Light Cavalry Saber (my toy saber for Civil War re-enacting)
An Original 1880 Practice Foil (from a boys academy somewhere in New England)
An Original Masai Warrior Sword (African tribesman vs. the lion type weapon)
A Beautiful Reproduction Dagger (a souvenir from Toledo, Spain... A Dios Mio!)

Modern Fencing Weapons include:
Several Practice Foils (both Italian and French)
Several Practice Sabers
A Practice Epee

Other Accessories include:
A Reproduction Sugarloaf Helm (the Crusader look)
A Reproduction Chain Mail Coif and...
A Reproduction Chain Mail Shirt  (I always wanted a suit of armor!)
A Reproduction Buckler (A swashing I did go! A swashing I did go! Hi Ho the Dary-O, A swashing I did go!)
A Variety of Daggers and Machetes (from various countries)
A Flail (a spiked ball hanging by a chain from a handle)
A Battle Ax (NO! Not my ex-wife)

• Collector of Movies (which include sword fighting scenes) and Instructional Films ( which discuss edged weapons and their uses in a historical and theatrical context).  Way too numerous to mention list here.

• Civil War Saber Drill Instructor

"My saber drill is based on the one found in Brig. General Philip St. George Cooke's Manual of Cavalry Tactics, dated 1862.

IN GENERAL,  I LOVE TO TALK ABOUT SWORDS AND SWORD FIGHTING!!!  PLEASE FEEL FREE TO E-MAIL ME AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT ANY OF THIS STUFF.  VISIT MY OTHER LINKS TOO!