Episode Outline
Introduction to Stephan Eickelmann and His Background
- Guy Windsor introduces Stephan Eickelmann, highlighting his roles as founder, president, and head instructor of Schildwache Potsdam.
- Stephan is also a physicist with a PhD in experimental soft matter and a university researcher and teacher.
- Stephan encountered historical martial arts during his PhD, drawn to its flat hierarchies, research-driven mindset, and emphasis on shared inquiry.
- Guy praises Stefan’s approach to teaching, focusing on enabling independent thinking rather than transmitting authority.
Stefan’s Location and Early Involvement in Historical Martial Arts
- Stephan is located in Mainland Europe, specifically in Germany, in Potsdam, near Berlin.
- Stephan shares that he is sitting in his daughter’s room, the quietest space in the house.
- Stephan got into historical martial arts through a university sports program offering a class on historical fencing.
- He joined the course led by Martin Hoeppner, who is also a founder of Schildwache Potsdam.
Initial Experiences with Historical Martial Arts
- Stephan started with medieval sword and buckler based on 1.33.
- The initial courses were rudimentary, using nylon simulators without masks.
- Stephan describes the slow, controlled fencing approach based on the work of Roland Warzecha.
- Guy shares his own approach to starting beginners with steel longswords and fencing masks to ensure safety.
Scientific Training and Historical Martial Arts
- Stephan discusses how his scientific training influenced his approach to historical martial arts.
- He mentions the mixture of knowledge transmission and the current state of teaching from Martin Hoeppner.
- Stephan highlights the room for interpretation in historical martial arts, especially in the Fiore dei Liberi manuscript.
- Guy shares a personal anecdote about a conversation that changed his interpretation of a specific passage in Fiore.
Teaching Historical Fencing and University Teaching
- Stephan compares teaching historical fencing to university teaching, noting the differences in student motivation.
- He discusses the challenges of teaching non-physicists basic physics courses and the importance of being prepared.
- Stephan emphasizes the importance of admitting when not well-prepared without looking unprepared.
- Guy shares his own experience with handling unexpected questions in teaching.
Building and Modifying Equipment for Historical Martial Arts
- Stephan shares his experience of building a gorget due to certification issues with available gorgets.
- He describes the modular design of his gorget, using multiple plastics and removable padding for washing.
- Stephan discusses the importance of having a gorget with a blade catcher and high impact padding.
- Guy shares his own experience of making a gorget with Kevlar and leather.
3D Printing and Safety Equipment Design
- Stephan explains his journey into 3D printing, starting with building a gorget and later designing safety equipment.
- He describes the challenges of finding proper steel bosses for bucklers and the solution of using half bowls from fencing equipment manufacturers.
- Stephan shares his method of building bucklers with plywood and steel bosses, emphasizing the importance of fixing the boss securely.
- Guy discusses his own method of making bucklers with plywood and plastic handles.
Open Source Safety Equipment Design
- Stephan discusses the importance of open source safety equipment design, especially for sword tips.
- He shares his experience of testing different types of sword tips and the development of his own design.
- Stefan’s design combines flexible material for cushioning and high impact resistant plastic for durability.
- He emphasizes the importance of making the design accessible to the public for improvement and adaptation.
Inclusive Event and Club Culture
- Stephan highlights the importance of inclusive language and gender-neutral terms in event descriptions and club websites.
- He shares an anecdote about dealing with individuals with extremist views and the development of a code of conduct.
- Stephan discusses the use of visible signs of inclusivity, such as pride puffy pants and including pride flags in club logos.
- Guy shares his own experience of using a pride flag as a symbol for his online community.
Nail Painting and Its Impact on Class Environment
- Guy shares a story about painting his nails rainbow colours at a sword event in Seattle, which helped him connect with people and create a more relaxed environment.
- The nail painting made people, especially those who didn’t know him, feel more comfortable, which in turn helped him teach better.
- Guy mentions that he usually doesn’t paint his nails but wishes he could because it helps people relax.
- Stephan suggests using a rainbow-included patch for similar effects, and Guy Windsor considers it.
T-Shirts and Club Culture
- Guy talks about his T-shirts with images of historical fencing figures, which help in teaching and creating a unique club culture.
- Stephan discusses the design of their club T-shirts, which include options for different weapons and pride flags, to make members feel included and expressive.
- The club encourages members to choose their own T-shirt designs, including various pride flags, to promote inclusivity and diversity.
- Guy enquires about the practicalities of ordering these T-shirts, and Stephan provides details about their online shop and customization options.
Club Atmosphere and Code of Conduct
- Stephan emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between uniformity and individual expression in club T-shirts.
- The club encourages members to report any inappropriate behaviour, including from instructors, to ensure a safe and inclusive environment.
- Guy and Stephan discuss the importance of having a clear code of conduct for events, which participants must acknowledge during registration.
- The code of conduct helps in addressing any issues that arise during events, ensuring that everyone adheres to the same standards of behaviour.
Event Design and Diversity
- Stephan explains their approach to event design, aiming for equal representation of instructors, including underrepresented groups.
- The goal is to have a diverse range of instructors and topics, making the events more inclusive and interesting for participants.
- Guy appreciates the effort to create a friendly and welcoming environment at events, which contributes to the overall positive experience.
- The discussion highlights the importance of diversity in teaching and organizing events to cater to a broader audience.
Future Projects and Personal Goals
- Stephan shares their aspiration to write a kid-friendly version of Fiore’s story, aimed at children aged 1 to 5.
- Guy and Stephan discuss the challenges and potential of this project, including the need for faithful translations and engaging storytelling.
- The idea is to use Fiore’s virtues as a framework for teaching children important values through a fun and engaging story.
- Stephan mentions the support from a lovely illustrator and the pressure to complete the project, aiming for a timeline that aligns with their child’s age.
Improving Historical Martial Arts with Funding
- Guy asks Stephan how they would spend a million euros to improve historical martial arts worldwide.
- Stephan suggests investing in youth education programs to make historical fencing more accessible to children.
- They also propose creating a research centre to fund multiple research projects, including historical research, material research, and public advertisement.
- The goal is to support various aspects of historical martial arts, from teaching kids to conducting research that benefits the community.
Final Thoughts and Next Steps
- Guy and Stephan discuss the importance of addressing under-served areas in historical martial arts, such as youth training and research.
- Stephan emphasizes the need for a foundation that provides funding for research projects and public advertisement.
- The conversation highlights the potential impact of targeted funding on the growth and development of historical martial arts.
- Guy thanks Stephan for the insightful discussion and looks forward to future collaborations and projects.
