Dirk Moonen has what some might consider a small armory, but it’s not full of guns.

Instead, Moonen has fencing sabres, with foils, rapiers and epees arranged around of a room in his Rimrock home devoted to the combat sport. There are also a couple of comically oversized foam blades in the corner, but it’s doubtful they’d be allowed at competition.

Fencing masks line one wall, while the others are covered with records of his achievement with the sport.

He trains students at his home, and he travels around the state from schools in Sedona to Cave Creek where he trains a weekly dedicated class.

He knows what he’s doing. He’s had a little practice at it, 50 years, in fact.

It was only a few years ago, however, that he was recognized as a master, or “Maître d’armes” as it states on his business cards.

For the full story, see the Wednesday, June 20, edition of The Camp Verde Journal.