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Old 2013-04-19, 01:26   Link #1
theflyingturkey
Swordy Turkey
 
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Where turkeys can actually fly
Age: 30
Let's Talk: Swords and Martial Arts

So, I was pretty bored and decided to make this topic to kill some time. (And to share with you guys some of the limited knowledge I have.

Swords are fascinating objects. A tool for killing no doubt, but nevertheless it has become a powerful icon in our popular culture. We see it everywhere, from the razor sharp katana to laser-esque blades in sci-fi. These objects themselves have a strong historical and cultural significance being symbolic in both the East and the West.

Eastern swords arts, particularly east asian sword arts, are renown for their grace, elegance and efficiency. Martial artist whom practice them are known for both their fighting prowess and humility.

On the western sword arts on the other hand we have fencing. No, no that fencing which you see in the Olympics, or the clubs in universities. I'm talking about the Kunst de Fechtens, the Art of Defense, the Noble Science of Defense.

To understand what I'm talking about, first we'll have a brief history lesson. It is a common misconception that the medieval battlefield was ruled by brute strength. Clumsy but big hearted knights bashing each other engaging in slow, and ponderous combat.

This was not historical fact however. Ancient manuscripts and treatises of systematic martial techniques have recently been rediscovered after being lost for centuries, after being sadly neglected for many centuries.

These many treatises were recorded by the Masters of Defense who lived during that period, and are now being studied world wide.

The study of this Art, commonly known as Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA), has experienced a massive resurgence in the 21st century, thanks to the internet. By studying, interpreting and experimenting the texts with a scientific approach and an understanding of bio-mechanics, these techniques can be (and have been) reconstructed efficiently.

There are many sword-arts within HEMA itself which includes the much favoured longsword, the rapier, sword and buckler, single sword, and many others!

So here's a short swordy FAQ:

Katanas are generally the best swords hands down
Not really. The Katana is an excellent weapon, and their forging techniques ensured excellent quality control, but otherwise made swords of comparable quality to the rest of the world. In fact the famed 'folding the blade' technique was in event the world over, and the Celts have been using the technique in the form of pattern welding.

European swords were blunt and heavy designed to bash through armour
Again this is false, European swords were definitely sharp, as modern reconstructions using accurate period materials have been tested. There are also archaeological evidences discovering skeletal remains which have been cleaved from the should/collarbones to the mid ribs.

Also, the average weight of longswords themselves are 3lbs, designed for nimble use and fast cuts and thrusts.

Furthermore, cutting is a poor solution to plate armour. Instead if a fencer would be expected to grip the blade with one hand in a technique called 'half-swording', where the sword would be wielded more like a spear, allowing increased precision to stab into the joints and exposed bits where the armour is not covering. Another technique utilized in armoured combat itself is the Mordschlag, where the blade is gripped with both hands. In this technique the sword functions more like a warhammer, to crush through the enemy's armour. With proper technique to grip the blade, (Pressing against the flat and not sliding on the edges) one may use these techniques without fear of cutting themselves.)
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