Reformation of the Sword Fighting Thread

[Elegost]

I have noticed we dont have a real solid Sword fighting thread like we do Archery.I applaud Laurelin for her hard work on the Archery subjects and hope that we can get a Sword Techniques and Advice Thread going.Now im not realy a professional so I dont think I personaly could get the job done.Anyone wana give it a try?
:battle: :fight: :battle: :fight:

(Sorry if this is in the wrong spot I didnt know were to put it.)

[Stormcrow]

I use Sai, and am quite skilled with fighting knives. But I do not use swords as of now. I have little experience with a Katana, but that is it. Otherwise, I would love a thread on sword fighting. We need someone who is skilled with a blade.

[Elfdaughter]

I'v been fighting for a while, now - though I don't consider myself a professional at all. We need IHD in here.... :p

[IronHills Dwarf]

And I'm hardly a pro either... ;) I just don't get in enough sparring sessions anymore. :p But we did have a thread already on sword fighting but I new one is fine by me.

[Nessa the Dancer]

I'm just gonna move this thread to somwhere more apropriate ;)

[Stormcrow]

Indeed! So, who could possibly be in charge of this thread?

[Elegost]

I dont know,but we need someone who knows the basic moves and stances.Things like that.

[Elfdaughter]

Oh well, if you just want the basics, I'm not too bad. IHD still is probably better than me. I concentrate on Medieval Fencing, though a lot of the moves are the same, or similar.

[Elegost]

Thing is with Archery its basicly the same techniques for everything.Swordfighting though there is,2-Handed European Sword fighting,Fencing,Japanese Swordfighting(With many Sub styles such as Bushido),and many others.So it will be hard to have basics for every stlye.I know Katana Basics but nothing about the others.

[IronHills Dwarf]

I'd be hesitant to offer more than the bare-bones. But I could some very simple observations and direct people to resources on Medieval swordplay. Ask me about construction and sword properties and I'll be much more helpful. Though I could probably (with the help of ED of course ;)) attempt to lead such a thread on sword play. Just remember that a certain point if you want to get beyond "playing" and actually learn a sword-art you're going to need a instructor - and I certainly not one of those and I don't consider myself to have gone beyond the playing stage and some basic understandings of how sword play works, rather than being an skilled practitioner who really knows their stuff. So don't expect to learn a sword art from listening to me. lol But I'm willing to help out and give some pointers. Just remember, you can't learn a Japanese sword-art from a book and you'll have a rough time with WMA as well. At the very least you need a practice partner or better yet an instructor who can show you all the things you're doing wrong. ;)

[Elfdaughter]

*bows*

Agreed, if you really want to learn a specific art, you're best going out nd finding an instructor.

[Elegost]

Im actually decent at it.Dont get me wrong im not the best,but I prefer to learn things on my own.Or at least what im saying is...Basicly there are no instructors in my area,and I was told a book was the next best thing.

[Elfdaughter]

I'm wary about learning things purely from books and films, but then again, I actually put my sword and rapier to use in battles and duels, I NEED to be aware of the saftey aspects etc.

Sorry, that's not making much sense....it's 3am.... :p

[IronHills Dwarf]

I don't get me wrong, I'm not one of those purists who condems learning anything from the books and videos. Personally I use historical texts to learn longsword - but I don't kid myself. I will never become truly proficent till I get an instructor. But there's nothing wrong with learning some things from a book, but I would strongly encourage getting a sparring partner you simply can't practice form without someone to spot you. Learning things on your own usually means that you'll end up getting into ALLOT of bad habits, myself included, trust me bad habits take far more work to unlearn. ;) (oh the early days of actually trying to put little woodcuts into practice... lol)

[Elegost]

I do get someone to spar with every so often,and well I always win lol....Im not saying im good im saying that out of the people I spar with im the best.

[Elfdaughter]

Just cos you win, it doesn't mean your form's right... ;) Trust me, I was fighting with poor form (it was ok form, but not quite honed) when I was learning. I agree with IHD - I learnt a lot of fencing moves from historical plates and texts, like Capo Ferro etc.

[Elegost]

Well like I said I dont have an instructor around here so ill have to teach myself.

[Laurelin]

I have noticed we dont have a real solid Sword fighting thread like we do Archery.I applaud Laurelin for her hard work on the Archery subjects and hope that we can get a Sword Techniques and Advice Thread going.
Thanks Elegost! ;) Regarding the techniques...I'd have to disagree with ya on that. Having shot the Yumi bow in Japan compared to the Longbow and the Mongolian horsebow...apples and oranges. Still fruit, but different. :p lol

[IronHills Dwarf]

Well Elegost I've had the same problem, I'm currently a little more skilled than those I spar with but even the unexperienced can give you surprises. ;) For instance try sparring armed with a longsword against a 11 year old who's over two feet shorter than you who's armed with shield and sword. ;) :-/ Not to much in the texts for that particular situation. lol Hmm, have you tried the practice partner finder over at swordforum.com? You may be able to find someone/group in your area. Just be careful who you join with depending what you want to do. Personally I'm not a big SCA fan (the most common group to find and no offence meant ED but you're luckly to be in a group that strives for historically rooted combat) and there aren't a huge abundance of WMA groups (ARMA I also have issues with though they do some good work).

But either way, look at the historical texts, keep yourself rooted in the basics (which comes down to the fact that combats will rarely last more than a dozen strokes unless both parties are very closely matched, and I think ED will agree with this). And most of all stay safe, slow slow slow, but I doubt I need to tell you that. :cool: (the dwarf is happy, having spent the entire day sparring lol)

[Elegost]

Thanks Elegost! ;) Regarding the techniques...I'd have to disagree with ya on that. Having shot the Yumi bow in Japan compared to the Longbow and the Mongolian horsebow...apples and oranges. Still fruit, but different. :p lol


Lol I stand Corrected.

[Elfdaughter]

Personally I'm not a big SCA fan (the most common group to find and no offence meant ED but you're luckly to be in a group that strives for historically rooted combat)
But either way, look at the historical texts, keep yourself rooted in the basics (which comes down to the fact that combats will rarely last more than a dozen strokes unless both parties are very closely matched, and I think ED will agree with this).

Hehehehe....none taken! Yeah, Insulae Draconis and Drachenwald are the two of the principalities/kingdoms that really do try to be as historrically accurate as possible.

Yip, I agree with that! ;) You can always find things to use to your advantage - I'm small, but I fight like a minx! (In that I'm fast and give no quarter :p - though of course, I do abide by the rules of chivalry....)

[Laurelin]

Tis my humble option...you all should sweet talk ED and IHD into making a proper sword thread so you can discuss it there instead of here. :p Just a thought. I'm not an expert in archery, but I created a thread and lookie what happened. lol Speaking of which I updated the 101 thread to include Kyudo archery. ;)

lol No worries Elegost. ;) I'm sure you could teach me a few things about swords since I know next to nothing. lol

[Elfdaughter]

lol - OK Laur, I get the hint.... :p Er...where should it go - Armoury or Smithy? IHD - fancy doing the sword part and I'll do the rapier? I know more on rapier than I do on sword...

[Laurelin]

The Armoury - where its a discussion of the USE of weapons and such. ;) :yahoo: Now maybe I can learn something about swords. *giggles*

[Elfdaughter]

*runs off to create the thread*

[Laurelin]

Good on ya, sweetie! ;)