ARMA Free-Play in Gambesons with Federschwerter

[l3054]

also japanese steel was low quality which is part of the reason why they folded the steel when forging their blades the curved design has less resistance when cutting just like other curved swords not just katana but other than that its pretty much the same as a longsword

[MusicOfSDG]

No helmets? Oh boy.

[McKillerRus777]

On his place ill use a shotgun

Faster and funnier

[Halofreakanoid]

@McKillerRus777 : and far less masculine too, don't forget that

[McKillerRus777]

@Halofreakanoid

ass then (use)

[Halofreakanoid]

@McKillerRus777 : What?

[McKillerRus777]

@Halofreakanoid

use ass as weapon, if you don't want to use shotgun

[xtcarnage15586]

Wait what's the point of doing this when you could just use a katana to cut the longsword in half?

[TheLoki7281]

@xtcarnage15586 you cant cut  a longsword in half...the katana is not better than the longsword

Both are excellent swords .. of the same quality and workmanship

also the european fencing is in no way inferior to the estern styles

[xtcarnage15586]

@TheLoki7281 I know I was trolling

[LaCosaNostra132]

@xtcarnage15586 lol you had me pretty conviced there. I was getting ready to send you a crazy hate comment until I saw you were kidding

[Halofreakanoid]

@xtcarnage15586 : You're either a troll, or an idiot. A katana can't cut through a longsword. I katana can't even cut through a broadsword; but a longsword can.

[xtcarnage15586]

@Halofreakanoid dude katanas can easily cut through white man sword

[Halofreakanoid]

@xtcarnage15586: HAHAHA, considering the katana was made to cut through flesh, and not metal, and medieval longswords, and really, any sword then was made from a more advanced metal alloy, no, it couldn't unless the European sword was made incorrectly. Stop watching anime and pick up a history book.

There's documented footage of a katana trying to cut through a broadsword, and it was bent sideways and made useless from the strike. When they used a longsword, it cut straight through.

[xtcarnage15586]

@Halofreakanoid no sorry man. I saw the last samurai and East > west always. Seriously any other movie will agree with me that the katana can slice through knight amor and swords like butter. Longswords suck simple as that. What is faster? Katana. What is stronger? Katana. What can you draw more quickly katana. Besider white man got no martial arts bro hes just all hack and slash.

The Katana will slice through white-man sword like a hot knife through butter eh?

[Halofreakanoid]

@xtcarnage15586 : >Trying to use MOVIES as a valid point when talking about REAL fighting.

HAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHA

>Katana is slower than the longsword because it is blade heavy, and still manages to be shorter

>Katana is made of inferior metal that takes far longer to make into a blade than a longsword.

>There's no practical need to draw your sword fast if two people are fighting. They'd already have their weapons out.

You see this up there? The video, THAT'S a martial art.

No. Go home troll.

[xtcarnage15586]

@Halofreakanoid no you are wrong. People make movies and people as a whole are smart. If you want to see real fighting look at some tai kwan do videos or watch mortal kombat.

AAAAAAHAHAHAHAH

>Katanas are faster than the longsword because they are lighter

>no my friend. A katana can cut a long sword in to. It taks a longer time to make because it is superior dumbass!!

XD teh samurai kan pown your dull knight. Look at the vider you are so slow samurai can block bullets

[l3054]

@xtcarnage15586 you must be retarded or trolling if anyone tried to block a bullet with a sword even if musashi came back to life theyd die and taekwondo has been watered down its a sport not really a practical martial art anymore and people as a whole especially in the usa are stupid as hell as is evident in your spelling and stupidity

[xtcarnage15586]

@l3054 Hay dumbo I'm not has dumb as yoo may think. I has a daplohma so show teh rezpect

[l3054]

@xtcarnage15586 diploma for what? high school? i dont even beleive that you try to look smart but you just show how stupid you are or is it yoo

[xtcarnage15586]

@l3054 FR0M T3H UN1V3R51TY 0F UR M0M XD

U H45 S0 DUMB U F0RG3T QU35T10N M4RK5 XD

[l3054]

@xtcarnage15586 your just some dumbass kid or even sadder an adult whos just as immature

[xtcarnage15586]

@l3054 I SMARTER THAN U THINK I HAS!

[l3054]

@xtcarnage15586 i dont really need to say anything more youve proven my point many times over

[xtcarnage15586]

@l3054 At Lest I R3M3MBER PR0PER GRAMER AND NOT FOGET KWESTION MAKS!!

[xtcarnage15586]

@Halofreakanoid see how slow they are? They make long pauses betwen strikes. Samurai need no pauses they just own white man

[Halofreakanoid]

@xtcarnage15586 : That happens in ALL forms of fighting, ESPECIALLY with two handed weapons.

/watch?v=tVuGDcggm44&playnext=­1&list=PLC05FDBC6BF3B9272

See the long pauses they are making? It's because they are conserving energy and thinking about what their next attack is going to be, like what these men above are doing.

See, I can do it too, it just makes sense when I say it because I'm not a dumbass weeaboo.

[Malachayas]

@xtcarnage15586 Can't tell if trolling...

[xtcarnage15586]

@Malachayas trolling

[tenspeedscarab]

As a western martial artist myself, I'm slightly concerned about the speed they are going at the the lack of equipment they are using...

[Halofreakanoid]

@tenspeedscarab : It's the leader of ARMA and another member, likely of high skill. The one in grey is widely known as the best and only true master of western martial arts alive today.

[contrarianbastard]

Man, that guy got tired toward the end there. It's funny how in the movies people can swing a piece of steel around for 20 minutes without tiring, but when this guy tried it in real life he got tired in a minute and a half. Guess it's kind of like how movie revolvers hold a hundred rounds but the ones I can find in the store only hold six.

[Halofreakanoid]

@contrarianbastard : Right, and the man up here is someone who is an expert, one of which is considered by some to be the greatest western matial artist alive.

[tobyreyes1]

Awesome! Awesome! I myself train in the Filipino Art ot Escrima and I'm extremely impressed with these guys. Common principles like deflections done with the side or back of the blade (rarely any edge to edge contact), retirada footwork, tight movements exist between tried and tested sword methods.

[HistoricalFencer]

Challenge accepted

Lee S. Smith

Blood and Iron Martial Arts.

[manufacturedfracture]

Omg I love This reminds me of when I was like 8-14 sword fighting I love the blade sounds plus I love the exasperation with every strike like your putting it all P.s. I am a natural with a blade and still no training

[CT034]

Man JC is like a badger. Moves quick and doesn't give any indication of fatigue. Great technique. No wasted movement.

[Iamnofirefighter]

I could beat JC . If he would be asleep...

[colbol89]

No joke. JC Terrifies me. I just started practicing with ARMA and i go through about 45 minutes to an hour a day of sword practice on my own, and i just don't understand how you can get as good as JC and Aaron. ......he's like the messiah of sword....

[Ranziel1]

Now just imagine how good Liechtenaer was, the Grandmaster that defeated countless opponents and was practicing for his entire life.

[wolfmaster555]

No edges were harmed lol

[SwordOwar]

One day I may fight as well as these guys..oh well drill drill and more drill

[wolfmaster555]

same here

[perdurabo1]

1. to kill somone with wooden sword you have to give him a serious beating, i had been using wood for almoust 5 years and nothing apart from bruises came from it.

2. they aren't using sharp blades, those arent even sword replicas, those are Feders, swords designed in XVth century to train sword fight, they dont have edge at all, and tip is rounded so its quite safe.

[perdurabo1]

i train, german longsword, for almoust 5 years, even hardest hit with wood on my torso or hands or legs didn't do mutch apart from pain and bruise, you would have to hit somone straignt on the opponnts side of the head. And both of the guys controll blades to a point where this isn't likely to be. Swords aren't "metal sticks" they behave difrently i would say thrust from wood is more dangerous than from feder witch has rounded tip and bends a bit not mutch but enough to not do serious harm

[cerkuenik]

great feint at 1:00!

[Littlejon126]

I don't mean any disrespect, maybe I'm missing something here but this seems super risky. If someone were to slip up a lil bit someone could get seriously hurt.

Then again, if one of the Blue Angels sneezed in flight it could go really badly but nobody scrutinizes them, I just hope they don't sneeze!!

Cool video. Be safe viewers! These guys are professionals!!!

[tiamat9989]

Great analogy with the Blue Angels!

I'm going to use that from now on if you don't mind

=)

[Jebbis]

I hope to be as good as Mr. Clements one day.

[lsjd22]

How often does someone get a sword through the eye, or the head?

[Kunstdesfechtens]

Never. ARMA has an excellent safety record. Injuries can happen, though. It is impossible to train martial arts to their fullest without risk of injury. Usually a broken finger is the worst injury one is likely to sustain.

[blackking1]

Makes me wish there were a local ARMA group...

[Kunstdesfechtens]

Although there are no ARMA chapters in the UK, there are a good number of excellent sword schools.

[blackking1]

Know of any decent ones near Manchester?

[Kunstdesfechtens]

I don't, sorry. There is a company called "medieval weaponry" in Manchester. They might know some people. Barring that, should you ever make it to Glasgow, check out the Glasgow Company of Duellists. Good guys there. The UK has a lot of good groups, so even if you have to travel, you should be able to find someone. Do your research to see if any given school is legit. :)

[3ng4n]

Very nice indeed.

[taffy1975]

Well done. Good control and movement.

/Anders

[altariongr]

Yes he great swordmaster, I had a seminar with him a year ago here in Athens. He is very good.

[fenrirsget]

where'd you guys get the federschwerter?

[Kunstdesfechtens]

I think those are Albion "Meyer" sparring swords.

[fenrirsget]

ahh...the high-end stuff. Very nice.

[Draculix]

Fatty's in the way.

[FaceMeetsFloor]

Great movement guys!  The control and skill this takes is remarkable.

[johnPhilos]

Without exaggeration, John Clements, though aging now, is possible the best swordsman alive. Funny how there are novices here lecturing him how to practice. I've fought some of his students, and they are tough.

[Kunstdesfechtens]

Well, one of the guys I know that trained with John says: "John is one HELL of a marital artist." Whether he's the best alive, I have no idea... but I'm sure he can hold his own with anybody.

[GambleD13]

Put it this way, he issued a challenge to any & all swordsman, & none took the challenge. Course all the eastern fanboys claim its because the "masters" have sworn not to fight & other crap like that. But I can guarenty, travel back in time 400 years & issue a challenge & countless samurai would take you up on it. The so caled masters of today are posers.

NOTE: John's challenge was to further the understanding of Swordsmanship nothing less & it wasn't a duel, it was a competetive challenge.

[Kunstdesfechtens]

If is was the most recent challenge, it was specifically for armoured combat, and no one responded to spar. Some were all in favour of doing a demo, IIRC. If it were me, I'd jump at the chance to fence John. He'd kick my ass, but I'd learn a lot. But to be fair, finding Asian sword arts that do armoured combat is very difficult.

[janchodkiewicz]

Fechtschule Gdansk invite to Poland. I think it can be great occasion to share exeperience. If John Clements have seminar in Europe, we would be honored to spar with him.

Btw. Where I can find some movies with J. Clements sparing? (not free play)

[voidlogic]

@johnPhilos "Without exaggeration, John Clements, though aging now, is possible the best swordsman alive."

That is high praise indeed. Unlike many high profile HEMA figures, John does not participate in cross groups events (Chiv. Weekend, Swordfish, HEMAC, WMAW, WMAC etc), so I would say he is an unknown. I would really like to see John Clements spar with Axel Pettersson or Anders Linnard.

[MartialPolarBear]

Well I certainly wouldn't freeplay without a 1600N mask. I can't really see the benefit of doing it without a mask. I also don't like tippy tappy light sparring it creates unrealistic matches even with accurate techniques. Also, I disagree with all the bouncing about in the video, a swordsman should be grounded. I prefer maximum mobility with minimum movement.

[redpro01]

"I also don't like tippy tappy light sparring it creates unrealistic matches even with accurate techniques"

It is called "control" most ARMA memebrs are among the best at it... full "intent" with "control"

"bouncing" go ahead and stay still against either one of them...

[MartialPolarBear]

If that is full intent in this video then you guys are kidding yourselves.

Ummm, you can actually move without bouncing. I know this sound contraversial but it's true.

[redpro01]

I dont want to make this a debate...

"Intent" and "power" are actaully two parts of the stricking. My experance with martial arts (from MMA/karate/ US Marines ect and Western Martial arts)...

Someone can go at full speed but pull the stricking power at the last moments as to not hurt someone. (I think most can agree with that)

"bouncing" yes you can stay still and move just as fast (I agree)... but what works for one may not work for another.. I personally "boune" I wil post no more...

[abcdswo]

Stupids... Whitout mask and no realistic fencing tecnique, go to fight whit darth Vader idiots jedis.

[ranpleasant]

No realistic fencing tecnique? Rather silly comment in light of the fact that all of the techniques shown is historical.

[gamefox120]

your nothing but a armchair sword fighter

so hush.

[Caliburnis]

No, this is definitely historical. About as historical as it gets, actually.

[PissedFechtmeister]

Guys, it only takes one accident to be seriously injured. You're both very skilled, but this is just plain stupid.

[DownWithThePlague]

Holy crap man, you guys are going at each other with steel swords?? Aren't you people afraid of getting cleaved or something?

[Kunstdesfechtens]

They are steel, but they're blunt and flexible, made by Albion Armorers as part of their Maestro line. If you're unskilled, it's very dangerous to do this. Fortunately, both these gentlemen (John Clements and I believe, Aaron P.) are very skilled.

[DownWithThePlague]

Must take a long time to develop enough confidence to do this, I guess. Well, as long as nobody get seriously hurt, it's ok. Keep it safe! Best wishes

[Kunstdesfechtens]

Indeed. I've never attempted this kind of thing without face protection.

[SlayrAbraxas]

Yeah, real talented individuals there

[polehammer]

awesome work guys well done!! if you like do a search for Leongatha Medieval Society and have a look at us bashing away in 14th century harness

[IonPetru]

What is a Federschwert? Seems to be a lighter "sword of war" with a ricasso?

[Kunstdesfechtens]

It means "feather sword". They were blunt sparring weapons used in the Renaissance fencing schools. The actual term "federschwert" came later, IIRC.

[BennyTheGun]

FEDERSCHWERT discribes the kind of steel. "SCHAUKAMPFSCHWERTER" are made of FEDERSTAHL, this kind of steel is more flexible than KOHLENSTOFFSTAHL.... sry i don´t know the english words ;)

[3ng4n]

No. That has absolutely nothing to do with the term.

[MarkHolgate]

why the free play without masks and gauntlets guys? not for your benefit - but to allow your opponent to hit you!

[SwordAndBuckler]

One reason is so your opponent becomes more of a threat to you and you then fence more cautiously and therefore more like if your life was on the line. Fencing without masks etc. is used to develop a more realistic mindset. ONLY do this with a skilled and trusted partner.

[xraz0r]

but on the other side, your partner doesnt trying to hit you, because he knows, if he hit you he could seriously injure you. So you dont have to pay much attention not to get hit.

[tiamat9989]

Yikes, John is scary.

Awesome stuff, great job guys!