hammaborg viking shield and sword III

[Svelger]

Welchen Durchmesser hat der rotweiße Schild und wie groß ist der/die Träger/in?

[geekyvince]

Is there any books or dvd out there on this art?

[bratanimator]

But swords are beautiful

[boomunderscore0]

you chose a nice building to do that in also, all the sounds echoed beautifully lol thuds of the shields was good

[mRenard]

LOL.

Could your please tell - what are the sources for this magical technique?

Have you ever practiced it?

[Hawaiianstile]

we still use cell phones, they still exist. we can test the manuals against the phone. there are no more sword fights to the death, no more real swordsmen. there are a lot of so called professionals" today that open schools they call "dojo" but calling ones self an expert and teaching others doesn't make it true. the fact remains you really have no proof they were expert fighters, your staking it all on belief like christians do on the bible. i trust what i actually see, and i see huge openings.

[boomunderscore0]

@Hawaiianstile huge openings are bad against ranged or archers maybe but its not just about who has the best defense or offense... its sometimes also about who makes the opponent think they can make a kill but fall into a trap... i know it was just a movie but kinda like in the 13th Warrior, good movie for this too :D

[Hawaiianstile]

@boomunderscore0 13th warrior was bad ass :3 but beside the point. baiting opponents into attacking you when you are ready with a counter is a fine technique, and one i use a lot. but it cannot be depended upon solely. the fact remains i don't see how these techniques could possibly work in real speed. nobody in a real fight is going to react like these people are, "here kill me please" is basically what their movements are saying in these demonstrations. i see the same thing from McDojos.

[boomunderscore0]

@Hawaiianstile and there in lies the problem.. techniques you see from modern "steel fighters" like this and arent sure if theyre battle proven dont know if they are effective or not, the ultimate test would obviously be to get two conflicting persons whom have no quarrel fighting to the death LOL and see what technique or tactic doesnt fall.. but alas that cant be done

[ThegnThrand]

@boomunderscore0 This is Thrand!!!!

Well actually most of these techniques or very viable but most Viking warfare was fought in armor even if it just be leather or linen padding. You can not just slice through armor and if the opponent was wearing chain you would have to aim for niches or just change techniques to heavy cutting blows instead of draw cuts or use more force full thrust but they would work if used at proper times during a fight. It is excellent sword and center boss shield work!!!

[EmilReiko]

@ThegnThrand What?, I am under the impression that armour was something that mostly was confined to the upper stratas of northerneuropean society and hence armoured combat was not dominant on the battlefield.

Also, during that time linen was extremely expensive - not something you would stuff into an inefficient armour.

[WitheringintheDark]

@EmilReiko

While true mail was generally restricted to the wealthier vikings, most every warrior possessed a helm and Some kind of armor, like a gambeson or hardened leather.

[EmilReiko]

@WitheringintheDark, I have yet to see any proof of widespread use of gambesons or leather armour by vikings. Also i think it makes sense that they did not rely on armour because of tribal traditions, warfare through raiding and reliance of shields in combat.

[WitheringintheDark]

@EmilReiko

You want to get technical there isn't widespread proof they wore helmets mail or even shields either considering the FEW surviving examples, doesn't change the fact that these items and reindeer hide ect. are mention as being used in the sagas. At any rate the odds of something made of leather surviving to this day are roughly slim to non, it rots away after a time. There isn't widespread proof that they did Not wear those things either.

[kingolaf99]

@WitheringintheDark True. But by that logic, we might as well say there's no proof they did NOT wear little pink bows on all their magical reindeer armor, so maybe they did... The fact of the matter is that you are right, leather and padded armors probably were used and were probably more widespread than mail. BUT helms were also very expensive,and most fighting men during this period probably did not own one.

[EmilReiko]

@WitheringintheDark There is no historial evidence og gambeson armour amongst vikings (and very little of its existence in western europe alltogether before the 11th century) and the closest we come to viking leather armor is a magical hide shirt in a saga. Helmets yes, Shields Yes - together these two makes an exelent defence against the main threat on west european battlefields - the spear.

[kingolaf99]

@EmilReiko What evidence do you have to suggest linen was expensive? It was probably more expensive than wool, but doubtfully something that only the very wealthy would have owned... Silk on the other hand was prohibitively expensive.

[EmilReiko]

@kingolaf99 The first real price drop in linen came towards the later parts of the medival ages - before that it it was rare amongst medieval peasants - even though trade infrastructure was much more developed, and thus able to lower prices - compared to what existed in the viking age. Also the main bulk of norse society consisted of subsistence peasants - historically, anywhere in the world.. this kind of people are self sufficient and accumulate only a small tradeable surplus.

[EmilReiko]

@kingolaf99 and im tired of seeing "historical" reenactors running around in linen pants and linen tunics and with all sorts of bling claiming they are the common ordinary casual man. Many of these reenacting events looks like exclusive gatherings of jarls and others from the norse "jetset"..

[kingolaf99]

@EmilReiko Oh I agree with you that most reenactors look like gold-clad, sword-wearing Hell's Angels. I was just stating that linen may not have been restricted only to the very wealthy... You are correct, your average farmer would not have worn linen until later on. But your average professional warrior might have. Fact is clothing finds are rare enough to leave a lot of room for conjecture. At the very least, I completely agree that wool was the norm.

[Hawaiianstile]

why in the hell would you be in a stance in which your shield is to the side and your whole body is exposed like that?

[Merlkir]

@Hawaiianstile The body is not exposed, you can move to any defensive or offensive position from there very quickly. (as you can clearly see from these videos.

[Hawaiianstile]

@Merlkir lol what i can clearly see in this video is people who are totally exposed getting nailed because of it.

[Merlkir]

@Hawaiianstile No, what you see are people slowly demonstrating techniques. Have you ever fought with a shield? By keeping the shield far from the body you can deflect attacks very early and counterattack quickly. It also allows you to rotate the shield and thus deflect or trap the sword. If you looked carefully, you'd see they get hit when the attacker moves their shield away or attacks their sword arm. This is taken straight from fencing manuals. No movie stuff, no SCA stick bashing.

[Merlkir]

@Hawaiianstile One more point - they're not exposed at all. You see it from the side and you see they hold the shields far from the body. But if you imagine the opponent's view, they simply see a shield - the further you move it forward, the more you get into the volume angle in covers. To strike the enemy, you need to move past the shield. And that's what it's about - techniquest to do that and to counter these attacks. By keeping shield close you're covered partially, but also rigidly.

[Merlkir]

@Hawaiianstile One more and I'll have some breakfast. ;) I phrased it badly in the second reply. They don't sit behind the shield, they don't need to. No arrows are flying their way, no javelins. The hold the shield against the opponent's weapon and they use it very actively and offensively.

[Hawaiianstile]

@Merlkir it seems they are demonstrating how to attack someone with their shield out like that all opened and exposed asking for it. i don't trust manuals anymore than i trust the bible. i detest the ridiculous western idea that if its written on something it must be true.

[Merlkir]

@Hawaiianstile Goodness, you must have a hard time trusting a manual for your computer and a washing machine and a cellphone...etc. They wrote it down, because it obviously worked. They were people who tried it in combat to the death. Sorry, I'll trust their word over anyone's who lives today and hasn't experienced a real swordfight.

[Hawaiianstile]

@Merlkir lol you don't even have proof they did try it in battle. for all you know its the documented rantings of a medieval version of a wanabe fighter geek lol. and dont revert to the strawman fallacy already, i said i dont believe things just because they are written down, not i dont believe anything thats written down. at least try to counter what i actually said.

[Merlkir]

@Hawaiianstile No point in arguing with you. These manuals were written by well known fencing masters in a time when you wouldn't be a master of a renowned school if you didn't know your stuff. You're a moron. Keep thinking you're cool, 'cause you don't believe in them written words. Burn some books maybe, if it makes you feel better.

[saladkillahs]

@Merlkir dont expect me to take you seriously if you cant even reply to what i said without using fallacies that i even pointed our to you.

[Hawaiianstile]

@Merlkir that was me. some ass at the college didnt log out.

[Merlkir]

@Hawaiianstile What fallacies?! It's obvious whose opinion has more credit - certainly not one of a person from the 21st century who's never fought to the death using a sword. I would sure as hell trust a medieval fencing master to know his job. People trying this stuff out with padding and proper equipment are finding out these manuals are incredibly accurate - most of this stuff works very well. No fallacy in my posts, just clear logic. Unlike your hypothetical rambling.

[Hawaiianstile]

@Merlkir lol you wouldn't know clear logic if it smacked you in your thick head. point out where i said "i don't trust things that are written down" i never said that, but your countering it. you are fighting a position i never even took. this is the very definition of the strawman fallacy. and again unless you saw them fight yourself you really don't have any idea if they fought to the death or not. why because someone wrote it down? like how someone a virgin gave birth?

[Merlkir]

@Hawaiianstile What makes you think they were all liars and wrote nonsense like the Bible is? They are well documented men, we know quite a lot about their lives from other sources, we know they ran fencing schools. It was about 500 years ago, which in historical terms is fairly recent. I compared your disbelief in these books to disbelief in cellphone manuals. Because it's similarly ridiculous - they were manuals for use written by professionals. But a strawman is a nice word, isn't it?

[Hawaiianstile]

lol you don't even have proof they did try it in battle. for all you know its the documented rantings of a medieval version of a wana-be fighter geek lol. and don't revert to the strawman fallacy already, i said i don't believe things just because they are written down, not i don't believe anything thats written down. at least try to counter what i actually said.

[Hawaiianstile]

lol you don't even have proof they did try it in battle. for all you know its the documented rantings of a medieval version of a wana-be fighter geek lol. and don't revert to the strawman fallacy already.

[Hawaiianstile]

@Merlkir lol you don't even have proof they did try it in battle. for all you know its the documented rantings of a medieval version of a wana-be fighter geek lol. and don't revert to the strawman fallacy already.

[maaderllin]

I really like this video!

And find the arguments lower really funny on "I know more about this than you"

I wish there would be such group in my place. I do Larp. I know, those fight are grossly historicaly incorrect, but eh, I like role-play. Just would like the Larp combat to be more realistic... :P It would be nice to do what you're doing.

[halfassedfart]

The idea I get is that the center grip allows the shield to pivot, which prevents the full transfer of energy to the arm if the guy knows his business. It's not always desirable, but then again, there are tradeoffs for the shields equipped with enarmes as well.

[QAeternus]

I can think of three reasons a "Viking" shield would have a strap for the fore arm.

1.) He had an injured or missing hand (most likely explanation)

2.)In case he might get tired during a long battle he could tie it on and have it a little easier on his wrist.

This "extra impact" explanation is pretty ridiculous. Lets say that by tying it on you quadruple your applied force (which you don't); by doing so you have really, really limited your range of movements, and is not a good trade.

[QAeternus]

Just striking by holding the center is impact enough. Trust me, I've taken them in the head a few times, and it's enough to take you out. These shields were less than half the weight of a hoplite shield so unless the guy was expecting to fight all day or was a pussy there is actually no common sense (or practical sense) reason to bind it to your forearm.

Edit : That was actually only 2 reasons :(

[TinoBrokaw]

As for archaeological evidence, shield finds are extremely rare, the nature of wood versus time being what it is. However, at the British Museum, they have a round shield from the era, richly decorated.  These decorations include a pair of ravens, suggesting the owner may have been at least partially nordic, despite the find being in England. This shield clearly had an arm strap.

[Thunar55]

Exactly rare but the one your described was from an early period around Vendal at its not viking, Gokstad is the only on almost full preserved and no strap.

[TinoBrokaw]

I've heard the argument that you can brace the shield against the body, but then you take the force of all the blows, a huge risk against heavy blunt weapons, and near suicidal against an axe, which can cut through shields. While a shieldman with an arm strap may get his arm injured this way, someone using a center grip shield braced against the body will get axed in the torso this way.

[Thunar55]

true but as trained warrior you know when to tuck and not to tuck plus the center grip was supposed to swing side to side easy for the weapon to slide off , axe blow like you said and an arm injured? more like lost arem and lost shield arm and shield.

[ExtremeDeathman]

And course of this side swinging you could get serious injuries in your wrist and hits by the weapon of the opponent, unless you hold the shield straight away from your body which will tire you out...

[TinoBrokaw]

You've made a point of highlighting your reenactment experience, but all the groups you mentioned tend to use blunted steel, and rarely do anything even resembling full speed combat that hasn't been previously choreographed. However, I have done full speed combat with a viking shield/& padded weapons, and the speed/control one has with the arm strap is absolutely vital. Without the arm strap, one is 100% dependent on the muscles on the wrist, which are far too easily overcome by the opponent.

[Thunar55]

Funny I also have done full speed padded and in my experience in which if you practice and train with a center grip and to me its better, and that is a misconception of steel combat. Look at my old group Skjaldborg we dont choregraph the only slow part is when a body blow is struck, (look up skallagrimm on here) Vikings UK, Regia Angloram (sp?) in which a member wrote a book about too Viking weapons and warfare by J. Kim Siddorn. Also don't you think training you would build your muscles in you

[Thunar55]

wrist. Also you basically saying these fine gentlmen here and various reenactment groups and few work with museums (such Hurstwic in N.E) Regia in England are wrong? I have been studying Germanic/Norse history for 25 years and the arm strap was not used by the vikings in the viking age also read some sagas. In one the talk specifically how to make a shield and and a arm strap was not in that description.

[ExtremeDeathman]

I don't think you studied for 25 years. Relying on Sagas were there aren't even shield grips are mentioned ( if you read the original Edda) isn't very smart.

I'm living in Germany and have relatives in Norway and here and there are sites where already viking shield were found and almost all of them had arm straps or nails for attaching arm straps...

And that shield you are talking of, is a boat shield which needs a center grip in order to attach it the the longboat.

[Thunar55]

Well I don't think you have studied at all, I don't rely all info on the sagas but they do have a grain of truth (norse settlement in New Foundland in Greenlander saga) My father is from Wombach Germany and my mom from Sursee Switzerland and my relatives still live in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. No sorry no sites with arm straps maybe Germanic tribe shields but not Viking. Boat shield mmm how did the vikings get around? also basically you are saying that the shield is not held in the cent

[Thunar55]

center at all? that the grip is on one side and the strap on the other? if not I really beginning to think either your confusing shoulder strap or nails for reenforcement bars or reenforcement wood strips and no I am not wrong since I done it got the t-shirt. Go ahead think what you think or at least give me links to the "supposed" finds if arm straps oh and email these guys too for have wrong shields. Agree to disagree.

[ExtremeDeathman]

If you have that much experience than you wouldn't say that punching and striking with a center grip is more powerful than with arm straps. Maybe with a small buckler, nut not with a viking shield.

Your relatives are absolutely relative in this case...

Arm straps ( Grip not in the center, but on the side, strap is parallel on the other. reach through strap and grab shield grip)

Do ya get it?

[TinoBrokaw]

A punch with the edge of the shield, using an arms strap, carries far more force than hitting someone with the center of the shield, full pullback or no.  Without an arm strap, using the edge as a weapon is nearly impossible to do with any force.

[Thunar55]

I say marginally more force for edge of shield swipe but full center boss punch noway the center grip will have more force.

[TinoBrokaw]

Another excellent point! Indeed, using only the center grip, the shield can only be punched at someone rather weakly, with the boss. But with the arm strap, you can use the edges of the shield, and quite decently smack someone in the face with the full force of your arm!

[Thunar55]

Again in my reenactment experience that is incorrect.

[ExtremeDeathman]

Then, forgive me, your experience is rather not there or just BS.

The only Reenactors here in Germany who use center grip punches are the ones who reenact the late miedieval times and use a buckler, or a small shield, but now shield of the dimension of a viking shield...

[Thunar55]

don't think you studied for 25 years. Relying on Sagas were there aren't even shield grips are mentioned ( if you read the original Edda) isn't very smart.

Well I don't think you don't study at all. I am not only relying on the Saga's (like the bible is stories based on truth but do take with a grain of salt) but without them never would of found the Norse base camp in New Foundland would we?

My Father is from Wombach Germany and my mother from Sursee Switzerland and all my relatives live in

[ExtremeDeathman]

So were are you studying?

So what? My ancestors and I lived on the same place for almost 600 years? that doesn't make me the expert on the town were we are living.

But correcting my history teachers in some historical facts and even a professor before an audience of about 100 students makes me reliable and gives me credit.

And in fact, just travel to Haithabu, there you will see that a lot of viking shields are with arm straps.

[Ranziel1]

Shield with strips is better for in-line combat (right side of your shield also protects the left side of you friend in a line), while shield with the central grip is better for single combat.

[Wishmaster616]

Hey, is it Halför under the Skull Mask?

His shield and sword remind me to him.

[TinoBrokaw]

I personally doubt how often vikings at all used shields without a forearm strap-and its quite ironic, because in these videos, you highlight almost all the reasons having only a center grip would be a poor way to use the shield. With just a center grip, you're using only the muscles in your hand-which makes turning the shield, as you do in these videos, far too easy for your opponent.

[mrbeast85]

On the contrary, I would argue that a centre grip is the most versitle and practical way of using a shield with a central boss. It allows you to punch with the boss using the shield offensively. It allows the shield a much wider range of movement, making it a dynamic rather than static defence. It also allows the shield to be held at its centre of gravity allowing it to naturally hang vertically and is less tiring to hold for long periods in a guard position

[TinoBrokaw]

With one's life on the line, as they would be in battle, a center grip shield would still be far too flimsy, and far too easily manipulated by your opponent. The shield wall, for example, staple of viking battle stratagems, because its almost impossible to achieve if you're only holding the shield out in front of you. While you may be able to move the shield around more easily, you won't hold off a full charge that way.

[Thunar55]

It is not flimsy as you might think and mrbeast85 said it gives a wide range of movement plus we had this happen in my reenactment group where two of our members were demo why the strap wasn't used in the viking shields as in one of our members used a hand axe (semi blunted) cut right through his opponent's strapped heater shield and pinched the opponent's arm and almost fractured it. As for shieldwall its not like your holding the entire shield full arm length out your tucking it in

[ExtremeDeathman]

Exactly!

And the width and height of the shield would not allow you to punch very hard with it as you have to push to much air in front of the shield.

[AdelaideOrderKnights]

Interesting shield work...cool:-)

[tsafa1]

This is very interesting and good. I have watched most or all of your videos on viking shield work. I am interested in knowing what the source of this information is. How much of it is put together using obvious body mechanics and how much of this is documented from period sources. If any period sources were used, which ones? Either way is fine. I just would like to know were the dividing line.

[Djemps]

Hi Tsafa. They are actually taking most of their source material from Talhoffer's judicial duelling shield work. Although the duelling shields don't look anything like a viking shield, they are held with a center grip so the same concept of rotating the shield on its vertical axis holds true. I think this approach of using the duelling shield material is probably the closest to an original viking shield style.

[tsafa1]

Thanks for your feed back Djemps. Talhoffer is about 400 years removed from the viking era. I do however believe strongly that anything that we can reproduce in modern fighting with similar weapons would have been used by vikings. They would have used anything and everything that works in combat. For this reason Talhoffer is as good a place as any to start assembling all the possibilities with sword and shield but I would not limit myself to just that.

[tsafa1]

I am also wondering if Vikings limited themselves exclusively to Center-grip shields. Is there no evidence at all of forearm shields ever being used by vikings? If so, it might make sense since they often invaded from the sea and might need to free their arm quickly should they go into the water.

[ExtremeDeathman]

In fact, Vikings didn't use center grips very much, because they often used their shields for smashing too.

Many viking shields were forearm shields.

[Thunar55]

Actually that is incorrect they exclusively used center boss shield and in fact you can punch with the center boss shield alot better than a forearm shields. Archeological evidence points this out. Forearm straps were used in early period around the Vendal period and it was more of a horsemens shield so they wouldn't lose control of the horse.

[ExtremeDeathman]

Actually this is correct as Vikings weren't using cavalry very often and the tactic of "Einigeln" would not function without arm straps.

Also punching with such a large shield is ver exhausting as well as the miserable aerodynamics of the shield would not allow very hard punches.

While using the hole arm for a swipe, which can be done with arm straps, will generate more power.

Arm straps were already known and used by Celts, Romans, Greeks and Germans...

[Thunar55]

Actually this is correct as Vikings weren't using cavalry very often and the tactic of "Einigeln" would not function without arm straps.

? Correct as in Vikings using arm straps or not using arm straps. It is mentioned I think only once in the saga's of arm straps but again that was written down later than viking age and also there is no archeological evidence of Viking age shields that have arm straps. Since I do norse reenactment I can tell you from experience

[Thunar55]

Punch with the shield is stronger and than a strapped shield because you can pull a full punch while strapped you can not. I suggest you read viking weapons and combat techniques by William R. Short or you can go to his Norse reenactment group website of Hurstwic

[ExtremeDeathman]

Correct in term of using arm straps. Again relying on a saga is not very professional.

And there is a lot of archeological evidence there, just trval to Haithabu/Hedeby.

A punch with the center grip, even pulled back needs a lot of strenght due to the air resistance. And with a strapped shield you can do a full punch with the edge (which has the effect of an blunted axe) and also used circular moving ans swiping, power of the hips and shoulders.

So you are wrong...

[Ranziel1]

Not much experience here, but a central grip shield should be much more maneuverable than a handstrapped one. You can change angles more easily and, most importantly, bring it forward to block the weapon of your opponent. I guess a strapped shield is better for line combar, since it's easier to hold such a shield for long periods of time.

[Thunar55]

Then, forgive me, your experience is rather not there or just B.S

No more B.S than:

Blackbelt Martial Arts, Instructor and Tournament Competitioner. Also All-Style Melee Weapons Master

As you put in your profile, I can't speak for your German reenactors maybe they don't feel safe doing it.

[ExtremeDeathman]

Ah so you might meet me and we shall compete.

You'll see that doing Martial Arts not that bullshit as you claim. Also you are doing MA by yourself if you truly do fight with sword and shield.

What does Hammaborg, Gladiatores, Freyfechter, Dreschflegel, Agilitas and so on have to do with my account?

To scared, haha...

[ExtremeDeathman]

Also, as this vid is showing a good possibility for viking duelling movements, I don't believe that such blossfechter duelling techniques were common by the "Iceheads" from the north.

They used chain mail, and the trustungs here don't have enough power to really damage your chain mail.

[AdelaideOrderKnights]

When you say Duelling shield, do you mean a Buckler?

[Djemps]

No, I'm talking about the little known, rarely seen Duelling Shield used for judicial trials by combat. There are just a handfull of people researching the weapon right now. Go to my profile, click my 'playlists' and look through the Duelling Shield videos I've found so far on Youtube.

[severedwords]

where would you be able to get the metal center for the shield?

[monkeyishi]

you can buy boss on the net or make one

[shadowlink12347]

comment posted: friday, january 30,2009 at 6:00 PM......i am makeing a wooden shield and the best ways to make a good ol' wooden shild...first make a 30 inch wide and 30 inch tall bord and a staple gun wires/ shoelase works to..... and staple the shoelase on to the bord(make sure it fits youre wrist then again but higher and make it fit so you can grab it and then ur done a not so geed wooden shield and draw a picture on it!(optional)

[bassistoftheyear]

this is pretty cool i want to learn to fight with a shield is there a place to get a cheap good one that's easy to hold on to? or instructions to make one? i know it can't be hard just a wood circle but what about the grip?

[NewZealfighter]

THis technique is very educational to watch.

[andrew01292]

They should actually try to counter, an oppenent isn't going to just sit there...

[KeithBrown51]

I think they are just demonstrating the technique.... like a kata demonsrates a punch.

Then when they start sparring it's more of a free for all.

[Ruralastur]

I am not sure that this tecnics works in a real combat.

Very much times the attack is unprotected and all the time the attack is based in a "not good form" of the person that recibe the attack.

Have any real base this technics?

[haffoc]

I had the opportunity to do some sword and shield sparring at an event recently, just some playing around. I tried using Hammaborg's techniques, which you can see here. They worked pretty successfully. It was cool.

[dakaodo]

And to get back on topic, really nice work. Nice discussion as well. I'm a longsword / rapier guy, so I'll just watch and learn.

[poopwadmcgee]

ive watched all the sword and shield vids, (viking ones at least)

and these will come in handy in our sword fights :)

you guys are really good. and those are some beautiful shields btw.

check out my vids. only one of us has any training. :) you could own the hell out of us.

[dakaodo]

OK, gotta give kudos to anyone with the chutzpah to admit (on the Intarnets!) that someone else is better than them. :D Your userID and your vids crack me up, poopwadmcgee. Nice to see someone not take things so seriously. ;)

[032125]

For Conter Gegen you should be throwing a hard SCA-Style wrap. I know that's heresy, but I can't imagine you're going to kill a man by touching his kidney gently with the tip of your sword.

[poopwadmcgee]

im no expert, or even good really, but i think that they wouldnt just "lightly tap". they seem to be just using their shirts, so a wrap would hurt like a bitch.

but then again, you should practice like you fight.

[032125]

Well you can throw a slow wrap for training, there's no reason to blow out a kidney.

On closer inspection it looks like they are moving in for a thrust. I see that the attacker shifts his weight to lend power to the trust. I still think a wrap would be better, especially considering that viking era swords are (relatively) piss poor thrusters.

Actually a hard wrap to the back of the knee would be in order here. That would take the other fighter out of the fight rather nicely.

[032125]

Well you can throw a slow wrap for training, there's no reason to blow out a kidney.

On closer inspection it looks like they are moving in for a thrust. I see that the attacker shifts his weight to lend power to the trust. I still think a wrap would be better, especially considering that viking era swords are (relatively) piss poor thrusters.

Actually a hard wrap to the back of the knee would be in order here. That would take the other fighter out of the fight rather nicely.

[Jariik]

It's a demonstration. Everything is slowed down to properly demonstrate the technique.

To find actual technique in the first place is remarkable, anyways, so thank you, author.

[Vommdoddus]

it would have been easy just to pull back in all the attacks and counters..

[InsanityIndes]

By the conter to the blow why dont you first hit the hand of the attacker?? it would save your weapon, and the arm is down...like talhofer shown it

[warzechas]

Good point and well spotted. It is , in fact, a matter of timing. But, yes, you can go directly for the arm and if you manage it is the preferable option. In this case I chose to bind away the opposing blade as it was coming in with a thrust and the point felt already very close.

The bind was edge on flat, so not very stressful for my weapon, by the way.

[snowcelt]

Hi guys,

keep up the good work! This stuff is excellent! If I may ask, why do you sometimes "stamp" when doing the accressere? This isn't so obvious in this particular vid, but I've also seen it a few times in the 1.33 vids as well. Is it a personal thing or something advocated by the German styles?

Cheers,

Fellow swordfish 2007 attendee.

[warzechas]

I am not familiar with the the term 'accressere'. So I am not quite sure what you mean.

All the best,

Roland

[Djemps]

I think this is the Italian term for a gathering step. You step forward with the leading foot and follow with the rear. The rear foot does not pass in front but stays in the same position. Pretty much the basic forward step in sport fencing.