I could have used one of those handles on my plunger handle a few years ago. My brother left the plunger in the toilet, and then there was a power outage in town. I had to go to the bathroom (#2 doody), and went to sit on the toilet and....well, you can figure out where the plunger handle went.
Thanks. Even though the two weapons function similarly with these types of attacks, I don't imagine two men fighting to the death and wearing plate mail would be swinging in this manner. The shots lack lethal/traumatic power against an armored target.
Hi. These attacks are suited to the pre-plate armor era. The period of plate armor lasted less then 200 years. Form the 9th through the 13 th century mail was the best armor of the day. Many warriors would have had only layers of linen or leather. Dedicated thrusting swords were not in use in this time. While these strikes would not cut mail, solid hits could still break bone,the gambson and mail will only absorb so much of the impact.
The helm used at the time were also very light nasal helms that weight about 3 lbs. Successive blows to the head will put a man out. The helm I use when fighting weights 9 lbs and is equivalently to a great helm. Only rich men could afford such a helm in the Crusading period. Even with a 9 lb helm, while I am able to brush off any single blow, repeated blows are another matter. I have had situations had to sit down after repeated blows when my opponent did not hear me call the shot good.
By snapping I am able to generate power in a short distance, I am also able to keep the sword in a defensive position near my face. Without the snap, I would have to start with the sword further back on my shoulder to generate power.
It is worth noting that if you don't get your edge alignment right even with rattan, the impact hurts the elbow or wrist. In my case, it means that I did not get my snap off right. There is usually not enough power and the other person will not accept it as good.
i see. how does the rattan sword hurt your wrist and elbow? isn't it round like a stick? why does it matter how you hold the blade when there is no flat? is it because of how the grip is designed?
Take a broomstick and walk up to a table. Push down with the true edge. You will feel you tricep tighten. Now hook the stick under the table and pull. You will feel your forearm and bicep tighten. Now push what would be the flat edge against some surface. What do you feel? If you push hard enough you will feel your elbow joint ligaments hurting.
By hitting with the flat you are making an arm wrestling motion in your elbow. Unless you have extremely thick joints and super strong ligaments, arm wrestling hurts. Ligaments and tendons can not be strengthened like muscles. They also don't heal as easy when they are injured. The elbow is usually the first place that hurts, but the wrist will also start to have chronic problems if you don't get your alignment's right.
I should add that there will be occasions that a blow will land misaligned. No one is perfect. I might be in the wrong position when I throw it. My opponent may move into my blow as I am throwing it to intentionally "stuff" it. These shots have no power and will not be accepted. You will also run into a lot of beginners that are still learning to throw their shots too and will through flats. You can't count them as a fair representation of SCA fighting.
You also mentioned grip design. Most people do not leave their rattan grips round, they shave them to some extent. I shave mine so it resembles the grip on a sword and wrap it.
interesting. always wanted to know how well a rattan sword simulate a real sword. do you have to be careful not to attack with the flat of the blade more when you use the steel sword compared to the rattan sword?
There are a few ways to grip the sword or rattan that may effect how much work you have to do to get you alignment right. I use a snap method. I hold the sword mostly with my thumb and index finger. The other three fingers are loose. At the moment of impact I close my hand for a snap. Essentially I am creating leverage with in my hand. With this method my edge alignment is alway right. I snap with every combination. The snap is key to generating power in a short distance.
I could have used one of those handles on my plunger handle a few years ago. My brother left the plunger in the toilet, and then there was a power outage in town. I had to go to the bathroom (#2 doody), and went to sit on the toilet and....well, you can figure out where the plunger handle went.
SwordLuva 3 years ago
lol, that's funny. I had an ex-girlfriend who would not look where she sat either. I left the toilet seat up a few times and she fell in.
tsafa1 3 years ago
@tsafa1 is that why she's your ex lol?
Izeroth1 1 year ago
@Izeroth1 Nah, women never leave you treat them like crap, only when you are nice to them.
tsafa1 1 year ago
hahaha awsome story, sorry for your pain
BurgerTrench 3 years ago
Ohhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!! Ouchies.
LordFerrand 2 years ago
I'm new to the SCA and I'd like to say thanks, this is an excellent beginner technique video as well as a comparison of steel vs rattan
Battleangelx 3 years ago
Welcome. I am glad you found the videos useful. Your response is appreciated, it makes my effort in making these videos worthwhile.
There is two other videos that you may find useful that cover sword and shield.
See you on the field!
tsafa1 3 years ago
Thanks. Even though the two weapons function similarly with these types of attacks, I don't imagine two men fighting to the death and wearing plate mail would be swinging in this manner. The shots lack lethal/traumatic power against an armored target.
shinyhalo 3 years ago
Hi. These attacks are suited to the pre-plate armor era. The period of plate armor lasted less then 200 years. Form the 9th through the 13 th century mail was the best armor of the day. Many warriors would have had only layers of linen or leather. Dedicated thrusting swords were not in use in this time. While these strikes would not cut mail, solid hits could still break bone,the gambson and mail will only absorb so much of the impact.
tsafa1 3 years ago
The helm used at the time were also very light nasal helms that weight about 3 lbs. Successive blows to the head will put a man out. The helm I use when fighting weights 9 lbs and is equivalently to a great helm. Only rich men could afford such a helm in the Crusading period. Even with a 9 lb helm, while I am able to brush off any single blow, repeated blows are another matter. I have had situations had to sit down after repeated blows when my opponent did not hear me call the shot good.
tsafa1 3 years ago
By snapping I am able to generate power in a short distance, I am also able to keep the sword in a defensive position near my face. Without the snap, I would have to start with the sword further back on my shoulder to generate power.
It is worth noting that if you don't get your edge alignment right even with rattan, the impact hurts the elbow or wrist. In my case, it means that I did not get my snap off right. There is usually not enough power and the other person will not accept it as good.
tsafa1 4 years ago
i see. how does the rattan sword hurt your wrist and elbow? isn't it round like a stick? why does it matter how you hold the blade when there is no flat? is it because of how the grip is designed?
Solombas 4 years ago
Take a broomstick and walk up to a table. Push down with the true edge. You will feel you tricep tighten. Now hook the stick under the table and pull. You will feel your forearm and bicep tighten. Now push what would be the flat edge against some surface. What do you feel? If you push hard enough you will feel your elbow joint ligaments hurting.
tsafa1 4 years ago
By hitting with the flat you are making an arm wrestling motion in your elbow. Unless you have extremely thick joints and super strong ligaments, arm wrestling hurts. Ligaments and tendons can not be strengthened like muscles. They also don't heal as easy when they are injured. The elbow is usually the first place that hurts, but the wrist will also start to have chronic problems if you don't get your alignment's right.
tsafa1 4 years ago
I should add that there will be occasions that a blow will land misaligned. No one is perfect. I might be in the wrong position when I throw it. My opponent may move into my blow as I am throwing it to intentionally "stuff" it. These shots have no power and will not be accepted. You will also run into a lot of beginners that are still learning to throw their shots too and will through flats. You can't count them as a fair representation of SCA fighting.
tsafa1 4 years ago
You also mentioned grip design. Most people do not leave their rattan grips round, they shave them to some extent. I shave mine so it resembles the grip on a sword and wrap it.
tsafa1 4 years ago
interesting. always wanted to know how well a rattan sword simulate a real sword. do you have to be careful not to attack with the flat of the blade more when you use the steel sword compared to the rattan sword?
Solombas 4 years ago
There are a few ways to grip the sword or rattan that may effect how much work you have to do to get you alignment right. I use a snap method. I hold the sword mostly with my thumb and index finger. The other three fingers are loose. At the moment of impact I close my hand for a snap. Essentially I am creating leverage with in my hand. With this method my edge alignment is alway right. I snap with every combination. The snap is key to generating power in a short distance.
tsafa1 4 years ago