@Lukos0036 A lot of the moves here look like out of the box Katana techniques. The human body can move in only so many ways. Same goes for holding a weapon.
It's amazing that the Knights of history had the strength and stamina to fight with these weapons for hours at a time. Most of us would "run out of gas" after a few seconds of swinging this weapon around!
Pretty awesome guys nice work but do u have any fights with different kinds of weapons like poleaxe and a sword for example? and 1 more question these move r European right?
Too bad both are staying at "weapon range". Against a polearm the most effective defense is to move IN to close (contact) range and quickly use a dagger.
Presuming you CAN get close enough without having your head smashed in. By the way, is it still (strictly speaking) defence when you're stabbing him in the throat?
@nicolasnagy There are a number if things you can do if someone gets beyond the point of your weapon. You can adopt a vertical guard like the hanging or scales and use the staff as a barrier to get in the way of the dagger strike. From there you can push the attacker away with the staff, attack his foot, or bat him with a bunt to the face. You could also try a roundhouse withdrawal which involves stepping back while spinning round to launch a roundhouse strike with the polearm.
@nicolasnagy that is one tactic... but these are specific techniques mentioned in the manuscripts. I suppose some of the pieces they strung quite a number together...
This is one of the single greatest videos I have ever seen on youtube. Really excellent idea, very well enacted. I'm trying to learn to use the Polearm in the S.C.A., and while some of the maneuvers are illegal to use in competition, others like the parrying and retorts are very helpful! Again, tons of praise for a very creative and excellent video you guys.
@gearsofwar07 why on earth are any of these moves illegal in the SCA? I thought the whole point of not using steel swords and loads of armour was that you could go all out and full contact?
not to be pedantic, but isnt that more a poleHAMMER in the manuscript.
secondly what is the reason for holding the poleaxe with the butt end facing your opponent, as opposed to bringing theaxe and dedicated spike to bear first,
@elgostine Here's a late reply for you. First of all, the English version of the weapon is a POLLaxe. Note POLE. This word 'poll' means 'head', which is where we get the word used in elections and censuses. So it is a 'headaxe', not a 'pole axe'. Secondly, regardless of the weapon's hardware (axe, hammer, pick etc...) the original German manuscripts still called them axes. Talhoffer called it an 'axt', while Paulus Kal spelled it 'axe'. The French called it a 'hache', which also means axe.
@elgostine Secondly, considering that this weapon was mainly used in armor, it makes a lot of sense that they would mostly employ the butt end of the axe. It is faster and provides more control. You can easily push an opponent around with it. Once you have the upper hand, THEN you strike with the axe head to finish things.
@Djemps and the reason of that is because smaller moves done with the poll end of the weapon would be less likely to have a serious effect on plate???
@elgostine The head and spike of the axe are the heaviest parts of the weapon. Even if you use both hands on the staff, it is still difficult to control the heavy end of the axe like a spear. Try doing the same thing with a shovel or sledge hammer. The butt end of the pollaxe does not cause any damage to a man in armor, but it can push him around or quickly defend an attack. Imagine that you only have one chance to attack with the head of the axe. You will use the staff first, then strike.
@Djemps most of these things were fitted with some serious butt spikes, sometimes with large hooks.
original pollaxes I've weighed at the Royal Armouries in Leeds and Legermuseum in Holland tend to only be 2-2,5 kg for this style and maybe up to 3,5 for the bladed axes. the shaft alone weighs about 1 kg out of that weight. thereby it is not actually any heavier than a typical spear, and significantly lighter (on average) than an average halbert or bill. though the ranges overlap
@airnt Regardless of the total weight or overall balance, the reason for employing the back of the staff is still the same: it is lighter and more maneuverable.
I like it ,I am a welder and I am going to make a halbeard type..What do yall think about 3/4 inch steel conduit pipe for a shaft ? And I have to have a steel spike at both ends,,thanx guys
@infokemp Actually that is a very odd thing to say, the so called english were saxons still clinging to their viking armament, up against the early mounted knight from normandy (also 5th or 6th generation vikings).
But still they didn't lose because of their technique, they lost because first of all their commander was shot in the eye by a random arrow, and secondly because they broke their defensive line in persuit of fleeing foes, and were run down by the new class of warrior - the knight.
@lakshen47 I cannot fault you on your knowledge of the Battle of Hastings - also English Martial Arts where well developed by 1066 - as the earlier poem Beowulf describes locks and strikes in the narrative and fight with Beowulf's enemies.
@pappyDApirate I'm guessing you know a bit about wood work, so if not google the joint names.
First you could construct one the same way you'd make a wooden mallet. Carve a block of wood into the right shape for the axe head then fix it to the shaft with a mortise tenon joint.
You could also try the "t-square" design. Take a leftover piece of the pole you used to make the shaft and connect it to the shaft in a t-section using a halving joint.
@pappyDApirate depictions nearly always show it longer than the man, and originals are usually between 200 and 250 cm, although it's is sometimes difficult to determine if the shaft is original
@pappyDApirate and i would make any shaft oval or flat octagonal section so you can feel the edge alignment also tapering thinner to the butt end is very common and makes it feel more balanced (contrary to what you might think)
It's from many diffrent sources. Some techniques from Hans Talhoffer, some from Paulus Kal, some from Joachim Mayer and others from Paulus Hector Mair.
Is the Pollaxe not basically a Halberd? Halberds have to be my favourite medieval weapon. Alongside the standard Shin Gunto Imperial Army issue Sword back in the American, Japan war. Good video! Some really good techniques! The end was also funny =D
search amazon or ebay for "medieval combat" by talhoffer. I got mine easily. I am trying to find a forge to make halberds to go with my suits of armour. Any advice on construction?
Where can I get ahold of a copy of Hans Talhoffer's (translated) books, including the woodcuts? I can't seem to find them anywhere, at least not in stock.
Thanks to all for the great reviews! If time allows I plan on making a Meyer Halberd only video. Hopefully before the warm weather goes away, Guess I should tell Cory sometime soon.
i don't get some of these techniques. they look like they must be executed with superhuman speed in order to be effective, or else you could simply step back from them.
how big were the arenas in which judicial duels were held? i suppose if they were smaller and didn't have enough room to back up or circle around, these techniques could work.
You can step back to avoid anything that involves this kind of range, but that doesn't mean that its a sound strategy. If you retreat without creating a threat, then you will be aggressively pursued. It seems to be the preferred strategy (at least by the Masters here) to stay in the fight (in range) and fight back. The speed doesn't have to be superhuman, you just have to act "Indes".
i looked through a couple manuals, and the fighting ring which Talhoffer drew seemed small enough to cut off excessive movement, possibly making the techniques a bit more executable. i can't be sure though because not every drawing in the manual looks proportionate.
Medieval art tended to be rather 'symbolic' as opposed to 'naturalistic'. Things are made larger or more expressed due to their importance, not necessarily due to their real size. They're not always a good way to judge the size of things.
@MEMAG On top of that, if you fall back you leave yourself open to tripping over objects that may be behind you (or your own feet if you're not careful). You should never be on the defensive in a fight with any form of weapons, because it means you are losing.
@MarcellusDracul You state this "You should never be on the defensive in a fight with any form of weapons, because it means you are losing." I am afraid you do not understand Liechtenaur if you think this statement it true. This would also mean that the whole of Italian swordsmanship, were parry repost is used as a main concept would be null and void. No master now or then would rush to the attack, you are going to end up dead. Fight me when I am next in the States and lets swap notes. Ask Ochs
I think this depends on the circumstances...in a self defence situation he is correct, just like in an empty hand fight it is better to be on the offensive. However as you say in a pitched fight, something more akin to the martial arts sparring or cage fights obviously you need a solid defence and if possible a devestating counter attack!
@FioredieLiberi lichtenauer is quite adamant about it, though. It's definately recommended, even if back hen there were different schools of thought.
in fact, come to think of it, nearly all 'stuck' in the german tradition place an emphsis on attecking first and going forward and the 'defender' being defeated, to the point where it is hard to know who's defending and who's attacking.
it can be done, and by sheer violence of action is very effective.
@MEMAG agreed! and IF someone gets back and doesn't take the balance of the opponent, one can relatively easily slide the axe and exende the range considerably, maybe in some cases risky for the attacker if it doesn't work out, but nevertheless a isk for the defender trying to run.
the speed is not irrealistic and it can be done fast with originally weighed steel weapons.
original pollaxes weigh between 1800 and 3500 grams or so depending on style, and the ones depicted in Talhoffer tend to be towards the light end of that spectrum. There is really no need for superhuman strength at all to be a great deal faster than these guys ar demonstrating. (for the purposes of the demonstration it is of course good they are 'slow' and meticulous)
@memphadon A lot of combat fighting skill depends entirely on who reacts the fastest and the best. I do see what you mean and I was thinking the same thing, but if executed and drilled long enough, like any martial art, they can be pretty effective.
While I've never done this kind of fighting, and I want to join the SCA and am getting geared up and planning to join. I have been doing MMA cage fighting for a while now, along with Karate. And from what I know of specific moves in martial arts, it will never go exactally like you practiced, and you probably won't get a 5 step move to work in real. What you get from practicing a 5 step move is the under lying concept of the moves that can be applied. Not JUST a 5 step move for ONE situation.
I totally agree, you get five small part techniques to use in five different occasions. If you ever find yourself in something that looks like the end of move 3 you can always follow up with part 4 even if you didn't do part 1,2 or 3.
In the second play, have you considered pulling sharply towards yourself after meeting his poll on your shaft? This should pull him off balance and take his point off your face so you can complete the next move more safely. I think this because he appears to be down and disarmed before the finishing strike lands, and you seem open for a thrust to the face otherwise. Keep up the good work lads...
my friends have a theory on this, "you can either do things the right way or the wrong way, different styles just means a different intent" that is to say: comparisons can be seen between most forms of martial arts (that invovle the same weapons)because it proved to be the most efficient in keeping the users alive.
Well the truth is, its basic body mechanics. Look at the grappling done here, and look at Krav Maga, Ju Jistu, or Aikido etc. Your going to have many move sets that are pretty well identical. The body only moves so many ways. The idea is to take advantage of that.
@Hotora86 necesity is often quoted to be the mother of invention, and as such killing is what is needed, it's not surprised to me that different cultures have narrowed down to the same efficient methods to get the job done, but it still is interesting
@Hotora86 Which probably means that any1 who studied the art of combat and mastered it will end up with a similar fighting style since that they all try 2 do their moves in the best way possible
Hey Guys. I've been looking over your video a lot recently. I noticed that in the beginning of the Kal plates, starting at 1:36, the attacker on the left is illustrated as holding the top end of the Pollaxe with the open-palm position that C. Tobler was talking about at Sandy Creek. But in your videos the attacker holds the axe in the normal grip. Did you change the grip on purpose or was it just an oversight?
Hey James! We're not completely sure that that position of the hand means anything, especially since on the next plate the hand is still shown in the "loose grip" even though the man has has attacked. It could very well be used exactly as Christian said, but for this play it would not change anything to show it since we know what attack was being used. Very good catch though, we'll have to watch you! Take care!
Very well done guys. Makes me want to take up pollaxe. I enjoy your videos very much, and appreciate that your constantly revise your interpretations. Keep up the good work!
As much as I like too I'm just to busy with the Liechtenauer tradition let alone another german art. But Liechtenauer does have his own sword and buckler works.......
Thanks for bringing this video back! I just put it at the top of my Pollaxe playlist. I see you may have picked up the same trick I figured out for my video on Mair. Screenshot and then crop? Awesome stuff guys!
great videos, greetings from venezuela and keep up the good work
andresrojas22 3 weeks ago
Nice job tying the diagrams into the demonstration. Brought the pages to life!
Svinfylka 4 weeks ago
Good video!
fabioeoch 1 month ago
Loving the medieval 2 music!
TheNukaColaQuantum 2 months ago
Comment removed
speeddemon847 4 months ago
great reconstruction !
larcenoff2 4 months ago
Amazing video guys...wow!
SamoanSap 5 months ago
imagine ripping someones head off with that second technique 0_o, so brutal.
TheKekelol 5 months ago
The end is cool
SaviorAgent 5 months ago
Do you guys have any videos of poleaxe techniques against other kinds of weapons?
ViciousAnimus 6 months ago
I love that people are bringing this stuff back. I hope some day they open as many gyms as eastern MA practitioners have.
Lukos0036 7 months ago
@Lukos0036 A lot of the moves here look like out of the box Katana techniques. The human body can move in only so many ways. Same goes for holding a weapon.
Moviebro 6 months ago
What's the best counter for the "pray" maneuver in the end?
hathiphnath 7 months ago
@hathiphnath
I don't know if it's the best. But one counter would be the "rational thinking" move. =)
gurkfisk89 7 months ago
It's amazing that the Knights of history had the strength and stamina to fight with these weapons for hours at a time. Most of us would "run out of gas" after a few seconds of swinging this weapon around!
asoingles2010 8 months ago
Wow, excellent video! Quite impressive, how you managed to translate the techniques from just pictures to full movements
DarkmanFlow 8 months ago
where are these translations coming from?
Billvis2 9 months ago
Pretty awesome guys nice work but do u have any fights with different kinds of weapons like poleaxe and a sword for example? and 1 more question these move r European right?
SoulRipper66 9 months ago
@SoulRipper66
Yes these are European moves. Words and pictures from various medieval manuscripts.
gurkfisk89 8 months ago
@gurkfisk89 AWESOME u know ive been dying 2 watch European combat I dont want any chinese japanese stuff
SoulRipper66 8 months ago
Too bad both are staying at "weapon range". Against a polearm the most effective defense is to move IN to close (contact) range and quickly use a dagger.
nicolasnagy 9 months ago
Comment removed
nicolasnagy 9 months ago
@nicolasnagy Or, as seen here, to quickly target the foot and ruin the opponent's ability to be a massive threat.
nicolasnagy 9 months ago
@nicolasnagy
Presuming you CAN get close enough without having your head smashed in. By the way, is it still (strictly speaking) defence when you're stabbing him in the throat?
92abcdefg 9 months ago
@nicolasnagy There are a number if things you can do if someone gets beyond the point of your weapon. You can adopt a vertical guard like the hanging or scales and use the staff as a barrier to get in the way of the dagger strike. From there you can push the attacker away with the staff, attack his foot, or bat him with a bunt to the face. You could also try a roundhouse withdrawal which involves stepping back while spinning round to launch a roundhouse strike with the polearm.
tullyDT 8 months ago
@nicolasnagy that is one tactic... but these are specific techniques mentioned in the manuscripts. I suppose some of the pieces they strung quite a number together...
airnt 2 weeks ago
This is one of the single greatest videos I have ever seen on youtube. Really excellent idea, very well enacted. I'm trying to learn to use the Polearm in the S.C.A., and while some of the maneuvers are illegal to use in competition, others like the parrying and retorts are very helpful! Again, tons of praise for a very creative and excellent video you guys.
gearsofwar07 10 months ago
@gearsofwar07 why on earth are any of these moves illegal in the SCA? I thought the whole point of not using steel swords and loads of armour was that you could go all out and full contact?
airnt 2 weeks ago
damn good video guys........
Darthbelal 10 months ago
ah what a display very interesting techniques!
I for one would stick with the roman shield and stabbing sword! Requires little skill!!
bodunchar 11 months ago
not to be pedantic, but isnt that more a poleHAMMER in the manuscript.
secondly what is the reason for holding the poleaxe with the butt end facing your opponent, as opposed to bringing theaxe and dedicated spike to bear first,
elgostine 11 months ago
@elgostine Here's a late reply for you. First of all, the English version of the weapon is a POLLaxe. Note POLE. This word 'poll' means 'head', which is where we get the word used in elections and censuses. So it is a 'headaxe', not a 'pole axe'. Secondly, regardless of the weapon's hardware (axe, hammer, pick etc...) the original German manuscripts still called them axes. Talhoffer called it an 'axt', while Paulus Kal spelled it 'axe'. The French called it a 'hache', which also means axe.
Djemps 9 months ago
@elgostine Secondly, considering that this weapon was mainly used in armor, it makes a lot of sense that they would mostly employ the butt end of the axe. It is faster and provides more control. You can easily push an opponent around with it. Once you have the upper hand, THEN you strike with the axe head to finish things.
Djemps 9 months ago
@Djemps and the reason of that is because smaller moves done with the poll end of the weapon would be less likely to have a serious effect on plate???
elgostine 9 months ago
@Djemps that is if it was held like it was a spear with the poll and spike presented firstly to the enemy.
elgostine 9 months ago
@elgostine The head and spike of the axe are the heaviest parts of the weapon. Even if you use both hands on the staff, it is still difficult to control the heavy end of the axe like a spear. Try doing the same thing with a shovel or sledge hammer. The butt end of the pollaxe does not cause any damage to a man in armor, but it can push him around or quickly defend an attack. Imagine that you only have one chance to attack with the head of the axe. You will use the staff first, then strike.
Djemps 9 months ago
@Djemps most of these things were fitted with some serious butt spikes, sometimes with large hooks.
original pollaxes I've weighed at the Royal Armouries in Leeds and Legermuseum in Holland tend to only be 2-2,5 kg for this style and maybe up to 3,5 for the bladed axes. the shaft alone weighs about 1 kg out of that weight. thereby it is not actually any heavier than a typical spear, and significantly lighter (on average) than an average halbert or bill. though the ranges overlap
airnt 2 weeks ago
@airnt Regardless of the total weight or overall balance, the reason for employing the back of the staff is still the same: it is lighter and more maneuverable.
Djemps 2 weeks ago
Total war music :]
EzKrispy 1 year ago
fantastic work. thank you!
sortabli 1 year ago
This is actually very nice! altough i do not favor a poleaxe in a one to one combat situation., you guys really know your stuff :)
Himotary 1 year ago
Awesome video, also the Medieval 2 TW theme suits fine!
antikoerper256 1 year ago
Well done and good form, executed with excellence!
jimmyjoeh2o 1 year ago
I like it ,I am a welder and I am going to make a halbeard type..What do yall think about 3/4 inch steel conduit pipe for a shaft ? And I have to have a steel spike at both ends,,thanx guys
zeno57 1 year ago
wow people in the middle ages knew quite alot about sensitive spots of balance and such great video
badbill22 1 year ago
Medieval 2 total war!!!
tarkin56 1 year ago
This is pretty good.
HomoGnosticus 1 year ago
If only the English had this training at the battle of Hastings in 1066 - different world then!
infokemp 1 year ago
@infokemp Actually that is a very odd thing to say, the so called english were saxons still clinging to their viking armament, up against the early mounted knight from normandy (also 5th or 6th generation vikings).
But still they didn't lose because of their technique, they lost because first of all their commander was shot in the eye by a random arrow, and secondly because they broke their defensive line in persuit of fleeing foes, and were run down by the new class of warrior - the knight.
lakshen47 1 year ago
@lakshen47 I cannot fault you on your knowledge of the Battle of Hastings - also English Martial Arts where well developed by 1066 - as the earlier poem Beowulf describes locks and strikes in the narrative and fight with Beowulf's enemies.
All the best
David
infokemp 1 year ago
im now in the prosses of making a sparring pole axe, any advise on how long i should make it?
pappyDApirate 1 year ago
@pappyDApirate I'm guessing you know a bit about wood work, so if not google the joint names.
First you could construct one the same way you'd make a wooden mallet. Carve a block of wood into the right shape for the axe head then fix it to the shaft with a mortise tenon joint.
You could also try the "t-square" design. Take a leftover piece of the pole you used to make the shaft and connect it to the shaft in a t-section using a halving joint.
I hope this helped give you some ideas
tullyDT 1 year ago
@pappyDApirate depictions nearly always show it longer than the man, and originals are usually between 200 and 250 cm, although it's is sometimes difficult to determine if the shaft is original
airnt 2 weeks ago
@pappyDApirate and i would make any shaft oval or flat octagonal section so you can feel the edge alignment also tapering thinner to the butt end is very common and makes it feel more balanced (contrary to what you might think)
airnt 2 weeks ago
what book are these techniques from?
pochazet 1 year ago
@pochazet
It's from many diffrent sources. Some techniques from Hans Talhoffer, some from Paulus Kal, some from Joachim Mayer and others from Paulus Hector Mair.
gurkfisk89 1 year ago
what book is this from?
pochazet 1 year ago
do these techniques come from codex wallerstein?
pochazet 1 year ago
Comment removed
bionicbongsmoker 1 year ago
Where do you guys get this awesome music??
spinhook888 1 year ago
Nice M2TW music.
Pawnbroker00 1 year ago
Just imagine getting that spike driven through the top of your foot.
Antiks72 1 year ago
@Antiks72 i'd prefer not
Pawnbroker00 1 year ago
this should be used like an Irish axe! advance swinging in a ferocious figure 8 pattern.
acerb45666555 1 year ago
nice style..i could get into this :) Good musical choice as well...
Drakefem 1 year ago
total war
jrnesbit 1 year ago
Well done guys
the problem of using a medieval manual is that you ve to understand the certain shown steps
you do really well in acting these out ! 5*
GermanSwordMaster 1 year ago
This was great! D more of them please.
jdub7771 1 year ago
Incredible. Awesome.
cooks2006 2 years ago
hahahaha, the music is same of the MTW2, i like this game and precisely why I'm looking for this type of information
locoyogui 2 years ago
sorry, there's a manual for soft combat
Medina6476 2 years ago
do you guys have a martial arts training class somewhere?
DogeKhan 2 years ago
Yes, check out our website for details.
MEMAG 2 years ago
nice vid...
WolfgangNightshadow 2 years ago
the motion was beautiful
one thing that looked a little odd was the high round stroke, it slowed down at the back bottom of the swing.
objectionalcontent 2 years ago
The simulators we are using are bit top heavy, using a realistic balanced Halberd eliminates the slowing down.
chuckwyatt 2 years ago
Poleaxe isn't a halberd, though it resembles one. Poleaxes have smaller heads.
Ranziel1 2 years ago
...er.. im pretty sure the difference is the length of the pole.
danegilbert 2 years ago
Is the Pollaxe not basically a Halberd? Halberds have to be my favourite medieval weapon. Alongside the standard Shin Gunto Imperial Army issue Sword back in the American, Japan war. Good video! Some really good techniques! The end was also funny =D
findlay27 2 years ago
I get the impression that the pollaxe tended to be 'handier' than the halberd.
halfassedfart 2 years ago
search amazon or ebay for "medieval combat" by talhoffer. I got mine easily. I am trying to find a forge to make halberds to go with my suits of armour. Any advice on construction?
TheDumbeKnight 2 years ago
Where can I get ahold of a copy of Hans Talhoffer's (translated) books, including the woodcuts? I can't seem to find them anywhere, at least not in stock.
Thjoth 2 years ago
Pollaxe is pretty badass.
SailorBarsoom 2 years ago 2
I tought that music was familiar , its from Medieval 2 Total War ... nice video 5* :)
chashavko 2 years ago
Some Tomahawk techniques are basically the same as the Gross Messer and the Pole Axe.
I love my tomahawk. I can have the best of both worlds. (with a 20" handle, all that matters is closing the distance and crushing your opponent.
HerrQuixota 2 years ago
Thanks to all for the great reviews! If time allows I plan on making a Meyer Halberd only video. Hopefully before the warm weather goes away, Guess I should tell Cory sometime soon.
purebaldfury 2 years ago
AWESOME!!!! An incredible job and reinterpretation of medieval combat
virsf 2 years ago
hey, very very good video!!!
greetings from germany
GarethofOrkney 2 years ago
呂布や少林寺の槍や棒よりも強いの？
niyaniyaharuchan 2 years ago
lol at 5:44
pappyDApirate 2 years ago
5 *****
profeso07 2 years ago
At 2:58 the guy in black goes "ouch."
henjokongo 2 years ago
Lol, 5:44 ftw!
EmperorMossy 2 years ago
loli loli lol
addab 2 years ago
Very nice! Very nice! Very nice!
keyaigo 3 years ago 2
congratulations, very very good job
alberttogt 3 years ago 2
Very nice!
ranpleasant 3 years ago 2
Okay, I cracked up on the ending a little bit.
*bonk bonk bonk bonk*
UnclePutte 3 years ago
makes me wanna try, cool vid!
lianghaochen 3 years ago
i don't get some of these techniques. they look like they must be executed with superhuman speed in order to be effective, or else you could simply step back from them.
how big were the arenas in which judicial duels were held? i suppose if they were smaller and didn't have enough room to back up or circle around, these techniques could work.
memphadon 3 years ago
You can step back to avoid anything that involves this kind of range, but that doesn't mean that its a sound strategy. If you retreat without creating a threat, then you will be aggressively pursued. It seems to be the preferred strategy (at least by the Masters here) to stay in the fight (in range) and fight back. The speed doesn't have to be superhuman, you just have to act "Indes".
MEMAG 3 years ago 7
i looked through a couple manuals, and the fighting ring which Talhoffer drew seemed small enough to cut off excessive movement, possibly making the techniques a bit more executable. i can't be sure though because not every drawing in the manual looks proportionate.
memphadon 3 years ago
Medieval art tended to be rather 'symbolic' as opposed to 'naturalistic'. Things are made larger or more expressed due to their importance, not necessarily due to their real size. They're not always a good way to judge the size of things.
Caliburnis 3 years ago
@MEMAG On top of that, if you fall back you leave yourself open to tripping over objects that may be behind you (or your own feet if you're not careful). You should never be on the defensive in a fight with any form of weapons, because it means you are losing.
MarcellusDracul 6 months ago
@MarcellusDracul You state this "You should never be on the defensive in a fight with any form of weapons, because it means you are losing." I am afraid you do not understand Liechtenaur if you think this statement it true. This would also mean that the whole of Italian swordsmanship, were parry repost is used as a main concept would be null and void. No master now or then would rush to the attack, you are going to end up dead. Fight me when I am next in the States and lets swap notes. Ask Ochs
FioredieLiberi 6 months ago
@FioredieLiberi
I think this depends on the circumstances...in a self defence situation he is correct, just like in an empty hand fight it is better to be on the offensive. However as you say in a pitched fight, something more akin to the martial arts sparring or cage fights obviously you need a solid defence and if possible a devestating counter attack!
axlegreen 2 months ago
@FioredieLiberi lichtenauer is quite adamant about it, though. It's definately recommended, even if back hen there were different schools of thought.
in fact, come to think of it, nearly all 'stuck' in the german tradition place an emphsis on attecking first and going forward and the 'defender' being defeated, to the point where it is hard to know who's defending and who's attacking.
it can be done, and by sheer violence of action is very effective.
airnt 2 weeks ago
@MarcellusDracul thats only if youre passively defending when i fight defensively i can still score counterattacks that can end the fight
l3054 5 months ago
@MEMAG agreed! and IF someone gets back and doesn't take the balance of the opponent, one can relatively easily slide the axe and exende the range considerably, maybe in some cases risky for the attacker if it doesn't work out, but nevertheless a isk for the defender trying to run.
the speed is not irrealistic and it can be done fast with originally weighed steel weapons.
airnt 2 weeks ago
@memphadon
original pollaxes weigh between 1800 and 3500 grams or so depending on style, and the ones depicted in Talhoffer tend to be towards the light end of that spectrum. There is really no need for superhuman strength at all to be a great deal faster than these guys ar demonstrating. (for the purposes of the demonstration it is of course good they are 'slow' and meticulous)
airnt 1 year ago
@memphadon A lot of combat fighting skill depends entirely on who reacts the fastest and the best. I do see what you mean and I was thinking the same thing, but if executed and drilled long enough, like any martial art, they can be pretty effective.
WritingFighter 6 months ago
While I've never done this kind of fighting, and I want to join the SCA and am getting geared up and planning to join. I have been doing MMA cage fighting for a while now, along with Karate. And from what I know of specific moves in martial arts, it will never go exactally like you practiced, and you probably won't get a 5 step move to work in real. What you get from practicing a 5 step move is the under lying concept of the moves that can be applied. Not JUST a 5 step move for ONE situation.
ChamorruWarrior 3 months ago
@ChamorruWarrior
I totally agree, you get five small part techniques to use in five different occasions. If you ever find yourself in something that looks like the end of move 3 you can always follow up with part 4 even if you didn't do part 1,2 or 3.
gurkfisk89 1 month ago
Excellent video guys.
tsafa1 3 years ago
Thanks, Bill!
MEMAG 3 years ago
In the second play, have you considered pulling sharply towards yourself after meeting his poll on your shaft? This should pull him off balance and take his point off your face so you can complete the next move more safely. I think this because he appears to be down and disarmed before the finishing strike lands, and you seem open for a thrust to the face otherwise. Keep up the good work lads...
F0rre5ter 3 years ago
Kill & pray - the hobbies of Medieval Europe. xD
Many of these moves are similar to Japanese Bojutsu, which only proves that people invent the same martial arts in different parts of the world.
Hotora86 3 years ago 13
my friends have a theory on this, "you can either do things the right way or the wrong way, different styles just means a different intent" that is to say: comparisons can be seen between most forms of martial arts (that invovle the same weapons)because it proved to be the most efficient in keeping the users alive.
Zahrim 3 years ago 2
true true
Hotora86 3 years ago 2
@Hotora86
Well the truth is, its basic body mechanics. Look at the grappling done here, and look at Krav Maga, Ju Jistu, or Aikido etc. Your going to have many move sets that are pretty well identical. The body only moves so many ways. The idea is to take advantage of that.
SquallLeonhart86 1 year ago
@Hotora86 necesity is often quoted to be the mother of invention, and as such killing is what is needed, it's not surprised to me that different cultures have narrowed down to the same efficient methods to get the job done, but it still is interesting
Treifla 1 year ago
@Hotora86
Well, at the end of the day, no matter the history or cultrual background, everyoe's still only got two arms and two legs.
92abcdefg 10 months ago
@Hotora86 Which probably means that any1 who studied the art of combat and mastered it will end up with a similar fighting style since that they all try 2 do their moves in the best way possible
SoulRipper66 9 months ago
Hey Guys. I've been looking over your video a lot recently. I noticed that in the beginning of the Kal plates, starting at 1:36, the attacker on the left is illustrated as holding the top end of the Pollaxe with the open-palm position that C. Tobler was talking about at Sandy Creek. But in your videos the attacker holds the axe in the normal grip. Did you change the grip on purpose or was it just an oversight?
Djemps 3 years ago
Hey James! We're not completely sure that that position of the hand means anything, especially since on the next plate the hand is still shown in the "loose grip" even though the man has has attacked. It could very well be used exactly as Christian said, but for this play it would not change anything to show it since we know what attack was being used. Very good catch though, we'll have to watch you! Take care!
MEMAG 3 years ago
Wish I could find a place to do this. There is an SCA group i hang with, but they are more into hitting each other with rattan
animematt 3 years ago
There are a lot of people in the SCA who have just as much interest in this as you. Get with them and ask.
MIT1369 3 years ago 2
Gents,
Well done!
Kit
kitsaccount 3 years ago
suppression and counter thrust kicked ass.
mightycowhero 3 years ago
Very well done guys. Makes me want to take up pollaxe. I enjoy your videos very much, and appreciate that your constantly revise your interpretations. Keep up the good work!
Kunstdesfechtens 3 years ago
Take it up!!!
And thanks for the kind words.
chuckwyattjr 3 years ago
But... but... I'm still working on longsword, messer, Ringen, Boxing, sword & buckler and dagger! So many awesome weapons, and so little time. :(
Kunstdesfechtens 3 years ago
OMG!
mitsotribal 3 years ago
another good video. Can we get dome I:33 action next...Please...
compupack 3 years ago
As much as I like too I'm just to busy with the Liechtenauer tradition let alone another german art. But Liechtenauer does have his own sword and buckler works.......
chuckwyattjr 3 years ago
another great video, very good work
memphadon 3 years ago
Great work!!!! I love the last second of the video, too.
hopper990 3 years ago
I like how you inter-spaced the illustrated plates and showed how each plate was a basically a snap shot of the techniques.
cudgelritter 3 years ago
ME too...;)
Halfswording 3 years ago
Very nice! Imagine if this kind of forum had been out there when some of us started instead of homeprinted trascribs of ringeck and a very cold barn.
Halfswording 3 years ago
Thanks for bringing this video back! I just put it at the top of my Pollaxe playlist. I see you may have picked up the same trick I figured out for my video on Mair. Screenshot and then crop? Awesome stuff guys!
Djemps 3 years ago
I'm Chuck, the bald guy in the video.
Thanks 1066BigDaddy!
chuckwyattjr 3 years ago
Well done, as always. Only wish I could make it to Salisbury to spar with you all.
1066BigDaddy 3 years ago