Grabbing Edge During Half-Swording

John Clements, a leading authority on historical fencing and one of the worlds foremost practitioner-instructors of Medieval and Renaissance fighting methods and the director of the Association for Renaissance Martial Arts (ARMA), shows how a person may safely grab a sharp edge sword while performing Half Sword techniques.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• longsword
• ARMA
• swrod
• swordsmenship
• HEMA

[ranpleasant]

It is true that Clements was forced to boot some people from ARMA for bad behavior. Shortly afterwards a number of others left because they wanted something else. Not unlike people leaving a job, within a few days it is like they were never there. Clements and ARMA just keep moving forward. In 2009 Clements came out with his new interpretations, which we refer to as the ARMA Rosette Stone. Clements is now about two generations ahead of everyone! It is good to be in ARMA!

[Mlai00]

So many ignorant hate posts in this thread! Why would a medieval sword need to be "razor sharp" at all? When going up against shields and armour, a "razor sharp" sword is WEAKER and more FRAGILE. So ofc you wouldn't try to hold a "razor" sword; they wouldn't EXIST.

(2)The pulling act is a test. Ofc in real fight 2 guys aren't going to stand there pulling. So who even thinks that he's going to stand there gripping a sword so you can pull hard on it? Grabbing enemy sword's only when binded.

[wingsoffire55]

ive never seen a sword with a grip like that on the ecusson

[bassetter1]

Funny how he demonstrate just how blunt it is after he claims that it is sharp . LOL.

[grawling]

Only the top 1/3 of the blade was extra sharp. So grabbing a sword in the middle of the blade was sometimes used. Still, it's more common with two handed swords.

[nitroexpress700]

that thing is stupidly dull...

[HohenStaufer]

One can often tell when someone is cutting new ground or pulling away from the pack by the number of criticism he/she receive from 'the establishment'. Clements is an enthusiastic and dedicated student and teacher of these forgotten European martial arts. He may not be accurate in everything he says (or he might be, that's the problem with history, short of time travel we can't tell for sure), but what he teaches is well thought out and based on practice and consideration - like any martial art.

[jacobbenmichael]

The very best thing one can do to learn European Martial Arts is to study the Manuals themselves. Having done so myself for many years now, I am glad I have chosen not to join The ARMA. They used the flat-parry, which wasn't really the method of blocking used by the ancient masters, except to slap the opponents sword (while sidestepping) and simultaneously striking the opponents head. You would NOT want to receive a full hit onto the flat of your sword, as Arma profusely insists upon.

[HipposHateWater]

@tantorecords

Wow, and you're the one calling Clements a blowhard?

[tantorecords]

@mojothemigo Yeah, the best thing to do is to go and fish about on some forums and find one or two individuals who want to meet up and train. Thats the best way to learn without joining a group like arma.

[mojothemigo]

@tantorecords Well thank you for such quick and informative response. Problem is, taking you at your word, ARMA seems to be the big organization here in the states. Also, thanks for giving me specific names of other organizations. I might not have access, but it gives a point to contrast to. There are many uses of the "arma" acronyme and it is hard to find critisizing opinions.

[tantorecords]

@mojothemigo If you are interested in learning though, go to a group in europe who teach using HEMAC or HROARR interpretations - they are accurate, exciting and useable. Or even better join a re-enactment group, learn the skills from a companie, use them in re-enactments of the period. Best way to do it, you learn not a drill, but a principle, a skill and how to employ it, you then get better with practice by using it and by combining it with other principles. That's one of the key things