Rapier and Dagger fencing from the Swordplay Alliance

Here is another rapier and dagger demonstration that the Swordplay Alliance (www.swordplayalliance.com) put on at the Blade Show last year. Eddie Floyd is the fight master in the video. He's also the founder, head instructor and, sword cutler for the group.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• swordplay
• alliance
• sword
• swords
• rapier
• dagger
• wma
• martial
• arts
• fencing
• swordfight

[BlueBluszcz]

nothing great, but good.

btw what rapiers are those?

[MrPotatoesLatkie]

The rapiers were made by Eddie Floyd, the fellow in the black shirt acting as the referee. He's the one who yelled "Get 'em, get 'em!"

[vectorb]

what blades are you using? they sound different, higher ringing that my Darkwood, or Zen Warrior blades...

[MrPotatoesLatkie]

The foible is a 35" double-wide epee that's been welded to a length of bar stock. I think the whole blade is 43" in length.

[vectorb]

Ah. We use practice rapiers that are the same weight and length as were used historically. They move entirely different than the double-wide epees, the historic forms make so much sense when you use one I highly recommend getting one!

[MrPotatoesLatkie]

The swords are real rapiers, except for the last 35" of the blade. The weight is about two and a half pounds. Eddie (the fight master in the video)is a sword cutler and made them himself. Also, historical rapier blades ranged from about 35" to well over 40", so there are historical lengths.

[ExtraLuke]

Really like it! :D

[TheFountainGuard]

Funny that nobody has pointed out that one of the duelists is a south paw. Which of course in rapier and parrying knife fencing, means that he is holding his main gauche (French for left handed parrying dagger in this case, just left hand otherwise) in his right hand, amusing to say the least, and must put the right handed fencer at an extreme disadvantage.

[spinhook888]

Ooh! Get'im get'im get'im!

XD

[Schivona72]

Couple of things: I don't see alot of capitalization on tempo's given at narrow measure. The dagger seems to be relied upon instead of counterguarding. When setting up you are nearly in close measure if not within. I agree with the comment about the blades, with the doublewides it is a bit different especially when "finding" you opponents sword. Like everyone else reading period texts they are learning, I think its a good demonstration of a few passes.

[vectorb]

Personally I think that the double-wides epees are still too light. Take a look at Darkwood Armory practical rapier blades, thicker and heaver. Or look at Zen Warrior Armory, their T03 Rapier blade is nice and has better movement characteristics than their double-wide the T02, blade for rapier style combat. Not that there is anything wrong with the ones your using! Just my observations.