gripping a sword

just a quick discussion on how to grip a single handed European cutting sword.

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• gripping
• sword

[Gilmaris]

I also got a new-found respect for the hammer-grip after trying a disc-pommeled tulwar for the first time a few years back. With the disc pommel, you have no choice, you HAVE to use the hammer grip. And it hurts like hell when the sharp edge of that pommel digs into your wrist. So what does one do? They know what to do in Gatka, and I have found it works just as well with viking swords: when you actually HIT something, there's no problem. When you don't, you flip the sword before it hurts you.

[Ianflaer]

@Gilmaris I have never used a Tulwar but I suspect you have the right of it there. the grip I use is illustrated on medieval tapestries and artwork of the times. unfortunately there is no surviving written records of how these things were done before the sword and buckler days of the late 13th century so all we can do is study what we have, speculate and try things out. I find this works well for these swords. Iai is a wonderful art but it does not use the same sort of tool. (more to come)

[Gilmaris]

I'm an Iaido-ka myself, and I have to argue for the hammer grip all the way. The reason is that with the handshake grip, or the grip in this video, you only have the thumb supporting the blade; you get no power into the cut than the speed you can give the blade itself. With a hammer grip, however, you have the whole hand, and the whole arm, supporting the cut, and you get additional follow-through from your whole arm. Try *pushing* an object with your sword, and see what grip works best.

[Ianflaer]

@Gilmaris Iaido is wonderful but as I was saying in my other response it does not use the same sort of tool. I have studied some Kenjutsu and Kendo (but never Iai) and I have several katana and what works for them works less well for medieval swords and what works for medieval swords works less well for katana. they really are a fish of a different smell. there's still a ton of stuff a swordsman interested in European sword arts can learn from Iaido, and JSA in general but not everything applies

[ChocolateyChocobo13]

Learnt somethin new today, thanks. Btw, what is the average width of a sword's blade?

[Ianflaer]

@van1980 I don't know the crusader but valiant makes great stuff in their signature series, the only resonable step up from there is to get one made by Gus himself. can't beat that. in my opinion anytime you can trade a katana for a Euro you've gained in the trade.

[van1980]

@Ianflaer Thanks for the response Tom. Any thought on the Signature Crusader? I'm a sucker for the type X or XI blades. Might see if I can trade a Bamboo Mat Kat for one...

[Ianflaer]

@van1980 it is a heavily customized ATrim 1429 that was converted from a hand-and-a-half type XVI to a single handed type XII by ShooterMikesbg (that's his youtube name). Mike did a great job on it and I love it, thank you. to see what Gus Trim is putting out recently go to valiantarmoury dotcom, they are carrying his stuff lately, I have several swords made by Gus and they all are great.

[van1980]

What sword is that? Beauty.

[mrbeast85]

Good video.