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fandomhigh2009-07-22 09:48 pm
furious-maximus.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhigh2009-07-22 09:48 pm
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Basic Sword Skills [Thursday, Period Three]
This week Max had the sword rack from the first class out again, but there was a difference if anyone was paying attention. Rather than having the blades arranged by weight, as he had the first time, they were arranged by curvature. Rapiers, arming swords, jian, and even a pair of katar on one side, sabers, dao, tulwars, and other similar blades on the other.
"Our first meeting I allowed you to select a blade pretty much at random, and there are actually worse ways to select a blade if you are a beginner. However, we'll spend the next three weeks discussing blade selection. Blade selection matters for two simple reasons. First, a strong knowledge of how to select blades ensures that you select one that plays to your strengths and conforms to your personal style. Second, and perhaps more importantly, understanding blade selection can tell you a tremendous amount about the options an opponent has open to him."
"Blade selection is a rather involved process, and today we'll be focusing on two aspects that go hand in hand. We'll look at blade curvature and single- vs double- edged weapons. A quick look should reveal," he waved at the weapons behind him, "that most curved blades are single edged while most straight blades are double edged."
"At the risk of stating the obvious: curved blades with single edges are built to favor slashing while straight blades with double edges are designed to favor thrusts." Max drew his gladius and held it out for illustration. "The gladius is a straight double edged blade. It's designed for very close fighting and when you're in close thrusts are much more versatile than slashes." He put his blade back up.
"When fighting for your life you'll discover that it is difficult to recover a straight blade that's been used to cut deeply into someone while a curved blade slides free much more easily. And by the same token you'll discover that thrusting with a curved blade tends to be less precise and less powerful than doing so with a straight blade. While very few blades force you into only one type of attack, all blades support one type better than others and that means that most fighters will prefer the supported attacks."
"Today's assignment is simple: you will select one blade of each type and get a feel for it. You will be practicing with one another and with me, and before you leave you will tell me which you feel more comfortable with and why."
Max looked at each student in turn and nodded sharply. "Get to it."
[My availability throughout the day is likely to be spotty as I shall be leaving on a jet plane. To Lansing, MI! I will be around when I can, but bouts of SP virtually guaranteed.]
"Our first meeting I allowed you to select a blade pretty much at random, and there are actually worse ways to select a blade if you are a beginner. However, we'll spend the next three weeks discussing blade selection. Blade selection matters for two simple reasons. First, a strong knowledge of how to select blades ensures that you select one that plays to your strengths and conforms to your personal style. Second, and perhaps more importantly, understanding blade selection can tell you a tremendous amount about the options an opponent has open to him."
"Blade selection is a rather involved process, and today we'll be focusing on two aspects that go hand in hand. We'll look at blade curvature and single- vs double- edged weapons. A quick look should reveal," he waved at the weapons behind him, "that most curved blades are single edged while most straight blades are double edged."
"At the risk of stating the obvious: curved blades with single edges are built to favor slashing while straight blades with double edges are designed to favor thrusts." Max drew his gladius and held it out for illustration. "The gladius is a straight double edged blade. It's designed for very close fighting and when you're in close thrusts are much more versatile than slashes." He put his blade back up.
"When fighting for your life you'll discover that it is difficult to recover a straight blade that's been used to cut deeply into someone while a curved blade slides free much more easily. And by the same token you'll discover that thrusting with a curved blade tends to be less precise and less powerful than doing so with a straight blade. While very few blades force you into only one type of attack, all blades support one type better than others and that means that most fighters will prefer the supported attacks."
"Today's assignment is simple: you will select one blade of each type and get a feel for it. You will be practicing with one another and with me, and before you leave you will tell me which you feel more comfortable with and why."
Max looked at each student in turn and nodded sharply. "Get to it."
[My availability throughout the day is likely to be spotty as I shall be leaving on a jet plane. To Lansing, MI! I will be around when I can, but bouts of SP virtually guaranteed.]
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