Physical Characteristics: Weight: 2.7 lbs. (hollow ground version: 2.3 lbs.) Length, overall: 33.5” Length, blade: 27.5” Length, grip: 3.75” Width at cross: 2.25” Width at PoP: 1.25” Point of Balance: 2.5” from cross Point of Percussion: ~17” from cross The thing you notice first when taking up this reproduction by Arms and…
Some Observations on Judicial Duels, as Practised in Germany by Hugh T. Knight, Jr. “In this work we will discuss the origins of the judicial duel, its definition and how it differs from other kinds of duels, and its constituent parts and format. We will place particular emphasis upon the different forms of judicial duel,…
In the poem the protagonist looks at a tournament together with an acquaintance. He is of the opinion that tournaments should be hard and brutal. […] The acquaintance answers: “You stupid man! What I can tell you, which is not clear to you: The sport has been conceived, in old times exactly like today, so…
The Long Knife (Langes Messer) is a cut and thrust weapon from the Middle Ages, which enjoyed great popularity as a weapon of defense especially in the 15th and 16th centuries. There are several instructions in fencing books for the Long Knife. In the following article I have listed most fencing books which I have…
When we learn and train Historical Martial Arts, we must be aware of some traps we may fall in. In a small series of articles I will point out some of the pitfalls in learning historical fencing. Being warned of traps helps us to avoid them or disarm them. These articles will aid instructores and…
When we learn and train Historical Martial Arts, we must be aware of some traps we may fall in. In a small series of articles I will point out some of the pitfalls in learning historical fencing. Being warned of traps helps us to avoid them or disarm them. These articles will aid instructores and…
Tahtib is an ancient art, possibly dating back to the 2nd millennium BC. Engraved tomb walls at the archaeological site of Beni Hasan on the eastern bank of the Nile appear to show stick fighting practice resembling Tahtib. Although modern Tahtib practice tends to be friendly (and there is a heavily stylized Saidi form that…
In Bastone Siciliano the stick is kept in constant motion, travelling around the head in various serpentine circular movements known as Muliné until it is time to execute a strike or parry. As an interesting aside, this constant, circling motion of the stick around the player’s head may provide possible insights into the ‘Frequens Motus’…
The baton was systematized in France during the 1800s and during the mid 1850s baton practice was one aspect of a gymnastics curriculum for French soldiers established at the Joinville military academy. Practice with baton was also popular in 19th century Savate salles. It is likely the baton was popular among various 19th century European…
Jogo do Pau (very roughly, ‘game of sticks’) comes to us from Portugal, home of Henry the Navigator and fine Port wine. This art, which typically employs a 5 foot (1.5m) to 6 foot (1.8m) long stick, appears to have originated largely in rural areas, particularly in the north (Minho and Trás-os-Montes), where the stick…