Impressive as always.I got one question about rapier.Rapier as a weapon that relies on thrusts,isn't that makes it predictable in duel?It seemed to me like duelist which used sabre knew more or less what to expect.Correct if im wrong.
Well done! Trade-offs for using a longer rapier blade? I'm guessing this one is about 37", and I've noticed the 43" blades in our group have a distinct advantage in the thrust. The problem for me is that at that length I'm just not strong enough to cut very effectively with it. Thanks for sharing.
I think this is a 39", and its also very light, representing a very late period rapier. Typically I use 45". Trade offs are exactly what you would expect, reach is great, but speed in some actions reduced and greater risks of closing/grappling. I find about a 42" is ideal for single sword work, and 45 perfect for use with an offhand dagger. As for strength, just do lots of the six cut solo drill work from sabre at home, it will soon strengthen you up.
+Slava Mercier I can't reply to you directly, but yes, I did know pretty much what to expect from the rapier (but that's not to say it's predictable), but there are two things to consider: 1.) The rapier can still be used for a cut and Nick did get a few in. 2.) The rapier being a thrusting weapon is faster than the sabre, so you'll notice in many of the stand offs Nick is able to lunge faster than I can parry, this is especially true if I've started a cut as the sword has to rotate to generate power leaving an opening for Nick to lunge at (although he then still has to worry about the incoming cut even if he has landed a hit). What I worked out is that to maintain the initiative I have to keep attacking and constantly put pressure on him, to keep him parrying until there is an opening I can strike for. In this fight, even if every rapier attack was the same thrust, the length, speed and quick disengages of the rapier mean that the sabre can't just fight defensively.
+98abaile can you explain the footwork for the rapier to me please? Would a more forward-facing rear foot aid in lunge range in combination with a falling step? thanks
+joshua wilson rapier and sabre footwork are essentially the same. Though there are a few different traditions and schools that differ a little. In essence, lead foot forward, moving back and forth with advance and retreat that maintains that foot forward, attack via lunge or passing step. And no a forward facing rear foot is not good for the lunge. Most systems teach either a 90 degree rear foot or facing slightly to the rear. This is because it maintains stability and composure for the recovery.
Academy of Historical Fencing Thank you v. much for the reply! Excuse my ignorance, but what is a passing step? I'm trying to relate this stuff to boxing, hence the falling step query. Again, thank you! Great resource :) edit: Nvm, I seem to have found it, a lead foot inside pivot right?
+98abaile I don't know if you've done this match up enough to be able to have a definitive answer to this, but in your estimation is it easier or harder to fence against someone with a shorter, lighter rapier as opposed to a longer one? Or is it just a different type of challenge?
Possibly. Though at the moment montantes just cannot be used in a realistic manner due to the massive power they deliver when wielded like they should be.
Nick, I know you love Rapiers and teach, but, what do you think about it versus the military saber?... I think this 2 weapons were the max evolution of the sword. My normal position was that the rapier were just superior at anythin, but more I see Saber videos, more I dout it. Sabre is just imponent.
I teach both, and love both. The sabre is a more universally useful weapon, due to its cutting power, and agility in closer ranges, and ease of wear. So in close, or against multiple opponents, confined spaces etc, the sabre is better. But for a one on one fight in open space, the rapier has the advantage. It is also quicker and easier to learn sabre than rapier, as the simplicity of the parry-riposte style is easier to master than the single time counter time actions of the rapier. Ultimately they are both outstanding weapons, but they are a different weapon for a different context.
+ChamorruWarrior Steel longswords and sabres from Peter Regenyei (Hungary), Rapiers from Danelli (UK) and Darkwood (USA), though the rapier in this video is a mix up of Hanwei parts. That is unusual though, we don't have many Hanwei products. Synthetic stuff from Black Fencer (Spain) and some still from the Knightshop (UK)
Academy of Historical Fencing Thanks =) What is your opinion on synthetic swords, especially for those who may not have much protective equipment. Are they a good starting sword for noobs?
+ChamorruWarrior They are good so yes we would. We use them frequently as well as the steel. They are cheaper and safer. The Black Fencer and Purpleheart types are quite close to steel and are excellent training swords for any level. Red Dragon stuff is not quite as realistic but safer again.
+Michael Eversberg II No it took a beating. These later lighter rapiers often did have thinner and weaker guards. At the same time, they protected the user and didn't break, what more could you ask of a hilt? It's easily bent back into shape later.
Lovely, I really like the sound of the swords hitting each other.
0:53 whoa! Straight to the Heart. Nice shot Nick.
Impressive as always.I got one question about rapier.Rapier as a weapon that relies on thrusts,isn't that makes it predictable in duel?It seemed to me like duelist which used sabre knew more or less what to expect.Correct if im wrong.
Well done! Trade-offs for using a longer rapier blade? I'm guessing this one is about 37", and I've noticed the 43" blades in our group have a distinct advantage in the thrust. The problem for me is that at that length I'm just not strong enough to cut very effectively with it. Thanks for sharing.
I think this is a 39", and its also very light, representing a very late period rapier. Typically I use 45". Trade offs are exactly what you would expect, reach is great, but speed in some actions reduced and greater risks of closing/grappling. I find about a 42" is ideal for single sword work, and 45 perfect for use with an offhand dagger.
As for strength, just do lots of the six cut solo drill work from sabre at home, it will soon strengthen you up.
+Slava Mercier I can't reply to you directly, but yes, I did know pretty much what to expect from the rapier (but that's not to say it's predictable), but there are two things to consider: 1.) The rapier can still be used for a cut and Nick did get a few in. 2.) The rapier being a thrusting weapon is faster than the sabre, so you'll notice in many of the stand offs Nick is able to lunge faster than I can parry, this is especially true if I've started a cut as the sword has to rotate to generate power leaving an opening for Nick to lunge at (although he then still has to worry about the incoming cut even if he has landed a hit).
What I worked out is that to maintain the initiative I have to keep attacking and constantly put pressure on him, to keep him parrying until there is an opening I can strike for.
In this fight, even if every rapier attack was the same thrust, the length, speed and quick disengages of the rapier mean that the sabre can't just fight defensively.
+98abaile can you explain the footwork for the rapier to me please? Would a more forward-facing rear foot aid in lunge range in combination with a falling step? thanks
+joshua wilson rapier and sabre footwork are essentially the same. Though there are a few different traditions and schools that differ a little. In essence, lead foot forward, moving back and forth with advance and retreat that maintains that foot forward, attack via lunge or passing step. And no a forward facing rear foot is not good for the lunge. Most systems teach either a 90 degree rear foot or facing slightly to the rear. This is because it maintains stability and composure for the recovery.
Academy of Historical Fencing Thank you v. much for the reply! Excuse my ignorance, but what is a passing step? I'm trying to relate this stuff to boxing, hence the falling step query. Again, thank you! Great resource :)
edit: Nvm, I seem to have found it, a lead foot inside pivot right?
Thanks for the effort of explaination to details.
To an inexperienced eye Hema is a complex subject.
+98abaile
I don't know if you've done this match up enough to be able to have a definitive answer to this, but in your estimation is it easier or harder to fence against someone with a shorter, lighter rapier as opposed to a longer one? Or is it just a different type of challenge?
Could you do a video of a rapier fencer, and a dussack sabre fencer against a montante user?
Possibly. Though at the moment montantes just cannot be used in a realistic manner due to the massive power they deliver when wielded like they should be.
1:57 he stopped the strike. why?? would it hurt even with the headger?
+darthclone7 both stopped because the sabre had landed a good cut on the upper arm of the Rapier user.
Nick, I know you love Rapiers and teach, but, what do you think about it versus the military saber?... I think this 2 weapons were the max evolution of the sword. My normal position was that the rapier were just superior at anythin, but more I see Saber videos, more I dout it. Sabre is just imponent.
I teach both, and love both. The sabre is a more universally useful weapon, due to its cutting power, and agility in closer ranges, and ease of wear. So in close, or against multiple opponents, confined spaces etc, the sabre is better. But for a one on one fight in open space, the rapier has the advantage.
It is also quicker and easier to learn sabre than rapier, as the simplicity of the parry-riposte style is easier to master than the single time counter time actions of the rapier.
Ultimately they are both outstanding weapons, but they are a different weapon for a different context.
Thank you very much!... I keep learning from the Academy.
ditto, tyvm for that concise comparison
@@AcademyofHistoricalFencing What a perfect Answer. Complete and trustworthy.
Where do you buy your training swords?
+ChamorruWarrior Steel longswords and sabres from Peter Regenyei (Hungary), Rapiers from Danelli (UK) and Darkwood (USA), though the rapier in this video is a mix up of Hanwei parts. That is unusual though, we don't have many Hanwei products. Synthetic stuff from Black Fencer (Spain) and some still from the Knightshop (UK)
Academy of Historical Fencing Thanks =) What is your opinion on synthetic swords, especially for those who may not have much protective equipment. Are they a good starting sword for noobs?
+ChamorruWarrior They are good so yes we would. We use them frequently as well as the steel. They are cheaper and safer. The Black Fencer and Purpleheart types are quite close to steel and are excellent training swords for any level. Red Dragon stuff is not quite as realistic but safer again.
Looks like some good sparring. That poor rapier hilt doesn't hold up too well, though :/
+Michael Eversberg II No it took a beating. These later lighter rapiers often did have thinner and weaker guards. At the same time, they protected the user and didn't break, what more could you ask of a hilt? It's easily bent back into shape later.
+Academy of Historical Fencing True, that. gives us some perspective, for sure.
Nick is so excellent .
no mans sky