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Post by zabazagobo on Mar 26, 2019 2:08:40 GMT
Sword and shield is a classic combination for a reason. It's a very strong pairing. I've also had some sparring success with pairing a thrust-centric sword (like a smallsword, or rapier) in one hand, and a cut-centric sword (like a sabre, dao, or katana) in the other. The thrust-centric sword works well to cover the centre line defensively, probe the opponent's defenses, and setup subsequent attacks (much like a boxer's jab). The cut-centric sword is usually held poised to strike, and out of the way. Its purpose is to be a contingent fallback defensive option, and to take advantage of openings in the opponent's defenses. A real advantage of this pairing is that by switching stances and playing to the strengths of whichever sword is the lead weapon, an opponent is forced to alter their tactical decision making on the fly to adapt to a different combination of potential lines of attack. Whereas you have trained to take advantage of both configurations, and their cut or thrust emphasis. For me, rapier leading feels a bit stronger in defense, and sabre leading favors a more aggressive approach. I'm a big fan of this method. A rapier paired with a curved cutting blade is a blast to use. Use the rapier to close the line, enter in with the katana, finish with a rapier thrust? Or begin with the sabre/katana to distract or bind while the rapier, appearing so far away to the opponent, suddenly springs forth with lethal finality? Or distract with a thrust while immediately timing a well placed wrist cut? Too many options, and so many fun strategies to concoct.
Such a fun combination to use, I've had a blast experimenting around with this.
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Ifrit
Member
More edgy than a double edge sword
Posts: 3,284
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Post by Ifrit on Mar 26, 2019 8:33:16 GMT
Sword and shield is a classic combination for a reason. It's a very strong pairing. I've also had some sparring success with pairing a thrust-centric sword (like a smallsword, or rapier) in one hand, and a cut-centric sword (like a sabre, dao, or katana) in the other. The thrust-centric sword works well to cover the centre line defensively, probe the opponent's defenses, and setup subsequent attacks (much like a boxer's jab). The cut-centric sword is usually held poised to strike, and out of the way. Its purpose is to be a contingent fallback defensive option, and to take advantage of openings in the opponent's defenses. A real advantage of this pairing is that by switching stances and playing to the strengths of whichever sword is the lead weapon, an opponent is forced to alter their tactical decision making on the fly to adapt to a different combination of potential lines of attack. Whereas you have trained to take advantage of both configurations, and their cut or thrust emphasis. For me, rapier leading feels a bit stronger in defense, and sabre leading favors a more aggressive approach. I'm a big fan of this method. A rapier paired with a curved cutting blade is a blast to use. Use the rapier to close the line, enter in with the katana, finish with a rapier thrust? Or begin with the sabre/katana to distract or bind while the rapier, appearing so far away to the opponent, suddenly springs forth with lethal finality? Or distract with a thrust while immediately timing a well placed wrist cut? Too many options, and so many fun strategies to concoct.
Such a fun combination to use, I've had a blast experimenting around with this.
[br Without being able to test this idea, I always felt it could be good. I been developing systems based on it But it gets a little stressful to present such ideas. Sometimes people are totally cool and see what you mean. Some people shoot you down cuase it wasn't historical. So I'm happy it's not just me |
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Zen_Hydra
Moderator
Born with a heart full of neutrality
Posts: 2,659 
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Mar 26, 2019 15:58:36 GMT
I'm a big fan of this method. A rapier paired with a curved cutting blade is a blast to use. Use the rapier to close the line, enter in with the katana, finish with a rapier thrust? Or begin with the sabre/katana to distract or bind while the rapier, appearing so far away to the opponent, suddenly springs forth with lethal finality? Or distract with a thrust while immediately timing a well placed wrist cut? Too many options, and so many fun strategies to concoct.
Such a fun combination to use, I've had a blast experimenting around with this.
[br Without being able to test this idea, I always felt it could be good. I been developing systems based on it But it gets a little stressful to present such ideas. Sometimes people are totally cool and see what you mean. Some people shoot you down cuase it wasn't historical. So I'm happy it's not just me There are a lot of folks who take themselves far too seriously, especially for adults playing with swords. Neither HEMA nor Japanese sword arts are truly historical practices, and the learned practitioners of such know that they are at best approximations of what they may have been. It's also worth keeping in mind that tradition =/= quality. The argumentum ad antiquitatem (argument to antiquity) is a logical fallacy with good reason. There are a great number of things people do which fly in the face of effectiveness and efficiency, and people have always been like this. There is every reason to believe that the martial practices of old were deeply flawed, because that is the human standard operating procedure (SOP). We fortunately live in a time where globalized cultural exchange allows us to enjoy a great many things which people were largely ignorant of a hundred years ago. If someone wants to combine a heater shield with a talwar, I say, good for them. |
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Post by tommytx on Mar 26, 2019 18:40:32 GMT
I would say, whatever you are trained with. I like the idea of sword and shield, but have very little training with using them both together. It would be a worthy pursuit to practice! I just haven't had the means to date.
My favorites as a Chinese Martial Arts student are double axes, double iron rulers (similar to sais) and double iron crutches (similar to tonfa). Double daggers are also fun. Love two handed weapons like the double handed longsword (changdao, miao dao) and the six foot oak staff... but I know we are talking two weapons here. Since my strengths are in the axes, iron rulers and iron crutches, that is where I excel.
Which weapon combo is *best*? Is there a best? I don't care really - it's just fun to talk about it!
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pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
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Post by pgandy on Mar 27, 2019 2:19:16 GMT
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Post by zabazagobo on Mar 27, 2019 3:12:43 GMT
I'm a big fan of this method. A rapier paired with a curved cutting blade is a blast to use. Use the rapier to close the line, enter in with the katana, finish with a rapier thrust? Or begin with the sabre/katana to distract or bind while the rapier, appearing so far away to the opponent, suddenly springs forth with lethal finality? Or distract with a thrust while immediately timing a well placed wrist cut? Too many options, and so many fun strategies to concoct.
Such a fun combination to use, I've had a blast experimenting around with this.
[br Without being able to test this idea, I always felt it could be good. I been developing systems based on it But it gets a little stressful to present such ideas. Sometimes people are totally cool and see what you mean. Some people shoot you down cuase it wasn't historical. So I'm happy it's not just me You can always retort "history books will say a practicing swordsman in our time period is ahistorical" if you feel like getting under their skin.
It is a blast to combine a primarily slashing/cutting weapon with a primarily thrusting weapon. It's really fun taking the dress sword and dueling weapon of the 16th century of Japan and Italy/France/Spain/Country-that-enjoys-wine and pair them together to see how they compliment one another.
Although I'm still partial to a main gauche with my rapier. But then again, I like a main gauche with my katana, or jian, or anything really, even by itself.
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Post by Adventurer'sBlade on Mar 29, 2019 3:05:08 GMT
I really like paired identical short swords, like a pair of bolos or dao. Or cutlasses. Not as versatile as a shield, but cutting with sinawali flows feels so cool.
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