Research and Discussion Forums

My sources in the entertainment community tell me that the show "Pirates vs. SWAT Cops," featuring our own Aaron P is the best in the series.

And as I've posted before, there were actually several people in that family with the title of 'Longsword' with the first William Longsword living in the 900s in Normandy. There are all kinds of theories as to what the name implies, some having to do with swords, all the way to some having to do wi...

Mick Keller wrote:Savate descends from Zipota and Makila, which predate the Renaissance.

Nobody knows where savate came from.

Please use your real name. The forum rules do not allow pseudonyms.

First, iaido: it is a noncombat activity, according to Diane Skoss, a noted kenjutsu authority. By that she means it was a dojo method not intended for real combat. So don't expect to find European analogs in any of the manuals. Iaido is play, not combat It's an oversimplification. I doubt she form...

Before one can wield a sword, one must obviously first draw it. The many techniques of the masters of old come to waste if one can't even unsheathe the sword. The Japanese created an entire art based on the draw, so I find it interesting how the draw seems less represented in WMA sources as both cu...

Some guys watched us during our workout Monday. Afterward, Jonathon and I went over to talk to them. They turned out to be SCA rapier fencers. One of them knew about ARMA and had been to the website. Both were open minded and interested in what we were doing, altho they weren't potential recruits. B...

Most people in the Middle Ages couldn't swim.

[quote="Chris OuelletDon Angier is primarily an Aikido guy, I know full well where you're coming from Jay, his style is not legitimate koryu. For what it's worth his footwork and timing are very good and on most cuts in the video he gets good arm extension and does broad movements quickly. I'm ...

Stacy: When I say ducking under, I'm referring to several times when I saw them stepping offline toward the oncoming blow, and instead of meeting it in a bind in kron and stifling it as I think the European masters seem more likely to advise, they void the blow and slice under it. Missed that. I'll ...

Yagyu Shinkage Ryu (very famous style) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3HNEFiKrHI Ono-ha Itto-ryu http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlInzndKv_Q This is not koryu but the guy's technique is nonetheless very good: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvWiYcxTm2A 1:45 grapple stab is one of the coolest swordfi...

Benjamin Parker wrote:Did they use unarmed martial arts?

Dangerous question. What do you mean by "martial art"?

My current sense is that evidence for both sides of this debate exists within the pages of the 1570 manual, but that the greater part tends towards the earnest rather than the sport side.

Agreed.

"When you have come this close together, then step between his legs with your left foot; with this , release your left hand from the sword, and turn your back a bit toward him; meanwhile, send your left hand (which you have released from the sword) through under the arms and grip outside over ...

Szab -- Yes, there is a lively debate about the combat utility of Meyer. Most of the discussion seems to focus on his longsword material rather than the sections devoted to other weapons. Looking at that other material may shed some light on the longsword discussion. I don't feel competent to weigh ...