Research and Discussion Forums

Does Doebringer say that you shouldn't hold the pommel of a long sword? "Know also that a good fencer should before all things know his sword and be able to grip it well with both hands, between the cross guard and the pommel since you will then be safer than if you did grip it with one hand on...

I have no doubt it's mostly the same, I am just confused because in kendo we don't have pommels and gripping a long sword like my shinai is a little akward. It feels more comfortable to grip with the top two fingers of the left hand just above the pommel. Also, using the short edge is completely new...

I agree. My friend has been in kendo much longer than I have and he appears to be convinced that they are extremely similar (WMA to EMA) while I disagree. I think he expects them to be the same. The EMA did seem to focus on the perfection of everything from the grip to what you yell when you strike ...

Lots of good info! Thanks! Now, to go shopping.

For which swords do you grab the pommel? Since classifying swords is a little confusing to me. Single hand swords are obvious, but what about bastard to long sword? As I understand it, a bastard sword has a little longer tang than a single hand, but isn't as long as a typical long sword handle. Well...

Sounds good. I'm thinking of buying a couple of helmets and hockey gloves at least. See you at the meeting this weekend!

I've recently joined my local ARMA group and I was wondering what techniques there are to holding and swinging a standard long sword. I've had some kendo training and know that you mainly grip and swing the Japanese sword with your left hand gripping mainly with the bottom two fingers. Is there such...

So helmet, hands, wrist, and possibly elbow or knee. Chest protection is generally unneeded? Would the kendo equipment be useful?

It sounds like most of you use LaCrosse helmets, fencing helmets, or hockey helmets. I'm new to ARMA (I'm talking 2 weeks here) and I was wondering if there's a standard for what protection you, or we, wear during waster/padded waster sparring? I would assume hockey helmets and gloves but what about...