Sword and Buckler - superior/inferior techniques

[Victor Hansen]

I thought I'd like some feedback regarding two main fighting styles using sword and buckler. The techniques are:

1. Using the sword and buckler together, buckler guarding the sword hand (as often seen in I.33)

2. Using the buckler to create a cone of defence and focusing on the opponents sword hand (making the sword and buckler separate as opposed to the first technique).

I have my own preferences and thoughts but I would appreciate any tips/thoughts/ideas from others who enjoy the sword and buckler combination. Thanks

[Matthew_Anderson]

Actually, I wouldn't classify these as "styles", at least not historical styles. All the sword and buckler material I have seen includes elements of both, although some sources seem to show more of one than the other. Both are viable types of techniques, and have their place. In the course of a fight, there will be times when you can effectively use sword and buckler close together, protecting the left hand, or warding off a strike and then quickly separate them to perform a follow-up technique, for example. We all have preferences, but a good sword and buckler fighter would be able to do both,each when appropriate/effective, IMO.

[Mike Cartier]

I agree with Matt.

I think the sword & buckler together is called paired shields isn't it Matt?

[Stacy Clifford]

I've found that your method #2 is the easier way to learn s&b starting off and is very effective most of the time, but being able to keep the hands together can be better protection when making an attack, and more importantly, expands your defensive area to the length of your sword and not just the width of the buckler. By way of example, stick your buckler up as if to guard your head. Then, do a hanging guard braced by the buckler at the same position. Even better, drop that down to schrankhut - the buckler alone doesn't protect your shins very well, but this combo can. I still need more practice to use method #1 effectively in sparring and often get along fine without it, but I understand its value and want to find out what I can do with it once I get smoother at executing the motions. (It takes some getting used to not banging your hand and sword on the buckler while you move them together.)

[Brian Hunt]

The MS I.33 uses the sword and buckler together in order to protect the sword hand from being counter cut. That is why you see the buckler changing from one side of the sword hand to the other. Once it becomes safe to seperate them, it is done so. The shiltslac (shield-strike) is a good example of when it is a safe time to seperate the sword and buckler. If you look at the Thott version of Talhoffer, in the buckler and messer section, there is an image of one man counter cutting his opponents sword arm at the wrist and cutting it off. That is the primary danger of using the sword and buckler separate from one another, as Talhoffer does. The other thing that using the sword and buckler in a tracking manner is it can give you stronger control in the binds. Since the I.33 is based upon 4 main binds (over and under on both the left and the right), this is also a potential reason for the way the I.33 handles the sword and buckler as one.

Just some thoughts on this.

Brian Hunt
GFS.

[Matthew_Anderson]

Actually, I meant to say "protecting the sword hand", obviously the left hand is usually protected when it's holding the buckler. How come nobody nailed me on this bone-head statement? <img src="/forum/images/icons/blush.gif" alt="" />

[Brian Hunt]

Hi Matt,

I guess because the buckler obviously is supposed to protect the left hand, since it is held by it. <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

So while what you posted was a little odd, it was accurate.

LOL

Brian Hunt
GFS

[Stacy Clifford]

Thanks for clearing that up. The protection from countercutting is what I meant by "better protection while attacking," I just didn't say it very well. I'm hoping to find some time to actually work through I.33 in detail this year.

[Brian Hunt]

The I.33 is a really nice manuscript. The 1st 5 plays will teach you most of the basics of the system, but some the subsets of the system are found in later parts of the manuscript. Stewart Feil and myself will be doing an introduction to the I.33 at the Provo symposium for those that make it.

laters.

Brian Hunt
GFS