Broadsword vs Sabre Sparring Esther vs Nick

[@louisjolliet3369]

Nick is the best HEMA fencer I have seen so far on video.

[@flametitan100]

There's something oddly satisfying about the sound of metal and metal clashing. I understand synthetics have a number of advantages, but still. It's nice to hear metal swords in action.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

That's a fact. Both have their place.

[@Roderik95]

Always a pleasure watching Nick fight. Relaxed and flowing well through the movements.

[@ianalexander6977]

Beautiful fencing from you both. I particularly enjoy all of Esther's slips. It makes for a dynamic style to watch.

[@ARR0WMANC3R]

Beautiful thrust at 1:23

[@Pamjamelia]

I don't know why but I love seeing Esther fight. This was really fun to watch. I've started developing an interest in sabre and broadsword (though the latter is more a matter of curiosity to see how it was used rather than wanting to fight with it).

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

She has certainly developed a lot. Her sword and buckler work was always good, but the Taylor lessons we have worked on lately have really refined her single sword. Sabre and broadsword will forever be linked as they were used aside one another, and frequently taught according to identical training methods. If you are getting into sabre though, check out the Angelo posters and workbook video I recently shared. Both the posters and workbook will help you.

[@Pamjamelia]

>Broadsword and sabre used aside one another That just shows you how much I have to learn. Whoops.

[@gokenrocks]

Always awesome watching Nick fight; his movements just flow into one another, and is just so perfect.

[@maximumvoid5326]

is there any actual difference between the systems of broadsword and saber?

[@HyperkalemiaSineWave]

So intense to watch with the steel swords. 2:39 was an especially satisfying flurry of parries.

[@MrFivefivefivesix]

That exchange at 1:20 was amazing, the backhanded block at the end looked pretty difficult to pull off effectively.

[@kbenpay1]

The footwork feint that you use at :50 and several other places seems like something new you've added to your repetoire, Nick (or at least I don't recall you using it too muich in your other sparring videos). Is that the Angelo "leg feint" that's been garnering discussion on a couple of other HEMA channels as of late?

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

Yes it is because we are working from the 1804 treatise of Roworth at the moment, which uses the ten lesson system shown by Angelo, introduced by John Taylor. Roworth in his first edition never says to slip during most actions and only specific ones, so I only used to slip when the leg was attacked, or any danger perceived to it. But when you work from the Taylor lessons, and utilise Angelo's posters to help interpret it, the slip is made during every parry, except in countertime actions. As for .50 specifically, that is my interpretation of the leg feint specifically yes. After a lot of consideration of the opening feint with feet together, shown in lessons 6,8 & 9, that is what I believe has the most supporting evidence as an interpretation. I will talk about it more in some videos soon.

[@renoblevg5375]

This video is perfect example as to why guards are important especially if it's the sword by itself

[@djs4329]

Very nice again guys. Esther should get one of the Leon Paul masks with the neck strap, the constant adjusting must get annoying.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

Just a better mask is needed, the contour fit Leon Paul like I wear. The neck strap is just a pain.

[@Est292]

DJS trust me, I said the same watching the video before posting. I really need a better mask!

[@mischievousone9999]

I get the sense based on how she guards that she is used to sabre fighting as opposed to the broadsword.

[@h__n1092]

Nice!! What sabre mask do you guys prefer? wich company?

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

My favourite mask on the market is the Leon Paul Coaching Contour fit, with SPES back of the head protector added.

[@JohnSmith-qy3nv]

Thank you very much for uploading. I do not know much about swords and sword fighting. Could you tell me how much each of these swords weighs (are they lighter than swords made for combat?), please? Thank you very much in advance for taking the time to answer my question.

[@Yeknodathon]

Very nice thanks to both fencers, I enjoyed the flow and crisp exchanges with loads of parries. Love to know what make of sabre and backsword was being used?

[@Yeknodathon]

Oh, doh, swords are in the intro! But another opportunity to watch the fencing again :)

[@Yeknodathon]

.. and that delightful moment at 1:51 when Esther steals a tempo as Nick flicks between guards, and the recovery is to retreat to gain back time. Oh boy, so much for me to learn and practice.

[@ME-hm7zm]

At the risk of being That Guy, I am curious as to what - in the specific instance of this sparring session demonstrated here - differentiates the two weapons. The Scottish sword has more hand protection, so I presume blows to that hand are not counted, whereas it would be for the sabre. But, is there more?

[@lancerd4934]

Michael Eversberg II the manuals from the period they are practicing don't distinguish between sabre and broadsword. Earlier broadsword and later Victorian sabre are different but the Georgian stuff uses the same manuals for both. That said, the broadsword player is slipping the foot a lot more, which tends to be encouraged more so with the Scottish masters than the English ones.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

As lancer D said, the system is taught the same from what we use. However there are some practical differences beyond instruction. Hand protection certainly, and that also increases the weight of the sword. Broadswords are also typically a little longer in blade length than infantry sabres, as is the case here. However, the sabre is lighter and more agile, and the manual we work from does make mention of how some things are not so easy or doable with the broadsword. The restriction of the hilt makes certain rotations slower or more difficult. The broadsword is a tank compared to the sabre, but the sabre has all the hitting power, but with more agility, at the loss of hand protection.The curvature of the sabre does also effect a few things, like the way thrusts are made.

[@legalosmumakilslayer]

can you not also get the false edge of the blade around the blade of the broadsword changing up how they defend as well?

[@lancerd4934]

legalosmumakilslayer it can work for thrusts but you're taking a risk of being hit yourself because you aren't forming opposition and so are quite vulnerable to a snap cut at the head or arm, particularly if they slip out of reach of the thrust.

[@CupOfEscargot]

What Sabre is that? I'm trying to find a good metal sparring one.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

Swordsmithy (CZ), his Polish sabre, adjusted to our spec to make a British infantry type. See his facebook page.

[@HebaruSan]

HEMA is just the best.

[@VTPSTTU]

Nothing looks cooler than a broadsword.

[@familyjoy5605]

Awesome video and channel my friend :-)

[@dylanduke9963]

Anyone know what the broadsword in the video is?

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

Linked below. A good overall sword, though with some weak points to the guard that need regular welding or strengthening. rapiers.darkwoodarmory.com/product/english-baskethilt-iii-early-17th-century/

[@dylanduke9963]

@@AcademyofHistoricalFencing thanks very much!

[@AVGyerra22]

0:49 Music to my ears

[@alcuin18]

Is there that big of an advantage for a sword to be double-edged? It seems that only the main edge is usually used in a fight, you normally don't swing with the back edge as far as I can tell.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

Not especially. I would largely say it was a carry over from when swords had no obvious front and back edge, as well as the beautiful symmetry. Though one small advantage is that it is harder to grab and hold a double edged blade, due to it obviously being sharp on both edges, as well as broader than an equivalent weight single edge. The back edge is used in a great many sword styles, just not British military broadsword/sabre. Watch our sidesword videos for example and you will often see the back edge used. Though a double edged blade isn't necessary for this, you can simply sharpen the last few inches of the back edge at the tip, as was common with many backswords and sabres.

[@entropyembrace]

I noticed Esther is using a lot of passing footwork, especially in retreat. Is this borrowed from another system?

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

She has always done more sword and buckler, so that is a factor. Though getting heavily into rapier and sabre now. A couple of things. 1 - in first edition Roworth, a full passing step is made going back on his inside guard third positon parry. That is something we trained a lot before moving on to the later editions and Taylor's lessons. 2 - Capo Ferro uses the full pass back in defence, something we also trained a lot.

[@entropyembrace]

Thanks for the reply. The differences between the first edition of Roworth and later editions are really interesting.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

Indeed. We have moved to the third edition now (1804), primarily because of the Taylor ten lesson system that is not in the previous versions. Second ed did simply things, and it was published the same year as the first. That was a factor in us moving on, as it seemed as though revisions and improvements were quickly made. But also the 10 lesson structure is such an effective training tool, and therefore we now stick to the third edition, and use Angelo's posters to aid with the interpretation of the Taylor lessons.

[@entropyembrace]

They're definitely great resources. I've been using the 1804 edition with the AHF workbook and Angelo's posters to teach myself English military sabre since I don't have any nearby HEMA clubs. The closest is 2 hours away and they don't practice sabre anyway.

[@alexanerose4820]

A question though, what is the ranking system in HEMA and do you guys have masters, maestros (I think that's what they call you or is it a fencing term or am I just off completely) or whatever your called? Tanks you and best of wishes from someone in the Eastern traditions of martial arts :)

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

There is not a standard ranking system in HEMA. Some clubs introduce them for their own clubs, some based on a few examples that did exist historically, and others that fabricate something new, but there is no requirement for a ranking system. We have considered it many times but so far decided against it. There are as many potential disadvantages as advantages to the system, and traditionally many systema and schools didn't use a structure like that. As for masters, most HEMA instructors stay away from the term master because of how language has changed. Those that do use it are no more qualified than those who call themselves instructors. There are not widely accepted methods of qualification accepted in most countries, instructors are merely judged on their skill and reputation.

[@alexanerose4820]

Academy of Historical Fencing Well that's kinda weird having no hierarchy but hey good on you I guess.

[@TheJimm3h]

Instructor - Student. There's the hierarchy you're looking for mate

[@alexanerose4820]

TheJimm3h IS that seriously it? What makes a difference between a higher skill mater from another?

[@TheJimm3h]

There is no difference that's the point, HEMA is about reconstructing and learning, not about being competitive or earning some type of rank. There are tournaments for those who wish to prove their skill, but most of these HEMA systems were products of either military training or civilian self defense. So you were either a soldier being drilled by a superior or a civilian paying an instructor. Hope that helps you out man, I don't know how the Asian systems of using coloured belts started but I do suspect it has something to do with the gradual sportification of those systems

[@GdzieJestNemo]

why are you doing the half step/ passing step the whole time?

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

Because as per description we have recently moved onto working on the Taylor ten lesson system shown by Angelo, and in Roworth in his later treatise, and the slip is taught as standard practice when parrying, except in some very certain circumstances. We have found it has led to a much safer and cleaner fight.

[@VictorHarderHesel]

Excellent fencing :)

[@domnikoli]

Hey Esther, nice tigers!

[@ThiLI0n]

Very cool

[@shirleymeier2367]

It seems to me that there is no follow up. And no one is quartering? Is this just me?

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

Follow up to what exactly?

[@wukong2282]

@@AcademyofHistoricalFencing im late here but i suspect she means combinations of attacks vs a singular attack and retreat if miss or parry occurs

[@ayuwoki453]

That one on the left fights like a girl.