Clips from Richard Marsden's Polish Saber seminar, 19 July 2015

The seminar was given by the co-founder and principal instructor of the Phoenix Society of Historical Swordsmanship and hosted by the Blood & Iron historical martial arts school in New Westminster, BC, Canada (Greater Vancouver area).
In this video you'll see a few excerpts from the seminar, with demonstrations of attacks, parries, footwork and overall strategy. The footage was recorded and uploaded with the instructor's permission. I added captions to make it easier to understand what is being said despite the limited audio quality.
** Where to get his book if you want to learn more about Polish saber fencing **
US:
www.amazon.com/...
Canada:
www.amazon.ca/g...
UK:
www.amazon.co.u...
More about Richard Marsden and his HEMA school:
www.worksofrich...
www.phoenixswor...
/ swordpals
********************************************************************************
My favorite online store for buying swords (worldwide shipping):
ww4.aitsafe.com...
Some recommended knife makers on Amazon:
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Want to help fund future videos?
/ skallagrim
My Facebook page:
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[@XarkoCZ]

This guy is legit. Informative and entertaining. Good teacher.

[@Skallagrim]

Xarko Yes, absolutely..

[@TravelingTyrant]

Xarko Thanks! Don't tell anyone but, I'm a teacher by profession, so I've had over a decade of experience doing that every day all day!

[@prokopdvere2438]

Xarko But......, but its a trap!!!

[@scubbasan]

Nice, I'd like to see more on Saber fencing. After all, it's an art that lived up to the 20th century. Even some shorter types like the cutlass, very popular in sea battles

[@TravelingTyrant]

There are lots of treatises on various saber fencing, and it all has a different 'flavor' to it. Cutlass, for example, is usually found in military drill books- so not much on details. However, DA Kinsely's book, Blades of the British Empire has tons of first hand accounts of such things. Worth a read if you can find it.

[@CrazyChemistPL]

Techniques he presented look so elegant, graceful and fluid. I may be biased because I'm Pole, but I think the overall aesthetics of this particular sword and fighting style can be universally appreciated.

[@TravelingTyrant]

CrazyChemistPL I made this book partially to bring YOUR culture and ideas and history to an English speaking audience. I have much respect for your country and its history.

[@CrazyChemistPL]

Richard Marsden I must say, I never expected reply from the author himself. I feel... well, I think "honored" is, bluntly, a little too big of a word in this situation, but let's just say it was very nice to read your reply.

[@TravelingTyrant]

Skallgrim's fans deserve attention! If you're in Poland look up Silk Fencing, find Yurek, tell him Richard sent you.

[@CrazyChemistPL]

Richard Marsden Thank you very much for the information. However, right now my interest, for various reasons I don't want to bore you with, has to be limited to theoritical, technical and historic aspect, not the actual practice, but who knows what future will bring. Also, I'm fairly new fan to be honest. Came pretty much by accident, random video suggested by youtube, stayed because I enjoyed overall content and the work Skall does to debunk some long lasting myths.

[@dercssfreak2]

Richard Marsden youre the instructor ? Youre an awesome guy and I wish we had something like this near me in germany ! Keep your good work up !

[@JustGrowingUp84]

I liked the captions, they were helpful and funny.

[@JustGrowingUp84]

P.S. and the admiral Ackbar insertion was a very nice touch!

[@mediocredude2264]

Zombigotron or not, it may have been a tarp

[@JustGrowingUp84]

Awesome Dude "Don't mind me, I'm just a random fish, here for the lols."

[@MyMagicCookie6]

Zombigotron it made it worth watching twice

[@gwen8841]

The deeper you go, the better

[@solgam]

6:35 Poles called it "Cięcie Eunusze (Eunuch Cut)" :D

[@sarahwaldock3196]

Many thanks, hehe for obvious reasons lol

[@Hades8103]

Leaves nothing to the imagination. Love it

[@dragos7puri]

No matter the domain or field, I find people who know their stuff incredibly engaging.

[@andrewplck]

I've lost it at Admiral Akbar. Damn Skall, your little commentary have made my day! :)

[@SuperMoviebuster]

Ive been looking for lectures/ seminars about Polish sabre fencing for quite some time now, thank you for uploading its a huge resource to have :)

[@TravelingTyrant]

SuperMoviebuster I have a book out that may really meet your needs. Check it out in the description. Sienawski does stuff as well, but not really geared towards English speakers.

[@mattmanbrownbro]

I really liked the way he was talking on this one. Much more down to earth and relaxed. Thanks for sharing Skall! :)

[@declanmcgillivray1959]

+John Sia I really like the way you commented on this comment. Much more down to earth and chill. Thanks for commenting John:)

[@Merlinthehappypig]

John Sia i really like the way you commented on this video. Very down to earth and chill. Thanks for commenting John :)

[@Merlinthehappypig]

Badger With A Troubled Past And Nothing To Lose i really like the way you commented on this video. Very down to earth and chill. Thanks for commenting Badger :)

[@mattmanbrownbro]

What the hell is going on? Lmao!

[@bbdawise]

I really like the way my boot fits in all of your asses. Very down to earth and chill. Thanks for the lunch money....NERDS! *runs away*

[@hitrapperandartistdababy]

What an elegant style of fighting, its like a dance when done quick. I love Polish saber fencing:D And a big applause for Richard Marsden, Looks like a great teacher who really has a way of innovating people, its hard not too listen to him especially because of the humor he brings along:)

[@joshuabrown6256]

He's the type of guy i would want to have pizza with

[@TravelingTyrant]

Joshua Brown One pizza for you when you end up in Phoenix.

[@thedarwinist672]

Just make sure to order the pizza unsliced, so he can do it

[@bohun28]

Looks like it was a great seminar!! I am seriously tempted to put my life on pause for a year or two and go study Polish saber...

[@jarjars3261]

I was already subbed to this channel when this video came out years ago, yet only recently I have started my journey into the sabre (studying korean swordmanship for years before). This is such a great help. Thanks for keeping this up.

[@gt4lex]

Lots of interesting stuff again, especially the techniques showcasing how to use that specific blade shape to your advantage. Thanks again Skall and Richard for all the nice footage.

[@TravelingTyrant]

GT-Alex Thank you for watching!

[@victoriansword]

That was really enjoyable. Well done to Richard Marsden. Thank you for sharing this, Skall!

[@EnhancedNightmare]

I find Polish Saber to be much more challenging than longsword. Though the satisfaction is bigger when it works out :)

[@sapienecks]

Love the caption because I am Deaf. Thanks a lot. Would be very nice if you do the same for others like you explained why viking swords were designed with pommel and crossguard that way.

[@ChrOnos-tk8tv]

I suggest to make the seminar on The Hussaria - the most effective tactical formation ever.

[@MyPrideFlag]

it's not his speciality, he is clearly ficused on hences.

[@kniazjarema5809]

I bought a szabla and used all the moves he showed before watching him. Like it just came naturally. Good teacher.

[@hanshanszoon]

Good captions ;) For the Europeans, Jerzy Miklaszewski (from Poland) and Ties Kool will give a workshop on Polish saber at the International Lowlands HEMA Gathering in the Netherlands in september.

[@TravelingTyrant]

Hans Hanszoon Jerzy helped extensively with my book! Go see them!

[@SkinnyRiverArtist]

Shame I'm in the UK we only have clubs that do JUST longsword or JUST Epee or JUST sabre etc. So it's a little limited, also riding a motorcycle with a sword on my back isn't the most fun so I can't travel much. Richard seems like a great teacher, loving the socks.

[@gears7734]

awesome instructor very entertaining for viewers and informative for students.

[@spectorx13]

Not gonna lie, those instructors seem pretty cool and fun to be around. Certainly not boring and he does a good job at letting the students be active with him.

[@runakovacs4759]

Damn, I never realized how similar chinese (wong long) saber/dao can be to european saber. it's awesome!

[@Vinnay94]

Thanks for the upload Skall and thank you Richard Marsden, that was very interesting.

[@Sekstant]

And this is a point when I'm proud of Polish swordsmiths.

[@Makonar]

Kłamca Liar!

[@Sekstant]

Mateusz K. Still better to belive me than politics, but who care?

[@SkyForceOne2]

Kłamca one of the few things you have these days...

[@dylank10101]

Yay, finally a reason to be proud I'm polish xD

[@TheSleepLes]

dylank10101 Really? Copernicus,Sklodowska,Banach or Wilczek sound familiar to you?

[@sjoerddz]

love these kind of videos, very fun and informative!

[@ericjadaszewski6786]

Looks great Richard!!! We should organize a Polish saber fencing seminar!

[@NonApplicable1983]

Amazing video. It's so hard to find anything about Polish saber online. It's probably my favorite curved sword! :D

[@Yannimalgr]

Great vid, great instructor!

[@叩くと七色に光るゴキブリ]

とてもためになるレッスンだ！ 私には早口すぎて聞き取れないから字幕に感謝しています…

[@owenslubo9243]

i love these new videos

[@myspacebarbrokenevermindif9892]

Wow! Awesome instructor.

[@dercssfreak2]

Really Cool, I know here in germany by me was a lot about swordfighting,still where I love I dont have anything like that..I wish I could learn those stuff too !

[@BigZ7337]

This looked like a great seminar, thanks for sharing. :)

[@markoloponen2861]

yeah awesome video! more of these please! :) I think no one can become good sword fighter with just these videos but they sure give inspiration to join some sword fighting schools etc :D keep up the good work

[@folkmar00]

Some of tactics and moves with Polish saber you can find here on: sieniawskifencing.

[@SIRXNZ]

He doesn't everything with finesse...damn even when he's just standing there he looks badass

[@matwetton]

its amazing as an sports sabre fencer to see the classic origins of many of our cuts and parries. especially the open guard to head parry riposte to head or chest is actually one of my favourite attacks, the only difference is i cant grab an opponent.

[@Jameshawk105]

Hopefully your channels brings back awesome sword fighting into the real world.

[@KristoffDoe]

Good stuff! I would love to hear this guy's opinion on some of Polish movie depiction of sabre fighting e.g. "Fire in the steppe", "The deluge", "With fire and sword". (Bit of advice - it's not "Star-zewski" - "rz" is one sound, similar to how you pronounce "j" in French (e.g. "je" in "je ne sais pa"). "Stah-'je'-vski".))

[@Tyler_Lalonde-]

awesome video Skall! loved it. it looks a lot like fma. can't wait to try this out.

[@TheRealSkeletor]

Informative and entertaining is right!

[@MrChicken1138]

This gu...Man is truly awesome. I´ve learned couple of things myself.

[@weleskosmaty3189]

Dużo naszych... :P Skall, i see that you have a lot of Polish fans and viewers. :D

[@Zaros2400]

This was done on my birthday. Really cool!

[@alectaylor-poole9534]

Elliott Long Happy Birthday!

[@ookie4179]

fishing for birthday comments? lol Happy birthday :D

[@TravelingTyrant]

Elliott Long Happy B day!

[@Zaros2400]

Thanks guys! Finally 21 as of 19/7/2015. will I have hit the bottle, it's only in small amounts, and very spread out.

[@itinerantpoet1341]

Marsden makes a good point about "false openings", where an experienced opponent lets you think you've parried definitively. In real wudang, we're taught to "invite the opponent" with false openings, letting their blade get close to the body. In this manner, when countring (parrying) you take away their ability to strike while leaving them open for a counter strike. This is why it's so important to truly be able control the opponent's blade, but that takes "feeling" and a level of control most will never achieve because you have to train obsessively over a long period. Hacking and clashing and hoping for the best is only going to get you killed.

[@monthrax530]

I could listen to Richard all day. :D

[@reesfreeman]

6:13 This is a really neat technique for arm hunting. It illustrates the importance of a "false edge" on the back of the blade behind the point.

[@Flying_Squirrel04]

I love polish history

[@kodyanderson2189]

love it when im randomly browsing youtube and see my old history teacher with a large weapon, and the expertise to back it up. lol

[@TravelingTyrant]

Kody Anderson Hello! Small world our internet is.

[@JohnRaptor]

He seems like a good teacher.

[@Sliperypickle000]

love these vids.hope they improve my game

[@jacket2038]

Liked for subtitles

[@williammcgregor7150]

Cool video Skall! Does anyone know how to get into polish saber in particular? I usually watch Skall for the German longsword but this looks really interesting.

[@TravelingTyrant]

william mcgregor In the description there is a link to my book which has history, sources, our interpretation and where to get gear.

[@feelz_4_dayz885]

one handed increased to 21

[@demonhunter437]

10/10 video editing.

[@IIIRobIII]

Man, i could watch this for hours and i would love a movie with fighting like this shown realistically...

[@adamcichon6957]

Polish production "Born for the saber" is that kind of thing. It's being made by the people, who's daily job is to train and teach different styles of fencing, they also claim that they recreated Polish "cross cut" saber style fencing...

[@filipgren6091]

Its nice He knows that polish saber is more than an swordplay. It's an 'attitude.' Give him some mead! He's almost one of us!

[@Kenicavus]

Dammit! His classes look fun. Too bad theres no HEMA club in my country T_T

[@TravelingTyrant]

Harvey Kent Which country?

[@Kenicavus]

Richard Marsden Malaysia

[@tgillies101]

start one. maybe near a US or British airforce/army base and advertise to white guys.

[@josephhunt1297]

+tgillies101 racist =P

[@CorvinTheSwasian]

same in hk. and i'm too young to start one

[@alurienaalurikins7926]

I find this very pleasant to watch as a Polish fellow reenactor. Generally I found no issues aside the little silly trivia I like to bring up during lessons that in Poland everything was considered honorable as long as it was one on one. So if you had a duel even between important aristocrats - spitting, kicking, throwing dirt or pulling a flintlock - all was considered ok and not dishonorable to pull off.

[@TheTrueReiniat]

Very tight space... Very informative video too, hes also chill so its even entertaining to watch.

[@TravelingTyrant]

Elias Reiniat Very tight! You can see me glance back at the mirror I was afraid to hit! Thanks for watching!

[@itinerantpoet1341]

Marsden makes a good point about how people reset to just flailing around when they spar, putting scoring a hit above not getting hit. Your objective should be to parry definitively, then-and-only-then taking a counterstrike. But you have to have trained enough to stay calm at all times, and most will never put in that kind of time. If you're not training for at least a few hours every day, don't imagine you can swordfight.

[@HeadCannonPrime]

If you add in the bright colors and outlandish headwear and tassels of the Polish saberist with the bizarre off time crosscut, I could see that being an incredibly good tactic.

[@HeadCannonPrime]

+Andy Wood who pissed in your wheaties?

[@tablememecenter5794]

I wonder if on the cross cut, while you are inside after nocking the opponent's blade to the side, if instead of a full true edge cut you could throw a snap cut with a sharpened false edge like he mentioned prior.

[@zaboobebop]

the technique where you block and grab the hand is also in most styles of kali. except in some techniques, they fully lock the opponents sword hand under their arm while they chop them with the sword hand.

[@pekineden9344]

Great video, but i think it would be better if those subtitles were at the bottom as the traditional way,you can't focus at the video and the subtitles at the same time when they are on top.

[@nicolaistergaard9955]

Oooh I quite like seeing Richard talking. Have to find more videos...! :)

[@yiuqwfj]

thanks for the subtitles

[@fimbulwinter-outdoor]

Skall, this is maybe a bit off topic, but I love your videos about taking a look at fighting techniques in video games. I would really love to see your opinion about the techniques in Witcher 3... In terms of armor it is pretty realistic but I would love to see what you think about the different fighting moves because you know... Witcher... swords =D (and yeaaah I know, swords on the back are stupid xD but awesome somehow... this is why I am trying to develop a safe back-dragging-sheath-thingy-whatever xD) Greetings from Germany

[@enricotonon5410]

Thanks for the integrated subtitles! This way you're sure you've understood everything. "It's a trap" :D

[@ravoln2457]

very interesting. I've always liked sabers and seeing them used out of a sports environment has peeked my interest. I wonder if Turkish technique would be similar with scimitars or even the two handed version (I always forget the names of the sword).

[@TravelingTyrant]

Wrath Kim We don't know but are SUPER eager to find out. Some are studying it now, but so far all I've seen is Turkish saber and buckler/shield.

[@ravoln2457]

Richard Marsden Really? I'm surprised. You'd think there would be still a few teachers rolling about. No one been passing down the fighting style?

[@TravelingTyrant]

Not that we have found and I've contacts 'in country' as it were. Ramfzar is what I'd look into, but single-sword they did not have.

[@ravoln2457]

Richard Marsden Well that is a shame but I do hope that studies yield fruit. It would be a great shame if it was lost to us all together.

[@TravelingTyrant]

Good news is, people are trying to re-create it, just like I am and other HEMA guys. We hope it works out!

[@viceroy2214]

Skallagrim could you do a video(unless you have already) on how practical the gauntlet blades from the Predator franchise would be. (Preferably the dual gauntlet blades as those seem more versatile).

[@Sicarius_Avindar]

I'm more a Pata fan myself, it was an actual version from Europe

[@username-kr2fz]

Sicarius001 Asian actually.

[@Sicarius_Avindar]

Nelson McGuigan Oh? I coulda sworn it was a euro weapon. Ah well, it's awesome nonetheless

[@meltedplasticarmyguy]

Every culture had their own take on various weapons. Pata's I do believe originated from India. The pata may have somehow found its way to Europe and their own style was developed. That being said there has to be a starting point for everything, but I fear that was lost to the ravages of time.

[@22yhjjjj]

Legit, I've started writing a story that involves swordplay, but also includes army v army. I wanted to be somewhat accurate, and I already knew what type of channel Skallagrim was. I've maybe binged about 20 of these videos? Learning what weapons are used for what, how people actually fought with them, why somethings work and others dont. It'll also help my sister who says she'll eventually draw all of it (which sucks for her because its gonna be a 3 part saga)

[@Mr2Helios]

***** Do you have clips with polearms training? Halberd, staff or scythe? I would love to see some "flashy" movements with this type of weapon.

[@Disquoveri]

Mr2Helios Scholagladiatoria does for sure if Skal doesn't. I don't think you'll find much in the way of scythe fencing though. It never really was a 'thing'. As much as I'd love to embrace my inner Dark Knight /Reaper, it's not and was never designed to be a weapon. (there ARE in fact treatises for scythes but few ever actually practiced. It was more or less a pastime for rich nobles who had the time to spare)

[@poopdump2]

Disquoveri scythes kind of transfer to crows beaks in weapon form, so i'd say every polearm with a crows beak (angeled spike) takes a bit there right?

[@scifiman98]

+Disquoveri maybe he was referring to the Polish war scythes, which are basically a reverse sharpened glaive.

[@Disquoveri]

Well now we're just talking semantics :P I am curious now about these polish war scythes...

[@TheSleepLes]

Disquoveri Look up "kosynierzy" on wiki (in Polish means "combat-scythe users")

[@Yojimbo711]

Good teacher!

[@minimalshow242]

Both side sharp! I've been hunting these three words for months, commenting and asking questions unnecessarily :)

[@MrMiddleWick]

Hats off to this guy. If I only got some spare money, I would buy his book for sure. If it only weren't so ludicrous (for polish, at least mine, standards) expensive. But then again, I'm a poor fuck. Hopefully he will visit Poland (Warsaw I hope :P) one day.

[@piotrhobbysta5614]

Superb knowledge

[@meltedplasticarmyguy]

As someone exploring their Litho-Pole heritage I found this pretty insightful. My tree starts where my great grandfather was born in Lithuania and when he married my great grandmother who was Polish here in the states. I also look at my French and Italian sides, but for some reason I identify more with the Eastern European side. I am looking for a Hussar Szabla for my collection and to eventually study. I have always loved sabers, the way the blade curves, the simplistic yet very functional hilt, and fluidity of the techniques. My shamshir may be a decent substitute but for some reason it just doesn't really feel right in my hands.

[@TravelingTyrant]

meltedplasticarmyguy Thanks for the comment. I think Lithuania unfairly gets drowned out in the story of the Commonwealth and I hope in my book I'm kind.

[@brittisaacrossman]

Nice Akbar!

[@kisielthe1st]

Cool af. Are you going to make another video about the topic? Your thoughts?

[@willnonya9438]

Hopefully Richard is going to the Purple heart open next year and I'll get a chance to train with him some. He seems like a really cool guy.

[@TravelingTyrant]

Will nonya No, but there are plans to drag me out to Texas soon. Come to Arizona anytime and I'll take care of you for training. No charge. That goes for all of you.

[@willnonya9438]

Richard Marsden Thanks for the offer, maybe in about 2 years when I get out of college :D

[@luizbertoncini]

thanks for the subs

[@jacobelgan5196]

it seems to go a bit against scholgladiatoria's instructions on saber techniques. mainly the parts that use the whole arm rather than just the wrist

[@user2716]

Like the subtitles

[@LogainLbue]

point about the first 2 minuts. Any "over powerd" hit coming from the soulder opening you to half-cut or thrusts to the same wrist and albow, allowing your oponent to stai out of your measur. this why stronger cuts mean over exposing yourself.

[@0Fingolfin0]

superb!

[@armoredsushi1619]

I'm gonna need to try the Hellish Fourth.

[@juandelata]

man I see a whole lot of parallels between Saber fencing and FMA/Eskrima, especially that umbrella block @7:03

[@igneous061]

cool video, can see cupple diferences and similaraties to british saber (been watchin Matt Eston a bit too much lately.. :P )

[@CodenameMalleus]

I assume this was used in an environment/era where people didn't really wear heavy armors. Or are there techniques for sabres (or for sword made for cutting in general) to use against armored opponents?

[@AnotherDuck]

Very interesting. And also funny. Good talking technique. And also sword technique.

[@dicnar]

that guy should have a talk-show. a sword talk show of course .

[@Slaydar_]

The other day i just realised there is a HEMA club like a 10 min ride away and im kinda intrested in trying to join now :P. Do you need your own blades and masks? Also is it only 18+ or could you get away being 16 . Great vid skall this was very intresting

[@DarkSteel361]

That Admiral Akbar Reference! Gold!

[@ZBYSLAW1000]

Hay Richard!If You like Poland XVII look writer Jacek Komuda.You are OK. Do You know when Your book ,,Polish sabre'' will be trnslate on polish language?Greetings

[@nikitaonassis6090]

Interestingly, some of his moves taught exists in other sword cultures around the world, especially the later half of the video.

[@nikitaonassis6090]

And it might explain why the poles decide to go against Hitler's tanks on horseback with skills like the Chinese did against the five power arrangement.

[@cudarocker]

This HEMA stuff is amazing! IT"S A TRAP!!!! LOL Awesome stuff,Skall.

[@itinerantpoet1341]

A point I want to make about HEMA is that everyone involved in the sport, including teachers, seem to lack real credentials. If you like saber, it's a good idea to *also* seek out folks who have won Olympic medals, or who have trained the people who do. Because those are the real masters in European sword. HEMA protective gear sparring is no different from FIE, except that HEMA uses heavier blades, while FIE competitors train harder and have better technique.

[@darththork99]

I have a bit of a bias against sabers, mainly due to my early experiences with them. A lot of the time my hand would not fit onto the grip, as the guard doesn't let my pinky go down quite as much. Other sabers that my hand could fit into, I had an issue due to the fact that I am left handed, so the guard would be swept off over my thumb, rubbing quite horribly and leaving my hand exposed. The fact that sabers have a POB much further up the blade than standard arming swords do, didn't help either.