Messer versus Sidesword (with

Hey all! My somewhat ridiculous(ly cool) run of teaching at events of the last two months has for now come to an end and I find myself with the time to finally do something with all the cool sparring footage I managed to gather up. The first one's already really nice, as I got to spar Messer against sidesword with Egon Beyrens (check out his YT account @TheSwArtan as well) I hope you enjoy this sparring video, as there's more on the horizon. :)
If you'd be interested in supporting the channel or are looking for extra content in general, have a look at Patreon: www.patreon.com/virtualfechts...
Music courtesy of epidemicsound.com
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[@ionlycomment5187]

Your channel really lives up to its name. Probably the most entertaining and informative historical European combat demonstrations I've seen yet.

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Thank you, that is really nice to hear. :D

[@TheSwArtan]

One of my favourtie sparring sessions at Winterkamp 2024! I learned a lot from this fight! The messer you were using is really quick and nimble, way more so than the sidesword I was using, and gave you the advantage when you got past my longer reach. As you may have noticed from my fencing, I was sneaking in some sabre stuff here and there, since that's a weapon I am more familliar with, as I barely train sidesword, though I really tried not to do so. I realy should learn to guard my hands better, for some reason not as big of a problem with longsword as with sidesword, maybe because I am more used to sabre with one handed weapons and am relying on a bowl-guard that with sidesword isn't there? Anyway, it was, as always, a pleasure to fence against you! I hope we get to fence again soon, after my foot(bal) injury has healed!

[@VirtualFechtschule]

It was really very nice. Thanks very much again! :D

[@Changdao1644]

I really like how you spar in the videos of your channel. Some of the best messer fencing I have seen, and your knowledge of the sources is really evident. Keep up the good work! This channel is a hidden gem

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Thank you! That is really good to hear! :D

[@SticksStonesAndSteel]

Agreed!

[@Na_Picta_Irskr]

Goddamn hand sniper with the big kitchen knife. Don't try to steal his bacon at the breakfast table you'll end up like Jamie Lannister. Truly impressive.

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Hehehe. :)

[@sapo-san8054]

that close quarters combat (9:00) at the end got me screaming on how GOOD it was damn I miss sparring HEMA

[@andyedwards9222]

Another fantastic video. Great form and technique from 2 very able fighters.

[@paavohirn3728]

Absolutely gorgeous swordplay! Thank you gentlemen!

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Thank you!

[@SticksStonesAndSteel]

A favorite matchup of mine. 🔪 Well fought, btw!

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Thanks! :D

[@jasonbaldwin273]

That was fun, I am new to messer and got steam rolled by a quite talented side sword local practitioner, so this was quite informative from a tactical perspective and linking various techniques and counters together. I recommend that Swartan restart each round from further out of range to fully take advantage of the superior reach, you guys had a few exchanges where you (wisely) capitalized on starting already in messer range. Great stuff, please keep these coming!

[@RyanRyzzo]

Cool helmet! The sparring looks really fun! 8:08 These followthroughs are always so satisfying to see!

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Thanks!

[@phatfencer1746]

I'm a big fan of this kind of content! Fantastic looking fencing! Keep it up!

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Thank you!

[@alexanderaugustus]

Heel gaaf! Altijd mooi om twee goede schermers te zien.

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Dank je! :D

[@viscountsb7140]

One of, if not the best sparring session I've seen on the site.

[@ArtoPekkanen]

You guys have such clean forms :) nice video!

[@xaviergiljorba2065]

5:01 Main theme kicks in and we can see 3 hits in hands. Maybe the best option to go with? Great sparring! I've been watching your videos since a few weeks ago and I'm learning a lot. Thank you very much!

[@VirtualFechtschule]

You're welcome! Yeah, the hand shots are a really good tool for controlling distance.

[@thescholar-general5975]

Great sparring!

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Thank you! :D

[@HikerDood]

Great stuff!

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Thanks! :)

[@derstoffausdemderjoghurtis4346]

Awesome sparring video!

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Thank you!

[@KyleThrush]

Great stuff Oskar!! Do you plan on making a video looking over some of the strategies you used to overcome the difference in reach and protection?

[@sergireig]

You move really fast with the messer, amazing

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Thank you!

[@fabricio-agrippa-zarate1000]

That was so epic. Now I really wanna get into messer.

[@VirtualFechtschule]

You should. It's really a lovely weapon to play with, but also learn concepts to apply to longsword. :)

[@Druid_Ignacy]

Your partner felt comfortable close, maybe thanks to his superior reach, but you well punished him for that with quick strike and retreat. Nice bout guys, thanks for upload! Also I see that you really worked on your winden game :D good job!

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Thank you! Nice to hear my focus for the last few months shows through in sparring. :)

[@luskarian4055]

Tried this combo a while ago with the synthetics we had, the range advantage and point control of the sidesword really made it hard to even close the distance. I could definitely see the other fencer using the sidesword more like a sabre, shifting guards to confuse you but leaving his openings exposed. Great job on finding those openings and exploiting them.

[@TheSwArtan]

yes! I have a lot more experience with sabre than with sidesword, and relied too much on a bowl guard that wasn't there 😅

[@VirtualFechtschule]

That said, I did get punished with the reach of the thrusts quite a bit as well!

[@luskarian4055]

Top-tier fencing from both of you, great job

[@nehki7394]

Can I have the name of the music used in this great video !

[@TITANia69420]

I'm curious. In your Messer Sparring Matches, are you going for a lighter intensity for a more relaxed bout, or is this closer to the intensity you'd have for tournaments?

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Usually a bit lighter. Tournament Intensity usually means you put most of the energy into the execution of your movements and tactics, while in sparring you want to focus on learning and having a modicum of control without getting external input from a referee. Basically, when just sparring, I try to be able to be in full control of every aspect of the fight, while tournament matches tend to be so fast you just have to rely on doing what you trained as fast as you can.

[@user-wx3wx5vy3q]

It would be cool to see side sword versus Cutlass or hanger

[@VirtualFechtschule]

That it would!

[@Cheburashka-qn3ky]

Where do you stock your Gear? It looks really cool!

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Mostly it's just a combination of things bigger HEMA suppliers make. I'll have a video about picking gear for messer up in a few weeks by the way. :)

[@GestnCZ]

Weight diference between sword and messer ?

[@leichtmeister]

Where is the hard shell mask topper from?

[@VirtualFechtschule]

It's an integrated mask, from Wukusi. :)

[@leichtmeister]

@@VirtualFechtschule Thanks

[@EconaelGaming]

As a HEMA noob, I'm confused, the messer looks like an arming sword with a nail. I expected a different form, more like a Kriegsmesser but smaller.

[@Cleanpea]

I am no expert, my guess is that a messer shaped blunt training sword like this would be slightly too heavy to properly simulate messer and be a lot more impactful and dangerous.

[@EconaelGaming]

@@Cleanpea I just checked and Sigi's Messer is even significantly lighter than their arming sword, however it does look a lot like the one used in this video.

[@Cleanpea]

That is good checking!

[@oolooo]

The Sidesword not only was on the European battlefields and streets but reached America and was the symbol of Power in the New World as it was forged in the Union of Spain and the Amerindian peoples , cities founded by the stroke of a sword against the ground on all directions of the Compass .It has far more prestige .