Messer versus Sidesword (with

[@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. :)

[@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

[@TheSinisterSwordsman]

Agreed!

[@TBoneHEMA]

Absolutely a menace with the messer, sir. Well fought! The technique and fühlen is really on display here.

[@viscountsb7140]

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

[@sapo-san8054]

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

[@RyanRyzzo]

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

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Thanks!

[@andyedwards9222]

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

[@TheSinisterSwordsman]

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

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Thanks! :D

[@Theo_de_Bear]

That final grappling exchange is a phenomenal demonstration of the skill of the fencers, well done

[@paavohirn3728]

Absolutely gorgeous swordplay! Thank you gentlemen!

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Thank you!

[@alexanderaugustus]

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

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Dank je! :D

[@phatfencer1746]

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

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Thank you!

[@ArtoPekkanen]

You guys have such clean forms :) nice video!

[@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!

[@michaelpeters6659]

This was fantastic!

[@thescholar-general5975]

Great sparring!

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Thank you! :D

[@fabricio-agrippa-zarate]

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. :)

[@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.

[@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

[@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. :)

[@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?

[@derstoffausdemderjoghurtis]

Awesome sparring video!

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Thank you!

[@HikerDood]

Great stuff!

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Thanks! :)

[@FiliiMartis]

I really like seeing you do these mixed weapon sparring session. Especially between two of my favourite sword types. Can I ask... some of the moves you do with the messer look to me like (Bolognese) side-sword moves. Is that because you combine styles when fighting? Or is the natural convergence of swords styles (i.e. there are only so many unique sword moves you can do, so they overlap).

[@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.

[@nehki7394]

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

[@Monkey-d2p]

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

[@VirtualFechtschule]

That it would!

[@bob8355]

👍

[@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!

[@sergireig]

You move really fast with the messer, amazing

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Thank you!

[@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 .