Achilles and the Mountain versus Goliath: greatsword sparring with three distinct styles.

At the International Montante Symposium last month, I had the pleasure of doing a couple of friendly bouts with Martin from Schildwache Potsdam and with Mike Prendergast with sparring safe steel greatswords. The title is a fun reference to our own quite distinct styles. I quite enjoyed the possibility to fence with them and I think the bouts are quite cool to look at as well. Finally, this also marks the end of the hibernation of the Goliath project. I feel that my ability to use German longsword techniqes with Greatsword is quite good, but it could use some more work. And it would be really cool to go through the entire manuscript again and see what I can learn this time around, with the ability to pressure test things in sparring. :)
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[@SchildwachePotsdam]

That was a really fun bout - I am looking forward to fence you again! ⚔️😁

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Likewise! I had a lot of fun here! :D

[@frenchgalloglass5204]

Hey Martin, what are the dimension (length and weight) of the feder you used in this fight ? :)

[@bleachedink]

I was very lucky to attend a greatsword class with Mike Prendergast at Fight Camp last year, lovely fella with some amazing insight! It's cool to be able to watch how he spars. Another great video, thanks for this ✌️

[@VirtualFechtschule]

You're welcome!

[@andyedwards9222]

Great fun to watch the 3 of you fence. Excellent demonstration of technique.

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Thank you! :)

[@portalstrike1500]

I low-key keep getting distracted by the guys in the background sparring with steel and no protection. They must know what they are doing, but my eyes keep panning over to them expecting to see injured on the ground. Anyway awesome video Oskar! Keep up the good work!

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Yeah, they were being pretty safe, as far as low gear sparring goes. S&B does lend itself better to it than other weapons.

[@thomasheydenreich3184]

Hi, I am one of the two guys in the background. You can rest assured that we both know each other very well and have reached this level of speed and intensity after several years of experience fencing each other with sword & buckler. Thanks for keeping an eye on such situations so that no one gets a wrong impression on what is going on there.

[@ebbrook1]

Those were some very interesting bouts, I have been fighting with a greatsword under SCA Heavy Combat rules for more than thirty years (knighted about 15 years ago) and it was really gratifying to see the many of the things I have taught myself to do are apparently historic techniques. I suppose there are a limited number of things one can reasonably do with 72" of sword to effectively offend an enemy and defend yourself so convergent evolution leads to similar solutions. I appear to be largely German in my approach and positioning, but many of the cuts I use are clearly Spadone and Montante techniques.

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Nice to hear that. I agree there may be quite some convergent evolution there. The heavier the weapon, the more you will be gravitating to similar styles. There's just not that many ways to wield a greatsword well if you don't want to incur strain injuries.

[@ander4722]

Seems the Sigi Montante is the option for any sort of sparring. Would you also recommend it for solo drills, or go with something else for that?

[@VirtualFechtschule]

I think it's pretty good for solo drills, but it is somewhat dependent on what you want from that. They come to the right height for an early greatsword for me, but are a bit lighter than most. When starting out, they could be good trainers, for doing solo technique as well, but for building strength and endurance perhaps they're less useful.

[@SenpaiSlime]

How did mike make the hood for their mask? it looks so cool!

[@TyLarson]

It would be fun to try and mimic the story I read a long time ago I think in Spain where a band of high status ruffians with rapiers were accosting another similar group but fled when one of the ruffians pulled a montante off their shoulder. I suppose maybe a sidesword could replace rapiers to be more sturdy against greatswords. Also, having one or two greatsword users vs many others would be neat like defending a bridge or blocking a courtyard.

[@VirtualFechtschule]

That would be cool. When trying such scenarios, I do prefer using foam montantes as with those you can actually hit people. Makes for really exhilarating bouts. :D

[@TyLarson]

That makes sense. The foam swords are so much fun. ​@@VirtualFechtschule

[@byronlee8745]

This is awesome! Keep it up! New subscriber here! ❤

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Thank you!

[@Druid_Ignacy]

How much did you all pull the strikes? Greatsword is rather too dangerous to go full contact. Nice exchanges!

[@VirtualFechtschule]

We didn't make fully commited swings as would be a sensible thing to do with these swords, but other than that we didn't specifically pull blows. These swords are pretty safe for sparring if both parties know how not to be an idiot with them. :)

[@hohetannen4703]

beautiful

[@noahwick3217]

this is awesome, its so cool seeing montante sparring! I fence with the SCA in america, and unfortunately theres a maximum length for two handed swords :(

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Ooh, that's a shame. :(

[@noahwick3217]

@@VirtualFechtschule the sigi montante's just push past the limit, so im stuck with my normal feder for now. some day ill be able to live that montante lifestyle

[@MartinGreywolf]

It seems to me that the transitional nature of your style worked to your advantage in this case - these sparring montante are very light (for a montante), so using a style that is more like a longsword is pretty beneficial to them. On one hand, I wonder how things would change with heavier swords. On the other hand, that will not be safe until we figure out how to rewrite laws of physics - or until we are able to make ourselves into cyborgs that can withstand that amount of blunt force trauma. Either way, I'm not holding my breath.

[@VirtualFechtschule]

Yeah. I think that Goliath shows swords that are similar in overall proportions, with the mass maybe being a little bit more forward. But that would make those swords good cutters and you don't want that on your sparring swords.

[@Hickamfield]

i like your fencing mask, do you have a tutorial on how you made it?

[@VirtualFechtschule]

It's an off the shelve Wukusi Cobra mask. Quite nice, especially for disciplines that may involve harder impacts.

[@Teaster]

Who is the make of those swords?

[@VirtualFechtschule]

SIGI Forge.

[@Nala15-Artist]

To the guys in the background: Put some masks on, PLEASE! One wrong step and a sword enters an orbital socket AGAIN!

[@NoName-lo9ym]

I've just realised what those spikes on the Greatsword a hands length from the ricasso are - they enable you to offend the enemy when they are in close distance past your point!!

[@VirtualFechtschule]

That's one interpretation of them. Others say it has something to do with parrying, but ultimately nobody yet has undeniably demonstrated what it actually is.

[@NoName-lo9ym]

@@VirtualFechtschule I think - if its a big spike you use it for poking someone!!

[@VirtualFechtschule]

@@NoName-lo9ym I remember some reproductions with sharp hooks, so that would definitely check out, if only I could track an original for that. For the rest it would not be crazy for these lugs to have a double function

[@soldierbreakneck771]

The class of fencers a little bit differs)