2007年2月27日 · I was recently leafing through one of my favorite books on swords, Swords and Hilt Weapons when I came upon a fascinating image on page 65, in the chapter "From Rapier to Smallsword" by Anthony North. The picture is of a "Rapier for use with two hands".

Being a one-handed sword, a fighter wielding a rapier would naturally choose to employ his free hand to assist him, whether empty or holding another weapon. Using two weapons like this was common with warriors throughout history and in no way does it imply any deficiency with the primary weapon (as is sometimes alleged).

In this case, using one hand on two separate swords reduces the katana's own speed and strength advantages while playing to the rapier's. The two swords end up being too slow to employ their combination parry/cut against the rapier's greater speed and stabbing reach.

It is intended for wrapping the index finger around to give greater tip control (called "fingering"). Not all sword forms had ricasso. They can be found on many Bastard-swords, most cut & thrust swords and later rapiers. Those on Two-Handed swords are sometimes called a "false-grip", and usually allow the entire second had to grip and hold on.

The two-handed sword and the multipurpose polearm, called the halberd, were familiar Swiss trademarks. The Swiss and Germans made their own two-handed swords. The Italians made a basic two-hander that they exported throughout Europe.

THE ARMARIUM Online Historical Fencing Manuals & Texts of the Doctrina Armorum "Their works remain the foundation for our knowledge of the martial arts" - Sydney Anglo, ARMA Senior Advisor See a complete listing of known surviving Medieval & Renaissance titles here. Other manuals are available online at Wiktenauer.

2007年11月1日 · An estoc was designed specifically for fighting plate armor. A rapier was intended specifically for unarmored defense & duelling. An estoc (tuck or stocco) was almost always a two handed weapon usually with a secondary guard. Henry VIII's armory inventory from the 1540s makes a clear distinction in listing the two weapons.

Translated into English in 1594, this work presented instruction in side-sword/early rapier (with buckler, dagger, and cloak), as well as two-hand sword and various pole arms.

2011年4月7日 · But why do you ask? It is hard to answer the question fully without some context. Why sword and dagger specifically? What are your alternatives? A spear springs to mind as a good weapon. It is two-handed and has got a longer reach than the rapier. A sword and round shield also seems good against a rapier.

The Basic Guards of Medieval Longsword One of the most important elements of historical fencing study is that of basic fighting stances and guard positions. Nothing is more fundamental than these two things. Stances or guards (leger/huten or guardia/posta) are in many ways the very foundation of Medieval swordsmanship. The offensive and defensive postures and ready …