# Learning Swordcraft **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 21, 2003, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-swordcraft/189833 "2003-07-21T02:17:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![saintnobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@saintnobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saintnobody)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-swordcraft/189833/1 "2003-07-21T02:17:34Z")
Inspired by the sword discusion in another thread. I was wondering where someone would learn the art of the sword. I am sure there are fencing clubs in New York and maybe LA. I remember a few martial arts school offering instruction. Anyone have any definitive places to look? ---
**Author:** ![Dogface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@Dogface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogface)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-swordcraft/189833/2 "2003-07-21T02:44:22Z")
Where to look depends on what you want to learn. You could start at [http://www.ahfi.org/](http://www.ahfi.org/) and [http://www.aemma.org/](http://www.aemma.org/) for information. They should be able to direct you to teachers in your areas. Some areas are more specialized than are others. The old Spanish school of rapier, for example, has only one full-time school, Maestro Ramon Martinez’s school in New York. However, he has done seminars across the country for those who want to get a taste of it. ---
**Author:** ![Beryl\_Mooncalf\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9f8e36/32.png) [@Beryl\_Mooncalf\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beryl_Mooncalf_1)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-swordcraft/189833/3 "2003-07-21T02:56:55Z")
You didn’t mention which form you were interested in. If you are interested in the art of the Japanese Samurai, search for “kendo”. Or click Here A little side trip here though, Here is a link for very special Japanese blade. White Cloud They have a unique way of testing blades to say the least. ---
**Author:** ![Beryl\_Mooncalf\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9f8e36/32.png) [@Beryl\_Mooncalf\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beryl_Mooncalf_1)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-swordcraft/189833/4 "2003-07-21T02:56:55Z")
You didn’t mention which form you were interested in. If you are interested in the art of the Japanese Samurai, search for “kendo”. Or click Here A little side trip here though, Here is a link for very special Japanese blade. White Cloud They have a unique way of testing blades to say the least. ---
**Author:** ![Beryl\_Mooncalf\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9f8e36/32.png) [@Beryl\_Mooncalf\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beryl_Mooncalf_1)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-swordcraft/189833/5 "2003-07-21T03:03:33Z")
I too claim “I didn’t do it”. I pushed that little button one time. Sorry for the clutter. ---
**Author:** ![saintnobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@saintnobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saintnobody)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-swordcraft/189833/6 "2003-07-21T03:11:43Z")
I think personally I would enjoy the asian styles better, maybe just because the spiritual aspect of the art is ore emphasized, and I think somehting like that might be a good thing for me. But any info would be interesting, this is somehting I have th9ought about for years but never did any research on at all. ---
**Author:** ![Dogface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@Dogface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogface)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-swordcraft/189833/7 "2003-07-21T16:38:09Z")
Well, the spiritual aspect of Western Swordsmanship is still around. How are you at saying Rosaries? ---
**Author:** ![derigel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/839c29/32.png) [@derigel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/derigel)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-swordcraft/189833/8 "2003-07-21T17:53:58Z")
If you would like to learn one of the Asian styles, you might want to think twice about Kendo. It has been changed considerably in converting it from a martial art into a sport. You can often find a school teaching Kenjutsu in larger cities, which is the original martial from from which Kendo is derived. Or failing that, if you wanted to study Aikido, training with the sword and jo staff is an integral part of the curriculum (aikiken and aikijo). In fact, many Aikido practitioners also study Kenjutsu or Iaijutsu (the Japanese art of the quick draw). Other martial arts also teach swordfighting to varying degrees, but the art of Aikido is largely based directly on Kenjutsu, as well as being one of the more spiritual of the Japanese martial arts. ---
**Author:** ![Skillet38](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8797f3/32.png) [@Skillet38](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skillet38)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-swordcraft/189833/9 "2003-07-21T17:54:03Z")
Ever heard of the Society for Creative Anachronism ? The emphasis is on medieval europeon heavy weapons. Do a websearch and find out the contact info for the group near you, you can swing by and take a peek at their fighter practices and get a taste of fully armored combat if you like. ymmv ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-swordcraft/189833/10 "2003-07-21T19:30:41Z")
Step #1. Choose a [sword.](http://store.museumreplicas.com/cgi-bin/www11650.storefront) Step #2. Choose an [enemy.](http://themave.com/Flynn/filmog/robin4.jpg) Step # 3. Try to stab your enemy with your sword before he stabs you. Experience will make you better. Lessons help in this. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-swordcraft/189833/11 "2003-07-21T19:43:01Z")
Next week: How to play the flute. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dogface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@Dogface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogface)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-swordcraft/189833/12 "2003-07-21T20:11:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Skillet38 \* > Ever heard of the Society for Creative Anachronism ? Yes, yes I have. [QUOTEThe emphasis is on medieval europeon[/QUOTE] sic > [@](#): > > heavy weapons. No, not it is not. SCA stickfighting is a 100% modern sport, invented in the 20th century by people who had made no study, whatsoever, of historical combat. In recent years, there has been some attempt to adopt historical techniques to SCA, but the strictures of SCA rules and custom make it very much an uphill battle. What SCA does is a modern sport dressed up in “medieval-ish-y” costume, with a very strong emphasis on the “-ish-y”, heavily influenced by Victorian ideas of “chivalry”. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-swordcraft/189833/13 "2003-07-21T20:25:55Z")
Go on _Conquest_. A British chap with a big bald head will instruct you and then you’ll have a big swordfight at the end. It looks like fun. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-swordcraft/189833/14 "2003-07-21T21:34:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dogface \* > \*\*Yes, yes I have. > > ## The emphasis is on medieval europeon…sic > > No, not it is not. SCA stickfighting is a 100% modern sport, invented in the 20th century by people who had made no study, whatsoever, of historical combat. In recent years, there has been some attempt to adopt historical techniques to SCA, but the strictures of SCA rules and custom make it very much an uphill battle. > > What SCA does is a modern sport dressed up in “medieval-ish-y” costume, with a very strong emphasis on the “-ish-y”, heavily influenced by Victorian ideas of “chivalry”. \*\* True. the nearest classical equivalent fighting style would be [singlestick](http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4933/cassell.html) . But the SCA techniques have evolved into it’s own style. I’ve fought in the SCA for several years and the experience has definately helped my sword-fighting. Short of actual combat to the death you’d be hard pressed to come up with something more close to the real thing. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-swordcraft/189833/15 "2003-07-21T21:55:47Z")
I hope this isn’t too much of a hijack, but… Rapiers, foils, sabers, and Katana have been mentioned so far in this thread, but are there any places where one can learn proper [_Broadsword_](http://members.aol.com/dargolyt/TheForge/broadswd.htm), or any other “chopping” blade, fighting technique? For that matter, what about learning the use of a [Main Gaucge](http://members.aol.com/dargolyt/TheForge/gauche.htm) in swordplay? ---
**Author:** ![Osip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4491bb/32.png) [@Osip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Osip)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-swordcraft/189833/16 "2003-07-21T23:18:15Z")
err Depending where you are in the SCA they also have Fencing. Many kingdoms have epee and schlager and some only schlager. Granted the fencing part is rather new compared to the ones out there whacking each other over the head with sticks 🙂 and **ranchoth** use of a dagger is one of 5 styles you can be “authorised” in in the SCA “light fighting” ---
**Author:** ![Dogface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@Dogface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogface)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2003, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-swordcraft/189833/17 "2003-07-22T04:38:23Z")
First, the term is _schlaeger_ (I’m too lazy to look up the a-umlaut code on my USA keyboard). Second, the SCA does not use that weapon. A _schlaeger_ has a razor edge. However, practice weapons are used in SCA as a substitute rapier. However, however, some enterprising people have begun to supply blades of more appropriate shape, but some parts of SCA don’t like them, since they are “too close” to real for the taste of some Powers That Be. Other parts of SCA think they’re pretty darn spiffy. Second, the _main gauche_ was not a normal companion to a “broadsword” of any stripe. If anything goes with the Scottish broadsword or the English/continental backsword, it would be the targe or buckler. There are groups that teach these weapons. The Cateran Society specifically studies Scottish broadsword. The _main gauche_ is the natural companion to the rapier. That being said, there is evidence that, if nothing better were available, one would use a knife for defense. However, the estimable G. Silver, Gentleman, made it plain that the dagger/knife (and he was referring to something with a blade up to 18 inches in length) was to be used to put aside a thrust. If one had to stop a blow (cut), one should use the sword for defense. However, it was far better to get out of the way of the oncoming cut and simultaneously counterattack. Yes, it can be done. Yes, if one doesn’t do it right one has often stepped right into the attack. AEMMA and AHFI can connect people interested in most versions of Western combat. Another place to consult is the _Journal of Manly Arts_, which specializes in 19th-century styles. As an aside, the most recent _Conquest_ shows some remarkably good history regarding European knife use. ---
**Author:** ![Dogface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@Dogface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogface)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2003, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-swordcraft/189833/18 "2003-07-22T04:43:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BMalion \* > I’ve fought in the SCA for several years and the experience has definately helped my sword-fighting. Short of actual combat to the death you’d be hard pressed to come up with something more close to the real thing. \*\* There are some “enterprising” folks who are working on getting some old-school German practice sabres (which can put a real hurt on you even without an edge) for 19th-century styles. ---
**Author:** ![R-Con](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/858c86/32.png) [@R-Con](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R-Con)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2003, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-swordcraft/189833/19 "2003-07-22T06:12:52Z")
[q]Rapiers, foils, sabers, and Katana have been mentioned so far in this thread, but are there any places where one can learn proper Broadsword, or any other “chopping” blade, fighting technique?[/q] try the [www.aemma.org](http://www.aemma.org) that DogFace posted in p2. Thats _exactly_ what they do. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2003, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-swordcraft/189833/20 "2003-07-22T06:56:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dogface \* > **Second, the _main gauche_ was not a normal companion to a “broadsword” of any stripe.** Sorry, my bad…I flubbed my typing. I wasn’t meaning to ask about using a Broadsword _and_ a main gauche _at the same time_\*. :smack: \*Boy, that’d really be hard on the wrists, wouldn’t it? :eek: