Knights, katanas (again!), HMB, and a pattern welded longsword. Ask the Sword Guy episode 12

Hi today’s questions are: Joe Propati’s series of questions continue…. Since Knights trained their whole life to become masters of the sword, were there any individuals who stood out as the Grand masters of the sword above everyone else in the world and who were they? Did Squires and Knights learn sword play by physical … Read more

Rapier dimensions, asymmetric musculature, preparing students for freeplay. Ask the Sword Guy Episode 11

Today’s video is a mixed bag of topics, answering the following questions: How thick were rapier blades? How wide were rapier blades? How thick were dagger blades? How wide were dagger blades? Thank you, Brijn, in Colorado And: Dear Dr Guy Windsor I’m sending you pictures of a miniature Spanish sword (a letter opener, made in … Read more

Categories Uncategorized Tags

German v Italian medieval swordsmanship. Ask the Sword Guy episode 10

Which do you prefer- sausage or spaghetti? Mercedes or Ferrari? Today’s questions were: This is Matthew in Michigan and I’m curious about the why one might choose to study longsword from the German tradition over the Italian tradition, and vice/versa? Thank you for undertaking this venture and for your ongoing support of the martial arts … Read more

Categories Uncategorized Tags

On Solo Training, and training with disabilities. Ask the Sword Guy episode 9

Today’s AMA topic are solo training, and training with disabilities. Raymond, in Montana, sent in this question: “I really enjoy your video trainings and teaching. I purchased the combo package (complete long sword, complete medieval dagger, and footwork) and a few freebies for my 50th birthday. I watched (and practiced) all the footwork, all the … Read more

Categories Uncategorized Tags

Breaking the Thrust (Fiore Translation Project #23)

The two-page spread of plays against the thrust continues with the six plays relating to breaking the thrust. I’ll cover them all in order, starting with the 11th play of the master of the zogho largo crossed at the middle of the swords, shown on f26v. The text reads:  Questa sie unaltra deffesa che se … Read more

Mismatched weapons: Ask the Sword Guy episode 8

In today’s video I discuss the problem of mismatched weapons. Swords versus spears, rapiers versus halberds, and so on. The questions were: Thanks for taking questions. I’ve been reading your books for a long time and have more than a few but I’ll stick with two recent ones. 1) I’ve seen a lot of HEMA … Read more

Categories Uncategorized Tags

On training children. Ask the Sword Guy, episode 7

I have had a few questions regarding training children coming in, such as this one: Here’s a question- there are a lot of potentially unscrupulous martial arts clubs out there who’ll give a 5-year-old a black belt if their parents cough up enough cash, but most historical fencing clubs I’ve come across have a lower … Read more

Categories Uncategorized Tags

Ask the Sword Guy 5: left handers, and one-handed thrusts

Today’s episode has me talking about left-handers, and the one-handed long thrust with a longsword. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/vHcAK_LmUk0   Shownotes: Fiore Facsimile (the closest you can get to owning the manuscript): https://amzn.to/2MOowWH The Flower of Battle (Leoni translation) http://www.freelanceacademypress.com/flowersofbattlethecompletemartialworksoffioredeiliberi.aspx The Rapier, part Four: Sword and Dagger and Sword and Cape Workbook: https://www.guywindsor.net/blog/rbc400

Categories Uncategorized Tags

Ask the Sword Guy AMA part 4: training motivation, and knights with katanas

https://youtu.be/JmSxAGY7jaw The shownotes for this episode: Fighting Depression Personal Update: Mental Health Learning Rapier: your free workbook video The Unconquered Knight: A Chronicle of the Deeds of Don Pero Niño, Count of Buelna Alan Williams, The Knight and the Blast Furnace Fiore Facsimile (the closest you can get to owning the manuscript) The Flower of … Read more