Armored vs. unarmored longsword sparring (Ryan vs. Caelyn) 

Well, my vision is limited obviously, but my peripherals aren't that bad... it's the high and low vision that's the problem. I can't see my opponent's feet and head at the same time, usually, unless they're decently far away. My breathing isn't too restricted, actually, and that night I was surprised that after several fights I wasn't more exhausted than on any normal sparring night. My arms are heavy, though, and you'll notice I have to hang out in low guards because of that.

He wasn't wearing greaves or sabatons though. 😌😏🙄

@@Ralchire thats actually pretty interesting information, thank you.

…yeah. This is a pretty old video and nowadays we both have armor. Here I am on the left in my current iteration of harness i.imgur.com/RkBDYwJ.jpg

@@Ralchire nice

Creature Creator it’s 16 gauge. I’ve attached an aventail since this video. It’s a pretty good helmet, probably the best in the price range. The visor doesn’t stay up though which is my only problem with it. I’ve drilled breaths on the left side for better vision and I’ve attached a bevor plate to protect the throat and chin area.

@@Ralchire What did you end up paying for? Any way to create friction to make the visor stay up?

Creature Creator I paid $109 for it three years ago. I actually picked up another one this month for $87 when they were on sale. I would recommend tightening the rivets on the side pivots at the very least. I also shaved some metal off the brow of the visor so that it can raise a little higher.

@@Ralchire Once it arrives I will see what I can do, thanks!

@@Ralchire Got my helmet and am going to work upon it, where did you shave the metal off the brow, I cant provide my email/discord if you need to send pics. Highly interest cause the helmet only comes up so much. Thanks and cheers.

Burznazg it’s true, it isn’t the most graceful fight. Valid criticisms of course. But I will say that in armor versus someone in no armor, halfswording can still be effective. You have more leverage and power in the bind, stronger thrusts and pommel strikes, and you can more easily grapple them or their sword. You close the distance beyond the point where they can use their sword very effectively while yours is shortened to dagger length. Thanks for watching!

Halfswording shows up in many unarmored techniques, so it is still effective against unarmored opponents. For example, Johannes Lecküchner's Kunst des Messerfechten shows many techniques showing halfswording with a Messer, an already very short weapon. Other examples of unarmored halfswording are Talhoffer's longsword and Pascha's rapier. It is extremely useful for leveraging an opponent, and many of its weaknesses are lessened when one wears armor. So halfswording in armor against an unarmored opponent is an extremely valid strategy.

@@secutorprimus Of course it works, but the armored person is almost invulnerable to fencing actions done from a longer range, while moving into halfswording allows the opponent to do it as well. The armored fencer should try to stay far and use cuts and thrusts while taking advantage of the armor, the unarmored fencer should try to close the gap and halfsword since that's the way to actually get past armor and at that range the armored fencer is also nigh-unable to throw cuts.

@@penttikoivuniemi2146 Well, yes and no. Staying at distance allows you less leverage, which could allow the unarmored fighter to play off of that to close distance very quickly. Choosing to halfsword and close allows you the initiative, leveraging your sword to get at the openings of your opponent, and against an unarmored fighter, those openings are everywhere. It also puts your opponent off balance, which helps in defense. If the openings in the armor are mail covered, then a stab without structure will do next to nothing against mail. At that point, the only openings are the palms and eyes. What I'm saying is, both techniques are just as viable and just as effective as each other. As long as the armored opponent makes sure they stay in control of the fight, they have a massive advantage. No technique is foolproof, but done well, both are extremely effective.

@@secutorprimus I agree with Pentti Koivuniemi , Yes both techniques are just as viable and just as effective as each other, But just like different guards, they all serve different circumstances. In this particular case, Armored vs unarmored, The armored guy should use cuts and thrusts to prevent his opponent get close, Because that is almost the only way his opponent can defeat him. Like you mentioned, no matter what he do, his opponent still have chance to get close, But using halfswording almost equal to give up keeping distance. There is a huge difference between try to keep distance and give up keep distance at all.