CUTTING (Advanced) 1st: Karl Bolle, Capital KDF 2nd: Jake Norwood, Capital KDF 3rd: James Clark, Capital KDF Website: www.fightlongpoint.com/news/20... Facebook: / fightlongpoint RU-vid: / @longpoint8180
Guy in the vest had the best form of all four, but what looked like the least optimized sword for tatami. First and second place were quite good, but they were using what looked like a Principe and maybe an Alexandria, which helps out a ton.
Those zwerchs were incredible. It looked like the first place winner was using an Albion Principe or something very similar - everyone knows that's cheating ;)
6:34 if he kept his blade more linear he would have gotten the best cut of the competition. For the newcomers to HEMA: It's about keeping it linear and putting that kinetic force on This is a blade not a blunt stick or piece of iron so that you might use it and blow with it with just force, it's about keeping it in perspective so the blades connect and not the flat of the sword.
Hey guys, I was wondering if someone could give me some advice. I'm a blacksmith who has been practising HEMA in my backyard but have never been to a HEMA school. I've watched lots of videos etc. So I think I have good form. Anyway, I have made a longsword and have left it blunt. I really want to get into test cutting, and so does my friend who is still a bit of an amateur. I was wanting to know if I should be wearing protective gear when I try some practise cuts on bottles and tatami for the first time? If so, what? When I've done test strikes with the blunt longsword, I've never touched my body with the edge, but I wanted to know if there was any protective equipment that I could get just in case. Thanks.
I'm 3 years late so my answer is surely pointless but here it goes: if you have good enough proprioception to not hit yourself with the blunt sword, there's no real reason you would hit yourself with the sharp one. Only thing you might want to watch out for is bad/strange blade geometry that would make your cuts deflect in weird directions, but for that you just need to his soft a couple of times and see, if the blade does wonky stuff (like taking the same sharp turn no matter who uses it) then it might be wise to not use the sword at all, as it will not perform well until the blade has a good geometry. Otherwise as long as your arms are extended and you don't overswing like conan the barbarian (and you're using the right leading leg) there's no reason the blade should ever touch you. If you cut with one hand, put your unused hand either in your back or across your chest with your hand resting on your pectoral, that way it's out of any danger. Until you're used to it don't put the blade behind you, be it before or after a cut, always have the blade where you can see it.
I hope my cold steel italian longsword can hold up to cutting tests like these (I'm working on a budget, so far it's holding up! But im not a world-class cutter, just an amateur wannabe...for now!)
Happy to know you are enjoying the cutting practice! To increase your chances of getting to the world-class cutting tournaments my main recommendation would be to join a HEMA club, not only it will become easier to sign up for local/national competitions to get more experience but also you will meet other practitioners who can give you practical advice. The good sword will make your job easier and provide a safer experience. It's good to understand ways to find percussion points on your blade to know the sweet points to cut with. Matt Easton goes into more details here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-oRF_XXyFB64.html Body mechanics and correct edge alignment play huge importance in successful cut execution. Check Mike Edelson's short distance cutting to see the importance of proper technique (contrary to belief that one can do well just by using the brute strength alone): ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-eGA0fTXdlAc.html And always remember about safety! Think about your leg position when cutting. Have enough space around. Many things can happen even if you whink you have it all covered: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Q8vlQPsGlGY.html
+ViciouSExorcisT thank you! i have been taking local fencing and hema esque classes ay a place here in salt lake city callwd the Barony of Loch Salon. i have 4 years experience learning but mostly self taufjt. however i boxed for 17 years at a fairly high level and ended with a winning record. it seems boxing footwork is conducive to longsword footwork. in fact early pugilism footwork and defense stems from that. would you say i made wn okay choice in the cold steel Italian longsword? i read it's a great buy for a $200 sword (i got it for $160)....anyway. thanks for the info and links! 😉 ps: are there any one eyed swordsmen out there of note? i do really well against other people on my level but i keep getti g told i likely have no chance at the higher level and i refuse to believe that....nbut i want your blunt opinion anyway hehe
What an interesting coincidence - I was doing kickboxing before HEMA stole my heart. ;) I do believe that practicing in sport clubs (groups with professional teaching) is more beneficial for you than practicing alone, so great to hear you are taking part in Barony of Loch Salon activities (I see the group is up-to-date and has a really neat website). Nevertheless, one does not achieve greatness without self-discipline and physical training which happens outside the club walls. Speaking about the sword - I never had an opportunity to hold it, but for that price it's a good blade (budget option as you put it). In my opinion priority lies within safety - so if it's comfortable to use I'm sure it was a good buy. I'd personally buy a German longsword replica with longer handle, but it's simply because that's the one I'm training with. Italian fencing school manuscript's have lots of grappling techniques though, which I personally find quite appealing! I don't know about any one eyed swordsman personally, but don't listen to people who say you can't get far with one eye. Take for example Date Masamune. ;)
The cold steel italian is a poor man's budget sword and it is good for that. The sword is a XVa longsword which is a thrusting bladed sword (it still cuts and I think you have had the experience to cut with it). Though high end cutting competitions would favour a bit better quality swords, as well as something more cutting oriented in blade shape. Like a XVIIIb like what Jake Norwood was using or a XX like what James Clarke was using in the video.
It's ridiculous how the Albion Principe overperforms compared to the other two swords. These cutting competitions should have a Principe aviable for every contestant, otherwise it's more a matter of who's been able to get that sword rather than who's the best cutter. (and before I get flammed for anything: the Principe is now forbidden in multiple cutting competitions so much it's above any other sword for that kind of use, that's how busted good that sword is).
Exercise the blade alignment of course, plus there are cut variations (not present in this video) which were coming before the finals, where rules imposed a specific "space" (where you have, say, 50 cm for blade acceleration) to test the proper body mechanics even further. It's a good stuff, but if you see a problem I'd rather you leave a proposed solution (we definitely need more "real fight experts" who know what would and what wouldn't happen in any given scenario). You can contact Longpoint event organisation via this address: fightlongpoint@gmail.com
I'm Hema Instructor and in way to became "Maitre D'arme" (Weapon Master / Fencing Master ) ,I think the pratice of one is not an option to understand the second. Not the same at all,yes,but you can understand why you do this move and not this one ,and other same thing. Here it's a "cut" challenge...like... How strong can I hit this poor thing ! Yeah look at me I cuted it ! and the move are really bad,if we watch with an "japan cute" eye or a "HEMA eye" it's same shiet. So I disagree with this sort of challenge when it named "HEMA blablabla "
It looks really silly to wear suits while using a sword, you look like a bunch of guys at a wedding that decided to swing a bladed weapon after a couple toasts. Not bashing the guys that actually had some common sense to wear something sporty and fitting for physical activity.
Those in formal attire were judges during the finals. Some of the judges were finalists in other events, such as cutting, and so just opted to cut rather than spend time changing. Clearly it didn't impede them from performing admirably. :-)
