Using the prima guard to thrust and counter your opponents guard reminds me of your explanation of using right ochs in longsword to do the same. Excellent as always!
Thanks! In rapier the seconda is more suitable for similar purposes as right ochs in longsword, but in the demostrated situation, in the bind, the high prima finds the target easier in the vertical direction
As a left-hander, I feel that the first guard is of better use to whenever one fights someone of the opposite handedness. While I do not have a very long history of fencing (1 semester of epee) I found that since your swords are on the same side you do not have to cross your body to engage the opponent's sword. Therefore the first and second guards become useful in single rapier.
Hi Scott! You're on the right track - in general, the first and the second guard are best when fighting a leftie (and vice versa). They give you an immediate strong opposition and are harder to parry.
Hi Martin, thanks. Watching Roland Warzecha's videos on "Becoming A Better Swordfighter" and the like were instrumental in discovering this and actually performing well in that semester of epee. The instructor couldn't teach me as exactly as everyone else since the terminology confused me and everything had to be reversed.
Loved your videos. But I believe it is important to differentiate between first position and first guard. A guard, at least as I understand it, is a hand position in which you able to defend a line. A position doesn't have to defend a line but is good for moving into attack or defence. Of course different masters and systems have different nomenclatures and I am not terribly familiarized with your system's names. As I leaned them you have 8 hand positions (each with 2 to 4 main variations) that allow you to protect your whole body, the guard positions, being that the first is on your unarmed side just as you get your sword out of its scabbard. They are still taught in modern fencing, although I have documental evidence that they go back, with the same names here in Portugal, to, at least, the 1500's. Other positions, like the one you where calling the first, which seems a non defensive variation of second, do vary a lot from system to system. But are a different beast. 😀 I'm curious, though, to know if the system you share here makes such differentiation. Thank you for your work. Keep it up. 😀
I've been doing bolognese sidesword for about two years now, and it doesn't look like this would be too difficult to learn having that baseline to start with
I'm researching Fabris' style for use in SCA rapier here in the US and have found these videos to be super helpful! How often are you planning on doing them?
Outstanding! Glad to hear! I was pointed to Fabris' because I have some spacial reasoning and physical issues and was told that I may find Fabris to be more suited to my personal situation. Thus far, I agree wholeheartedly! It's a lot more comfortable to stand and move in those positions (and it does look good ;) ), and I'm understanding where my point is a lot better, too. I've only been researching this and trying it out for a few hours and I'm finding it more and more comfortable.
It's a great book. I've read and translated quite a number of manuals and I must say Fabris' book, the way he's describing and depicting things is trully very special. The man knew his business and also how to put the theory together. Good luck in your studies and practice!
Hi! It will definitely change a few things mainly the opposing guards. E.g. your strong guard on the opponent's inside is seconda and on the outside quarta etc. Most of the tricks will work for you but you just have to adjust the side. Righthanders tend to have issues with lefthanders which is your advantage :)
Normally when I fence Rapier I use Godinho’s vulgar style but recently sparing in Rapier and Dagger. I wasn’t nearly as experienced in this style so I said “fuck it I’ll use what I learned on TH-cam”. I always lunged from 1st position and it worked beautifully.
Thanks Anton! The rapiers were made by Péter Regenyei: Regenyei standard rapier and Regenyei cuphilt rapier Blade: 110 cm (43.3") Weight: 2.38lbs (ca 1100-1200g)
Do you know something about rapiers made by such armouries as "Kovex-Ars", "Fabri Armorum", "Armory Marek"? Are they good for the training/sparring purposes? Mayby if you dont know, you may advise me some forums where I can ask this question?
Haven't handled their rapiers, but I did handle their swords are they are considered "junk" in here. There are at the cheap end, the finish is bad and they are usually extremely heavy. If you check the Kovex-Ars rapiers - the weight they list at 114cm is 1,5kg! My rapier is 127cm and weighs approx. 1,1kg. So, if a few extra € aren't a problem, I would rather recommend Peter Regenyei, Marco Danelli etc
And where do you get rapier blunt tips? I have seen in internet only darkwood armory tips. (Here in Ukraine people just weld metal tips to the hanwei blades, and it seems quite disgusting to me)
Im very interested in learning rapier techniques but have not invested in any equipment or education. Do you have any suggestions on how a fresh duelist should begin his or her development?
Hello Ross! It's relatively easy. There are some sources you can start reading yourself. I'd suggest looking at wiktenauer.com for a general overview and searching for books like Venetian Rapier (by Tom Leoni, Giganti), Salvator Fabris or Capo Ferro. Last of the named can be found as a free PDF. Rest is finding someone you could practice with the basics. Cheapest ist getting some sticks, economy is buying sports fencing epees but the regular way is getting a pair of rapiers. Price can vary from 200-400€ per piece. Masks for starters can be found on Ebay or bought from specialized companies like Allstar, PBT, Leon Paul etc. Good luck :)
Hi Doctor D! The off hand is used to guard and deflect possible targets for two reasons - you're trying to make some use of it besides being another target :) and most importantly - from a life saving perspective it's better to have your arm pierced or wounded than for example your neck :) The rapier masters were often showing use of various things to protect you besides the weapon itself - most prominent being the dagger, the cape or even a lantern.
Came here for the fencing, stayed here for the music...and the fencing.
Ótimo! As técnicas de combate com rapieiras são as mais lindas da esgrima.
Such a beautiful art and deadly. The leg work i amazing. Keep up with the videos.
Awesome lesson, thanks Martin!
Using the prima guard to thrust and counter your opponents guard reminds me of your explanation of using right ochs in longsword to do the same. Excellent as always!
Thanks! In rapier the seconda is more suitable for similar purposes as right ochs in longsword, but in the demostrated situation, in the bind, the high prima finds the target easier in the vertical direction
4 years, 17k views and STILL no dislikes! Bravo!
As a left-hander, I feel that the first guard is of better use to whenever one fights someone of the opposite handedness. While I do not have a very long history of fencing (1 semester of epee) I found that since your swords are on the same side you do not have to cross your body to engage the opponent's sword. Therefore the first and second guards become useful in single rapier.
Hi Scott! You're on the right track - in general, the first and the second guard are best when fighting a leftie (and vice versa). They give you an immediate strong opposition and are harder to parry.
Hi Martin, thanks. Watching Roland Warzecha's videos on "Becoming A Better Swordfighter" and the like were instrumental in discovering this and actually performing well in that semester of epee. The instructor couldn't teach me as exactly as everyone else since the terminology confused me and everything had to be reversed.
Holy smokes you are fast,that's so nice of you and thanks for the lessons!
You look very professional!
Loved your videos.
But I believe it is important to differentiate between first position and first guard. A guard, at least as I understand it, is a hand position in which you able to defend a line. A position doesn't have to defend a line but is good for moving into attack or defence.
Of course different masters and systems have different nomenclatures and I am not terribly familiarized with your system's names. As I leaned them you have 8 hand positions (each with 2 to 4 main variations) that allow you to protect your whole body, the guard positions, being that the first is on your unarmed side just as you get your sword out of its scabbard. They are still taught in modern fencing, although I have documental evidence that they go back, with the same names here in Portugal, to, at least, the 1500's.
Other positions, like the one you where calling the first, which seems a non defensive variation of second, do vary a lot from system to system. But are a different beast. 😀
I'm curious, though, to know if the system you share here makes such differentiation.
Thank you for your work. Keep it up. 😀
Excellent work! Looking forward to see it complete :)
Thank you!
Rapier fencing is so beautiful...
Nice video!
i found this series also expanding my interpretation on sidesword fencing, especially the late bolognese like viggiani and dall'agocchie, thank you
thank you for watching! glad it helped
Nice video! clear and well edited.
thanks!
need more videos. keep up the good work.
I've been doing bolognese sidesword for about two years now, and it doesn't look like this would be too difficult to learn having that baseline to start with
This is really great.
Good lesson!!!
You're great, we want more videos)
Thanks! As soon as I will be able there'll be a next one! In the last two weeks there were some obstructions
Interesting.😃
You make it easy compared to what we had to do to learn 23 years ago
I'm researching Fabris' style for use in SCA rapier here in the US and have found these videos to be super helpful! How often are you planning on doing them?
Hi Mandy! Thanks!
The original plan is once in every two weeks so if everything goes well this weekend we should have a new one
Outstanding! Glad to hear! I was pointed to Fabris' because I have some spacial reasoning and physical issues and was told that I may find Fabris to be more suited to my personal situation. Thus far, I agree wholeheartedly! It's a lot more comfortable to stand and move in those positions (and it does look good ;) ), and I'm understanding where my point is a lot better, too. I've only been researching this and trying it out for a few hours and I'm finding it more and more comfortable.
It's a great book. I've read and translated quite a number of manuals and I must say Fabris' book, the way he's describing and depicting things is trully very special. The man knew his business and also how to put the theory together.
Good luck in your studies and practice!
Thanks!
Nice video, scholagladiatoria did a video sending me this way so hopefully you get more subs from it and keep up the good work.
Thank you! Yeah I noticed quite some grow during the night :)
Same here! Great channel, I'm glad I checked it out :-)
Where do you find a practice rapier like that? Looks amazing!
We were using Regenyei rapiers in the vid.
Do you have any advice on guards if you are a left handed swordsman? Will it change the dynamics significantly?
Hi! It will definitely change a few things mainly the opposing guards. E.g. your strong guard on the opponent's inside is seconda and on the outside quarta etc. Most of the tricks will work for you but you just have to adjust the side. Righthanders tend to have issues with lefthanders which is your advantage :)
Normally when I fence Rapier I use Godinho’s vulgar style but recently sparing in Rapier and Dagger. I wasn’t nearly as experienced in this style so I said “fuck it I’ll use what I learned on TH-cam”. I always lunged from 1st position and it worked beautifully.
First position is one of the hardest to defend :)
Very interesting and useful! Your explanations are realy easy to remember. What kind of rapier are you using? Who made it?
Thanks Anton!
The rapiers were made by Péter Regenyei:
Regenyei standard rapier and Regenyei cuphilt rapier
Blade: 110 cm (43.3")
Weight: 2.38lbs (ca 1100-1200g)
Do you know something about rapiers made by such armouries as "Kovex-Ars", "Fabri Armorum", "Armory Marek"? Are they good for the training/sparring purposes? Mayby if you dont know, you may advise me some forums where I can ask this question?
Haven't handled their rapiers, but I did handle their swords are they are considered "junk" in here. There are at the cheap end, the finish is bad and they are usually extremely heavy. If you check the Kovex-Ars rapiers - the weight they list at 114cm is 1,5kg! My rapier is 127cm and weighs approx. 1,1kg.
So, if a few extra € aren't a problem, I would rather recommend Peter Regenyei, Marco Danelli etc
And where do you get rapier blunt tips? I have seen in internet only darkwood armory tips. (Here in Ukraine people just weld metal tips to the hanwei blades, and it seems quite disgusting to me)
All of our rapiers have folded tips. Usually we just put some tape around and some additional cloth on it. Some people use coins :)
Where can I buy these practice rapiers?
Hello Dax! The ones I use in that particular video were made by Peter Regenyei from regenyei.com/.
Im very interested in learning rapier techniques but have not invested in any equipment or education. Do you have any suggestions on how a fresh duelist should begin his or her development?
Hello Ross! It's relatively easy. There are some sources you can start reading yourself. I'd suggest looking at wiktenauer.com for a general overview and searching for books like Venetian Rapier (by Tom Leoni, Giganti), Salvator Fabris or Capo Ferro. Last of the named can be found as a free PDF. Rest is finding someone you could practice with the basics. Cheapest ist getting some sticks, economy is buying sports fencing epees but the regular way is getting a pair of rapiers. Price can vary from 200-400€ per piece. Masks for starters can be found on Ebay or bought from specialized companies like Allstar, PBT, Leon Paul etc. Good luck :)
@@MartinFabian Thank you so much for the advice. I'll get to my studies now :-) I really enjoy your channel and keep up the good work.
Why is the hand used to guard? I'm very new to HEMA.
Hi Doctor D!
The off hand is used to guard and deflect possible targets for two reasons - you're trying to make some use of it besides being another target :) and most importantly - from a life saving perspective it's better to have your arm pierced or wounded than for example your neck :)
The rapier masters were often showing use of various things to protect you besides the weapon itself - most prominent being the dagger, the cape or even a lantern.
Martin Fabian Thank you very much! :D
A lot of cutting for a thrusting weapon XD
A lot of assumptions for a super large group of weapons :)
To paraphrase Giganti: In a brawl most men cut anyways.