Category Archives: Weapons

French Fencing Diagram, 1916

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French Authors’ Use of the False Attacks and Feints

I.  Introduction Recently, I’ve been trying to drill down on the French authors’ conceptual and mechanical distinctions between fausse attaques—i.e., false attacks—and feints.  Although ostensibly different, it appeared to me that the boundaries between false attacks and feints could easily … Continue reading

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The Ulfberht Sword

The PBS series NOVA has produced yet another stellar documentary.  Although not directly related to classical fencing, Secrets of the Viking Sword is thoroughly fascinating.  Broadcast on October 10, 2012, the episode is an amalgam of historical research, metallurgy, participatory … Continue reading

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An Umbrella for Defense?

Although the use of the umbrella in the videos below is less than elegant, the umbrella appears quite durable and deceptively innocent. Perhaps it could be an effective and unobtrusive tool for historic methods of self-defense. My interest is piqued … Continue reading

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Cane and Umbrella Defense Demo

In this short, three-part video series, Florine Michelin, Daniel Jaquet, & Thomas Schmutziger present an excellent demonstration of late 19th Century and early Twentieth Century street defense with cane and umbrella. Their presentation, both humorous and academic, occurred at Dreynevent, … Continue reading

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