A Mélange of Disciplines:

[Sir Brian]

It has been stated many times by many more people far more knowledgeable than me in WMA and fencing in general that the study of one weapon style can be conveyed into another. This has become much more evident for me over these recent months when I’ve taken up the study of the dueling epee and dueling saber. With the dueling weapons being so much lighter and thereby faster, I’ve seen a dramatic improvement with my reaction time with the longsword. The same is also true with my footwork. Before I never really felt ‘fluid’ with my steps and positioning while fighting with the longsword but after picking up the lighter dueling weapons my footwork feels a lot less lumbering. I am even finding myself exploring the feasibility of interchanging some techniques between the fighting styles of the three blades. 

[Sir Edward]

Oh, absolutely! In fact, if you want to go the other direction as well, it's only a small step to go from half-swording a longsword into using a spear or poleaxe.

BTW, you looked really good out there on Sunday! You're getting quick, pressing the advantage, and you also looked lighter on your feet. Fantastic.

[Sir Brian]

Oh, absolutely! In fact, if you want to go the other direction as well, it's only a small step to go from half-swording a longsword into using a spear or poleaxe.

Yes I can definitely see a strong correlation between half-sword and polearms. If I recall I believe Josh successful pulled a leveraged half-sword snit to young John during their bout.

BTW, you looked really good out there on Sunday! You're getting quick, pressing the advantage, and you also looked lighter on your feet. Fantastic.

Well thank you! I know I still have a long way to go but I’m feeling more confident the more I progress. 

[Sir William]

I'm going to try and make the next one...anything to get better.

[Sir Brian]

That would be great Sir William! Of course you are also more than welcome to come on any of the non-free play Sundays as well! We had the Capitol paper there last Sunday to do a feature on MASHS for this upcoming Sunday edition, which I’ll add the link when it comes out, but hopefully we’ll see a surge of new students which would be a great time to get started. I won’t be there this coming Sunday but I usually attend every Sunday. Hope to see you there soon!

[Thorsteinn]

Tis true that all styles are one style.

Have you read the Tao of Jeet Kun Do yet?

[Joshua Santana]

It has been stated many times by many more people far more knowledgeable than me in WMA and fencing in general that the study of one weapon style can be conveyed into another.

I heartily agree Sir Brian!  The disciplines if not the concepts found within the techniques of one weapon can transcribe well into other weapons.  An example I can recall is that I am training with the messer after doing some longsword, I have made improvements with my footwork and with the taught messer techniques.  All I can say is that the concepts of fighting do bleed into the techniques of several weapons and this also translates into cross training too.  I would not only like to train further in the Kunst des Fechtens, I would love to try out Bolognese Swordsmanship and other forms of western martial arts to help become a better practitioner and a better fighter.  Cross training has been the secret to success for some famous athletes and in the military.  I advocate cross training as a method of improvement and gaining martial wisdom in theory and in bouting. 

I wish you the best in your training Sir Brian!

Tis true that all styles are one style.

Have you read the Tao of Jeet Kun Do yet?

I wouldn't say styles, rather methods of combat.  The fencing masters of the Renaissance and Medieval Era taught combat to point where it became a science in which deductive and inductive reasoning in conjunction with knowledge of the usage of the weapon were tested against the one changing variable or scenarios presented by reality.  There is a quote made by Joachim Meyer in his 1570 fightbook on what I am attempting to convey here

"For as we are not all of a single nature, so we also cannot have a single style in combat,
yet all must nonetheless arise and be derived from a single basis."

     

[Sir William]

Tis true that all styles are one style.

Have you read the Tao of Jeet Kun Do yet?

I have.  Twice, in fact.  He makes an excellent point in that if you study just one 'style' you are limiting yourself as a warrior.

[SirNathanQ]

I find that my cuts are more defined and cleaner after doing cuts w/ a one-hander.
Oh, if only I was in driving distance to your groups! 

[Sir Brian]

Oh, if only I was in driving distance to your groups! 

I hope perhaps you and Sir James could coordinate an occasional practice session. I know I wouldn't be opposed to taking another trip up that way for a practice session, especially since I have a second fencing mask to share. 

[Sir James A]

Oh, if only I was in driving distance to your groups! 

I hope perhaps you and Sir James could coordinate an occasional practice session. I know I wouldn't be opposed to taking another trip up that way for a practice session, especially since I have a second fencing mask to share. 

Once the weather warms up I hope to have at least a few opportunities to smack each other with swords.

[Sir Brian]

Is there an indoor venue that could be used? 

[SirNathanQ]

There's a gym in town that has a good sized court area. It might cost us a bit though to borrow it. Not much in the way of indoor stuff, but here in Berkeley it's not winter at all. My group practices outside and everything, no problem.

[Sir William]

Oh, if only I was in driving distance to your groups! 

I hope perhaps you and Sir James could coordinate an occasional practice session. I know I wouldn't be opposed to taking another trip up that way for a practice session, especially since I have a second fencing mask to share. 

Neither would I...I thoroughly enjoyed that last outing with you fellows.

[Sir James A]

Oh, if only I was in driving distance to your groups! 

I hope perhaps you and Sir James could coordinate an occasional practice session. I know I wouldn't be opposed to taking another trip up that way for a practice session, especially since I have a second fencing mask to share. 

Neither would I...I thoroughly enjoyed that last outing with you fellows.

I'll arrange for something in April, and figure out a day that works best for all when the time gets closer.