Many people who study Fiore believe that the dagger is the foundation weapon of the system. If it is the foundation weapon of the system then lesson it teaches are applied to all weapons in the system. If this true then I believe the section I quoted does apply to battlefield scenarios, since I hold to the opinion that Fiore's art would be as valid on the battle field as it would be in the lists.
But I think we can agree that running off on the battle field with nothing but a dagger would be rather loony if not a ballsy thing to do.
I don't think anyone is claiming that a dagger penetrates armour, the translations says something like armour is useless against it , and in my own opinion you attack the places the armour isn't or is is weak and the dagger is very fast and it is speed that makes is so difficult to defend against. But I think this is common knowledge.
Yes, Fiore show us how to defeat a dagger attack with a sheathed sword, he also show defend against as sword attack with a dagger, multiple attackers even. As long as they attack you one at a time.
Fiore does like sexy language, or at least the translations I have read suggest so, I envy your skill to read it in the original language. I am not sure it is so much a sales pitch as an interesting read, but I am bias because Fiore was the first historic sword master I read.
Quote: |
I am the sword and I am lethal against any weapon: lances, axes, and daggers are worthless against me. I can become extended or withdrawn when I get near opponents I can enter into close play perform disarms and abrazare. Art is to turn and bind. I am expert in defense and offense and always strive to finish in those. Come against me and feel pain. I am Royal enforce justice propagate goodness and destroy evil. Look at me as a cross and I will give you fame and name in art of arms. |
I would argue that this isn't simply a sales pitch, we get the trash talk "bestest weapon ever" part which is pretty much the same as the dagger, but then we get what makes the sword special its flexibility and its connection with royalty, honour and Christianity but with the dagger we get that it is quick, deadly, armour is useless against it and that it teaches the subtlety of the the use of arms amount other things.
In the section of the Getty just before Fiore describes his ninja power he give some useful titbits about the poll-axe.
Quote: |
I am the Axe, heavy, cruel and lethal, and I deliver bigger blows then any other handheld weapon. If I miss with my first attack, the axe becomes a useless liability. Bit if I don't miss my axe can come to the rescue of any other handheld weapon. If I am accompanied by good weapons I can defend with pulsative guards of the sword. |
Again this does not sound like "bestest weapon ever" sales pitch. It also tells you that if you miss with your first attack you are in deep doodoo. I am not sure what to make of the "come to the rescue" comment or the "accompanied by good weapons" unless it is referenced to it use on the battle field and having armed friends, or perhaps the "accompanied by good weapons" is a mistranslation and should be "accompanied by good armour".
In any-case, if Fiore is right in his description, I do not think that I would want to carry a weapon that requires my first attack to succeed since it's my experience that when I fight a competent opponent it is rare that my first attack succeeds.
OK that's too much writing.
I would pick a spear or lighter polearm. Silver says the Welch Hooke or Forest Bill is the bestest weapon every, so I will pick one of those. They have the added advantage of no one really knows what they are.