[Bill Tsafa]

I would like to open up a discussion on Broadsword vs. Rapier to be discussed in all the forms as they were historically used. They were contemporaries within the same time period so you could very well match theses to styles up in a duel. I recall that George Silver hated the rapier and the whole thrust oriented system of fighting.

I know little of Silver's broadsword system. I have read Steven Hand's book, but I am sure that has only given me a mild idea of what the system is like. Nothing beats training and practical experience. My primary rapier form is case. I fight dagger and single well too. I have also played around with cloak, buckler and cane. I would fight a broadsword duel with a 40" rapier in one hand and a 36" rapier in the other hand. I would keep my shorter rapier on his broadsword side for better levered blocks. I would maintain maximum range and do all my work with the tip.

I have had the opportunity to fence someone very knowledgeable in Scottish Broadsword. We fought on two occasion using his training weapons. He uses basket hilted sticks. The first time we met he beat me, the second time I beat him. I can't say that these matches would be a good example because the weapons used were inaccurate for both of us. He has the right length, but his simulator was way too light for broadsword. From my perspective the simulator was a little lighter but way too short. There is also the matter that with a rapier I will usually have something in the other hand. He primarily fights single broadsword. The training rapiers that I use to fence normally are realistic. They are only tempered differently for a flex. Most broadsword fighters do not use realistic broadswords in fencing.

So how do you guys think these two styles of fighting would match up in sampling of duels.

[Stephen Hand]

Dear Vassilis,

Interesting timing. I've just (finally) put the finishing touches to Volume II of English Swordsmanship which includes a large chapter on Silver's instructions on how to defeat the rapier. The book is going into layout and then proofreading and printing, so I would expect to see it in April or May.

Cheers
Stephen

[Bill Tsafa]

I look forward to it. Thank You.

[Luc Depierne]

Greetings,

I'm interested to ask for more general information myself, having no experience in fencing or the many competition leagues that are available now. So looking to get more info from people who are actually experimenting.
I found this post through the internet's sword Rapier versus Broadsword.
To me it makes perfect sense Bill that you mention you would have another weapon of some kind in you're other hand.
It seems to be that optimally the Broadsword would have a shield with it an wanted to ask about how much power the rapier could deliver on the shield with a strike?
I understand this probably would not be a strategy you would likely employ, its my understanding the Rapier is quite sturdy.
In any case if you guys decide to reply thank you, I'm thinking of taking a fencing class the next few seasons and heading into a few fairs to get closer to the historical reality of arms, armor, an like things.
A novices opinion here, the rapiers reputation for speed in an unarmored match really challenges the broadsword.
Well on that note, I'll save my many other questions an idea's for the forums which mention it.

[Mikko Kuusirati]