Learn the Art of Combat - One-Handed Sword Fundamentals (Dussack and Katzbalger)

In this video you will get an overview of one-handed weapons of the 16th century. In this period, a wide variety of different one-handed blades was used - from Sideswords, Dussacks, to the Rapier, etc. Also, the 16th century was the time of the lansknechts and in the battlefields were also short one-handed weapons used, such as the Katzbalger. Those weapons were thus found in civilian contexts, such as dueling or fencing schools as well as in the in the military.
The basic concepts respectively the basis of all one-handed weapons is presented to us by Joachim Meyer in his "Gründliche Beschreibung der Fechtkunst" from 1570. Based on these teachings, I would like to give you an understanding of the handling of such a weapon.

Chapter:
0:00 Intro
0:14 Content description
2:37 Guards
5:00 Footwork
7:03 Thrusts
8:37 Strikes
13:33 Parries
14:23 Summary

[theshadow]

As an animator, these weapon demonstration videos are excellent, providing multiple angles for each pose, high quality video and above all else, a professional and historically expert perspective on the extant use of these weapons. Thank you. I would very much appreciate it if you could offer more videos demonstrating the use of more one handed weapons.

[rafaelperez]

This man knows footwork. Footwork is the blueprint to a good fighter.

[fakecubed]

This is precisely the kind of content I was looking for. I am both an artist and writer, and getting such clear poses and slow movements from multiple angles is extremely useful, and I appreciate the thoroughness. You've earned a subscriber!

[KKRCeb]

Very nice-would love to see more of Meyer's one handed rapier/sidesword moves.

[naughtygoyim]

This guy is a gem I and many others I'm sure appreciate the time and energy put into these so we can gain a deeper understanding of this lost art

[skeleleleton]

The demonstration of the center and remaining safe at 7:00 was so beautifully done. That drastically helped me understand a different perspective than how I was viewing things, just by how you raised your arm slightly.

[Spark_Plugg]

I've never seen your channel before! It's like I hit a goldmine, what?!?!?!? I can't wait to binge-watch all of your videos and learn myself!
and, real quick question, would you happen to have a website, store, or place to look into buying/using swords?

[PBoneSteak]

These videos have really helped my own Hema journey, always well explained and very concise with the source material.

[george]

I've never seen a good overview of meyer for one-handed swords, and I'm pleased to see you've brought your thorough process to it. I think anybody who is interested in HEMA, but unable to find a salle that fits into their life, is very lucky to have your videos as a recourse.

I started with a longsword, but eventually transitioned to a sword of equal blade length, 34 inches/ 89 cm but weighted to be one handed. I'm not an expert, but it could be an Oakeshott 11 in basic proportions. At any rate, It's a much lighter weapon and I found myself reaching for it more often in the end. However, the same guards don't really make sense when you're only holding the sword in one hand, versus what I had learned for my two handed sword. This was like the missing piece for me, and I'll certainly be practicing these guards and forms in the future.

Just out of curiosity, have you ever considered doing a systematic comparison of fiore and meyer? I feel like your methodological approach would be very good for an analytical video like that, although it would probably be a pretty big project!

[ghostdog]

I really like how you start off very very slow. It's a great way to see what your hand an wrist are doing. I helps a lot with aligning the cutting edge with where you want it to go and how to keep a strong wrist. Thank you!

[secutorprimus]

Interested to see the Meyerist perspective on these weapons

[MadassAlex]

Another excellent video, king. I love the standard of research and the clarity of explanation.

[UserNamechannel]

Great video. Would love to see some full-speed fencing with protective gear on the channel.

[hermespino]

Great thorough and detailed video. And you have beautiful and fluid technique. That's the movement of years of training in martial arts.

[lucymaycry]

I really loved watching this video, and how eductional it was too. Short weapons like these where you always have to think about your next defensive action after attacking look like dances for me and it's honestly my favorite part of watching some martial arts sometimes, the energy, the discipline, the tension! Very fascinating, thank you!

[Ishpeck]

I think the steel dussack looks rad as heck. It's a pity Meyer didn't show these in his manual.

[federicoalassino]

Thank you. I practice creole fencing and this video helps me to improve in the use of our facon knife.

[pinarppanrapir]

The boar guard always came naturally to me, good to see it's a proper stance!

[brandonhood]

That’s a beautiful Dussack! Where did you get it from?

[amzilnexys]

Thank you so much!! It's very informative on itself plus useful to me as an artist. You're a lifesaver 💚