Expert Saber Sparring: Lee Smith vs Richard Marsden

Impressive fighting skills at work. There is a reason why these guys teach historical swordsmanship.

This match took place at the Blood & Iron historical martial arts school in New Westminster, BC, Canada. Richard Marsden, co-founder and principal instructor of the Phoenix Society of Historical Swordsmanship, came for a visit to give two seminars, one on Fiore's longsword and another on Polish saber fencing. After the instruction he sparred with Lee Smith, co-founder and principal instructor of Blood & Iron.

Richard Marsden's book on Polish saber fencing and other books I recommend:

To find a HEMA school / club in your area:

Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords:

Kult of Athena, my favorite online store for reproductions of historical arms and armor, fantasy swords, etc:

The first-person POV footage was recorded with a GoPro Hero 3+ head camera, the rest was recorded with a Panasonic GH4.

Other videos you may find interesting:

Olympic Saber Fencing vs. HEMA - Different Ways to Cut

I Had HIGH Expectations for These Gauntlets...

How to Avoid Hand Hits in a Sword Fight (Historical Martial Arts)

How to Parry with a Sword - Edge or Flat?

*** Music ***

1.) "Guardians of the Oceanus" by Taco Music
2.) "Film Dramatic Orchestra" by BAZ records
(no longer available on Audiomicro)

*** Merch ***

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[jonathanbowling]

Contrary to popular belief, I ACTUALLY did search for this and am quite satisfied.

[antialeks]

My dude literally hit him with the "Well, what are you waiting for" in real combat, and got a hit for it. Absolute legend

[thatotherguy]

*gets his stomach sliced open, guts falling out and all*

guy: AWW NICE

[Gaius]

0:07
Hit ‘em with the “Show me a good time, Jack!”

[mastersanada]

Professionals: Excellent parry and ripostes on both sides!
What we see: Swing swing swoosh

[smoothism]

Imagine trying to rob someone and they pull out a whole ass sword.

[CreepsMcPasta]

Oh YouTube recommended. You never fail to send me to weird, but wonderful places

[theyankeesamurai]

Being a martial artist and always rolling my eyes when someone says "You can disarm a knife from an attacker", this footage proves you need to be Matrix level reflexes from defending yourself from a sword, mind you it's bigger than a knife, heavier to boot and expert practitioners narrowly avoid the barely predictable slashes. Now try doing that with something smaller, easier to hide, faster to deploy and attack with, yeah there's no way a person can disarm a knife attack. It great seeing each practitioner calling out a proper blow. Allows both parties to learn and grow.

[thisninjadude]

0:07 When you accidentally pressed the emote button

[funkygamer]

Starting to realize how quickly a real sword fight would end.

[MrHotBagel]

This is just fantastic sportsmanship. They encourage each other and call out any fair hits.

[CalebSDavis]

were literally watching some of the best sword fencers in the world. The fact that they are literally trying to strike each other, but they make it look like its a choreographed movie fight: Absolutely legendary

[jared]

1:12 Ah, so this is what it looks like to die.

[TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

This is how we saw it in our heads when we were kids, sword fighting.

[Peanutzz_]

Teacher: why didn’t you go bathroom during lunch?

The bathroom during lunch:

[justanotheryoutubedoofus]

I always come back to this video. It’s like a dance between two perfect partners. The sportsmanship, the technique, the visible joy and yet holding nothing back in your swift actions. It’s as if you were made for this, like your blades are no more than extensions of yourself. Bravo

[nicklugo]

not even 10 seconds in and he uses the "well what is it" emote

[dravendfr]

Meanwhile everyone I know: “Nuh uh, I didn’t get hit!”

[moodydolphin]

When the teacher and smart kid disagree on an answer.

[gameknight]

This is super cool! It's something I'd love to learn.