The Armour Archive

Although you never see me use it in major tourneys (my teardrop just offers so many more advantages when winning is the goal), I love fighting sword and buckler.

It appeals to me as such a clean, pure form that requires flawless execution, range control, footwork and hand speed.

I use a lot of I-33, as well as some techniques adapted specifically for SCA sport-fighting.

I wanted to get an idea of how many others in this subset of the SCA/WMA community enjoy sword and buckler as well.

I personally use Vom tag (sword high and back, shield upraised), underarm (sword tip back, as though in its sheath, and buckler covering my sword hand) and half-shield (sword and buckler both held far out before me, buckler shielding swordhand)

What guards, stances and techniques do you like to use with this form?

Let's discuss!

I have been considering trying sword and buckler, though I'm not sure I'm in good enough shape to pull it off.

I think part of my problem with wearing a shield is I am too passive about my defense. Instead of actively blocking and attacking, as one would in a hand-to-hand combat art, I tend to simply keep my shield at my side and feel as if I am defended. I will punch high to protect my head but I don't feel I'm as active in my defense as I was when I trained at Hapkido.

Steve

Do you control your opponent's sword with your sword before making the hand-off to the buckler?

Do you find that you are able to bind with rattan or do you need to do something else?

Sword & buckler rocks!

- Scott

Steve: I think you should definitely give it a try, fighting sword and buckler will force you to be active in your footwork, mindful of range and you basically have 0 passive defense so you have to actively attack the enemy's sword with your buckler.

Jester: Good question! I find rattan binds very well--more friction with all the tape and whatnot. An offside punch-blow with my sword into the opponent's sword to control it, quickly followed by a buckler-punch to their blade or sword-basket, followed by either a second offside sword blow or a Sturzhau(ish) (scorpion wrap) works very well.

Scott: Agreed!

Sword and Buckler is excellent!

Also love single sword!

jester wrote:Do you control your opponent's sword with your sword before making the hand-off to the buckler?

Do you find that you are able to bind with rattan or do you need to do something else?

SCA fighters don't bind. It is almost as foriegn a context as winding.

Leo Medii wrote:SCA fighters don't bind. It is almost as foriegn a context as winding.

Can't speak for others, but I do a lot of winding with greatsword. When the guy with the big shield rushes me, I sometimes use a heavy oberhau brought down onto the top of their shield, then ratchet my hilt up high and deliver a nice stout thrust to the face.

Binding in SCA is good for gaining a quick advantage and capitalizing on it--given our lack of options for wrestling, there's not much else to be done with a bind (like the polearm wrestling topic)

I love fighting sword and buckler, especially against bigger shields. I tend to surprise people with how protective the little shield can be.

If I have newer fighters who have gotten complacent behind their big shields or need to work on their footwork I will suggest that they try sword and buckler because it forces you to be active and move if you want to survive.

Ingelri

I love the buckler, though I prefer matched weapons. Duke Gerhard uses it as his main tournament form.

yes

Dietrich von Stroheim wrote:

Leo Medii wrote:SCA fighters don't bind. It is almost as foriegn a context as winding.

Can't speak for others, but I do a lot of winding with greatsword. When the guy with the big shield rushes me, I sometimes use a heavy oberhau brought down onto the top of their shield, then ratchet my hilt up high and deliver a nice stout thrust to the face.

Binding in SCA is good for gaining a quick advantage and capitalizing on it--given our lack of options for wrestling, there's not much else to be done with a bind (like the polearm wrestling topic)

I've been attempting to use historical techniques for the past couple of years, and I've found that most techniques that require using the concept of weak vs strong, binding, and winding are extremely difficult because the vast majority of the technique used in the SCA is as a blunt tagging instrument. A vast majority of the fighters I come across use what I call the "bounce technique" where they use the properties of the rattan to "bounce" a failed shot and turn it into the next blow. I've also noticed a marked number that end shots at the point of commitment, and are already on to the next blow before the finish of the first. The one thing I learned and stopped doing (thank god) was what I call "lever machine gunning" with a two handed weapon or poleaxe. It is the process where you can throw multiple blows with the weapon by using the handle as a lever and by doing a push/pull manuver can throw basically unrealistic (and with a real weapon innefective) blows in rapid succession. Something that made me an incredible pole weapon fighter back before I began to look at the techniques of historical teachers.

YMMV.

I enjoy fighting with sword and buckler. Last Crown tourney it's what I used. I've found that the style clarifies the mind and the noise the buckler makes when blocking a shot is soothing to my ear.

I love buckler and sword. (Buckler and dagger is even more fun)

I don't wear much armour so I like fighting big heavey hitting duke types with the buckler and sword. It makes for an exciting fight, because the capacity for pain is higher. (Pain being relative to what we're doing, that is. I would never seriously risk injury to myself. It's not healthy for me or for our game)

+1 vote for the sword & buckler funfactor. Whe I begin an engagemtn, I fight the sword and buckler like a basterd sword; Sword above the buckler, buckler overlapping hand on sword, both vertical in from of body, bucckler at waist level. From there it's adapt and win, if possible. I need to study more, and work with it more, but it's fun and a real learnign experience.

Vilhelm550 wrote:+1 vote for the sword & buckler funfactor. Whe I begin an engagemtn, I fight the sword and buckler like a basterd sword; Sword above the buckler, buckler overlapping hand on sword, both vertical in from of body, bucckler at waist level. From there it's adapt and win, if possible. I need to study more, and work with it more, but it's fun and a real learnign experience.

Fighting against Duke Cuan has mostly disabused me of this technique, but I still do it occasionally when he's not looking... Buckler v. buckler is more fun, but using it against all comers really gives you a workout on all aspects of your game. I love it!

Love it

Does anyone sell a good buckler?

Steve

i likes it

I like it, but I don't play with it as much as I should. I got a big wonking one (18") at Windrose. Will probably buy a smaller one after I'm 100% sure I'll be back on the list.

My favorite also,so much so... that I do not even own a larger shield.
I have a rather nice dagger rarely use it anymore.


Buckler and dagger,Yes I've done it.I find it is not a good ideal.

It will teach you not to sword block.

I love sword and buckler, most fun I've had in SCA combat after 2 handed swords.

I love to fight S&B against great swords and long pole arms. When fighting against these I usually fight with my sword leg forward buckler just above my waist and sword semi-vertical like a longsword. Sometimes depending on which hand my opponent is dominant in I will can't it to one side or the other. I rush in and block as much as possible then when in close try and out maneuver them with footwork (I"m not a great fighter but I try).

If fighting someone with a large shield I will put the buckler in front like a larger round shield and keep my sword hand by my hip with the tip pointed at my opponent but hidden from view by my shield. This allows me to switch up which leg is dominant and change the range without much notice from my opponent.

I decided to pick up sword and Buckler when I was still wearing minimals with only a tunic and maille over it. I learned real quick how to move out of the way of many shots. Active defense is key, in the SCA sword and buckler for me is almost all aggressive, or a wait out of range and rush in style.

Kind of the same way I fight longsword, 'cept with more movement.

I'm pleased to see so much enthusiasm for the sword and buckler style!

If you are considering purchasing one, I recommend Windrose armory, in 14 ga (anything lighter than that is going to get trashed)

Here is what mine looks like:



It is definitely a lot of fun fighting sword and buckler, and as a style, I find it works very well against polearms in particular. I like to use an offside blow to make them block followed by a quick grab with the buckler hand to displace the polearm, just long enough to feed the glaiveman my sword point or jack him in the back of the head with a stout wrap shot.

Anyone have any cool buckler videos or pictures to share?

PS Leo I also try to use a lot of historical fighting techniques, it works very well as long as you don't expect to rely ENTIRELY on what comes out of the fechtbuchs--which even the masters tell us are not all-inclusive, if I recall.

But my experience is that German longsword/greatsword fighting chews up and spits out equal or lesser swordsmen using the traditional SCA post stance with fly-fishing lever-action shots. YMMV on that too!

Why, to watch a skilled sword and buckler fighter would undoubtedly bring a tear of joy to my eye.



Regards

Avery

At our Sunday practice, after fighting everyone at least once, we have "buckler madness" bear pit. I have only done it twice, since I was too tired to fight after the inital rounds of fighting; but it was fun and added a different aspect to our fighting.

I plan on getting a nice buckler... when I have some spare cash.

DukeAvery wrote:Why, to watch a skilled sword and buckler fighter would undoubtedly bring a tear of joy to my eye.



Regards

Avery

Here's a clip of some buckler fighting-

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v168/Leonthas/?action=view&current=Videos005.flv

*sniffle*

Thanks -

Avery

Glad I could help!

I have more of them, a bunch in fact. From the metro Detroit practice. A lot of some high end fighters, pretty great fights, if you're into that kind of thing...I know I am. I love watching artists go at it.

Leo Medii wrote:

DukeAvery wrote:Why, to watch a skilled sword and buckler fighter would undoubtedly bring a tear of joy to my eye.



Regards

Avery

Here's a clip of some buckler fighting-

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v168/Leonthas/?action=view&current=Videos005.flv

Were you using a plastic cup hilt???

My husband used to be one of the sw/buckler fighters at RW fight practice. He used to only ever use a heater shield. Then I plotted a Christmas present for him with the goal of improving his fighting - with the input of a couple folks, we decided on a buckler. It has GREATLY improved his footwork. He enjoys it to the point that he'll take it into melees, to improve his mobility. I wish I had pictures of him fighting with it...

Oh, and to see him and Sir Angus of Darkmoon giggling their way thru one of Count Lutr's round shield classes, as the only two guys attending with buckler - priceless

Edited to add: I say USED TO be at Roaring Wastes practice not because he doesn't fight buckler any longer. I say that because now he's up in Ottawa, and I assume his buckler is what he's fighting with up there (I'm still in Windsor - anyone want a 3 bed 1 bath semi detached backsplit in Forest Glade? Please???)

DukeAvery wrote:Why, to watch a skilled sword and buckler fighter would undoubtedly bring a tear of joy to my eye.



Regards

Avery

I don't count myself as skilled,but I'm no better with a strapped round.
Sorry only have this on facebook,but if you have one, have a look...

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id= ... 0919912443

I greatly enjoy fighting sword(36") and buckler(12") against nearly anything. What gives me the most worries is a sword&shield opponent that is equal or better than me with a normal sized shield.

GS? PA? Come to daddy! And I will look at times rather like some of the poses in I33. For a GS I need to block it with my sword hand behind the buckler, or it can drive right through the 2# buckler.

DukeAvery wrote:Why, to watch a skilled sword and buckler fighter would undoubtedly bring a tear of joy to my eye.



Regards

Avery

I will see if I can get some video footage this weekend, your Grace.

Leo, great vid! Thanks for sharing, it was fun to watch your footwork and combos.

Steve -SoFC- wrote:Does anyone sell a good buckler?

Steve

windrose. you'll never kill it

Leo Medii wrote:SCA fighters don't bind. It is almost as foriegn a context as winding.

I do both. But then, I'm a wrestler disguised as a swordsman.