Chris,
Originally posted by cxt
When folks start talking about western sword play and free practice.
They are usually talking the use of heavily altered weapons.
Much lighter, differently shaped, and with very different handleing chacteristics than a "real" blade.
Even the classical weapons that we have record of seem to have been significantly altered for "safty."
Mainly thu the use of "blunts" or metal balls welded to the tips of the sword, or in more extreme cases-a sharp blade with a pair of longish screws threaded thu BOTH sides of the tip of the blade--designed to prevent a thrust from penetrating more than an 1/2 inch--sometimes more.
Critics of free-sparring constantly bring up the compromises which have to be made for safety, in terms of the weapons used.
As for the "different handling characteristics" of mock weapons--again, those differences have been noted for a long time. Also, both Renaissance European swordsmen and modern-day Filipino eskrimadors stress the importance of a fighter being able to defend himself "with anything whatsoever" (to paraphrase di Grassi), whether it be a sword, a stick, an umbrella, or whatever--all of which have "different handling characteristics--so I think the problems concerning the differences between "real" and "mock" weapons is a bit played out.
But the use of even these items are pretty much far in the past--no-one has really been training with "blunts", in the classical sense ie a "real" blade in terms of weight,, length, handeling chacateristics etc. with the edges ground off-or never put on, since the the late 1800's, possible earlier, depending on whom you ask
Early 1900's to be more exact--since such weapons were still being used for teaching both heavy military saber, and the lighter Italian sciabola di terreno.
It should also be pointed out that, in the modern Italian school, edge awareness with the saber is still taught (and this is something that one has not seen in sports competition for a long time).
For the last 150 years or so, most "free sparring" in western fenceing has been conducted with extremely lightweight "mock" weapons.
Again, not true--close approximations of sabers of all types were in use right thru the beginning of the 20th century. Singlesticks were used too, though they were often criticized for being too light (Western fencers of that time often voiced the same complaints that one hears today from JSA exponents regarding the shinai).
In addition, the epee was still used for duels at this time, and the epee is realistically weighted for the kind of sword that it is (ie., an ultra-refined thrusting tool).
So when people say, "free sparring" when they are talking about western sword traditions---I tend to be a little pedantic in the accuracy of the use of the term.
I originally mentioned that it's common to FMA as well.
Not sure that it "really" means what folks think it does.
Not better or worse, just different.
I can't personally think of any "better" way to train time and measure, personally.
Peace,
David
David Black Mastro
"The Japanese are the most warlike people in this part of the world. They have artillery and many arquebuses and lances. They use defensive armor for the body, made of iron, which they have owing to the subtlety of the Portuguese, who have displayed that trait to the injury of their own souls." --Gonzalo Ronquillo de Penalosa, commenting on well-equipped wako in the Philippines, 1582.