Weapon Combinations

[Torrey Jones]

This is a question that Ive seen bounce around the forums occasionally but have never really found a good answer to. (though of course if any are known by all means link away) I am referring to the pairing of various weapons other than sword & dagger and sword & buckler. In one of the articles on the main ARMA site listing the various myths of medieval combat number 13 says that combining sword with axe, mace etc was exceedingly common, more so than sword and shield even. Yet usually the only answer I can find references sword and dagger or "a case of rapiers" neither of which are what Im really looking for. My main interest lies in using a sword with an axe in the off hand. Whether the sword should be an arming sword or more gladius length I leave to the discretion of whomever answers. If anyone can shed some light on this I would greatly appreciate it. Ive tried testing it out myself but due to my current lodgings and location find whackable people in short supply so if anyone has ever tried this themselves Id love to know your impressions. Any and all help appreciated.

[Jonathan Hill]

There is very little written about two weapons at once aside from sword and dagger, sword and shield. Thus we can’t give you much from history about it, did it happen, yes.

As to actually using a weapon in each hand, the shorter they are the easier they are to use. It’s common to see two machetes. Hawk and dagger was also a very common in the later periods or cutlass and boarding axe especially for them sailors. If you like the idea of a weapon in each hand I’d stick with either a long and short, i.e. sword and dagger or sword and shield (don’t forget the shield is a weapon too,) or two relatively short weapons, machete and hand axe. When you throw in two relatively long side swords or two sabres you get to the point that the weapons interfere with each other. Two longswords is ridiculous.

[Allen Johnson]

Let's not forget that a huge aspect of every legitimate martial art is the grappling aspect. When you tie up both hands with weapons you limit your ability to grab. Unless you drop one...however at that moment you would no longer be using a two weapon "system".

That being said, Jonathan is right in that most two weapon systems are a longer weapon and a shorter one. Certainly people thought about it, probably tried it, and discarded it for something more effective.

[steve hick]

There is very little written about two weapons at once aside from sword and dagger, sword and shield. Thus we can’t give you much from history about it, did it happen, yes.

As to actually using a weapon in each hand, the shorter they are the easier they are to use. It’s common to see two machetes. Hawk and dagger was also a very common in the later periods or cutlass and boarding axe especially for them sailors. If you like the idea of a weapon in each hand I’d stick with either a long and short, i.e. sword and dagger or sword and shield (don’t forget the shield is a weapon too,) or two relatively short weapons, machete and hand axe. When you throw in two relatively long side swords or two sabres you get to the point that the weapons interfere with each other. Two longswords is ridiculous.

Marozzo and Manciolino have two sword sections from Bologna, the former is actually not that small. From Iberia, Godinho has a two sword section, its a good size too. This latter addresses that you would most likely use this when fighting many, as there is really no time to grapple. Also there are few thrusts as they tend to also fix your movement and then the problems of getting stuck.

Steve

[Chris Moritz]

Movies, French and Indian War

Tomahawk overhand, knife underhand