Greatsword gear/training questions

[Nathan McCartney]

Hey guys, I just had a couple quick questions about greatswords.

First, I was looking at getting a greatsword size waster soon from either Raven studios or NSA. The thing I noticed was that the blade length for one from Raven only goes to 38" which is the same as a longsword, and NSA goes up to 41". The hilt for both are within an inch of each other at about 13", so my question is, what would actually be a good size for historical greatsword? For that matter would a greatsword be considered a different length than a "true" two-handed sword (as described in the Sword Forms section of the ARMA site)?

Secondly, could anyone point me to a training manual or text that discusses the use of a greatsword? I've been looking through wiktenauer but with so many manuscripts there its a long process to sift through it all. They don't -have- to be in english, as I can try and piece things together from the pictures, but obviously any accurate english translation would be the most helpful.

Thanks a lot guys. =D

[Kody Tench]

I know I've seen some work with zweihander somewhere I'm trying to find them now :/

[Randall Pleasant]

Hey guys, I just had a couple quick questions about greatswords.

First, I was looking at getting a greatsword size waster soon from either Raven studios or NSA. The thing I noticed was that the blade length for one from Raven only goes to 38" which is the same as a longsword, and NSA goes up to 41". The hilt for both are within an inch of each other at about 13", so my question is, what would actually be a good size for historical greatsword? For that matter would a greatsword be considered a different length than a "true" two-handed sword (as described in the Sword Forms section of the ARMA site)?

Secondly, could anyone point me to a training manual or text that discusses the use of a greatsword? I've been looking through wiktenauer but with so many manuscripts there its a long process to sift through it all. They don't -have- to be in english, as I can try and piece things together from the pictures, but obviously any accurate english translation would be the most helpful.

Thanks a lot guys. =D

Nathan

Probably the best manual that shows the use of greatswords is Goliath. Please not that a greatsword is just slightly longer longsword. You will find little in Goliath that is not covered in the other German manuals.

On the other hand, a zweihander is a Renaissance sword that cannot be handle was easy as a longsword due to it's lenght. In some ways it is like handling a polearm. There are Italian and Portuguese manuals on its use.

[Nathan McCartney]

Hey guys, I just had a couple quick questions about greatswords.

First, I was looking at getting a greatsword size waster soon from either Raven studios or NSA. The thing I noticed was that the blade length for one from Raven only goes to 38" which is the same as a longsword, and NSA goes up to 41". The hilt for both are within an inch of each other at about 13", so my question is, what would actually be a good size for historical greatsword? For that matter would a greatsword be considered a different length than a "true" two-handed sword (as described in the Sword Forms section of the ARMA site)?

Secondly, could anyone point me to a training manual or text that discusses the use of a greatsword? I've been looking through wiktenauer but with so many manuscripts there its a long process to sift through it all. They don't -have- to be in english, as I can try and piece things together from the pictures, but obviously any accurate english translation would be the most helpful.

Thanks a lot guys. =D

Nathan

Probably the best manual that shows the use of greatswords is Goliath. Please not that a greatsword is just slightly longer longsword. You will find little in Goliath that is not covered in the other German manuals.

On the other hand, a zweihander is a Renaissance sword that cannot be handle was easy as a longsword due to it's lenght. In some ways it is like handling a polearm. There are Italian and Portuguese manuals on its use.

Thanks for the reply. I thought a greatsword could probably be able to be handled like a longsword, I just wasn't sure if that'd be accurate so I wanted to ask first. However I was thinking more of a zweihander when I wrote the original post though, so do you think I should study the polearm more when I start trying to work on zweihander training?

[Steven Reich]

Thanks for the reply. I thought a greatsword could probably be able to be handled like a longsword, I just wasn't sure if that'd be accurate so I wanted to ask first. However I was thinking more of a zweihander when I wrote the original post though, so do you think I should study the polearm more when I start trying to work on zweihander training?

You shouldn't need to study polearm material. If you want to train in the 2-handed sword (the Italians called this the Spadone or the Spada da due mani, the Iberians called it the Montante), then go directly to the sources. In the case of the Italians, the material is part of a larger system such that you'll need to learn some of the other material first. However, in the case of the Iberian material, there are works which cover only the Montante--one of which has a translation which is freely available online as a PDF: Figueyredo. The material in this work is all solo drills, so it's an excellent place to start.

Steve

[Chris Holloman]

Steven,

Thanks for sharing the PDF. It is now in my "dig into when I have time" pile. One of the wasters that I made was a great sword, parrying hooks and all, but I had yet to find any material dealing specifically with it.

Thanks again!

Bro. chris

[Matthew Adams]

NSA makes a Montante with a 47 inch blade and a 16 inch handle. Its not on their site you'll have to E-mail them. Its 200.00 plus shipping.

http://shop.swordplaybooks.com/product. ... egoryId=15

And here is a book that's just been published.

I'm beginning my foray into the use of this weapon myself and if anyone else has any source of weapons or material I'd like to hear about it.

Purpleheart armory also has a synthetic Montante available if you contact them. I know that ARMA doesn't recommend them, but my group fences primarily with synthetics, and I, personally, have not had issues with there products or practices.

If this post or link is in violation of the rules, please feel free to remove it, with my apologies. It's my first post.