Question for Fencers/Rapier swordsman....Any Tips For Me?

[Archibald]

Hi guys!

In a few weeks time, a friend of mine (whom i train Jujitsu with) are performing an experiment re; Rapier vs. Katana.

He has 9 years of fencing behind him and is using a tipped paul chen Rapier.

I have 2.5 years of Kenjutsu behind me....I am using a bokken, and wearing one of my mate's fencing masks.

Despite the training time difference, I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on what the best way to go about playing against him? We've done this before, both using Shinai, and i found circular entries to be the best bet, but now things may change as he has the proper length advantage, so....any advice?
The rules are basically that of a "fight to the end duel", ie extensive grappling is allowed, and unless i was wearing gloves (which i wont be, for realism sake) I wouldn't be able to grab his blade.

And before anyone asks, we are doing this all in good fun. The two of us have enormous respect for both styles, we just thought it would be interesting to see what works, what doesnt, advantages/disadvantages of each weapon etc etc.

If you feel like departing any knowledge then I'd be very grateful :love:

[koto_ryu]

Actually, with traditional rapiers you can in fact grab the blade. Rapiers are made for thrusting and thrusting only, so only the end is the sharp point. The shaft of the sword itself is actually in most cases quite dull, you can read all about this in the excellent book "Renaissance Swordsmanship." There was actually many grappling techniques against a rapier too, some of which are shown here.

http://www.ravenmore.com/southernwatch/References/pn1.jpg

This is an excellent article on what a rapier is and how it was used: http://www.thearma.org/Youth/rapieroutline.htm

Could bare hands be used to grab or parry a rapier blade?

Rapiers were quick and agile, but they could still be quickly seized and held tightly by even a bare hand. There would be little chance of the hand being injured in doing this. Indeed, as the historical texts instruct, even wider cutting swords can be held by the blade or grabbed safely if done correctly. Several rapier treatises depict the empty hand being used to slap away or deflect rapier thrusts. This was a common technique and because a man might easily close to grapple in this way, it was another reason to employ a dagger or other weapon in the second hand. If a special grasping glove covered in maile or heavy leather was worn then grabbing or swatting away a sword was even safer.

[Archibald]

Wow, some awesome info there, thanks Koto Ryu :)

I reconise the joint lock shown in that picture which once again confirms my theory that the West and the East fought in very similar ways.

Thanks very much, i greatly appreciate it :)