There cannot be enough experimental archaeology. Anything that serves the cause of dispelling martial arts bullshit is gold. Weaponry is the last refuge of delusion in the combat arts, and the fighters doing the most to dispel the myth of the Asian-based lady dance that is Hollywood fight choreography are doing it in Europe.
Check out the video link in the article link below.
I've been practicing European swordsmanship for the past two years now, and I cannot understand how Hollywood can take a sword fight and make it flat out boring. You never see any wrestling at the blade, half-swording or accurate depictions of fighting in armor. Many people that come out to train with us are very surprised to find out that most longswords only weighed three pounds!
I've been reading your blog for the past couple of months, and I know you're no fan of the "knightly class." But have you considered examining HEMA related fighting, in particular the unarmed and dagger combat? I'd love to read your opinions some of the reconstructions floating around online. In my view, many of it is still applicable to modern self-defense situations, though the rondels and bollocks daggers common at that time were very different in character to the knives used today.
SG
I am very interested in the HEMA activity, and was helped early on in my boxing research by John Clements of HARMA.
I have trained with some western martial artists and enjoyed it., but have stuck to generic modern weapons and machetes for gladiatorial reconstruction for the very simple reason that I am, like my ancestors, a peasant, and can not afford the gear.
Check out our video selection on ancients page fro some machete duels.
If you email me any links which you would like my opinion on by way of jameslafond dot-com at gmail dot-com I will publish a response. That is how I got this piece. I spend very little time on the internet other than this site and links readers send me.
Good training to you, Sir.