Fencing vs Kendo, which would be better in close quarters?

[PlatinumGold]

this is purely hypothetical, BUT,

a master fencer vs a Kendo Master, who has advantage??

the way i understand it, fencing with the piercing attacks are quicker and harder to defend against when using a sword w/ a slashing attack. i'm not an expert or even close to one, it's just something that caught my interest the other day.


for eg. in rob roy, liam neeson's character w/ his broad sword got schooled by that character w/ a fencing sword.

anyway, i thought it might make for interesting discussion.

 

[Michael]

One guy wacks you with his bamboo slats while the other pokes at you with a flexible wire that is capped so it isn't sharp? Sounds like a dumb fight to me.

Michael

 

[PlatinumGold]

michael

an uncapped fencing sword is a dangerous weapon as is a kendo sword not the practice bambo slats.

i'm sure you knew that and was just trying to make a joke. trying being the operative word here.

 

[BooneRebel]

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold
this is purely hypothetical, BUT,

a master fencer vs a Kendo Master, who has advantage??

the way i understand it, fencing with the piercing attacks are quicker and harder to defend against when using a sword w/ a slashing attack. i'm not an expert or even close to one, it's just something that caught my interest the other day.


for eg. in rob roy, liam neeson's character w/ his broad sword got schooled by that character w/ a fencing sword.

anyway, i thought it might make for interesting discussion.

Guess you thought wrong. However, I agree that a piercing attack is more effective than a slashing attack for a protected target in close quarters. An unprotected target is readily disabled by either means. Finally, I believe Indiana Jones offered up a perfect cinematic response to an armed swordsman.

 

[MaxDepth]

I much prefer sharks with laser beams attached to their heads...

 

[WinkOsmosis]

I don't think either can defend against the other. How do you parry a heavier weapon with a flexible rapier or whatever? How do you dodge a stabbing wire?

 

[BooneRebel]

Originally posted by: Jellomancer
I don't think either can defend against the other. How do you parry a heavier weapon with a flexible rapier or whatever? How do you dodge a stabbing wire?

In Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon I learned that you run up a stick of bamboo 75 feet in the air and then jump over your opponent. Problem solved.

 

[Storm]

Originally posted by: MaxDepth
I much prefer sharks with laser beams attached to their heads...

Hahahaha

Edit

Isnt it frickening lazer beams?

 

[Michael]

PlatinumGold:

I'm a Knight in the SCA and have almost 2 decades of sword fighting experience.

A kendo sword is the bamboo slats (shinai). Kendo, like modern fencing, is a stylized form of actual fighting. I wasn't really joking, that is what your question asked.

In very close quarters, a long, sharp slashing sword like a katana can be held straight upwards and then brought down to slice very deeply. A katana also can be used to thrust and you can parry a thrust from a "fencer". In a more open area, the fencer has more range and it depends on what type of "stop thrusts" he can land.

I would take a broadsword with a basket hilt and a shield in close quarters over either a katana or a rapier.

Michael

 

[PlatinumGold]

Michael

oopss

did i show my ignorance.

that's cool. that's the kinda info i was curious about. ya, i wasn't sure about the kendo terminology.

as to a rapier, hmm, so you think in close quarters slashing is better than thrusting.

hmmm interesting.

 

[Soybomb]

My money is on the kendo master because I hear he carries a gun too.

 

[Damage]

Hypothetically, i would probably choose a roman gladius in close.. Heavy weight and nice point provide a decent chance to piece any armor, and a decent edge for cutting.. The length alone makes it more effective depending on your definition of "in-close"

 

[WinkOsmosis]

I'll take a warhammer and a shield. Try parryin a hammer sucker!