Baited Blade is a Classical fencing club. What does that really mean anyway? Why don’t we call our club historical? We actually offer more historical weapons than classical (since the category of “classical fencing” only comprises the three modern weapons: foil, epee and sabre and we offer five weapons deemed as historical: smallsword, combat sabre, rapier, longsword and dussack; of course the sticks are in their own category). So why then, do we call ourselves a classical club?
The simple truth is that we all started in classical fencing, or at least the instructors did. It is our (certainly my) belief that a good grounding in classical foil is the basis for any other weapon system one might encounter in the domain of western martial arts. Also, foil is the central weapon representing Baited Blade. Our very identity as a fencing club is represented by the foil; I guide all of our pedagogical principles by the foil; I define the parameters of study using the foil; fencers’ advancement to other weapons is based on performance and understanding of foil. Since foil is classical fencing, we are a classical club. With all of this attributed to foil, one might ask why we even bother with the other weapons. Of course, there is a reason we do so.
Foil itself is certainly a lifelong study. However, the study of other weapons can sometimes enhance one’s understanding of foil. For that reason, a foilist may want to venture into the study of epee (only when ready of course). Whereas foil teaches us what one should do to survive a swordfight, epee encompasses what one might do, thus adding that sense of variability that certainly can add to one’s competency in foil.
Sabre too, has something to offer. In sabre, one learns the nature of rhythm and flow as to how they affect a swordfight. There is even some contribution to one’s understanding of foil in historical fencing. Of course, I refer to smallsword. It can certainly add a real-world context to the weapon. So, all of these weapons can enhance foil. That certainly is not the only reason to take them up. One might wish to pursue any or all of these weapons for their specific appeal. It is merely that an understanding of them is driven by a clear grounding in…you guessed it…foil. So foil is aided a little by other weapons but the other weapons are made so much better by foil with all its form. That is what makes us a classical club. We are driven by the study of form.
Form is a major component in the multi-meaning of the word, classical. Historical fencers can certainly study the form of their particular weapon/master but classical fencing (namely foil) revolves around the study of form; it is based on form and its function in a sword fight (which is why foil is the exemplar of classical fencing in the first place). Unlike many strictly historical clubs, we approach each historical weapon from the mindset of form. How can my stance add to my defense dynamic? What is the optimal distance and how do I maintain it? How can I manipulate the timing of this exchange? How can I get my opponent to do what I want him or her to do? These questions have been answered for us when we studied foil so with this inherent understanding of form, the classical fencer is able to pick up any western weapon and with minimal study in that weapon, prove to be a formidable opponent with it.
So, that is why we are a classical club that studies some historical weapons and systems and not the other way around. The word, classical gets tossed around quite a bit but it isn’t being used properly unless one can explain every aspect of its use. I feel it behooves a true proponent of “classical study” to be able to examine, analyze and correctly explain anything that falls within the parameters of that study.
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