Customer Reviews

Old Sword Play: Techniques of the Great Masters (Dover Military History, Weapons, Armor)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Reading Hutton is always interesting, as he is such a pivital individual in fencing's transition from the nineteenth to the twentieth century. "Old Sword-Play" gives us a look at fencing's early stages of develpment. For the fencer, it is good to know one's origins. As the author of "The Art and Science of Fencing," and "The Inner Game of Fencing," and the editor/publisher of FENCERS QUARTERLY MAGAZINE, I recommend this book.

Here are sword techniques of the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth
centuries for everyone. Hutton addresses the common techniques of these periods clearly and in enough detail that someone with even a basic knowledge of fencing can follow him. The two-handed sword, rapier and dagger, broadsword and buckler, rapier and cloak, dagger and cloak, the case of rapiers, and a variety of techniques for disarming a swordsman are described in detail.

I'm somewhat interested in the two-handed sword, the pairs of weapons, and the blade and shield arrangements, but the disarms are very interesting. They could be better illustrated, but the text is clear enough to follow the movements.

A note for kendoka; the section on two-handed sword techniques might be familiar to you. I find it very interesting how closely the European techniques mirror the Japanese techniques.

Unlike Hutton's earlier work Cold Steel: The Art of Fencing with the Sabre (Dover Books on History, Political and Social Science) this book would have little if any benefit for modern fencers. But any one interested in older sword technique, or someone who is looking to broaden their horizons in combative disciplines could enjoy it.

A great piece of history, and potentially some fun in the salle d'armes or dojo.

E. M. Van Court

Alfred Hutton's Old Sword Play, I would describe as a gloss of duelling styles as they changed over time with the change of the duelling weapon. While it's useful for quickly and efficiently ingraining the basics of the weapons and their play with spartan pragmatism compared to, say, Castle's Schools and Masters of Defence.

While it contains a couple good nuggets of information, most of it is a (very) basic and simple overview of each form in very unnecessary, extravagant wording

Item arrived later than expected and the base of the spine was destroyed, which I wasn't expecting when I ordered it new.
The cover and pages were in acceptable condition. Appeared used.
Reasonably priced.

Would make another purchase from distributor assuming slightly damaged product was a rarity.

It is absolutely essential that you buy this book. Maestro Martinez' introduction alone merits it, but to be able to drink in Hutton's wisdom on historical fencing... hoo boy!