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Alfred Hutton

Swordsman: A Manual Of Fence And The Defence Against An Uncivilised Enemy: Swordsman: A Manual Of Fence And The Defence Against An Uncivilised Enemy Paperback – February 13, 2009

by Alfred Hutton (Author)

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Written by an expert fence - whose previous titles include ‘Cold Steel’ and ‘Fixed Bayonets’ this is an illustrated late 19th century manual of fencing tactics designed to rescue the noble art of swordsmanship that the author considers has been debased, presumably by the arrival of increasingly sophisticated firearms and artillery. Full of diagrams illustrating correct fencing positions, this book will be of interest to anyone fascinated by fencing and bladed weapon tactics.

Print length

144 pages
Language

English
Publication date

February 13, 2009
Dimensions

4.84 x 0.36 x 7.32 inches
ISBN-10

1845743652
ISBN-13

978-1845743659
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Naval and Military Press; Reprint edition (February 13, 2009)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 144 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1845743652
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1845743659
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.1 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.84 x 0.36 x 7.32 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #915,021 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews:
38 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5

38 global ratings

5 star		75%
4 star		14%
3 star		3%
2 star		5%
1 star		4%

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darthmikey

Good book, misleading title

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 3, 2022

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I bought this since I enjoyed Hutton's "Cold Steel", and this does clarify and elaborate on his concepts and techniques, including blindfolded drills. However, only a brief appendix chapter discusses fighting opponents of other cultures who don't follow the expected rules and rhythms of European dueling, and to that he recommends grappling. Much of this work is focused on small sword/foil against same in the context of sport fencing or formal duels, but he's very practical and straightforward as usual, so it's good information for the sport fencing enthusiast.

Helpful

Edward M. Van Court

Classical foil, practical saber, and oldschool bayonet

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 3, 2010

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"The Swordsman" is great instruction in foil, saber, and bayonet of the 19th century. Drills and movements are well explained, illustrations compliment the text rather than dominate the book, and the techniques are well grounded in the best practices of the the day (1898).

The first section is the foil. Hutton presents a thorough and clear framework for instruction of the foil, with a twist; much of the practice is to be executed while blindfolded. The intent is to refine the 'sentiment du fer', literally "the feel of the steel", but better translated as "feel of the blade". This seems worth exploring, as it would also free the student from distractors and allow her or him to focus on good form and proper execution of technique, the essence of classical fencing. Most modern sport fencers would consider this book full of extraneous movements, the instruction cumbersome and over-rigid, and generally antiquated overall. But this was before electronic scoring, so judges were more concerned with clean technique and good form than today.

The second section is saber. Although well written, it is not a comprehensive as Hutton's Cold Steel: The Art of Fencing with the Sabre . Nothing wrong with what is here, just that it is only the essential elements and not as comprehensive as "Cold Steel". This is what makes me view these two books a compliments rather than redundant.

The third section is on the use of the bayonet with a 19th century rifle and sword bayonet. It makes an interesting contrast to the bayonet techniques in US Army's 21st century Combatives . Even allowing for the shorter rifle and bayonet today, some of the essential techniques haven't changed much, even though the language of instruction is worlds apart. The guards, blocks, and butt strikes look almost the same, but the use of the point is completely changed. Today, the instruction is to thrust or cut as violently as possible while in 1898, the instructions reflected the influence of fencing on bayonet instruction, and paid attention to lines, pronation and supination, and the fencers' numbered cuts. Modern instruction is certainly more quickly mastered, and makes a sensible trade-off in use of training hours, but Hutton challenges the modern model of the bayonet as an arm without nuance or sophistication and should offer modern instructors food for thought.

In all, an excellent work on fencing and the bayonet and a brilliant compliment to Cold Steel . I heartily recommend this book to any student of the sword.

Van

E.M. Van Court

8 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

I have enjoyed all of his books and was especially attracted to ...

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 18, 2018

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I have enjoyed all of his books and was especially attracted to his blind folded training m.ethod in thus one.

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Top reviews from other countries

m

Great little book and excellent subject matter!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on November 7, 2018

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Alfred Hutton was the architect of the first English revival of historical fencing and probably Britain's finest swordsman for many years. This book is an amalgamation of his thoughts and teachings on the use of the foil (a weapon intended to train a swordsman in the use of the thrusting smallsword), the sabre (and singlestick, though he lumps sabre and singlestick technique) and the bayonet on the end of a long rifle. This book is probably intended for use by soliders, meaning it is greatly simplified. While some might find this a negative, I find it a positive as the instructions are easy to follow.
The book is a paperback but a very glossy paperback with a stiff cover. The prose is typically English from the late 19th century and comes with a lot of diagrams and illustrations that are extremely helpful.

2 people found this helpful

Michal Polaski

Essential for the system

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on May 29, 2019

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It contains the vital section on foil footwork, and complements 'Cold Steel'. There is some evolution between the books, so it's best to read both

Amazon Customer

Hutton designed the manual for instruction of soldiers, en ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 3, 2015

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Hutton designed the manual for instruction of soldiers, en mass. It does not provide a sophisticated system for dueling but is designed for effective massed-battles conducted by individuals.

One person found this helpful

Fatima TALEB

very pleased.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on August 4, 2016

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quality item, very pleased.

bram

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 15, 2015

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