Cold Steel: The Art of Fencing with the Sabre

Well, as the title suggests, i was most impressed with this little gem. Mr. Hutton clearly knew his stuff, not only as a fencer but as a teacher as well. the book is divided into clear sections arranged in a logical sequence. first the basics (in which one is shown the correct manner of holding the sword, the basic stances, strikes and parries), then paired drills, then the fancy techniques (including a rather amusing description of how to properly smack someone with the pommel). The written descriptions of the moves and techniques are generally quite clear and comprehensible, and usually accompanied by illustrated plates (though having to flip for five pages between description and plate can get a little annoying). a word of warning for the enthusiastic, though: Mr. Hutton assumes the reader to have a basic knowledge of fencing forms and terminology before going into the exercises in his book. nothing particularly hard to find online, but it is worth mentioning. so, to sum up, this is an excellent book for anyone with an interest in real, battle-tested, non-sport fencing, and i highly reccomend it.

And a lot of other great stuff. Much as Domenico Angelo's classic,The School of Fencing: With a General Explanation of the Principal Attitudes and Positions Peculiar to the Art did for the small sword, Hutton provides the one essential work on combative use of the sabre. He lays out a comprehensive yet straight forward series of lesson plans with detailed guidance on how to gain copetence with the sabre. I particularly liked his comments on the importance of the return or reposte. "[The riposte] is the most brilliant stroke a swordsman can make, since in making it he demonstrates his command of nerve...his activity... and his judgment". Too true, and relevant even to sport fencers. Also excellent are the dills, including blindfolded drills for developing 'sentiment du fer' or the feel of the sword. Along with lessons for the sabre, Hutton includes instruction on the two-handed sword that is hidden within his section on the Great Stick (5' stick). Most of the movements are straight out of the height of two-handed sword fighting a couple of centuries earlier, and equally applicable to European two-handed swords and the katana, the Japanese two-handed sword (or Jedi sword play even...) He also discusses knife fighting and the use of the 'truncheon', the baton or blackjack, in clear and accessible, though somewhat antiquated terms. In short, brilliant. Hutton's work is a timeless addition to any fencer's or martial artists library and a 'must read' for classical Western fencers and students of the two-handed sword (of any lineage). For sport fencers, the drills may seem of questionable relevance at first, but mastery of these classical drills will only improve your competitive skills, especially with the new rulings about touches on the underside of the arm not having priority. Great stuff, I can't recommend it highly enough. E. M. Van Court

I really enjoyed this book because it deals with the technical aspects of sabre fencing. How to use the point, as well as both of the cutting edges. The text is over 100 years old and was at the end of the era that was at the most perfected stage. Alfred Hutton borrows heavily from the old masters of Italy, France and England with his own style mixed in. A must read book for any serious saber fencer.

"Cold Steel: The Art of Fencing with the Sabre" was originally published by Alfred Hutton in 1889. The book is a classic instruction manual in the use of the saber in one's defense. There are several illustrations showing proper guards, defense and use of the saber. In addition to discussion of the use of the saber, "Cold Steel" also discusses: >The Game of the Sword (The Fencing Sword) <br />>Saber Against Bayonet <br />>The Saber Opposed to the French Sword <br />>The Great Stick (The 5-foot Stick) <br />>The Constable's Truncheon <br />>The Short Sword-Bayonet or Dagger <br /> <br />For anyone interested in the Western / European martial sciences, "Cold Steel" is recommended reading. For those interested in developing skills with sword, stick, and dagger, "Cold Steel" is a must. Written at a time when men relied on these weapons for their personal defense, "Cold Steel" offers excellent instruction for one's defense. <br /> <br />Highly Recommended! <br />