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Lessons in Sabre, Singlestick, Sabre & Bayonet, and Sword Feats / or, How to use a cut and thrust sword cover

Lessons in Sabre, Singlestick, Sabre & Bayonet, and Sword Feats / or, How to use a cut and thrust sword

Chapter 5: HOW TO HOLD A SABRE.
By J. M. Waite
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About This Book

A practical fencing manual offering step-by-step instruction in sabre and singlestick technique, adapting small-sword methods to emphasise both cuts and thrusts. It describes guards, attacks, parries, footwork, and training routines designed to build strength, agility, and effective defence, and it explains how to employ a sabre against a bayonet. The author argues for greater use of the point as well as the edge and provides detailed guidance for practising difficult sword feats. Numerous illustrations and clear positional descriptions accompany the exercises to aid soldiers and amateurs seeking realistic combat technique and impressive exhibition skills.

LESSONS
IN
SABRE, SINGLESTICK, &c.

HOW TO HOLD A SABRE.

In holding a light sabre, place the fingers round the grip so that the middle knuckles are in a line with the edge, and let the thumb lie on the back to enable you to direct the point.

With a heavy sabre, the thumb should be placed round the grip, or you maybe disarmed by a strong beat made with a sword of the same weight.

In singlestick, do not let the end of the thumb touch the hilt, or a hard blow on the hilt might seriously injure it.

Hold the sword securely, but do not grasp it tightly, or your hand and arm will soon tire. The grasp should only be tightened when delivering a cut or forming a guard.

There is great art in easing the grip directly after a movement has been executed. A swordsman who does this properly has what is termed “a soft hand,” a great desideratum in sword play. It gives quickness to the hand, and saves it from being jarred.

PLATE I.—PRELIMINARY POSITION.