A Practical Shortsword Method
A Practical Short Sword Method
By Phil Elmore
As gun laws become more strict, those of us in North America and particularly self-defense-minded citizens abroad turn to “alternative” weapons in the search to improve our odds of defending against a violent attack. Many choose blades of varying size to fill this need, and for good reason. The knife is a powerful and portable implement for multiplying force. Some carry very small knives, while others carry much larger blades. At some point, however, those blades cease to be knives and become swords.
One of the eternal debates among the “tactical community,” not to mention among knife collectors and arms aficionados, is that of the dividing line between “long knife” and “short sword.” Most of us can recognize a knife when we see one, and most of us can recognize a sword when we see one – provided these tools reside safely on one or the other end of the scale. There is that gray zone in the middle, however, within which knives become so large – or swords so short – that one man’s dagger is another man’s gladius.
I believe a good working definition focuses on the way in which the tool may be wielded relative to the body of the wielder. A blade that is roughly the length of your forearm or longer, but which may be manipulated within the arc of your arm, can be considered a “short sword,” whereas any blade so long that it cannot be manipulated within the arc of the arm is a sword proper (a long blade). This is a fairly subjective distinction, but one that I think makes logical sense – as the only point in classifying a blade as one or the other is to define how it is (or should be) used.
Very large knives and short swords are extremely effective tools for self-defense. A blade up to “short sword” size can be concealed effectively under an outer garment of three-quarters length, while some short swords can even be tucked into the waistband at one’s side. Such a blade can also be kept at home in a handy location, where it makes an effective self-defense weapon at close quarters. Unlike a full-sized sword, the short sword can be used indoors, in hallways and where ceilings are relatively low, without significantly impeding the wielder. It is still long enough to give the defender an advantage against an attacker wielding a short knife, a small club, or some other close-quarters tool (a gun is another matter).
The length of a short sword is also more than sufficient to penetrate deeply or even completely through the human torso, reaching vital organs with an ease smaller knives cannot share. Large knives with full-sized handles are also arguably easier to manipulate, in gross motor terms, than are smaller blades. They can be used to strike and block more easily because their larger size requires less precision than does targeting with a small blade.
A practical short sword method need not be complicated to work. It starts with a basic ready stance – guard hand up, feet staggered and roughly shoulder-width apart with the knees slightly bent, with the short sword held low near the body and pointing toward the threat.
From the ready position, the wielder can step in with a thrust (or thrust at close range without stepping, such as when intercepting a rush). The true power of the short sword is in the thrust, in the blade’s ability to penetrate the opponent and do so quickly and efficiently.
To put the blade in front of the body for a more aggressive posture requires only that the defender take that step before striking. This has the advantage of placing the defender behind his weapon, but it also exposes the weapon limb to possible counters or preemptive attacks. The length of the short sword (versus the length of a knife) helps offset this possible vulnerability considerably.
Ready Position with Blade Forward
Short, hacking slashes with the short sword are reasonably intuitive and need not be complicated further. A basic Angle 1 (diagonal from strong side to weak side) or Angle 2 (diagonal from weak side to strong side) can be performed at any level of the body. The blade can also move vertically in overhand or underhand attacks.
The short sword may also be used to deflect incoming strikes. Linear strikes can be deflected with a gunting (scissors) slash (or with the slash alone, without using the off hand to push the limb into the defender’s blade). This can be done from the inside or the outside (moving outside the attacker’s limb, or stopping the limb while you are inside of it).
Deflecting a Linear Strike from the Inside
Deflecting a Linear Strike from the Outside
Defending against angular attacks requires the defender either to pass the attack (let it go by) and then slash against the knife-bearing limb, or intercept the attack from inside the attacking angle, using the blade to block and the off hand to support that block. The blade of the short sword can immediately follow up the attacker’s weapon limb to meet the attacker’s neck.
Deflecting an Angular Attack
When thrusting with the short sword, pump the weapon like the needle of a sewing machine. As Matthew Woodring Stover wrote, “attack, attack, attack” – overwhelm your attacker with repeated strikes. In the same manner, when defending against an attack using the short sword, always follow up immediately after passing or blocking that attack. Meet or avoid the weapon and immediately seize the initiative, bringing your blade to the opponent with vigor and ruthless determination.
The short sword is a relic of another time, but it remains an effective, potentially lethal weapon. It can be used to defend your person and your home as easily as it can be misused. Respect the weapon for its power and its potential, and act accordingly.