In 17th.century sword fighting was the parrying done with the flat of the blade?

Answer 1

My guess is that if your life were at risk you would use either part of the blade.
I can't see one of the combatants stopping to worry about which edge of the blade to parry with.
Having said that the blade would probably be naturally in such a position that most occasions the flat would be used

Answer 2

Depend on sword. There's at least six different type that I can think off top of my head.

However you probably are talking about Katana since people seems to have strange fasicante with katana. To answer that question, no, samurai perfer to make a single quick cut to end the fight because the katana is extremely expensve and important to them. So they does't want to risk clashing the blade because if it broken or dullen, it will take months to get new one. Only time blades clash is in certain situtation when they both really can't help it and have to parry the blade some how.

The type of sword that clash most are bastard sword. They're not razor sharp in most case but they're heavy and sharp enough to cut through limbs. They also take a lot of beating from other weapons. This is simply because Europe have better metal ore and are able to make more sword faster and easier. So when the warrior's sword got broken they simply replace it right away. That's why they can clash it a lot.

Answer 3

It seems that no one here has even picked up a blade, much less trained with one.

The side of the blade is the weakest, as only the tiny thickness of the blade is there to take up the forces of impact from another blade. The back and cutting edge are both used to block and parry as they are the strongest parts of the blade, yes you may chip your blade but that's why there are weaponsmiths who can resharpen them or make you another if it isn't repairable. What is a chip in the blade compared to your life?

Answer 4

In the case of heavier weapons, such as late use of the longsword and the kriegmesser, or the backsword, then the answer is both yes and no. It all depends on the parry you would be executing. If cutting into an attack you would aim your edge for their flat in order to block the line of attack and set yourself up for the counterstrike. However, if simply blocking the attack, you would want the edge of their blade meeting your flat, and then turn your blade in order to bring your edge to bear against the opponent's blade in order to gain leverage to wind or bring your blade about.

If you are speaking of the rapier, then the answer is no. With thrust-oriented weapons, one needs as much leverage as possible to take a point off-line with minimal motion, and the best way to do this is by using an edge-on-flat sort of approach. Edge on edge, in styles that do not rely on cutting, is not going to be an issue when it comes to blade-chipping. There will simply not be enough force involved behind any of hte strieks to cause that sort of damage.

Answer 5

often the parrying was done by using the stronger part of the blade closer to the hilt while the mid section of the blade can be used for a similar purpose, the mid section is mostly used for a quick parry then counter striking, while the tip is used for attacking.

Answer 6

In every blade technique I have ever learned all blocking is done with the side or spine of the blade.
The edge itself is reserved for cutting only.

Answer 7

with a sabre one would parry with the flat of the blade, foil and epee one would use the guard to parry or the foil itself.

Answer 8

I doubt very much that flat bladed swords were used for that purpose at all, it was more of a stabbing, cutting and slicing weapon.

Answer 9

always parry with the flat side

Answer 10

Yes , or you risk chipping the blade.