Quote:
Originally Posted by werecow
I am probably not using it right (I've only ever done modern fencing so I can only go by what I can feel from the weight distribution and what I know from some HEMA youtube channels), but I find point control very difficult. To me it feels nothing like the rapiers or epées I've handled. But admittedly my experience with military rapiers is somewhat limited.
I can see it being very effective at cleaving or stabbing through a target at speed from horseback though... assuming you have the grip strength to keep giving point. But if I ever had to defend myself with it on foot I would be so slow that I would certainly die.
Mine is a little bit heavier at 1190 grams, length is similar at 93cm. It's hard to imagine that making a huge difference though. I'm probably just too feeble.  |
Look this sword was not made for fencing. It’s a pallasch. Think of it more as a heavy broadsword. It was used to stab and slash at the opponents as part of a cavallery shock. The photo below of Norrlands Dragoner clearly shows how the sword is attached to the saddle behind the mounted dragoons. The sword is so heavy it’s not even worn by the soldiers. The troopers carried rifles and when dismounted would use the rifles as infantry rather than the swords which were left on the horses.
Quite a few Norrland Dragoner served with the Swedish Volunteer Brigade i Finland in the Winter War against the Soviet Union. The sword in the post could possibly have been sharpened for that but more for symbolical reason as I can’t imagine it being used on the frontlines.