Are there real sword fighting tournaments?

[Dannyalcatraz]

OwenyOlgao
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[gamerprinter]

There are some groups that do "live steel" combats - where "live steel" is loosely defined as a weapon that could take an edge. They aren't edged, because that's just stupid in an amusement, but other than that, they are combat-capable weapons.

I don't know of any group in the US that does it with edged weapons. Nor do I know of any groups that make a competition out of it. People get seriously injured or killed in choreographed live steel performances, much less when they're actively trying to really hit each other.

Folks will argue to death about how sharp a "real" weapon needs to be. But, a 3+ foot long piece of steel, swung with vigor, will cleave flesh if it is no sharper than a butterknife.

People get hurt swinging rattan (non-edged) swords in the SCA as it is - broken fingers, hands, arms, legs, head injuries. You don't need an edged weapon to get hurt in tournament styled combat.

 

[Herobizkit]

It's not real, but I do remember this movie.

 

[frankthedm]

I wouldn't be surprised if there are RL lethal fighting tourneys run by organized crime groups.

 

[Plane Sailing]

People from various Escrima schools in the Philippines would regularly have full-contact duels with sticks and knives (at least until about 10 years ago - I think that duelling has been made illegal now)

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

As I recall, one of the many shows that travels the world to illustrate ancient fighting techniques showed more than one episode of warriors using real, edged weapons.

 

[Plane Sailing]

People from various Escrima schools in the Philippines would regularly have full-contact duels with sticks and knives (at least until about 10 years ago - I think that duelling has been made illegal now)

O/T, but as a result of this train of thought I looked up Cacoy Canete on youtube, and I've spent a happy hour watching his amazing technique.

So thanks for leading me to that!