In the past few weeks we have finished up some custom trainers and refurb projects on grips. One area we find a consistent "development stage" those practicing the sword arts go through in their understanding of the sword is the importance of a good grip size. This is often after they have asked for a certain sized grip on their sword or done modification to their sword experimenting with what works best. Often the results of these experiments are a return to a historically accurate size and shape for optimal control. While we do not advocate against experimentation for folks we also do try to make sure they are working from a place of knowledge. It is important to remember in dealing with sword design that the historical record is several thousand years of the best human minds sorting out on a daily basis whats the best design for a sword in the style of combat they participate in. That is a solid body of work to look at research wise.
Gripping the sword as depicted by Dürer
What Grip Size Should I Have
I will often refer people to our post about about grip size on medieval swords. This contains some good info on what the swords of the period where like. The makers of the past where integrating how the swords where being used into the design and function of the sword with real world input and use i.e. their customers were using swords for their intended purpose!
Our use today for Martial and Sport training with the sword is going to be different just by the fact few of us are wounding our opponents regularly, hopefully. This emphasis change on how the swords are being implemented, i.e. safety. This being a higher priority, today, than deadly results in battle as they practiced. This can have some adverse affects on design if the original understanding of the swords purpose and use is obscured. A good example, we have stated before, is when the modern gauntlets many folks wear today force the need to adjust the length of grip and affect the nimbleness of the hands in longsword use as we described in this post.
A firm grip were the tips of the fingers are just able to touch the palm is far more secure than a larger grip with a gap between fingers and palm. .
In the general case extending a grip is usually not too detrimental on longswords. It can make the tip a bit unstable but that can be compensated for. One of the chief mistakes is folks will increase the diameter of the grip they are getting. This creates a sword that is harder to control and less secure in the hand.
Modern ergonomics often focus on larger grip tool design to minimize carpal tunnel and other issues, it is not a good answer to keeping your sword in your hand when your opponent tries to disarm you. When the grip is to large physics can make holding on to your weapon quite difficult.
To large a grip diameter.
Gripping the sword
Having the correct tool is best when doing any job, whether a craft or combat. Using the tool one has, to best advantage, is where the art of martial arts comes into the practical world. It is something that many folks miss. Even though we are weapons makers and are trying to sell you our wares. We know that the most important part of any tool's usefulness is what we call the GGI in the shop. This stands for ground grip interface. :-)
I explain it to new sword users this way. Would you rather face the best sword user in the world who is armed with a stick or the worst sword user in the world armed with the best sword? Easy answer, correct? You chose the worst sword user as you want that sword!
That is why the mind/body of the sword wielder is the crucial part of the equation in any combat.
The Black Prince Sword showing grip dimension in hand.
So when you ponder your new/another sword (you all know you want to have more than one) study whats the best tool for you and ask your maker for their thoughts if modifying the design, you won't go wrong.
Swords shown above
Nathan Clough, Ph.D. is Vice President of Arms and Armor and a member of the governing board of The Oakeshott Institute. He is a historical martial artist and a former university professor of cultural geography. He has given presentations on historical arms at events including Longpoint and Combatcon, and presented scholarly papers at, among others, The International Congress on Medieval Studies.
Craig Johnson is the Production Manager of Arms and Armor and Secretary of The Oakeshott Institute. He has taught and published on the history of arms, armor and western martial arts for over 30 years. He has lectured at several schools and Universities, WMAW, HEMAC, 4W, and ICMS at Kalamazoo. His experiences include iron smelting, jousting, theatrical combat instruction and choreography, historical research, European martial arts and crafting weapons and armor since 1985