St. Louis School of Arms

"I want you to be sure to watch his sword hand, because if he decides to throw a thrust, first he will have to draw his hand back; whereas if he decides to throw a cut to your head or leg, he will have to raise his hand a bit. Therefore, take note forevermore that by watching his hand, you will always be able to tell what your enemy wants to do." -Achille Marozzo, Opera Nova, chapter 120

Brace yourselves, a new sidesword is coming! Meet the "Manciolino III" with double lower ports and a 93.5 cm narrow blade. Currently available on our preorde...r list, will be ready by the beginning of December. Good news, this will be a standard model in our 2021 catalogue. If the name rings a bell it might be because you've thought of our two previous Manciolinos, still available to view on our website. Or perhaps because you've heard of the XVI century Bolognese fencing master Antonio Manciolino. Here some of his words from his Opera Nova treatise, a beautiful blend of sword-fighting and poetry. Our ancestors were often all-round artists, you know? "[..] such ornament as are rich clothes to the charming and beautiful Nymphs that cavort on Mt. Menalo or in the Lyceum, such is the grace imparted to the blows of the glittering sword, to which, when deprived of laudable footsteps, such disgrace is brought, that it were as if serene night were widowed of the twinkling stars; and how can the candidate be victorious, where genteel grace is lacking?" Do you agree with the Maestro? Let us know in the comments! - - - Pronti per una nuova spada da lato? Sta arrivando la "Manciolino III", con doppio ponticello e lama stretta di 93,5 cm, e rientrerà a pieno titolo nel catalogo 2021. Il nome vi dice qualcosa? Forse avete pensato alle nostre Manciolino già presenti sul sito, oppure avete sentito parlare del Maestro di Scherma Bolognese del XVI secolo, Antonio Manciolino. Queste sono le sue parole, dal trattato Opera Nova, perfetta unione tra scherma e poesia. I nostri antenati erano spesso artisti a tutto tondo, sapete? [...] quanto ornamento sono li ricchi panni alle uezzose & bellissime Nimphe, che nel monte Menalo, o nel Liceo si diportano, di tanto è il leggiadro passeggiare alli colpi della raggiante spada, laquale, quando delli deceuoli passi priuata fosse, tale disgratia ne recherebbe, che la, quantunque serena notte, se dalle lampeggianti stelle uedouata fosse: & come puote esser la candidata uittoria, doue la gentile gratia manca? Siete d'accordo con il maestro? Fatecelo sapere nei commenti!

Note: NEVER give poleaxes to unicorns in onesies! They don't get along!

If you don't mix strette play with normal training, students will just be taught to skirmish, because wide play teaches students to skirmish, whereas narrow play teaches students to stand fast once they come to blows, and imbues them with courage. - Achille Marozzo

Way of the Sword: Warrior Traditions in China and Italy, curated by Hing Chao and Roberto Gotti, is a multi-dimensional presentation of China’s and Italy’s warrior and sword traditions from the Classical period through to the Early Modern age.