[Low-Tech] Caged Bucklers

[RGTraynor]

Originally Posted by Donny Brook

Has the buckler trapped a sword, or has the sword trapped the buckler?

I was wondering much the same. That bit in the video where the buckler snagged the spear? What went through my mind was that it wouldn't take much for the spearman to have ripped the buckler right out of the fencer's hand ... or if the fencer was so stupid as to try to hang on, would yank the fencer badly off balance at the least.

[FredrikJ]

Originally Posted by RGTraynor

I was wondering much the same. That bit in the video where the buckler snagged the spear? What went through my mind was that it wouldn't take much for the spearman to have ripped the buckler right out of the fencer's hand ... or if the fencer was so stupid as to try to hang on, would yank the fencer badly off balance at the least.

Then again, holding the buckler you know exactly where the opposing blade is, and your next move is probably to close and cut/thrust, so if you get a little help being pulled closer it only serves to deliver that cut/thrust a fraction of a second sooner.

[Pursuivant]

Originally Posted by RGTraynor

I was wondering much the same. That bit in the video where the buckler snagged the spear? What went through my mind was that it wouldn't take much for the spearman to have ripped the buckler right out of the fencer's hand ... or if the fencer was so stupid as to try to hang on, would yank the fencer badly off balance at the least.

Mentioned in passing in the video is that fact that the Partizan used in the demo has a nylon blade, so it's thicker than a steel blade would be. A well-made, highly flexible blade (e.g., any decent 16-17th c. rapier) is going to really get stuck, especially if it's got the combined forces of a deadly blow against a full-speed Block pushing on it.

In the half-speed duels used to test the targa, you can see how blades bind with the shield occasionally pulling fighters off balance as they try to break the bind.

In my proposed write-up for the Blade Trapper I think I got the problems of the weapon and shield getting bound together about right. They're loosely adapted from the rules for Pilums from GURPS Low Tech/Martial Arts.

I also hold that shields with blade trapping frames are an improvement over earlier blade trapping spikes, since they grip a trapped weapon more firmly and might have been easier to mount than a whole bunch of spikes.

[Sorenant]

Originally Posted by Pursuivant

I also hold that shields with blade trapping frames are an improvement over earlier blade trapping spikes, since they grip a trapped weapon more firmly and might have been easier to mount than a whole bunch of spikes.

There's no risk of stabbing yourself as the disarming spikes, too.

In a duel, trading your buckler for the enemy's sword or spear sounds like a good trade if it comes to that.
As a self-defense tool in an urban setting, perhaps one could expect help from a friend, concerned third parties or, hopefully, guards as you lock the assailant's weapon defending yourself.

[Polydamas]

There is an argument that Viking Age swords have broad points because a narrow-pointed stiff sword is just going to get stuck in the other guy's lindenwood shield at which point they have you.

[Pursuivant]

Originally Posted by Polydamas

There is an argument that Viking Age swords have broad points because a narrow-pointed stiff sword is just going to get stuck in the other guy's lindenwood shield at which point they have you.

I assume that a weapon which normally doesn't get stuck might get stuck (like a Pick) as a result of a Critical Miss in situations where it makes sense. It can be treated as an alternate result to dropping your weapon (where you have the choice of dropping your weapon or trying to make a ST roll to pull the bound weapon loose).

A fighter who deliberately tries to get an enemy's sword stuck in their shield for the purpose of binding it or wrenching it away would have a rather dangerous variant of the Bind Weapon technique which doesn't require Shield Spikes or a Blade Trapper.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Polydamas

There is an argument that Viking Age swords have broad points because a narrow-pointed stiff sword is just going to get stuck in the other guy's lindenwood shield at which point they have you.

The risk of getting stuck is a reason to be careful about stabbing, but it's not reason to be unable to stab. There's a wide variety of reasons to not prioritize stabbing with swords, and once you've done that it's not a big loss to not sharpen the point at all.