Why Thumb the Blade? - Zwerchhau, Schielhau, Krumphau

This is an explanation of the thumb grip as shown in medieval and renaissance treatises on swordsmanship. It's also a good example of the complexity in historical European martial arts (HEMA), which is far from the simplistic idea of knights swinging heavy swords with brute force and no finesse that many people seem to have. A great source for medieval and renaissance fencing manuals: http://wiktenauer.com How to search for HEMA schools in your area: https://www.hemaalliance.com/club-fin... Where to find practice swords, sparring gear, etc: http://www.woodenswords.com/?Click=1799 Where to order reproductions of arms and armor (worldwide shipping): http://ww4.aitsafe.com/go.htm?go=kult... Thanks to Erik Bailey, the head instructor at Blood & Iron Victoria, for helping out with this video! http://www.bloodandiron.ca/victoria/l...   / bloodandironvictoria   If you like the shirt I'm wearing in this video, it's available here, along with other channel merch: https://teespring.com/stores/skallagrim ******************************************************************************** Want to help fund future videos?   / skallagrim   Get in contact or see a list of my video uploads:   / skallagrimyt     / _skallagrim_   My Vidme channel: https://vid.me/Skallagrim_Redbeard My second channel (for gaming, rants, vlogs, etc):    / @skallcave6324   My favorite online store for buying swords (worldwide shipping): http://ww4.aitsafe.com/go.htm?go=kult... Some recommended knife makers on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1qjwMNL