scrima

would u consider escrima a sword art? it employs a bladed weapon, but its not really a sword but a long knife?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jliu:
would u consider escrima a sword art? it employs a bladed weapon, but its not really a sword but a long knife?[/QUOTE]

jliu,

Eskrima, at least when it was originally created, was most certainly a sword art, and it is still practiced as such by certain schools. The "bladed weapons" employed include various swords. You have to keep in mind that bolos, talibongs, and other native blades come in various sizes--some are sword-sized, and some are knife-sized. The same situation existed in Medieval and Renaissance Europe. For example, their are Swiss Baselards that are knife-sized, and there are others which are of short-sword dimensions. The same goes for the Italian cinquedea.

Some eskrima methods, like larga mano, make use of compartively long swords and sticks--in the 36" range, in fact.

Peace,

A_M_P