PALADIN SWORD MARTIAL ARTS

Paladin Sword is the name of the martial art I put together for the Sword of Fire series. It's based on the Pekiti-Tirsia system that I've been teaching for nearly three decades. Here are the basic attack and defense diagrams you'll find in the novels. I will also be adding film clips to my YouTube video channel showing the techniques: http://www.youtube.com/user/TuhonBillMcg

The long sword techniques are suitable for both a two handed sword or a walking stick. The short sword techniques are suitable for any sword that can be swung one handed or similar length weapon. The basic attacks and defenses are shown on the Paladin Sword DVD that accompanies my novel Asulon when it is purchased from this website.

Since I envisioned the Paladin Sword system as an introduction to the larger Pekiti-Tirsia system, advanced techniques of the Paladin Sword show the first technique from each set in the Pekiti-Tirsia system. You may purchase the video that shows these techniques, along with a copy of Asulon, in the book section of the PTI Store page: http://www.pekiti.com/store/

Figure 1 shows the basic attack pattern all young Paladins begin their sword training with. Figure 2 shows the defensive pattern.

Fig 1.

Note: cuts 5 and 6 are high horizontals, (such as to the neck) while cuts 7 & 8 are low cuts to the legs. 9 is a thrust. 10 & 11 are both downward verticals, 10 with the left leg forward and 12 with the right leg forward. 12 is a combination attack that travels downward then upward on the vertical line.

Fig 2.

Note: Each block in this set defends against that same number in the attack set.

Paladin Weapons

Battle Sword

The advantage of the Paladins Battle Sword© is that it can be used equally well one handed for maximum reach or two handed for extra power. It has a bell guard to protect the right hand. The left hand can grip the sword below the right on the "stick and ball" pommel, or above the right, at the dull choil. The choil grip gives the sword the leverage of a short spear in close quarters fighting.

The protrusions on the blade are guards that serve a dual purpose. The lower guard keeps the user's hand from sliding up on the blade's sharp edges, while the upper guard helps prevent over penetration on a thrust. The blade itself measures one cubit (elbow to fingertip), plus one hand length. For the author, who stands 6'1", this yields a blade of 28", with an overall length for the sword of 36". The phrase written on the blade says "I shall not completely die."

Short Sword

The Paladins Short Sword© has a blade that measures one cubit in length. This sturdy sword does the job of a hatchet when setting up camp in the wilderness. The blade is broad at the end which puts the point of percussion (the "sweet spot" on a cut) at the sword's maximum reach.

Moor's Razor©

Moor's students at the war college called their teacher's sword "Moor's Razor" because of its lightweight blade and frightening speed. The blade measures one cubit in length. The inscription reads "It is uncertain in which place Death awaits you."

Servant's Knife

This is the knife that Paladins receive from their parents when they graduate from war college. The gift is to remind them to be servants of the people. The knife's design is a combination of chief's knife (with its curved front edge) and paring knife (the short sharpened portion on the back edge). These design elements play an important role in Apocalypse, the third novel of The Sword of Fire series. The words carved into the wooden handle come from the Warrior's Code the Paladins are taught. Below is a photo of a knife I had made based on this design.