Krumphauw

Crooked Strike

One of the five meisterhau, krumphauw is used to defeat cuts from above, and the ochs guard.

Execution

For a basic Zornhauw we can do it this way:

Waiting in a right Zornhut, when the opponent cuts an Oberhauw/Zornhauw we cut with crossed hands, bringing the sword over in a descending arc something like a Zwerch cut on the vertical instead of (approximately) horizontal plane, taking out their blade with our long edge on their flat.

With this movement we spring to the right and somewhat forward.

The movement is often followed with a reversing over and barring ([Sperren]) movement so that we end in the position seen below.

In application as a cut (rather than a parry) it is useful to note that angling the blade forward, leaving the point more or less online with the opponent, rather than using the often seen "windscreen wiper" action.

One interesting point taking this approach of a vertical Zwerch like cut is that we are breaking our usual agreement of foot and hand movement.

Consider a cut from the right shoulder, starting with the left foot forward. The Krumphauw movement we're performing with our hands is similar to a Zwerch action that would usually be accompanied by a left step forward, whereas we're performing it with a right step.

There is also a great deal of flexibility as to when to intercept the opponent's blade. It can fall over "behind" their blade/arms, but can also strike out the flat to deflect them perpendicular to their line of motion.

Meyer's krumphauw is a single instance of a generalisation he makes for all "crooked" cuts, which in his system includes zwerchs, shielhauws, and other strikes.

Generally if you hit the blade you should follow on the pressing the hands, wrencing, winding, or some other work immediately.

Meyer describes the technique with hands held high in the cut, though this can be adjusted as required.

Application

The krumphauw can be used to parry incoming blows by deflecting or redirecting them. It can also be used to attack in a number of ways and indeed Meyer tells us that there are many secondary cuts which are simply variations on the basic crooked strike - the Sturtzhauw, for example is a high krumphauw facing out to the side.

The krumphauw can also be used from the bind; when you bind them from the right a krumphauw without taking your sword from theirs can set their sword aside, or fall down on it to bar it (Sperren).

Fencers should be wary using the krumphauw (especially in the bind) as the opponent can change through against them (Durchwechseln).

Application Examples

In which the 'student' demonstrates their knowledge to the 'teacher'.

Application 1: Krumphauw Nachreisen (Chasing)

In this application the cut is being used as a Hitter in the Onset. In this case the fencer is acting in the Nach.

Teacher	Student
Eisenport, right leg forward	Vom tag, left leg forward
Passing Step back with the right foot to Vom tag	Spring forward and right, and cut with a Krumphauw to the opponent's hands as a Nachreisen movement
	Triangle Step to the right with the rear (left) foot, move the blade to the arms and press the hands with the strong.
	Withdraw (Abzug) with a cut or Long Point

Application 2: Krumphauw Versetzen (Parrying)

In this application the cut is being used as a Hitter in the Onset. In this case the fencer is acting in the Nach.

Teacher	Student
Vom tag, left leg forward	Nebenhut, left leg forward
Passing Step with the right foot, Oberhauw	Spring forward right with the right foot, Krumphauw to the opponent's blade to bind it above (or the hands if possible).
	Wind into a thrust or cut with the false edge behind the blade.
	Withdraw (Abzug) with a cut or Long Point

Application 3: Krumphauw with Hendtrucken

In this application the cut is being used as a Taker in the Onset. In this case the fencer is acting in the Nach and following up with Hendtrucken (hand pressing) .

Teacher	Student
Vom tag, left leg forward	Nebenhut or Vom tag, left leg forward
Passing Step with the right foot, Oberhauw	Spring forward right with the right foot, Krumphauw to the opponent's blade to bind it above (or the hands if possible).
	Gathering step forward, transfer the blade to the arms and press the hands with the strong.
	Withdraw (Abzug) with a cut or Long Point

Application 4: Krumphauw with the Zirckel(circle) by Shooting Through

In this application the cut is a Provoker followed by and Oberhauw Hitter in the Onset. In this case the fencer is acting in the Vor at the beginning of the technique.

Teacher	Student
Gerade Versetzung, right leg forward, sword crossed around the mid blade with the student	Gerade Versetzung, right leg forward
Short Passing Step back, and lift to Vom tag	Immediately (Indes) cut a Krumphauw, aiming to the right side of the opponent's scalp (take a short step with the foot if necessary).
Cut down to the right to swipe it away	Break the Passing Step and take the left foot out backward and to the left, letting the blade move around in a circle and cut a long Oberhauw straight down.
	Withdraw (Abzug) with a defensive high cut or a guard.

Perform this on the opposite side.

Related Applications

The following applications are related to, or derive from, this strike.

• Short Strike - see Kurtzhauw
• Krumphauw Breaks Ochs - see Meisterhauw