Krumphauw

Revision as of 04:17, 19 September 2016

Crooked Strike

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

Execution

For example; stand in a right nebenhut. When your opponent strikes an oberhau/zornhau do a passing step forward and off to the right and bring your sword over like a windscreen wiper with your hands out in front and the blade angled toward your opponent, so that you strike his blade with your long edge, or strike over to his hands.

As with the Zwerch this rudimentary "windscreen wiper" action is actually an simplification and exaggeration of the movement used. Typically the movement is much tighter and more controlled.

It is also useful to note that the krumphauw is generally more effective when the blade is angled forwards rather than cutting perpendicular to the line of movement. This allows the blow to control the opponent's blade better and shortens the distance to the follow up blow.

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 (hendtrucken).

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 Example

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