Italian Rapier Combat is the first ever complete English translation of Ridolfo Capo Ferro's famous treatise on rapier fencing from 1610, the Gran Simulacro dell'arte e dell'uso della Scherma, which is considered by many to be one of the most important and most scientific of the Renaissance fencing texts in the Italian school.

For many years, scholars have wondered over the beautiful plates which illustrate the lessons in Gran Simulacro, however few could understand the secrets held within...until now!

Italian Rapier Combat reproduces these 43 plates in high quality detail, and more importantly, it has the entire text is right there with them, guiding the student on the path of the true art.

In Italian Rapier Combat the vast majority of the instruction has been rendered in modern English by Jared working in conjunction with Maestros Ramon and Jeanette Martinez. The technical terms for the various fencing movements, however, are kept in the original Italian. This makes the text accessible to a wide audience while staying true to the author's intent in choosing his words.

Naturally, a comprehensive glossary of the period Italian terminology is included, and this is an education in its own right (I'm sure I will use the glossary when reading other books, as well, so it is of double value in that respect)

Though the majority of Italian Rapier Combat is (obviously) about the rapier, the use of the rapier and dagger, rapier and cloak, and rapier and rotella (round shield) are all discussed in the text. Each plate shows the completion of a short two man exchange, illustrating the principles of the art taught in the text.

For those who can look outside of the box, much of the conceptual base in Italian Rapier Combat can be adapted to large knife work. Learn the basics such as Misura, Tempo, how to carry the Head and Vita, the Guarda, and so on and see for yourself.

I have personally seen what a Master of the Italian rapier can do with a Bowie knife in his hand, and it is a deadly yet elegant and entirely efficient thing. This book can put you on that path.

Because much of this art uses the principle of striking while evading, the translation to knife is well suited. By evading the opponent's strike and hitting them "in time" you do not have to engage their blade in any way, so this will still work even with the short knife.

If you are a fencer, then you simply must have this book, there is no question about it.