[piytar]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought that. Give an example of how it was different.

Heck, *I* will give one, and I'm no blase master (which he clearly believes he is):

The typical sword fight in the real world lasts less than 3 seconds. If it lasts longer than that, you're both probably going to bleed out. The way to win is to close, cut first, and cut brutally. Anything else is likely to end in a "you both die" tie...

[carcraft]

I watched a show on the History Channel and dance instructor and armorer for the Royal Family (he maintained historical weapons) worked out a dueling sequence from a medieval wood cut. The whole sword was used with pommel strike upper cuts etc. The killing move was strangulation with the guard. When enacted it was quick and lethal.Not your typical medieval movie sword fight.

[Tallguy]

The typical sword fight in the real world lasts less than 3 seconds. If it lasts longer than that, you're both probably going to bleed out. The way to win is to close, cut first, and cut brutally. Anything else is likely to end in a "you both die" tie...

Movie depictions of the use of the Japanese katana mostly focus on the "draw & quick strike" aspect of the brutal art, and are therefore much more representative. The Japanese through martial arts have preserved much of medieval swordplay, so perhaps it's understandable.

[Ramius]

... and I'm no blase master (which he clearly believes he is):

Actually in other articles, he's said repeatedly that there are no modern day "masters" and likely will never be. The true medieval and renaissance masters were men that lived a lifetime of actually fighting for their very lives against opponents who were trying to kill them. Since there is virtually no chance of such stakes becoming commonplace today, there can't truly be anyone who can present themselves as a "master".