| There are many popular one-two sword | | | | |
| combinations utilized throughout the world and its | | | | There were a few popular variants of this type |
| many ages, but one duo stands out as one of the | | | | of weapon including the “Sword breaker” |
| more widely recognized and popular ones. This | | | | style that used slotted or comb style handguards |
| combinations was used in many old world | | | | that were designed to catch an opponents sword |
| countries including Italy, France and Spain. Often | | | | and hold it in stasis, opening them to offensive |
| times a fighter wielding a one handed weapon | | | | strikes. Whether or not the Sword breakers could |
| such as a Rapier found it difficult to both defend | | | | in fact break a sword is disputed between |
| and attack effectively, thus, the Main Gauche was | | | | scholars. There also existed a “Trident” |
| born. Literally translating to “Left hand” | | | | style, possessing a three-pronged blade style that |
| the Main Gauche was a short, dagger length | | | | was proven to be more often successful in |
| offhand weapon with the primary use being to | | | | catching an opponents weapon. |
| parry incoming attacks whilst attacking your | | | | Though popular in the middle ages, the use of a |
| opponent with the primary hand weapon, usually a | | | | offhand weapon has dwindled in modern day |
| Rapier or Epee. | | | | sports fighting, mostly due to the use of lighter |
| The Main Gauche was designed to defend | | | | and faster weapons such as the foil. Its use is |
| specifically against thrusts, having a wider guard | | | | forbidden in most official sports fighting |
| and other devices that aided in the defense of | | | | establishments. It is, however, utilized to this day |
| the hand of the wielder. This made it an | | | | in some more true-to-history fighting venues such |
| extremely practical tool in duels specifically, seeing | | | | as the SCA where the style has been dubbed |
| as the opponent was most likely using one of the | | | | “Florentine Style”, and it also maintains |
| more popular swords of the time such as a | | | | popularity in media culture as a “Dual |
| Rapier, which is designed particularly for thrust | | | | Wield” style in many popular games and films. |
| techniques. It was often paired with a quick | | | | Whether you yourself can appreciate the beauty |
| mainhand weapon, keeping the fighter agile in both | | | | and use of a Main Gauche, no one can deny that |
| his attack and defense and keeping him from | | | | it makes up a good bit of sword history in Europe. |
| becoming unbalanced in his movements. | | | | Honor all styles! |