How does one hold a tulwar?

Jens Nordlunde · 11th August 2015, 06:11 PM

Ian,
I think I know exactly what you meant by starting this thread :-).

I feel with you, but as you say, luckily it was the left hand.

Jens

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 11th August 2015, 06:34 PM

I think it is part personal preference and indeed a change of grip depending on the sword use would be very fast...However is it not ultimately dependent on the size of the sword hand compared to the hilt? The chap shown has huge hands and he could not possibly hold the small Tulvar grip . Using the sword with the finger over the guard makes for a very powerful down strike...or maybe he is trying to get one finger cut off so that his hand will fit??...

David R · 11th August 2015, 07:47 PM

H. Russell Robinson was a big advocate of the "fore finger" grip, but he also believed there was a difference between War and Hunting Tulwar and the way they were used.
Generally those blades that had a lot of meat in the last third of the blade he saw as War Swords, and those with an elegant taper to the point as Hunting Swords. Animals do not cut back, so the forefinger grip would not be a problem..... Just my two pennyworth here.
http://www.worldcat.org/title/orient...tionsView=true

Pukka Bundook · 12th August 2015, 05:05 AM

Jens,

It is good to be here and to talk to you. Too much to do is not good, and a lot has happened over the last while.

When I mention the finger over the guard may not be in such danger as in Western fencing, this does not mean I would be using such a grip if in a fight!
No, as long as I could get my whole hand inside the guard, that would be how I would hold it. "Josh" was the term was sit not? for the feeling of confidence etc. in a good tight grip!

I am pleased you are well, Jens.

Best of everything.
Richard.

blue lander · 12th August 2015, 05:43 PM

With the kind of long draw cuts you do with a tulwar your forearm and fingers are going to be exposed no matter how you hold it (which is where the dhal comes in)

kronckew · 12th August 2015, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue lander

With the kind of long draw cuts you do with a tulwar your forearm and fingers are going to be exposed no matter how you hold it (which is where the dhal comes in)

true, if you have a dhal with you. the use of bucklers like that in europe is frequently ignored by us modern pundits - a late medieval/early renaissance european swordsman would have likely had his buckler for much the same reasons. it is occasionally discussed here on the forum too.

note to self: you do not have a buckler in your collection. buy one.

further note back to self: OK, you find me the money.

sirupate · 12th August 2015, 06:09 PM

In these vids they appear to be using a standard grip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYf3f1r3iT4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpwBm3iDSEo

11th August 2015, 06:11 PM	#1
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Ian, I think I know exactly what you meant by starting this thread :-). I feel with you, but as you say, luckily it was the left hand. Jens

11th August 2015, 06:34 PM	#2
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	I think it is part personal preference and indeed a change of grip depending on the sword use would be very fast...However is it not ultimately dependent on the size of the sword hand compared to the hilt? The chap shown has huge hands and he could not possibly hold the small Tulvar grip . Using the sword with the finger over the guard makes for a very powerful down strike...or maybe he is trying to get one finger cut off so that his hand will fit??...

11th August 2015, 07:47 PM	#3
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,114	H. Russell Robinson was a big advocate of the "fore finger" grip, but he also believed there was a difference between War and Hunting Tulwar and the way they were used. Generally those blades that had a lot of meat in the last third of the blade he saw as War Swords, and those with an elegant taper to the point as Hunting Swords. Animals do not cut back, so the forefinger grip would not be a problem..... Just my two pennyworth here. http://www.worldcat.org/title/orient...tionsView=true

12th August 2015, 05:05 AM	#4
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Jens, It is good to be here and to talk to you. Too much to do is not good, and a lot has happened over the last while. When I mention the finger over the guard may not be in such danger as in Western fencing, this does not mean I would be using such a grip if in a fight! No, as long as I could get my whole hand inside the guard, that would be how I would hold it. "Josh" was the term was sit not? for the feeling of confidence etc. in a good tight grip! I am pleased you are well, Jens. Best of everything. Richard.

12th August 2015, 05:43 PM	#5
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	With the kind of long draw cuts you do with a tulwar your forearm and fingers are going to be exposed no matter how you hold it (which is where the dhal comes in)

12th August 2015, 06:09 PM	#7
sirupate Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: England Posts: 373	In these vids they appear to be using a standard grip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYf3f1r3iT4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpwBm3iDSEo