Having been trained in both the classical French and Italian schools of fencing. I want to make it perfectly clear that I do not owe allegiance to any one school of fencing.
My allegiance is to the truth, to what is functional and martially sound in its adherence to universal fencing theory, which is irrefutable. No country, school or system has sole proprietorship of the art and science of fencing.
During the last few weeks I have been re-reading several texts on classical Italian fencing. Mainly due to it being referenced in The Art of Foil by Maestro Luigi Barbasetti, I also found myself re-reading Secrets Of The Sword by Baron César De Bazancourt.
Blasco Florio, 1844. Although the Sicilian school guard position differs, the method of gripping the Italian weapon is in accord with all the classical Italian schools.
