I’m Roland Warzecha — professional illustrator and swordsman. The name Dimicator comes from the Latin for “sword fighter.” I share cutting-edge research into historical martial arts, focusing in particular on Viking and high medieval sword-and-shield combat. My work is carried out in collaboration with museums, fellow martial artists, and scholars around the world.
Sharp Swords & Spears At Hedeby
Sharp Weapons Experiments
Hello sword & shield enthusiasts.
The Hedeby Bouts were a huge success. They took place at the Wikinger Häuser Haithabu last weekend. Fencers from Denmark and Germany were practicing, experimenting and exchanging ideas.
Thanks to the participants’ skill and discipline, there were no injuries despite not using any modern safety gear, and training with sharp weapons at times.
Read about it below.
Fencing with Sharp Swords
I introduced some fellow martial artists to using sharp swords in practice, and they were unanimously thrilled by the experience. Historical sword-fighting technique makes so much more sense when you become aware of the gripping and biting quality of a binding sword. Thus sharp swords can manipulate an opposing shield quite effectively, both by drawing and pulling, as well as by pushing and pressing. Read more about the subject in a previous newsletter.
Read about remodeling my old sharp swords here.
I had some thrilling passes with my good friend Mikkel Mønsted, and some of them were recorded.
I have compiled for you an image gallery with numerous stills from the video footage. I will edit and share the actual film, too. However, I find screenshots quite interesting to look at as well, particularly if ordered in sequence. I hope you find the images enjoyable and educational.
| Go to gallery |
Spear Work
We also trained slide-thrusts with a spear. You can find more information on the subject in a previous newsletter, which also includes links to free training videos.
Shields in Formation
In coming years we want to explore shield wall fighting. In order to get a sense of what it means to be opposed by sharp weapons, we ran a couple of basic experiments, e.g. covering against the impact of a spear. All volunteers were reasonable and well-trained fighters. I wanted participants to experience the awe-inspiring presence of an acute point stabbing at their shield. The other aspect we examined was weapon interaction: When does a spear point get stuck? At which shield angle does it glance off? What is an appropriate shield position? How well can a fighter control angulation and position of their shield on impact? Does a guige strap help, and which strap setup works best in this context?
I will compile and share our preliminary results in due course. At any rate, these initial experiments have already stirred lively discussions, and I have gained plenty of new insights and ideas.
Special thanks to all particpants and the museum direction for their kind and continuous support of this event format.
So, that's it for today. Take care, and keep your blade well-honed and your shield held high.
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Yours,
Roland
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Dimicator
I’m Roland Warzecha — professional illustrator and swordsman. The name Dimicator comes from the Latin for “sword fighter.” I share cutting-edge research into historical martial arts, focusing in particular on Viking and high medieval sword-and-shield combat. My work is carried out in collaboration with museums, fellow martial artists, and scholars around the world.
Continuity in European Combat Arts? Hello fellow sword enthusiasts, researchers, and fighters, How did people actually fight in close combat 3,000 years ago—and how much of that knowledge survived into the age of the fechtbücher? Mycenaean imagery occassionally shows an overhand thrust known as oberstich in late medieval German combat treatises Recently, a viewer asked why I do not demonstrate the use of Bronze Age swords with what he called a “hammer grip” — essentially gripping the weapon...
Studying Originals, Recreating History Holding an original Bronze Age sword in your hands is always a moment of quiet astonishment. Hello archaeology aficionados, The ingenious design and ergonomics of these weapons never cease to amaze me. Thanks to the courtesy of Professor Harald Meller and Dr Jan-Heinrich Bunnefeld, I had the opportunity to examine several bronze swords at the State Museum of Prehistory in Halle, home of the world-famous Nebra Sky Disc. One of the grips that works really...
Hello fellow bucklerista, You are most welcome to sign up for an action-packed weekend of sword & buckler fencing with practitioners from all over the world. The next BBB are scheduled for the weekend of 30/31 May 2026. Find info on the event and registration here: Go to Event Post We are looking forward to fencing and celebrating international friendship with you at the Berlin Buckler Bouts. Ralf, Roland & the Twerchhau team Attendees of the 24th BBB. Get the group photo here.