When someone is good at knife combat, does that mean they're good at swordplay?

Question

When someone is good at knife combat, does that mean they're good at swordplay?

Answer 1

Maybe .... what good does it do a Iaido practitioner to know only the Katana? shouldn't he or she know their shoto and tanto techniques and cuts as well?  hhhmmmm............ After all the 8 basic cuts of Iaido isn't where the samurai's ( bushi's ) skills ended at.

Food for thought isn't it?

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History dictates that all other arts were built around the sword not the other way around. So I'd say that a decent practitioner of the sword should know his tanto ( knife ) as well as his hand to hand combat skills in order to be considered a true swordsman.  Not just my own opinion, but a fact stated through out Japanese and European history.

Answer 2

My opinion would be no. Swordplay would constitute different gripping methods. Range is also a key factor in any combat situation. I would think however that they would be able to pick up the techniques easier than the average Joe off the streets.

Answer 3

if you face either...run! :)

you have to define "sword"...there is no concrete definition of what length a blad has to be before in transitions from being a knife...to being a sword.

generally id say yes...IF they practice with swords and its a one handed sword. a blade is a blade...a sword is just a long knife.

or example...filipino arts...arnis, eskrima, kali...are designed so you learn everything at once.

for example they use "lines" or angles of attack...say line 12 is coming straight down on top of your head. it doesnt matter if its a sword...a stick..a beer bottle...your fist...a book...a video case...whatever.  you move the same way no matter which it is...just at a bit different range.

similarly..if you practice kendo or kenjutsu...everyone says...well you wont be carrying a sword around with you when you get attacked....no of course not...but it doesnt HAVE to be a sword...it can be a stick. when you first learn..you use a wooden sword called a bokken...which is a stick shaped like a sword.

things that are different...are really quite the same.

Answer 4

no, swords and knifes are a completely different combat style.Different balance, weight, range, and edge.