User blog comment:KevlarNinja/Highlander vs. Landsknecht/@comment-24.60.178.166-20131017194950

From TTrain ((I'm brand new to this awesome sight! As I also posted two comments, via my pain in the ass I phone, concerning any potential sword duel between these two outstanding, fearsome and amazingly capable warriors. Now I can expand upon my thoughts concerning such a vicious showdown, one fought with swords at close range))!

I would venture to assert, that within short range, and up close and personal, face to face, I would have to go with the Highlander, as that indomitable warrior's characteristic ferocity, aggressiveness and nearly superhuman resilience to pain would give him quite the edge in such a fierce and smashing match up with his German counterpart, as brutal and intense as that would be!

Though in terms of sword fighting skill, professionalism and patience, most Landsknechts would probably have this slight edge, though ever so slight. Than again, never under-estimate the rough sword fighting skill and adept capabilities of your typical, run of the mill, bloodthirsty Highlander, as they were more than just raw power, fury and blind savagery ((though who besides this block of dense pikemen could stop this usually unstoppable Highland charge when unleashed??))!

For after watching various demonstrations on You Tube of certain, specific German sword fighting techniques that were developed back during the early to mid Renaissance era ((late 1400's till the late 1500's)), THESE techniques that were based upon counter/thrust, counter/thrust, counter/thrust, thrusting one's sword forward---or at this slight downward angle--- in this manner that would involve such blazing and brilliant exploitation of any opening in one's opponent ((after both swords came crashing together, and both swordsmen were rendered vulnerable and partially defenseless, caught off guard, IN A SENSE, while still maintaining their balance and this firm posture!)).

So it would be very safe to assert that such a German fighting man might have the edge, no pun intended, over most other contemporary Europeans in that department.

For such early to mid Renaissance era/Central European sword fighting styles and techniques were very, very intricate, this often slick yet simple style and type of sword fighting, often brilliantly executed, and usually based upon sharp and quick exploitation of this opponent who is starkly susceptible and caught in this bad, terribly compromised defensive position. Fierce, yet controlled, and based on quick thinking, expert parrying, along with these thrusting sword motions often executed at this downward angle, or this quick and vicious jab response to every parry, or clashing of swords. AWESOME!!! And Great fun to watch!

While the Highlanders mold of sword fighting would have been more conventional, though NO LESS deadly and efficient, especially when such a fearsome claymore, or broadsword, was being wielded by this huge, powerful, smelly, and utterly savage Scottish warrior, OR this Irish/Scottish Gallowglass mercenary ((FEROCIOUS AND DEADLY Irish shock troops of mostly Scottish descent, and whose ancestors originally hailed from the Western Scottish Isles!)), EACH of whom could fight and brandish their swords with the best of em.

And who, besides this Japanese Samurai, could match and emulate the sheer, visceral ferocity, battlefield elan' and die hard warrior ethos of such an unbending, ultra fearsome, whiskey swilling and utterly fearless soldier springing from this ancient warrior society whose overall fabric was woven mostly with Celtic and Pictish threads, though with a bit of Norse Viking knitted in as well??

For no one, anywhere, could fight harder, more ferociously and with greater determination than those old school, late Medievalearly Renaissance Highlanders, and their equally tough, insane and devil may care cousins serving over in Ireland, the Gallowglass ((who often dressed in chain mail, which was tossed over these padded, often leather jerkins, or jackets, for body protection, YET never did such battle gear compromise, or limit, their combat flexibility, mobility or ability to swing their weapons! The Gallowglass, and maybe the Highlander of that time, would also be wearing this metal helmet of some sort, thus providing him with further protection. Though the Irish/Scottish Gallowglass mercenary would also be trained to fight with this six foot long Norse style ax, as many of em did enter battle with that type of weapon, at least back during their earliest emergence upon the field of combat, 1250--1450.)).

Harder than this coffin nail! And more merciless and ruthless than even the ferocious, notoriously merciless Swiss pikemen were, those Scottish and Irish bad asses!

Though considering the superior body armor that the average, typical Landsknecht might be donning, and that German warrior's often more finely honed, slighly better developed and barely, just barely more effective sword fighting abilities and techniques ((which were---the German styles---based more upon timing and nerve, along with these adroit and co-ordinated responses, followed by sharp thrusts and thrusting motions to any opening of an opponent caught off guard, all conducted with controlled savagery, AS opposed to this all out, ferocious as hell, YET still proficient sword attack---the Scottish Highlander/Irish Gallowglass way---one that was based more upon deadly attrition, endurance, ferocity and conventional sword fighting techniques and tactics!)), I might have to give the Landsknecht this thin, very, very thin edge.

It would prove this GREAT and fierce as hell close range, face to face, hand to hand sword battle. I would give my left nut to witness such a duel of champions!