Path of the Sword

Training Blog

Passing the Silver Cord Examination

Devon Boorman ·

Exciting news for Academie Duello. We have scheduled our first Silver Cord examination for August 21, 2015. This is excellent news for us as a school and for me as the Master Instructor.

The Silver Cord is the fourth rank in our system and is the equivalent of a Provost level in swordplay schools from the past. This is the level before our master rank.

Passing the Silver Cord examination requires that you show:

  • In earnest, combative proficiency both technical and strategic with the rapier and rapier and dagger.
  • In earnest, combative proficiency with the sidesword and buckler
  • Proficiency with the longsword in technical and combative application
  • Proficient grappling skills
  • A strong technical foundation in quarterstaff, rapier and buckler, rapier and cloak, dagger, counter-dagger, longsword grappling, and use of two swords.
  • Strategic and tactical depth with the rapier in orthodox and unorthodox situations
  • Strategic and tactical depth with the sword and buckler
  • Use of the rapier versus the longsword and sidesword
  • Interpretation and execution of 3 historical assaults with the sidesword.

It is a massive undertaking and the fact that we have a group of students ready to take the examination is tremendous.

Share on:FacebookX

Subscribe for Training Articles, Lessons and Videos

Yes, they're free! Enter your name and email address to receive our emails packed full of great martial arts training articles, video lessons, drills, practice advice, new offerings, and much more.

Teaching Across Taiwan: Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung

A week of teaching in Taiwan since the Taipei intensive: a workshop at Cold Steel Lab in Taichung, two workshops at the CHIMEI Museum in Tainan, a combat workshop in Kaohsiung, and a day off trying a little surfing.

Devon Boorman ·

Teaching Swordplay Across Languages: Five Days in Taipei

Five intense days teaching our Level 1 Duello Armizare Instructor Intensive in Taipei: eleven students, ten hours a day, and a lot of rapier, longsword, wrestling, and teaching methodology, all across a language barrier.

Devon Boorman ·

Swordplay in Asia: Beijing, Taipei, and Beyond

News from the road: a weekend of teaching in Beijing, our first instructor intensive in Asia, and where I'll be teaching across Taiwan and the Philippines over the coming weeks.

Devon Boorman ·