Learning Fiore De Liberi

Most sword systems have 8 cuts, and a thrust. Fiore teaches 6 cuts, and a thrust from 5 different positions. The two missing cuts are the vertical falling and rising cuts. These are somewhat replaced with the angle of the falling cuts that Fiore teaches. These both start at the ear, and end at the opposite knee.

There are a few theories as to why, some involving the armor of the day, others the mechanics of the blow itself. The armor of the day did not normally allow the fighter to raise his hands over his head, or to bend his elbows enough to make the cut cleanly. Since Fiore's is teaching for both armored and un-armored combat, it makes sense that he wouldn't teach a blow that can't be done in armor.

Another reason is an empirical understanding of the laws of physics. In particular the law of reflection, which states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. If you attack at a 45 degree angle, your sword will come off at a 45 degree angle. Now, there is a whole lot of things happening, so this isn't perfect. However, it' easy to see that at steep angle of reflection, it's worse then having your hands and sword deflect off at a 10 degree angle.

As your blade impacts at 45 degrees, and begins to deflect at 45 degrees, the whole blade must turn. This turning action means that you'll be hitting with the side of your blade as well. This will bleed some of the energy into hitting with the flat. A cut done the way Fiore describes minimizes all of that unwanted action, and is easier to do.

Interestingly, you also end up cutting inside your opponents 45 degree cut, and you can use your quillions to catch your opponents blade. All of this leads me to believe that Fiore is right, cutting ear to knee is the right line of a cut.