Form VI: Niman/Jar'Kai, Dual Wielding

[Metaspark]

Does it actually work? Like, would I be able to use two lightsabers at once rather than one, and still be effective at dueling?

First, a little background. I have no formal weapons training, and only a little bit of martial arts (taekwondo) at a school that was really more concerned with getting money than actually teaching it, so I'm more self-taught than anything. I have no intention of actually getting into big sparring matches with other people, at most I might have a friendly duel with other people at conventions that don't really know what they're doing


However, I would actually like to know mostly what I'm doing, should the need ever arise to actually defend myself.

Though really as far as self defense is concerned, one saber would surely be more than enough, but when I'm just messing around I like to go for style, and in my opinion using two swords has always been inherently cooler than one. Are there any guides or anything to help learn this sort of thing, or would a dual wield style be too advanced for someone with no actual weapons training?

[Jammo]

I tell everyone I duel to at least familiarize themselves with it. I like to use a shorter blade in my off-hand than my primary, but I have a friend that prefers a balanced pair. As a self-defense application its not really worth talking about unless your attacker is somehow similarly armed. Chances of that? Slim. If I may, I will recommend that you learn maneuvers based off of an X style block (you use both sabers, yes). Its very effective for setting up counter attacks against a single saber user and a good jump off point for gaining proficiency in use of two weapon styles. 

[Master Lucien Kane]

This is some of my dual wielding work.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6AQrZ1w3qk" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6AQrZ1w3qk</a>

totally doable... Just takes practice, and lots of it.

Start dueling one handed, then get good dueling with your off hand one handed... then add another saber, then practice practice... and.... practice some more lol!

The mechanics of dual wielding are often misunderstood, people try the Asajj Ventress method of pairing the sabers together so where one goes the other follows. Why? If one of your blades is striking high the other should darn well be striking low. Alternate your attacks quickly so that your opponent cannot block every one of your attacks.

[Kham-Ryn Kurios]

This is some of my dual wielding work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6AQrZ1w3qk#

totally doable... Just takes practice, and lots of it.

Start dueling one handed, then get good dueling with your off hand one handed... then add another saber, then practice practice... and.... practice some more lol!

The mechanics of dual wielding are often misunderstood, people try the Asajj Ventress method of pairing the sabers together so where one goes the other follows. Why? If one of your blades is striking high the other should darn well be striking low. Alternate your attacks quickly so that your opponent cannot block every one of your attacks.

Lots of practice.

I reverse both Initiates and it works but there are a lot of flaws to it.

Using a shorter off hand blade would be a good way to familiarze your muscles with holding and moving two sabers.

[Master Nero Attoru]

It absolutely works, provided you develop enough expertise in it to make it worthwhile (in other words, enough that you're fighting effectively and not tangling yourself up).

As someone who has had to spar a very skilled dual wielder (Artorius), I can attest to its effectiveness

[Master Artorius Vidnyl]

There are lots of different ways to effectively dual wield.  One of which was already mentioned:  using a smaller off hand saber gives you a good balance and doubles the number of blades you are holding.  Remember that unlike "real" weapons a lightsaber can cut through most materials on contact.  Little pressure needs to be applied.  Momentum is often enough.  Of course good technique is required.

To start off you can use a mid/full sized saber like a Dominix or Aeon in the main hand (right for me as I'm right handed) and use a smaller lighter initiate sized hilt in the off hand (left for me).

At any rate if you have any specific questions feel free to ask them here or PM me and I'll tell you everything I know.

Cheers.

[Master Uilos]

Yes, dual wielding works. A lot of my friends use dual wielding and in different ways. Most prefer Escrima as one of our Masters taught it, as well as Espada y Daga. Others used Rapier and dagger, and others used Case of Rapiers (two Rapiers). All of them agree that it works well for attacking and defense but the problem of it being that you now need to know where both hands are at all times.

Now, I prefer two handed weapons like broadswords and katana. I find using a single handed weapon as awkward at times due to the weight, holding two even more so as my perceptions of what my hands are doing have exceeded beyond the normal "Right hand drives, left hand steers" method of assaults.

[Metaspark]

To start off you can use a mid/full sized saber like a Dominix or Aeon in the main hand

That's great, I happen to have the Aeon V3 coming in for my first order

Thanks for the help everyone, I'll probably practice with just the one once it comes in, I'm still looking at things for a second saber anyway, and it's not likely I'll be really showing anything off for quite some time. Pretty nice community around here 

[Master Lucien Kane]

My advice for you is... practice everything you do in your sword hand with your off hand... Become ambidextrous with your lightsaber... One this opens up a lot of versatility in a duel because you'll be able to effectively switch hands in a sparring match. Two you'll have an easier time translating single saber moves into dual wielding moves.

[Xanedan]

My advice for you is... practice everything you do in your sword hand with your off hand... Become ambidextrous with your lightsaber... One this opens up a lot of versatility in a duel because you'll be able to effectively switch hands in a sparring match.

It also opens you up to quote The Princess Bride during a hand change.  Which will likely incapacitate your foe, briefly.

[Master Lucien Kane]

It also opens you up to quote The Princess Bride during a hand change.  Which will likely incapacitate your foe, briefly.

point for you sir, as I have actually quoted said line during a duel. Man I love that movie.