Sword, Buckler, and Perspective - Thoughts from an Adapted Fighter

I recently put together a video reviewing the Cold Steel Medieval Buckler, along with some basic demonstrations and beginner-friendly insights. If you’re curious about handling, balance, and first impressions, the video itself covers that ground directly. This post is more about context — history, accessibility, and why sword-and-buckler means something very different depending on who’s holding it.

Historically, the buckler was never meant to be a passive shield. In medieval Europe, especially from the 13th to 16th centuries, it was a lively, aggressive companion to the sword. Light, fast, and meant to be used offensively as much as defensively, the buckler thrived in a world where fighters relied heavily on sight: reading shoulder tension, tracking blade angle, and reacting in fractions of a second.

Image: A small, black, round shield (buckler) with a domed center and two visible metal bolts lies on a white surface. Part of its handle extends to the left. The surface of the dome has a few visible smudges. The surrounding area includes a black mat and a lightly stained tabletop.

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That last part matters.

Image: Back side of a small round shield, often called a buckler, placed on a light-colored surface. The lighting is dim, but the horizontal handle, attached with two visible fasteners, is clearly visible. The domed center of the shield is prominent, and the construction appears solid.

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As a blind martial artist, my relationship with weapons is built on different priorities. When visual information is limited or unavailable, reactive defense becomes unreliable. You don’t always know where a strike is coming from, which makes precise shield angling and last-moment interceptions a gamble. In that environment, the most reliable defense is often a strong offense — controlling distance, claiming initiative, and forcing the opponent to respond rather than act freely.

Image: A person in dark clothing stands with feet apart, holding a sword extended forward in one hand and a buckler raised in front with the other, appearing focused and ready to defend.

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This is why sword-and-buckler, while historically rich and undeniably fun, has never been a primary system for me.

Image: A person faces forward, left arm extended holding a round shield in front of their chest, right arm bent with a sword raised high and angled upward as if preparing to strike.

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The photos included with this post were taken during training while working with a buckler and a sword that doesn’t traditionally pair with it. That mismatch is intentional. The sword I’m holding normally wants two points of control — one hand on the hilt, the other on the pommel or forward of the guard — maximizing structure, feedback, and authority. Introducing a buckler changes that equation, and you can see the adaptation happening in real time: tighter lines, more conservative movement, deliberate commitment rather than reactive play.

Image: A person stands facing forward, left arm extended with a round shield held directly in front of their body, right arm bent and raised, gripping a sword aimed diagonally upward.

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And that’s okay.

Not every system needs to be optimized for me in order to be valuable.

I continue to train and retain sword-and-buckler work because it has historical importance, because it’s enjoyable, and because it’s something I can teach to students who do benefit from its strengths. Accessibility in martial arts doesn’t mean forcing every style to fit every body. It means understanding who a system was designed for, how it functions, and how to adapt — or set aside — elements honestly and safely.

Image: A person stands with feet apart, holding a buckler low and forward in their left hand, while their right hand grips a sword pointed downward across their body.

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The Cold Steel Medieval Buckler itself fits well into this conversation. It’s affordable, durable, and accessible to newcomers who want to explore historical fencing without committing to high-end custom gear. As a training tool, it does its job. As a teaching tool, it opens doors. And sometimes, opening doors for others is reason enough to keep something in your own practice, even if it isn’t your home ground.

Image: A person with long dark hair stands side-on, left arm fully extended forward holding a buckler, right arm bent with a sword angled behind them, appearing focused, ready to thrust.

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If you’re interested in sword-and-buckler, I encourage you to watch the video, experiment responsibly, and think critically about how history, body, and perception intersect in your own training. There’s no single “correct” way to practice — only informed, intentional ones.

For more on my work in adaptive martial arts, tactile art, and accessibility-focused projects, you can visit

👉 johnnytiger.com

👉 tigertactile.com

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