Bolognese cuts
Almost all cuts are made with the true edge of the sword – the edge next to your knuckles. Whilst both sides are sharp, the true edge is more effective because of the biomechanics of how your arm moves when you make a cut.
This diagram shows all the true-edge cuts.
The Cuts
Cuts are divided up by the side they originate, and the type of cut:
- Mandritto cuts originate from the sword side
Mnemonic: Mano – hand; dritto = straight - Riverso cuts originate from the non-sword side
Squalembro
Squalembro cuts are diagonal, descending cuts. They typically start in a high guard, and end in a larga guard.
Mnemonic: (non)Equilibrium, unequal
 |  |
| Mandritto Squelembro | Riverso Squelembro |
Falso
These are the only false-edge cuts we have in Bolognese sword & buckler. They are rising, diagonal cuts, and are the exact opposite of the squelembro cuts.
Falso dritto – sword side – Starting in Coda Lunga Larga
Falso manco – non-sword side – Starting in Porta di Ferro Larga
 |  |
| Falso Dritto | Falso Manco |
Stramazzone
A circular cut pivoting at the wrist, almost always on the buckler side. This starts and ends in Guardia di Faccia.
Loosen your grip on the hilt, controlling the sword with your index finger, thumb against the quillions, and other fingers against the knuckle-guard. Let the blade drop, roll your hand, and use this monentum to swing it round behind you, tightening your grip to snap it into the cut at the end.
Tondo
A horizontal cut, often starting or ending in sotto/sopra il braccia.
Mnemonic: Round / rotund
 |  |
| Mandritto Tondo | Riverso Tondo |
Fendente
A descending vertical cut
Mnemonic: Dental – cuts them through their teeth
Montante
Rising cut, often used by Marozzo from coda lunga e distesa into guardia alta.
Mnemonic: Mountain
Redoppio
Ascending diagonal cut with the true edge (unlike the falso cuts)
Mnemonic: redouble
 |  |
| Mandritto Redoppio | Riverso Redoppio |
Thrusts
Stoccatta
A rising thrust, typically into Guardia di Faccia
Mnemonic: Stick them with the sword! Staccato notes are quick jabs.
Imbroccata
A descending thrust, typically from Guardia di Alicorno and finishing in Porta di Ferro Stretta
Punta Dritto & Punta Riverso
These are horizontal thrusts on the sword side (dritto) or buckler side (riverso). They are not as commonly used.
 |  |
| Punto Dritto | Punto Riverso |
Cheatsheet
Proper cutting action and edge alignment
This video shows the effect of a proper cutting action (drawing through the cut) vs a percussive ‘hit’ with a sword, and the importance of good edge alignment.